CONNECTING BUSINESSES ACROSS THE UK
Anna
www.paramountmedia.co.uk
March / April 2022 Issue 4
Britains alcohol problem - getting better or not?
Hobbies on your CV : The good, the bad and the too personal
Tech boss warns companies to prepare for more cyber attacks in 2022
Insults, 'sexts' and confidential info - How we miscommunicate in the office
The race into the Metaverse - is your business ready?
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Contents
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Message from our editor 2022 is flying by already. Spring is on the way. How has your business changed for 2022? This edition we bring you lots of business advice from experts in the field, from updating your CV and website, to preventing cyber attacks and getting ready to dive into the Metaverse. We also explore miscommunication in the workplace and how this can cost your business, both legally and financially. But its not all work and no play. Our health and Lifestyle sections bring you easy lunchtime reading. Im sure many people can agree, the lockdown months resulted in a sharp increase in alcohol consumption....it definitely did in our home. But how is this changing? Has government new labelling had any effect on our drinking habits? Check out the latest on this on Page 18. Once again we hope you enjoy this edition. If you have any news or features you would like us to investigate and publish, contact me directly at anna@paramountmedia.co.uk Not following us on social media? What are you waiting for? Scan the codes opposite to follow us for content, news, giveaways and raffles or click here to subscribe to our newsletter and recieve updates and exclusive offers from Paramount Media. Until next time ... stay safe and prosperous! Director and Editor Paramount Media NW ltd
Business Page 06 : The race into the Metaverse - Is your business ready? Page 08 : How to help staff disconnect after work hours Page 11 : Tech boss warns companies to prepare for more cyber attacks in 2022 Page 12 : Seven top website design ideas for 2022 Page 16 : Government clamps down on rogue parking firms Page 19 : 66% say government help isnt enough to keep heating on. Page 20 : Hobbies on your CV : The good, the bad and the too personal Page 24 : Insults, 'sexts' and confidential info - How we miscommunicate in the office Page 34 : Why is upskilling more important than ever? Health Page 18 : Britains alcohol problem - getting better or not? Page 30 : Sick and tired of being sick and tired? Lifestyle Page 26 : Most bizarre fears in the UK Page 28 : Celebrity health warning Page 33 : Must have items for your garden
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Why the Metaverse is taking off and the race to have a presence in it
Is the Metaverse going to transform our lives? Many are already diving in headfirst with a vision of the Metaverse as the next big opportunity. They are buying virtual land, building virtual worlds, designing virtual fashion and accessories. During the Covid pandemic the vast majority of people have been forced into working from home. Would it not be a natural progression to have a virtual workplace where work colleagues can meet in a virtual environment and benefit from the social interaction and collaboration that is normally only achieved in reality? Virtual workplace tools are already utilised in these virtual worlds and some see this as not just a blip, not just a way of working because the pandemic has forced it upon us, but actually a very sensible way to work effectively without being distanced from our workmates. When our awareness of the impact of our lives on the planet has never been greater, surely working in the Metaverse is a "no brainer" to minimise the impact we have on the environment. Imagine the time saved by commuters across the globe, the reduction in greenhouse gasses that are generated by conventional travel, if working in the Metaverse is widely adopted, the beneficial outcome would be enormous. Organisations that are the early adopters in building a world in the Metaverse will undoubtedly see increased revenues and new markets never before imagined, but where will they turn to build their virtual world? Metaverse World Builders (as their name suggests) build virtual worlds in the Metaverse. They have a diverse team of skilled world builders ranging from award winning artists to specialists in building virtual exhibitions and even virtual fantasy worlds. Tell Metaverse World Builders the vision of your world, what it should represent and how it should make the visitors feel. Metaverse World Builders can build you a concept world so that you are able to visualise in person, in the Metaverse, exactly how your world will look and feel. Take the first step into the future, the future is now.
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Forget the space race - the real race has just begun: the race into the Metaverse
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Encouraging a good work / home balance is essential to the health and wellbeing of employees
Employees are a company's most valuable asset ... their wellbeing deserves special attention
“Please, Do Not Disturb” How to Help Staff Disconnect After Work Hours
76% of people struggle to disconnect from their jobs at the end of the working day
With all that has happened in the last couple of years, it is fair to say that our lives have been completely overturned. If commuting to the office every morning used to be the norm, more and more employees are now working from their bedroom, kitchen table or home office on a regular basis. This may seem like a tremendous advantage at first, and, in many ways, it can be – no early wake-ups, no rushed breakfasts, and no morning traffic. However, working from home can conceal a few challenges. One of them is that employees find it difficult to switch off and relax after office hours. It has been found that 76% of people struggle to disconnect from their jobs at the end of the working day, with it taking them an average of one hour and 39 minutes to unwind after leaving their desks. In addition, a recent study by the National Bureau of Economic Research revealed that working from home makes it even harder for people to detach. With many more internal emails circulating inside their inbox, workdays from home are becoming longer. As a business, it is crucial to always ensure high standards of health and wellbeing in the workplace. Employees are a company’s most valuable asset and their wellbeing deserves special attention. This article explores some ways in which businesses can help their home-working staff wind down after office hours. Encourage breaks and hobbies When working from home, it is very easy to stay glued to the work laptop for an extra hour or two. Whether it is checking emails or polishing presentation slides for the following day, employees may end up losing precious ‘me time’. With no sight of colleagues leaving the office when the shift is over, it may be tricky to realise that it is time to stop for the evening. One way to make sure your staff are not overworking is to encourage them to take up a hobby. The promise of going to dance classes or for a kick-about with friends may spur them to switch off when they should. For instance, playing an instrument is an excellent solution too. Strumming a guitar or improvising tunes on a piano can reset their mind. In this respect, you may also want to encourage your employees to take short breaks during the day and have a go at their favourite hobby – whether it is singing, gardening, or cooking, it will actively refuel their energy levels and get their creative juices flowing, ready for work again. Promote socialising with co-workers Working remotely means that employees’ workplaces no longer include co-workers. Colleagues may still see each other during meetings from time to time, but that is only through a screen. What’s more, conversations will always be about work and the current tasks at hand. Why not promote virtual, social meetings at the end of the working day? This will allow staff to have casual conversations with co-workers that, in an office setting, would generally happen in hallways or at the coffee machine. By encouraging informal interactions, you will help employees detach from their duties for the day. Lead by example One of the most effective ways to ensure your workers switch off after office hours is to lead by example. Why would homeworkers turn their laptop off if their manager is still online? Outside of typical office hours, HR and managers should not reply to emails (unless truly urgent, of course). If a task can wait until the morning, it will alleviate the pressure on your people to continue working. That way, you and your employees can quickly indulge in some well-deserved after-work rest. Turn technology to their advantage As mentioned, workers may feel hesitant to close their laptops after office hours. If a task or meeting request appears on their screen at the end of the day, they may feel pressured to crack on with it regardless of what time it is. Ultimately, they may end up being overburdened with work. In this respect, you may want to encourage your staff to turn technology to their advantage. There are apps, including Google Calendar, that allow employees to set specific timeframes and work hours. This means that if anyone sends meeting requests outside their office hours, they will be informed that the colleague is currently unavailable and the invitation will be declined. Similarly, apps such as Microsoft Teams can also be set to alert users during core work hours only. These are simple but effective ways to eliminate people’s temptation to check their work inboxes and messages outside their working hours. Write a to-do list Why not motivate your employees to write their own to-do lists for the day? Jotting down the tasks for the day has a number of advantages. Firstly, ticking off items is satisfying and spurs staff to keep going, improving productivity and efficiency. More importantly, seeing a completed agenda at the end of the day will help workers settle down for the evening, as it’s evidence that there is nothing else that needs doing. Writing a to-do list will also allow employees to prioritise their tasks. They will be able to plan out their day to focus on the more pressing duties at times that suit them. If their minor tasks are not finished that day, they could be picked up the next morning. It is true that working from home has its benefits. But there is also no denying that it comes with some challenges, with employees finding it difficult to turn off their work devices and enjoy some all-important ‘me time’.
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Tech boss Kyle Holmes of Wiltshire-based Black Nova is warning companies across the South West to be more cyber aware than ever over the next 12 months. Cyber attacks on companies and individuals have soared throughout the pandemic and they rose dramatically in 2021 - with more ransomware attacks recorded between January and March last year than the whole of 2019. These attacks have included attacks on hospital systems, oil pipelines, schools and businesses. Kyle said: "Companies and directors need to be more cyber aware than ever before. Cyberspace and the digital world is developing at an astonishing rate. However criminals are moving as fast too and now is the time to look at your resilience to deal with that." Kyle and his team who work from their HQ in Wiltshire believe there are several major areas of risk to be aware of in 2022: Homeworking- with more and increased home-working, the risks are much higher, from linking private and professional devices, access to internal systems and company data from home and general home security which could be used to "spy" or access sensitive or valuable data. AI- while use of AI-led tech is increasingly clever at picking up "anomalies" in behaviour online, it is also being used to carry out cyber attacks. Supply chains- being attacked through being linked to a supplier and its systems is seen as a red flag area. It is believed by 2025 around 25 per cent of larger companies will not work with suppliers which cannot demonstrate their so-called cyber "resilience". The Internet of Things- it is estimated that last year the number of connected devices was more than 18 billion. This connectivity can carry risks at home or in the office. Controlling many things digital from doors, to windows, to kettles to fridges means that hacking your fridge could lead a hacker straight to something far more important - personal or company data. "Companies need to do an audit of their equipment, their connectivity and their digital infrastructure to identify weaknesses, plug gaps and, from a human point of view, train and educate their team or teams - particularly if they are working from home. The latter is the best way to avoid being a victim of a phishing for ransomware attack which could seriously cripple, or even destroy a company," Kyle said. One of the biggest, and most sophisticated cyber attacks over the past two years was the SolarWinds hack which began in or around March 2020 in the USA - no one knows for sure as the impact of that attack has still not been fully assessed. SolarWinds is a Texas-based company providing information technology working with an estimated 33,000 customers some of whom are large companies and government departments. This company was subject to a "supply chain hack" which was not discovered for months. Malicious code was introduced into SolarWinds' software system known as Orion. When it sent out updates to its customers - as is perfectly normal for software - it inadvertently sent out the "bad" code which, in some cases, then infected the clients' systems. This code created a "back door" allowing the hackers to "spy" on other larger companies and government departments. Even today it is not known how deep this attack went and which customers were affected.
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Tech boss Kyle Holmes warns companies to prepare for more cyber attacks in 2022
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As top-rated WordPress designers and one of the top five web designers in the UK, director Adam N from WebsiteDesigners.London shares design tips for 2022. Learn what you can be doing to get and stay ahead of the competition in the New Year
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Seven top website design tips for 2022
The design of your website and other aspects of your company and brand is essential to your success. The importance of having a good website for business simply cannot be overlooked. It not only impacts your credibility but also your conversions and sales. Your site must be optimised for the best user experience if you want to outshine your competitors in the upcoming year. 3D design, multimedia and interactive design As web designers think about the future and 2022, you should also focus on 3D design, multimedia, and interactive design. For instance, you should be prepared to incorporate and embrace animation, AR, VR, and large-scale video and imagery, in addition to interactive features. However, keep in mind you must also be able to deliver the best possible experience regardless of the device the user is on. Others are looking to have the entire site customisable to the user and them being able to move around pieces and elements as they choose. It will be about the visitor having more control and being able to interact with your website and design. Use a mobile-first approach If you want to be found on Google searches and stay high in the rankings then you should consider a mobile-first approach with your design. It must be a top-priority going forward and not on the backburner. Understand how your target audience interacts with your brand and website to make sure your website is easy to use and effective. Keep in mind people interact with content differently on mobile than other devices. High-quality content is still critical (consider reusing it) Another design tip for 2022 is to bring back top-performing content which will be extremely important to your success. Take time to review your top content and pieces that got the most attention over the last few years. Take time to update your posts with relevant and timely information and then plan to relaunch it. However, be sure to keep the existing URL in place. After a few updates and relaunching it, you will likely see significant improvements with organic clicks. Focus on simple navigation One of the best design tips for 2022 when it comes to your website and design is to keep it simple. You must be able to instantaneously communicate your core message and what you are about right from the start. Use plain language and tailor your navigation to your content. The experts at WebsiteDesigners.London encourage you to focus on connecting emotionally with your audience and using as few words as possible in your overall website design. Some may also call it a mindful web design. When it comes to the simplicity of your site, be cautious not to overcrowd it. In 2022, the focus should be a modern, sleek, and clean design that is attractive and easy to scroll through. Content versatility is a must and you should also be aware of your 404s and get rid of those right away. Maintain a consistent brand Developing a strong brand identity will be key in 2022 and beyond. It is the cornerstone of your company and will impact traffic to your site and conversions. You must remain consistent across all customer touchpoints. The same goes for your messaging and tone of your website and within your design. Look for creating consistency with your value proposition, aesthetics, and tone on your site. Make SEO a priority SEO helps you gain more traffic and Google will be more prone to highlight and reward your site. When it comes to the design of your website and SEO make sure you have a responsive design, relevant header tags, relevant title tags, and use short descriptive URLs. Also, collect relevant backlinks and make sure your content speaks to your audience. Use targeted keywords throughout your website which will boost organic traffic. Your site's speed also plays a role and should be a main concern. Include a direct CTA and place it at the bottom Always put your CTA at the bottom, say the WebsiteDesigners.London top-rated WordPress designers. It is too overbearing and aggressive to have your CTA near the top of the page. You can safely assume not all visitors will be ready to take action when first getting to know your brand and clicking around your site. Give them a chance to warm up and learn more about you before incorporating your CTA on the page. You will first need to convince and lead them to the next step before announcing what you want them to do.
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Gender diversity in UK boardrooms is lagging behind European counterparts with only 30.1 per cent of company seats held by women in the UK. According to a new global report by Deloitte,‘ Women in the boardroom: A global perspective’, women leaders on the continent boast the largest share of global boardroom seats, led by France (43.2 per cent), followed by Norway (42.4 per cent) and Italy (36.6 per cent). The UK entered the top 10 global ranking, moving from 13thto 9thplace since the report was last published in 2019. However, despite the 7.4 per cent increase of women holding UK board seats, the UK’s boardroom diversity lags behind six European countries as well as New Zealand and South Africa. Jackie Henry, managing partner people and purpose, Deloitte UK, said: “Board diversity is a demonstration of an organisation’s commitment to inclusion. Whilst the number of board seats held by those identifying as women in the UK is moving in the right direction, we’re still a long way behind our European neighbours with leaders France only 6.8 per cent short of gender parity. UK businesses need to be even more proactive in taking diversity targets seriously, improving disclosure and more transparent reporting.” Gender parity Deloitte’s report, published in collaboration with the 30% Club, demonstrates slow progress towards gender parity globally with just one in five (19.7 per cent) boardroom seats held by women - a 2.8 per cent increase since 2019. Henry added: “At this pace, the world could expect to reach near parity in 2045, more than 20 years from now, but the UK could realise gender parity as soon as 2027 if the progress we’ve seen in the last two years continues at the same pace.” UK boards The proportion of women on FTSE 100* boards has tripled in the past 12 years. In 2010 FTSE 100 boards were made up of just 12 per cent of women, but this has now grown to 36.2 per cent. There are 15 women board chairs in the FTSE 100 and eight CEOs; an increase of just one since 2019. The average age of women on boards in the UK is 56.8 years, while the average age for a woman chair is 60.1 – more than four years younger than their male counterparts (64.3). The report also found the average tenure for women on boards in the UK decreased from 4.1 years to 3.6 years since the last report published in 2019. Impact of diverse leadership Deloitte’s global research analysed data from 10,493 companies in 51 countries and revealed a positive correlation between women CEO leadership and board diversity. Companies with women CEOs have significantly more women on their boards than those run by men - 33.5 per cent versus 19.4 per cent, respectively. The statistics are similar for companies with women chairs - 30.8 per cent women on boards versus 19.4 per cent, respectively. The inverse is true as well, with gender-diverse boards more likely to appoint a woman CEO and board chair. Henry continued: “We know that leadership sets the tone for the rest of the business. Increased ethnic minority and all-gender participation at every level are vital if businesses want to have a truly inclusive culture. There are other important dimensions of diversity that government, regulators, businesses, and investors should consider, including LGBTQ+, disability, neurodiversity and socio-economic background. “I believe that to achieve the strongest company boards we need a diversity of thought and experience - and that will only be possible by developing an inclusive pipeline of talent.” Sharon Thorne, Deloitte Global Board Chair, added: “While it’s heartening to see that the world continues to make progress towards achieving gender parity, with the exception of a few countries, overall progress remains slow and uneven. The pandemic has dented efforts to achieve equality, making it even more important to move past discussion and take concrete actions to ensure inclusion within and beyond the boardroom including gender, ethnic and racial diversity among other characteristics. Increasing the number of women on boards is only the first step on a larger journey.” 30% Club Commenting on its key findings, Ann Cairns, global chair of the 30% Club said: "With the FTSE 100 on the brink of attaining 40% women in board roles, I am encouraged by Deloitte’s finding that UK parity could be reached by 2027. "People often ask why the 30% Club is not the 50% Club given that our aim is parity. I think this report answers that question, we are still far from the 30% tipping point in many geographies." She added: “One of the report's most interesting findings is the real balance that female leaders bring. If women CEOs can have more balanced boards, there’s no reason that male CEOs can't. Finally, on the stretch, this speaks to the fact that women have a harder time being appointed if they don’t have previous board experience. Chairs and CEOs should be encouraged to give women their first board seat. “There is plenty of talent out there who would make great directors. This is very true for people of colour too, many of whom would welcome the chance to make a significant contribution at the top of the corporate world but remain significantly under-represented."
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Gender diversity in UK boardrooms struggles to keep up with European counterparts
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Millions of motorists are set to benefit from a major government crackdown on rogue parking firms which will see fines slashed and a clearer and fairer appeals system created. A new package of measures announced today (7 February 2022) will protect drivers from unfair and extortionate charges, with a new Code of Practice to help keep cowboy private parking firms in check. The government’s Parking Code of Practice will see parking fines cut by up to 50% in the majority of cases, saving motorists millions of pounds each year. The proposals include a maximum cap for parking fines, a 10-minute grace period before a late fine can be issued, and a requirement for parking firms to clearly display pricing and terms and conditions. In England outside of London and in Wales, charges will be reduced from £100 to £70 or £50, depending on the seriousness of the breach. Private firms which breach the new Code could even be barred from collecting fines from motorists at all. Currently, private parking firms are able to hide behind non-specific, pseudo-legal and aggressive language when pursuing motorists. The Code of Practice will provide new higher standards. Rogue firms which break these rules could be barred from requesting Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) data, making them unable to pursue motorists for their charges through the post. A new, simpler appeals process is also being created, to make it easier for disputed fines to be cancelled. The measures will be a major boost to millions of motorists in England, Scotland and Wales and will help to draw people back to their local high streets by eliminating the fear of being unfairly caught out. Minister for Levelling Up, Neil O‘Brien MP said: “Private firms issue roughly 22,000 parking tickets every day, often adopting a system of misleading and confusing signage, aggressive debt collection and unreasonable fees designed to extort money from motorists. “The new Code of Practice will set out a clear vision with the interests of safe motorists at its heart, while cracking down on the worst offenders who put other people in danger and hinder our emergency services from carrying out their duties.” RAC head of roads policy Nicholas Lyes said: “The RAC has campaigned for years to end the sharp practices in the private parking sector, so we welcome the new national code that will usher in higher standards and will introduce a lower cap on penalty charge notices, an independent appeals system and an end to rip-off debt collection fees. This will undoubtedly make drivers’ experience of using private car parks fairer while at the same time force rogue operators to clean up their acts once and for all.” Edmund King, AA president, said: “These much needed upgrades to private parking rules will give better protection to drivers. For too long, those caught by private parking firms simply pay the charge to get rid of it. Thankfully these days are numbered. “Drivers should feel confident that having a single Code of Practice and a new Appeals Charter will give them confidence to appeal and be properly heard. We are also pleased that honest mistakes, like mistyping the car registration into the machine, will now be automatically cancelled.” Sir Greg Knight MP, who took the Parking (Code of Practice) Act through Parliament as a Private Members Bill said: “Some car park providers are honest and fair but a number of unscrupulous rogues have undermined the sector with bad practice. I warmly welcome the government’s action which will prevent motorists being unjustly treated in future and will make parking a vehicle a fairer experience for all.” “Action is needed because many dodgy operators are still engaging in unacceptable practices whilst using a threatening and intimidating process to fleece motorists.” Fresh measures proposed in the new Code and Framework include the creation of a mandatory single Appeals Service and Appeals Charter for motorists to turn to if they are unfairly fined. Under options set out in the Appeals Charter, motorists could be able to appeal their fine and see it cancelled entirely if: they have a mitigating reason for overstaying their parking ticket such as their vehicle breaking down they have made a genuine innocent error, like keying in a digit in their number plate incorrectly they have a valid ticket, permit or Blue Badge but failed to display it correctly The Code also states: New parking charge levels which will mirror the local authority system for publicly accessible car parks, halving parking charges for millions of motorists to £50. It will keep the current £100 cap in some circumstances such as abusing Blue Badge bays or if a motorist is trespassing on private land. Motorists will be offered a 50% discount if they pay within 14 days. Parking debt collectors will be banned from adding additional excess fees to the level of the parking charge, currently as much as £70. A compulsory 10-minute grace periods before firms can issue a late fine. A compulsory 5-minute cooling-off period in which a motorist can consider the terms and conditions and change their mind about parking. A crackdown on parking firms using aggressive or pseudo-legal language to intimidate motorists into paying fines. A requirement for parking firms to clearly display pricing and terms and conditions of parking, contact details and how to appeal a charge. The Parking (Code of Practice) Act became law in March 2019 and builds on action the government has already taken to tackle rogue private parking firms, including banning wheel clamping and towing and stopping over-zealous parking enforcement by councils.
New code will protect drivers from extortionate fines
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Science
Liam Shuker Paramount Media Journalist
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Government clamps down on rogue parking firms
New research from Choose.co.uk finds 66% of people believe the support the Government is offering on energy bills will not be enough to help them keep the heating on this year. 28% say they are already cutting back on heating or other essentials, with 36% already struggling to afford their energy bills and 4% already in energy arrears. In order to keep the heating on this year, respondents said they would need to make changes to their lives: 5% may have to move home due to energy costs 30% will cut back on food to keep the house warm 18% will cut back on broadband and mobile phones The survey also found significant numbers of respondents are concerned and confused about the energy bill loan and other support on offer: 21% say the £200 energy loan won’t be enough to help with their energy bill 49% worry they will struggle to repay the £200 loan, or it will cause them difficulty in the future 34% would rather opt-out and not be given this loan at all with only 17% saying they wanted the help and wouldn’t mind the five-year repayments In addition, 33% do not understand what’s been announced or how it will help, suggesting communication from the Government on the new policy has been ineffective. Choose also questioned whether energy customers are aware of the Warm Home Discount (WHD) scheme and whether they are eligible for it: Only 10% receive the WHD to help with their winter bills 24% do not know what the eligibility of the WHD scheme is 18% are not aware of the WHD scheme at all 47% are not eligible for the WHD scheme With more than 40% of respondents either unaware of the WHD scheme at all or uncertain whether they are eligible for it, there are clear knowledge gaps around the support available from the Government. The full report is available on Choose:Affordability in the UK energy market Lyndsey Burton, MD of Choose.co.uk said, “Despite a media blitz over the last week, major elements of the Government’s policy to support energy customers are being shown as ineffective by those who really know – energy customers themselves. “There is clear confusion about how the policies are going to help but, more importantly, customers believe the support isn’t going to be enough. For all the Government’s rhetoric about helping customers with the rising costs of energy, customers are still left making impossible choices between keeping warm and cutting back on other things like food, broadband and mobile. “The Government’s failure to tackle spiralling energy bills in a straightforward way that customers can understand and that won’t leave them worried about repaying an unwanted loan is damaging to households across the country. Even if customers manage to pay their energy bills, the knock-on effects to other parts of their life will be as damaging or even more so. “It’s time for the Government to think again and look at a more comprehensive support package that will help energy customers without confusing them and leaving them with a debt they don’t want.”
66% say Government help isn’t enough to keep the heating on
Britains alcohol problem - Getting better or not?
All alcoholic drinks now have warning labels, with many campaigning to increase the information on those even further. But has this actually helped the people of Britain drink any less? Alcohol labels have been around for a while, but even before they were due to be added, they were already said to be unlikely to receive a warm welcome. All alcoholic drinks were to now carry health warnings and unit labelling. A 2008 report by consumer market research firm Mintel, right before these government plans were going to go ahead, spoke of the “lukewarm reception” it was going to have. But there were some positive points too. The attempt to tackle Britain’s binge boozing by labelling all alcoholic drinks with health warnings was an attempt to reduce the number of problem drinkers. Binge drinking specifically, traditionally seen as a male activity, had become increasingly associated with young women as well. But despite this alarming trend, it seems the female half of the population was still much better at facing up to their bad drinking habits than men. The report showed that while only 30 per cent of men thought it would help them think about how much they drink, 36 per cent of women said it would have that effect. Women seemed much more open to becoming aware of their binge-drinking patterns and the idea that it could help them drink less, and also more approving of the labelling scheme in general. Almost half of women (49 per cent) thought the scheme a good idea. However, it was a completely different story with the male respondents. Just two in five men at the time thought the health warnings were a good idea. Mathilde Dudouit, a senior research analyst at Mintel, said at the time that, “While recent press coverage has seen women come under attack for binge drinking, they are clearly more open to these proposed labels. For women at least, this new initiative could well be a step in the right direction to combat excessive drinking. Meanwhile, men clearly are much more set in their ways when it comes to what they drink and it will be harder to convince them to change their habits.” But why were the labels even necessary? Well, the trend toward stronger drinks and larger glasses meant that Brits could no longer be sure how many units they are drinking, according to Dudoit. Without clear information, many people would be unaware whether they were exceeding their weekly alcohol intake or whether they are still within the safe drink drive limits after an evening out. So did the labels, and other attempts, happening alongside it, to tackle Britain’s alcohol problem, work? There are mixed opinions on this. The alcoholic drinks industry at the time the labels were first implemented was worth £41 billion and growing. And that trend continued. By 2014 it was worth £46 billion, and by 2020 the UK alcoholic drinks market was worth £68 billion. The Telegraph reported in November 2019 – even before the stressful events that were soon to follow had happened – that, per person, we were drinking an average of 108 bottles of wine a year. Making us “the booziest nation in the Western world.” These statistics seem to indicate that far from cutting back on Britain’s alcoholism, the industry and the drinking quantities of its consumers has kept on growing. And that, despite those of us who are cutting back on alcohol as part of a healthier lifestyle, the amount we knock back as a nation has kept growing stayed over the past thirteen years. Implying that those who drink are drinking more. To add to this, a 2018 BBC article cited a warning from the Royal Society for Public Health that there was a public “awareness vacuum” on how alcohol affects health, and that more and better labels on alcoholic drinks were necessary. But there is some light at the end of the tunnel. A small bit, but there. The Alcohol Change charity has reported mostly depressing findings. That 24% of adults in England and Scotland regularly drink over the Chief Medical Officer’s low-risk guidelines, and 27% of drinkers in Great Britain binge drink on their heaviest drinking days (over 8 units for men and over 6 units for women). And that in 2018, there were 170,000 alcohol-related prescription items dispensed in England, 27% higher than in 2008 – when the labels were introduced. However, “Since 2005, the overall amount of alcohol consumed in the UK, the proportion of people reporting drinking, and the amount drinkers report consuming have all fallen. This trend is especially pronounced among younger drinkers.” With this in mind, it is hoped that those gentle reminders of how much we’re consuming, in the form of a health warning label, will continue to go some way towards making a difference.
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HOBBIES ON YOUR CV: THE GOOD, THE BAD, AND THE TOO PERSONAL
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Putting together the perfect CV can be tricky. There’s a temptation to try and sound as interesting and unique as possible and, while this has its benefits, it’s also important to remember the aim of the CV - to impress potential employers and give you the best chance of netting the job. Giving the right impression in your interests and hobbies section is therefore important and you should make sure you give it the same amount of thought as every other section. Keeping a Lid On Your Extracurriculars Leading recruiters Reed once looked through and surveyed 900 CVs within their system and came across many less-than-usual hobbies in the “other interests” section. Wacky past times such as “an interest in guns”, “ferret racings” and “stalking celebrities”. While all these points may be true, they do not scream reliable employee and may be something you should consider keeping to yourself. Reed also found many CVs cited “drinking” as their sole other interest, or something too simple and bland such as “socialising” or “reading”. Like every element of your CV, this section should be impressive without going too far in shocking or surprising the reader. But nor should it give nothing away. Remember, whatever is written in that section may be something you’re questioned on, so you need to be able to legitimately discuss any hobbies listed. The research from Reed is both amusing and eye-opening. They found 80% of employers said the “other interests” section can influence their final decision, so being flippant, funny or sharing some strange and unusual interests my not be the best way to go. 30% of employers also said going into too much detail is also a problem, with one female candidate listing her main interest as “pleasing my boyfriend between the sheets”. While this might be an extreme example it does show how off-putting the wrong information can be. When Weird Hobbies Win In some instances though, a strange hobby could be the secret to your success. Jacques Cousteau famously invented scuba diving because of his love for exploring caves and the Wright Brothers invented flying as their business selling and repairing bicycles was becoming tiresome and boring. Even if you're not an inventor, you can still position an unusual hobby in a good way, and find that it piques the interest of a potential employer. For example, hobbies can show the kind of person you are. Hobbies such as team sports will indicate you have communication and conflict management skills. An interest in strategy board games may indicate your intelligence and strategic thinking. Even a less common interest in aquariums, beekeeping or microscopy can show your interest in the small details and observation skills. Think about your hobbies in the context of what they’d offer your employer. Even storm chasers could argue they’re experts in measured risk-taking. The important thing to remember when putting together your CV is that employers want to see the best of you, and this includes hobbies that make you interesting but don’t become the main point of your whole application. You may adore spending intimate time with your significant other, or racing your furry ferret friends on the beach, but this probably doesn’t show off any skillset which will endear you to a potential employer. Keep this in mind the next time you apply, and you may find that it helps you bag that dream job.
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Sleepwalking - symptoms, causes & treatment
Inefficient communication is a problem many businesses deal with sometimes. The consequences of certain communication mishaps aren’t just damaging to an employee’s career or a businesses’ reputation, but they can be downright embarrassing for everyone involved. To highlight the outcomes of miscommunication in the office, international telecommunications provider TollFree Forwarding has sourced several real-life stories of people sending communications to the wrong person in the office. Alongside this, the Tollfree Forwarding team has also surveyed 1,000 employees to see how often and under what circumstances, they have miscommunicated at work. Misplaced Emails and Mistaken Messages Highlighting the problem of miscommunication in the workplace, 56% of respondents admitted to sending a communication to someone it wasn’t intended for whilst at work. They’re common in two significant mediums: emails and texts. Most errors occur on email, as 34% of respondents said they’d sent one to the wrong person. Texts or instant messages were also found to be regularly sent to the wrong person at work – more than one in five (22%) said they’d done it at some point during their working life. Sometimes, the consequences can be awkward for employees, particularly if it involves clients who are spending money with a company that needs to maintain professionalism – just like in the examples below. Men seem more careless than women in their communication in the office. 70% said they’d miscommunicated in some way in the workplace (compared to 49% for women). The survey shows that men are also more likely to miscommunicate, by 12 percentage points more than women, to be precise. How We Miscommunicate in the Office The consequences of miscommunicating in the office can vary significantly, depending on the tone and makeup of what has been sent. The respondents were asked if they’d ever accidentally sent something that could be damaging for them or the business they work for. Again, men appear to be in greater danger of committing these miscommunications in the office. Over a third have accidentally sent confidential information and more than a quarter have accidentally sent insulting comments about a colleague to someone at work (like in the example below). This applied to only 15% of the women surveyed. One in ten were even found to have inadvertently sent sexual content to a colleague it wasn’t intended for. If such miscommunications get sent to a manager, the consequences can be even more serious. The Consequences of Miscommunication You may never run into an example as extreme as the ones above, but miscommunication in the office costs every business. A recent study from the Independent Director Council found that companies with over 100,000 employees were losing an average of $62 million per year due to miscommunications. Stephen Hart, CEO at Card Switcher, highlights how bad communication can quickly snowball into a significant business problem: “Say your customer service team isn’t passing on customer feedback. Well, that’s going to cause problems for your sales, who don’t know how to tweak their approach. And your business development team, who won’t know how to improve the business. And your marketing team, who won’t understand your customer base. “Bad communication has a tendency to cause compound issues and spread to other business areas.” The survey participants were also asked what they’d expect to happen if they committed a serious miscommunication in the office. 63% said they’d expect to be dismissed if they sent sexual media (such as a photo or video) to a colleague, even if it was an accident. In the office environment, the likelihood of dismissal can vary depending on the specifics of the employment contract. Attorney and Adjunct Law Professor Tom Simeone said: “Many employment contracts state that an employee can only be fired for “good cause.” Some contracts then go on to define a good cause, but others do not. So, insulting a manager, for example, could be grounds for termination, if the employer desired. On the other hand, other business owners have said they wouldn’t expect to see staff dismissed if communications were merely an accident. How to Improve Office Communication Miscommunications are inevitable, but there are steps companies can take to increase the overall level of communicative efficiency in the organization. It can often be as simple as ensuring everyone is approachable during the working day. Tracey Julien, VP of Marketing at Guided Choice, said: “Many employees feel intimidated and even too embarrassed to ask their manager a question to clarify what is being asked of them. This is probably one of the easiest issues to combat and yet it still occurs time and again. For larger businesses, where communication happens across several departments, changing the primary medium for internal communication from emails to more direct platforms, such as Slack, is a great solution. Stephen Hart from Card Switcher also suggested The Daily Standup: “It’s a short daily meeting where participants answer three simple questions: - what did you do yesterday? - what will you do today? - what impediments or problems do you have? “The communication and productivity benefits are immense. If someone is planning work that will disrupt someone else’s, you learn about it at the start of the day and can mould your day around it. Another huge benefit is that it highlights problems, issues, and impediments so someone can address them before they start causing problems.”
Insults, “Sexts” and Confidential Info – How We Miscommunicate in the Office
56% of respondants admitted to sending a communication to someone it wasnt intended for whilst at work
...companies with over 100k employees were losing and average of $62 million per year due to miscommunication...
How much is your company losing through miscommunication in the workplace?
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Brits have revealed their most bizarre fears - with buttons, balloons, and the colour yellow making the list. Researchers who polled 2000 adults to reveal the nation s eclectic mix of phobias with trypophobia - the fear of small holes – and nlaiguphobia – the fear of tin openers both featuring. Nomophobia – the fear of being without your mobile phone – is also a popular phobia – as is arachibutyrophobia – the fear of peanut butter sticking to the roof of your mouth. Heights, spiders, snakes and enclosed spaces topped the list of most common fears, along with dentists, ghosts and the dark. It also emerged that 77% of adults have a phobia of something – with 15% admitting to having what might be considered an unusual fear. A spokesperson for craft beer makers, Beavertown, which commissioned the research, said:“It s no secret that fears like spiders and heights are common. “But knowing that things like peanut butter sticking to the roof of your mouth and being without your phone top the UK s list of fears really is revealing as to what we now find scary. Other obscure phobias included the fear of belly buttons – omphalophobia, trees – dendrophobia, and the colour red – erythrophobia. The study also identified some of the challenges of living with a fear, with 35% worried their phobia makes them appear too weak to others. Which might explain why 24% of those with a phobia have attempted to keep it secret from loved ones. Furthermore, 36% of participants said their phobia made it difficult for them to socialise, while 23% have sought professional help to overcome their phobias.
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Paramount Press September 2021
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Celebrity Health Warning
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Celebrities are used to sell all sorts of products, but when it comes to health products, are they abusing their position with claims that just can’t be substantiated? The cult of celebrity is big business. People fork out millions every week to buy newspapers and magazine to read about them, we buy their eau de toilette ranges, the clothes that they wear and often assume them to be the ultimate arbiters of style and taste. It may all be a fairly harmless way of parting us from excessive amounts of cash, but when it comes to health and beauty, is this ethical or even safe? For years celebrities have been recruited to not only put a face to a product or service, but also, in some cases, a voice. Whether what they say is factual or not, many of us don’t even stop to consider. After all, if some megastar keeps her porcelain skin wrinkle-free with that new organic skin cream, you’d be crazy not to try it, right? It’s natural for people to want to be more like those they admire. So when a celebrity talks about how a product has improved their health in some way or another, many people are more likely to take notice of them rather then a boring scientist or doctor who has years of experience in research and practice. But increasingly celebrities have come under attack for making claims that are not backed by proven evidence, both online amongst their fans and in the press. A well-known example of this is Gwyneth Paltrow and her company Goop. Goop’s products have been debunked on multiple occasions as having no scientific basis for their various claimed health benefits. In fact, in 2018 Goop was reported to the regulatory authorities in the UK, for stating on its website that there is ‘little evidence to support the (many) claims that sunscreen helps prevent cancer.’ And, in the same year, agreed to pay $145,000 to settle a lawsuit about the deceptive health claims it had stated for its vaginal eggs. These had been claimed to be able to balance hormones and regulate menstrual cycles, among other things, if inserted into oneself. Scientists have dismissed the scientific basis of Goop’s claims on numerous occasions – stating that they have no conclusive evidence. There is a particular danger in making a choice about our health without first considering all options and questioning what we hear. Just because celebrities are high profile, does not mean they are experts on health. Yet we probably question the advice of our own GP more often than we ask whether our favourite celebrity’s formula for health and vitality is a load of rot. So what can one do? Well, to begin with, it is good to get a better understanding of the health world and more particularly, health advice. And to educate oneself with recommendations from scientists and professionals in the field, not celebrities. For example, Professor Les Irwig, Judy Irwig, Dr Lyndal Trevena and Melissa Sweet wrote a book entitled ‘Smart Health Choices’ (Hammersmith Press), which focuses specifically on health advice. Though slightly dated, this book arms the reader with a healthy scepticism as well as the tools for evaluating the messages they’re confronted with on a regular basis, whether those messages come from a specialist, general practitioner, naturopath, the media, the internet or a well-intentioned friend or family member. For instance, what’s the best way to unravel the scientific jargon used by health product advertisers? How can you tell the difference between a good, solid clinical study and a poor one? ‘Smart Health Choices’ highlights why some health advice may be misleading and offers ways to identify meaningful health claims and research, and explains why it can sometimes be unwise to rely on the opinions of experts. It also shows the reader how to make the right health decisions by asking the right questions. The five most important of these are: - What will happen if I wait and watch? - What are my test or treatment options? - What are the benefits and harms of these options? - How do the benefits and harms weigh up for me? - Do I have enough information to make a choice? Where your health is concerned, the absolutely essential thing is to know the facts before making any kind of decision, no matter how small. Get engaged and increase your health literacy.
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Most people live rushing about from morning to night. So it comes as no surprise to find that at any given time, one in ten people are suffering from persistent tiredness. How often have you heard your friends say “I just feel tired all the time”? Women are more likely to be affected than men are, but severe tiredness is a common reason for either one for visiting their GP. With our stressful, busy lives, most people experience tiredness sometimes. Following some rest and relaxation and a good night’s sleep tiredness generally disappears, leaving us refreshed and ready to face our usual activities. But for some people tiredness becomes a way of life, a chronic problem that severely affects their ability to function on a daily basis. There are many possible reasons for chronic tiredness, but it is often due to a combination of factors. Tiredness can have physical triggers, such as a recent illness, pregnancy or breastfeeding. It can also be triggered by stressful situations, for example a recent bereavement, moving house, family or work problems. Stress and worry are tiring emotions. Facing a stressful situation can be draining, especially when you cannot see a solution to your problems. Feeling that you have no control over a situation may lead to frustration, irritability and tiredness. Shift workers, night workers and those with emotionally responsible jobs such as nurses are also more likely to suffer from problem tiredness. As well as well-defined triggers, there are other mental health factors that can increase your tiredness, or stop you from regaining your energy when you are tired and run down. Mental health problems such as depression or anxiety can make you feel more tired and can prevent you from sleeping properly. It can be temping to catnap during the day but this is not a good way towards establishing an improved sleep pattern at night. However, this is not an issue that needs to remain with you indefinitely. You may be able to overcome your tiredness with some simple measures. If you are having trouble sleeping follow this advice for a better sleep routine: Go to bed and get up at the same time every day. Ensure that your bedroom is quiet, dark and comfortable and that it is neither too hot nor too cold. Don’t eat too near bedtime. Take time out to relax before bedtime – chill out to calming music or have a soak in a hot bath. Try to get problems and worries out of your head, perhaps by writing recurring thoughts down in a diary. Food and drink are important to how you feel too. Ensure that you get a balanced diet and eat proper meals even if you don’t feel like cooking. If you are underweight, gradually increase your portion sizes and your overall calorie intake. Cut down gradually on caffeine and alcohol, especially in the evenings. If you are overweight, try to get your weight under control by becoming more physically active and eating less. Avoid crash diets. Being unfit makes you susceptible to tiredness. And being tired often means you don’t exercise enough. It is a vicious circle but you’ll feel so much better if you take steps to break it. Introduce physical activity into your routine, gradually increasing the duration and intensity. Start with just ten minutes a day and try to keep it regular. Walking is often the easiest exercise to begin with, but any physical activity that you enjoy and which fits into your lifestyle is fine. A small number of people suffer from prolonged, severe and disabling tiredness for which there is no clear cause. This is sometimes called myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) or Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS). Doctors now recognise that this is an illness although they know less about the causes and treatment than with many other problems. If you think you may be suffering from these or from tiredness that you just cannot shift, make an appointment to see your GP.
November 2021 Paramount Media
It pays to be prepared when it comes to buying outdoor equipment. Here’s how to get your pick of the best chairs, tables and BBQs. When the sun breaks through and we get told that we’re about to experience a heatwave (for a couple of days at least) the whole world descends on the local DIY centre to grab all the outdoor ephemera to make it possible to live comfortably in the garden for the foreseeable future. Be prepared in advance and avoid the scrum in the garden aisle. All gardens need a barbecue. Both meat-eaters and vegetarians can enjoy fabulous food cooked outdoors, and there’s nothing like the aroma of a crackling barbecue to make you feel like it’s really summer. Invest in a good quality barbecue to ensure long life and easy cleaning as well as perfectly cooked sausages every time. Outdoor furniture has come a long, long way from those horrid white plastic moulded chairs and tables of years gone by. Now canvas director chairs, beach striped umbrellas and elaborate cast iron bistro tables are affordable for every garden. Pick something classic in design and well made and it could last you for years to come. Ensure that you regularly clean all surfaces and keep textiles covered and wood sanded back and re-varnished. As well as chairs and tables, comfortable floor cushions or even hammocks make garden living a little more comfortable and exciting. Throwing brightly coloured rugs and cushions over the lawn before a party can make a garden look lovely with minimal effort while a hammock or hanging chair can be the idyllic place to read a magazine and enjoy an ice-cold drink. Outdoor lighting is all too easily forgotten until you find yourself squinting across the table at your friends as the sun finally goes down. Choose solar lights which can be easily set in to beds or paths or twinkling fairy lights strung through trees, gazebos or pergolas. Flare-type candles also cast lots of light while giving a romantic feel, as do pierced metal lanterns holding tea lights, which look particularly effective queued up on garden steps. For daytime use invest in a good quality paddling pool for the kids – another thing which you’ll regret not buying before when the sun comes out. Even the smallest inflatable pool can keep kids entertained for days while larger, deeper pools are irresistible for adults. You might also consider the addition of wasp traps – the best are prettily coloured narrow necked glass affairs that not only look lovely hanging in gardens but effectively keep stingers at bay so you can enjoy a shandy in peace. Additionally, if you intend to do plenty of outdoor entertaining be sure to have all the accessories to hand to help you easily cook and serve outside – good barbecue utensils, a large, sturdy tray and perhaps even drink and cutlery baskets. Wine coolers are also a must to avoid letting your bottle of wine go horribly warm in the sun. When the sun goes down and temperature drops your entertaining shouldnt stop. Invest in a firepit or patio heater and sit in comfort while you whyle away the evening hours with a loved one, friends or in peace alone. Finally, to keep your garden watered and kids hosed down and cool invest in a good sprinkler or hose with an adjustable gun – these are invaluable (so long as we avoid a hosepipe ban) to keep the garden looking good.
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Up until a few years ago, obtaining your undergraduate degree was a pass to the vast world of employment. Unfortunately, a higher education certificate might not take you that far nowadays. Upskilling – the evolution of a person’s abilities and career path – has become a buzzword in today’s job ambience. Both employees and employers have begun looking at ways to maximise the available opportunities and minimise skills gaps. The world of work is changing at the speed of light, and you need to be able to adapt to it, otherwise you’ll fall behind. Here is how to stay on top of your game at all times with upskilling. Why should upskilling enter your vocabulary now? Upskilling has been known to humanity for a long time, and it’s become integral to our upbringing. But just like the world of work has changed, especially after/amidst the pandemic. The necessity of upskilling has changed too. While the half-life of professional skills was once 10-15 years, it’s now been shortened to five years. For technical skills, this can be even shorter. This means that workers must constantly update their skills to stay relevant. According to the ILO Global Commission of the Future of Work, “today’s skills won’t match the jobs of tomorrow, and newly acquired skills may quickly become obsolete.” Things like technological advancements, climate change, globalisation, and COVID-19 are dictating changes in the workplace and the need for upskilling. Automation calls for new technical skills The question of robots replacing humans in the workplace has been pressing for a long time. The 2013 movie Her narrated the possible future of humanity where robots have replaced not only human labour but also human romance. It seems that the line between sci-fi and reality is becoming more and more blurred. According to experts at Fortune magazine, “40% of the world’s jobs will be replaced by robotscapable of automating tasks”. Yes, around 1.5 million jobs in England are at risk of being automated in the future, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS). This means that human labour won’t be needed. Such jobs include elementary occupations, as well as process, plant, and machine operatives. As worrying as this sounds, there is light at the end of the tunnel. Although automation and digitalisation may replace low-skilled and manual jobs, they will create new job opportunities too. The areas that will see the most growth will be within the cognitive and metacognitive categories. We must adapt to technological innovations and this calls for continuous learning. Digital literacy, numeracy, creativity, and innovative thinking must improve continuously to keep up. Globalisation, Brexit, and COVID-19: how are jobs shifting shape? It’s fair to say that most job sectors are shifting and so is the workforce demand. Globalised businesses are making way for both high-skilled and low-skilled jobs. However, medium-skilled jobs are being left behind. The job polarisation is due to the increased labour-intensive production, liberalisation of trade, and international transportation and communication. Workplaces within leading economies are looking for highly skilled people who are ready to operate on a global level. Conversely, they are also looking for cheaper low-skilled labourers. However, both Brexit and COVID-19 have had an immense impact on disruptions to supply chains and trade. The UK is facing a workforce shortage, and Brexit has only worsened the situation. Those who thrive in this changing socio-economic environment will have transferable skills. These skills can be adapted and applied to different occupations and skills. You might be wondering, is my job at stake? While many businesses are set to recover from Brexit and the pandemic, others might remain in the shadows. That’s why it’s more critical now than ever to upgrade your core skills. It’s also important to upgrade your more alternative skills that are useful as a backup plan. For example, learn how to become a ski instructor, a reiki healer, or an English language teacher. Obtaining such qualifications will make you an even more desired candidate. They will show employers that you are willing to adapt to new environments and learn new skills. New jobs to drive the green economy forward With the increasing focus on sustainability, employers are looking at ways to transition to a green economy. The International Labour Organization (ILO) advises that 24 million new jobs will be created worldwide by 2030. All this is in response to the growing green economy. Employers are receiving support from governments to fund their sustainable recruitment initiatives. In the UK, the Sustainable Innovation Fund has been introduced to help innovative firms commercialise their ideas while contributing to national and global sustainability objectives. Such new careers include energy auditors, energy engineers, agroforesters, and air quality forecasters. These roles call for a whole new set of skills and abilities. Thankfully, there are a number of programs and courses designed to support sustainable development. Apart from the emergence of new jobs within the eco sector, existing jobs are also being affected by the transition to a green economy. Upskilling is always essential. Such ‘green’ skills include eco-awareness, waste prevention, and efficiency improvement alongside core interpersonal skills in the likes of digital literacy, strategic and innovative thinking, and leadership. The world is changing faster than ever with a lot of socio-economic factors at play. In order to adapt to the new world of work, employees are being urged to upskill their abilities and implement innovative thinking. In turn, this will drive both the economy and their personal development forward.
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