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SAR privatization good for UK, other countries

Mark Huber Transportation Technology & Automotive

The U.K. is embarking on an experiment that will see much of the helicopter search-and-rescue missions that used to be flown by Royal Air Force helicopters now performed by those belonging to the Bristow Group under a long-term contract. If the program succeeds, expect to see copycats spring up around the world. The rationale for privatizing helicopter search and rescue basically comes down to economics; civilians can generally perform many military missions cheaper and more efficiently, save for those that involve actually shooting.

The comfort zone is really the danger zone

Betty Boyd Business Management, Services & Risk Management

A leader doesn't just wake up one day and become one. Leaders must work on and practice being a leader. Quite simply, that means leading. However, in time leaders can become complacent in how they lead. These types of leaders end up in their own comfort zone, and this is really a danger zone.

The end of sequestration? Better known as negotiation

Lauren Swan Civil & Government

Good news, America. We may see an end soon to the self-imposed federal spending restrictions known as sequestration. The spending cuts began March 1, 2013, after a long, heated budget battle in Congress and have stayed in place since. With the economy finally on the mend, President Barack Obama recently announced that he wants to bring about the end of sequestration and exceed current federal spending caps by about $74 billion.

An end to fragile stability: The political cost of falling oil prices

Lucy Wallwork Natural Resources

Falling global oil prices, which have not risen above $50 since early January, continue to defy pundits. Now oil-producing countries are bracing themselves for an extended low-price scenario. The dramatically changed outlook is boosting growth forecasts across much of the industrialized world, but in other corners — where states have become increasingly dependent on oil revenues — the good times are over.

Helping military veterans avoid the criminal justice system

Mark Bond Law Enforcement, Defense & Security

The United States and our allies have been at war for 13 years. During this time, many service members have had multiple combat deployments to Iraq or Afghanistan. The Veterans Administration reports that 1 in 5 U.S. military combat veterans has shown symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder.

Is this the end of standardized testing as we know it?

Cait Harrison Education

No Child Left Behind is back in the news again. And this time it may mean big changes are in store. The U.S. Senate has begun its most concentrated effort yet on revamping the 13-year-old law. The sweeping overhaul began Jan. 21 with a hearing focusing on one of the law's most notorious requirements: standardized testing.

How to give your customers the ‘Netflix experience’

Jessica Taylor Science & Technology

Big data is not just a buzzword anymore, but a new tool for business life — one that requires having strategies in place for managing large volumes of both organized and unorganized data. With the reality of big data comes the challenge of analyzing it in a way that brings real business value. During Data Innovation Day on Jan. 22, data scientists, technologists, civic leaders and other experts discussed how data-driven innovation is helping to grow the economy and create a better world through the "Netflix experience."

Open data, civic hacking and data-driven government

Danielle Manley Civil & Government

Did you know that the government can track potholes using smartphone technology? This is just one way local governments are taking advantage of the enormous amount of data collected and supplied through open data. But according to the Data Innovation Day session "Open Data, Civic Hacking, and Data-Driven Government," there are plenty of other ways civic entities are using data.

Policy changes have US tourism industry poised for a huge 2015

Suzanne Mason Travel, Hospitality & Event Management

The U.S. travel industry appeared to be on the back burner for policymakers in the past year. But that has all changed recently. During Tuesday's State of the Union address, President Barack Obama advocated for Congress to lift the long-standing embargo with Cuba. Recent visa changes with China and the reauthorization of Brand USA have made headlines, bringing attention to those who want to travel abroad.

5 key attributes of effective leaders

Betty Boyd Business Management, Services & Risk Management

Do you have what it takes to be a leader? Not everyone can or should be a leader. It takes a lot of extra work and stress — everyone is looking to you for every important decision. So what does it take to be an effective leader? Here are five key attributes.

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