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3 winning strategies to hire for diversity of thought in your organization
Simma Lieberman Business Management, Services & Risk ManagementClients often tell me that they think hiring for diversity of thought is more important than demographic indicators. The problem is that some people use the term "diversity of thought" as a way of not seeking out more people of color and women from different backgrounds. I agree that diversity of thought is essential and, yes, everyone is different. However, if everyone looks the same you won’t get the diversity of experiences and perspectives that result in the kind of diversity of thought that gives rise to breakthrough products and services.
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Common Core: Who loves it, who hates it and why?
Patrick Gleeson EducationRecently, I wrote about the history of opposition to Common Core, noting that at this point it is neither an unqualified success nor an unmitigated failure. Student scores have not improved significantly, if at all, in nearly a decade. But many states who have adopted Common Core — or adapted several of its principles and procedures — profess relative satisfaction. One of the biggest obstacles to Common Core’s success is that three different groups claim a stake in its outcome, and they passionately disagree about almost everything related to the program. Here's a brief overview of their conflicting views, motives and tactics.
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New trade era will require pro-labor policies, green manufacturing
Michelle R. Matisons ManufacturingFor those scratching their heads over the fate of U.S. manufacturing, recent global economic developments don't halt the confusion, but do offer guidelines for any Green New Deal-type initiatives in the works. The Dec. 12 U.K. general election confirmed pro-Brexit Boris Johnson as Prime Minister just as the U.S. finalized talks with China in a deal to be signed at a later date. Key provisions in the U.S.-China agreement cover strengthened intellectual property protection, currency manipulation avoidance, and financial service access. Additionally, the U.S. will export $200 billion in energy and agricultural and manufactured products while lifting tariffs on Chinese goods.
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Healthcare spending up as CMS continues push for hospital price transparency…
Scott E. Rupp Medical & Allied HealthcareU.S. healthcare spending rose 4.6% in 2018 to $3.6 trillion, a rate that's higher than in 2017 but near the same level as 2016. Healthcare spending didn't grow as fast as the nation's gross domestic product, so healthcare's share of the economy fell from 17.9% to 17.7%, according to data from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ Office of the Actuary. The data, released annually, pointed to the increase brought on by the reinstatement of the Affordable Care Act's Health Insurance Tax, which was not in effect for 2017.
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How Brexit could hurt you financially
Patrick Gleeson Civil & GovernmentBoris Johnson’s Conservative Party scored a huge victory in the Dec. 12 U.K. election, giving the Tories 365 seats in the House of Commons and an unassailable 80-seat majority. It's now nearly certain that the United Kingdom will be leaving the European Union in the very near future — the much dreaded and/or anticipated "Brexit." This will have consequences for the U.S. economy as well and, eventually, for your financial well-being. But will they be serious? The shortest answer is yes…and no. Here’s a rundown of the most likely Brexit consequences and how they may affect you.
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Think the California Consumer Privacy Act doesn’t apply to you? Think…
Catherine Iste Business Management, Services & Risk ManagementThe California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) of 2018 goes into effect Jan. 1. One way to describe it is as California's answer to the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Though there are significant differences in the specifics, both the CCPA and GDPR will and have had significant impacts on business. Before you dismiss either as irrelevant to your organization, here are a few things to consider.
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USMCA covers international labor rights, leaves out climate change
Michelle R. Matisons ManufacturingAfter a recent deal between the White House and Democrats in the House of Representatives, an updated version of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) — the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) — will likely be approved by Congress, albeit not imminently. How are trade relations and prevailing concerns for labor, the environment, and human rights addressed in the USMCA?
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Bills requiring baby changing tables in men’s restrooms become more…
Scott E. Rupp Facilities & GroundsPieces of legislation mandating that men's public restrooms include a baby changing station continue to gain support. If all goes according to plan in Wisconsin, the state could soon join others in doing so, reports Milwaukee's WTMJ-TV. Two state representatives and a state senator — all men — have introduced the bill requiring the changing tables in any newly built or substantially renovated public building. Massachusetts is looking at a bill, too. Similar bills have passed in Arizona, Utah, California, Illinois, and New Mexico.
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Does Facebook’s anti-censorship policy ignore violence?
Michelle R. Matisons CommunicationsFacebook's political ad policy has been recently clarified. It retains an anti-censorship position in relationship to political ads while claiming to ban hate speech, but this remains an unclear distinction with many loopholes. CEO Mark Zuckerberg presents his ad policy as securing free expression and allowing users to make decisions. This denies Facebook’s centrality as a U.S. and global news source. It also ignores how remote communications technologies uniquely foment hatred and need to be approached with that awareness.
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Infographic: Breaking up Big Tech
Brian Wallace Science & TechnologyAre tech companies growing "too big to fail?" In 2018, five tech companies — Facebook, Amazon, Apple, Microsoft and Google — earned a combined $800 billion in revenues. In March, Elizabeth Warren released a campaign ad calling for the breakup of big tech companies. Facebook removed the ad, sparking bipartisan backlash. Today, 2 in 3 Americans — regardless of political party — support the breakup of Big Tech. This infographic outlines why so many are calling for the tech giants to be broken up and the laws that might make it happen.
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