The subject matter expert’s crucial role in company growth

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Subject matter experts are great additions to company teams. Aside from having the know-how and the education to back it up, these people have also spent a significant amount of time in their respective industries. Most of these experts handled different roles and worked their way up, leveraging their knowledge about the internal and external affairs in the industry.

Having a person who is familiar with the inner workings of a company can be trusted with its direction. Aside from this, SMEs have also spent time learning about the dynamics outside of the company. Combining these experiences will strengthen plans when it comes to strategizing for the company’s next projects. In many cases, these SMEs are also the bridge between the management and the employees. As most of them have worked their way up, they serve as the voice of the employees while fully understanding what managers intend to do.

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Experts are crucial for companies to succeed. SMEs, with their wide range of skills and understanding, can help a company visualize its next steps. For those in technical industries, seeking the help of an SME will lead to more polished processes, advanced methodology, and better problem-solving skills. For creative businesses, getting SMEs can foster open-minded approaches and out-of-the-box solutions that will result in breakthrough campaigns. As for the legal industry, hiring SMEs can help with court cases in matters like liability lawsuits and also serve as expert witnesses.

Right now, the number of subject matter experts is still growing. Despite this, there is always a need for these people in the workplace. One way for companies to gain a subject matter expert is to train notable employees to become one. Investing in their training and education might cost a lot for both parties, but it is something that will also benefit them in the long-term.

More talk: Three new smartphone apps for communication

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Communication is becoming easier as the days go by. There’s always a new app that makes connecting with others so much easier. Aside from the usual home screen lineup feature Facebook and its ever-evolving features, here are some smartphone apps that will make reaching out to others easier.

Wizard School

This app is a great way for parents to share online content with their children. For parents and guardians who want to see what their children are looking at online, this app gives access to all their kids’ creations with this app. Users can also explore get their creative juices flowing with videos, photos, and drawings. Featuring a messaging option, parents can easily get in touch with their children via smartphone.

Pyrus

Pyrus was developed to cater to dynamic work teams. With real-time messaging, task delegation, and approval flows, managers are always a step ahead in overseeing the team. Equipped with quick-sharing options, submissions and presentations are sped up.

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FreshTeam

With walkie-talkie style messaging and unlimited file sharing, this is perfect for groups who are always on the go. The app also allows conference calls and location sharing for up to a hundred users for group. Designed for professional teams, all these shared information in a group can also be made private, especially when the user is off-duty.

Hundreds of apps are being released daily. However, there are only a few of them that can truly make connecting with people easier especially for teams in a dynamic workplace. Keeping information safe and private is also a primary concern. Thankfully, recently launched apps like these three prioritize this aspect. Even with increased access to people, this doesn’t mean that their safety has to be compromised. These three apps have developed their privacy controls while making calls and messaging efficient for all their users.

How AI chatbots are impacting businesses

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“Bots are the new apps.” This was the bold declaration of Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella during the company’s Build Conference in 2016. AI technology has already become commonplace in businesses – and not just in Fortune 500 companies.

Ever since 2011, when Apple’s Siri made digital assistants mainstream, natural language processors have shown potential to be useful in accomplishing basic and advanced tasks. The challenge was processing and parsing human language, which was obviously not easy for computers to do. But hundreds of millions of dollars have been invested in developing this technology.

What has emerged is another useful AI technology called chatbot. While digital assistants are commanded through voice commands, chatbots respond to text. Microsoft, Apple, and Facebook are just a few of big-time organizations that publicly touts the value of the technology.

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There are small businesses that have already adopted the AI chatbot technology. And 80 percent of companies, based on a survey by Oracle, expect that they would be able to implement chatbots in their operations by 2020. The reasons for the optimism are the following:

Conversational commerce

Conversational commerce, the latest buzzword brought about by AI chatbot technology, means that a product or service is purchased because of a conversation with an AI. Currently, chatbots are already capable of carrying a coherent dialogue with humans. Soon, they could become the primary channel used for online marketing and shopping.

Customer service

Chatbots are also extremely useful in the customer service aspect of business. Some companies have already customized chatbots to communicate with clients to discuss their concerns, to answer frequently asked questions, and to even process payments. These businesses can save time and money in responding to numerous inquiries.

Personal assistance

Secretarial and administrative tasks, such as scheduling appointments or meetings, ordering office supplies, and many others, can be assigned to AI chatbots. Not only is it an affordable tool, but it can also save valuable time.

Work–life balance for the consummate entrepreneur

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Entrepreneurship is as much about making personal sacrifices during the starting point of the enterprise as it is about raking in money and being one’s own boss. The public is slowly becoming aware of this, romanticizing the image of the haggard young entrepreneur who lives off instant ramen and works multiple shifts in a slapdash effort to bring his vision into reality.

And while a little sacrifice can be expected from the new entrepreneur from time to time, this kind of romanticized belt tightening is neither an attractive nor a sustainable way of running a business. Poor diets and inadequate rest can lead to health issues that will slow down the entrepreneur, and the stress from this lifestyle will affect his decision-making process. For the person who is both the owner and primary worker of the enterprise, the decline in work quality associated with exhaustion may put off customers.

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Moreover, for many entrepreneurs who build businesses long after they have already settled down with a family, committing a significant portion of time or money to the business is out of the question.

The realities of determining the amount of time and money that can be diverted to a new enterprise should be considered when setting up the budgets and schedules. It is recommended that new business owners allocate at least a year’s worth of living expenses to their budgets.

Of course, making the most of the budgets dedicated to both living and enterprise expenses should also be a high priority for entrepreneurs. There are more ways to satisfy basic needs well, and the right selections can help stretch out budgets considerably without cutting corners.

What startups can learn from the success of Uber

Ride-sharing app Uber has become an important part of an average person’s life. It has disrupted taxi franchises all over the world with its no-fuss way of getting a ride. While it still has a lot of flaws, it has attracted millions of users in many countries for its efficiency.

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In the startup world, companies are vying to become the next Uber. If there’s anything that makes the famed app stand out, it has something to do with being at the right place at the right time. The company has eliminated a problem in a person’s daily routine that involves waiting for a long time for an unsure ride. For most Uber users, gone are the days when they have to deal with rude and overcharging cab drivers. The app also allows its drivers to be accountable for their trip as their names and plate numbers are displayed. Tracking the ride also makes a person feel safer in an uncertain society.

Time, tools, and talent are not enough to make it as a successful startup. Even if these three things are important, there has to be a social element for an app to take off. Involving a community of users makes a difference especially in terms of creating jobs. With this setup, users also have the power to evaluate the service. Participation, in this case, becomes a crucial factor for growth.

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As a business, expansion is also necessary. For startups that have the desire to be omnipresent, catering to different platforms will make the difference. Making products for a niche audience may not be enough to reach global prominence. In the case of Uber, the developers have done the legwork by making the app available to different smartphone operating systems and even having a desktop app for Microsoft users. Though this means more work for the company, the effort is meaningful, as it becomes an indispensable option for its users.

As startups develop their services, they must always prioritize their users. Efficient operations, user-friendly interfaces, accessibility, and relevance must all come together to create an app that will fill a gap in society.

Generation Me and the sharing economy

The sharing economy seems to be a good solution for a shaky global economy and even the threat of climate change. Combined with the power of smartphones and idle assets, this sustainable business model is a great way for people to make a profit even outside their day jobs.

Sharing economy services like Uber, Lyft, FlipKey, and Airbnb are more than just breakthrough ideas. These services provide a solution for the average consumer’s needs like transportation and accommodation. Technologically-assisted carpooling and couch surfing made the lives of millions easier.

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It is safe to say that sharing economy is still in its early stages. In the coming years, it will be the typical business concept for the Generation Me demographic. In these days where ownership is no longer a necessity or demand, those who have the means and the capital to buy luxuries like cars and weekend homes can choose to share it with others for a reasonable price.

On the sociological side, this opens up a new definition of community and consumerism. On the ecological side, all the sharing saves up energy and keeps waste to a minimum. Outsourcing work and even daily errands are also becoming common in the sharing economy industry.

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The sharing economy offers an abundance of benefits. Keeping the trust of consumers, however, will make it even more profitable. In a business such as Uber or Airbnb, not all providers deliver what is expected of them. Companies must go to great lengths in employing and evaluating people who will provide the services to ensure consumers’ loyalty.

As sharing economy becomes the norm, local and national authorities can contribute their expertise to make the experience safer for everyone. In this day and age, many have been empowered to share their services with the rest of their community. In turn, what they offer can turn into a profitable business that can impact how the current generation operates.

The advantages of investing in the education sector

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Education is a universal right. Aside from ensuring enrollment rates, states must also work towards improving the quality of education. The rising rates of illiteracy and disinterest can be addressed through more student-centric and accessible e-learning strategies.

However, the problem is less lack of material than absence of funding. Economic downturns usually augur budget cuts for learning initiatives. Lack of government funding saps opportunities for private investors to develop profitable innovations in education technology.

The traditional classroom setup, it is now being generally accepted, could be counterproductive for some types of learners. To engage differently adjusted learners, curricula and syllabus should be designed around their pace and capacity for knowledge.

There is still a demand for apps, software, and other platforms that facilitate learning, especially for children. As lifestyles are constantly changing, the learning tools that worked for students of the past decade may no longer work for the current generation. Due to the influence of their parents, children these days are becoming dependent on mobile devices.

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This trend opens up opportunities for apps and software that encourage learning and track a student’s progress. In the same way, teachers also need new tools and materials that will engage their students. On the teaching and educational management side, there is also a need for efficient software aiding the documentation of student progress and the creation of educational materials.

Along with this shift, the classroom setup is also evolving. Interactive boards, e-books, and collaborative curriculum are becoming commonplace in affluent places. Bringing these improvements to the mainstream invites private investment. Businesses can consider contributing to these efforts as investing in human capital. Helping others acquire necessary skills and knowledge to become productive members of society will lead to a stronger workforce in the future. This could also be solutions for illiteracy and out-of-school youth.

Global and private initiatives towards improving education technology will increase towards the year 2020. This outlook needs the work of not only education professionals but also those from information technology and business. The collaboration of these three powerful sectors has the potential to influence millions of people.

Important tips when marketing bodyweight boot camps and HIIT gyms

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With the fitness industry experiencing a massive boom in the past 20 years or so, a generation of Americans has turned into health buffs. More and more people have been seeking out ways to get healthier and fitter. People have begun to eat right and move more. Technology, it seems, has also kept up. Hundreds of new apps have catered to health, from calorie to step counters to heart rate monitors.

Many new gyms have opened in the past years that have offered new, better, and more practical alternatives to the traditional bodybuilding concepts. These gyms focus on functional fitness and have incorporated routines such as bodyweight boot camps and high intensity interval training (HIIT). Owners of these kinds of gyms know that their establishment isn’t capital-intensive; however, the marketing side of it is tricky. Many people still prefer the old-style gyms and are afraid of getting into new things. For those gym owners, here are a few tips on marketing.

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More personalized promotional gimmicks

More personalized promos make consumers feel special. Think of Starbucks and how baristas write the names of customers on their cups. It shows that businesses don’t see clients as numbers and payments, but as people who they are helping reach their health goals. Different rates for couples who are about to get married or people who are about to attend a formal event (because everyone wants to look good in a tux or a gown) could be a good idea.

Community events

Community events, as the name suggests, bring the community together. Gym owners can tie-up with several organizations such as restaurants or youth groups to host various kinds of activities. Think of fun runs, and how gyms can give away shirts, while other business establishments can provide beverages for parched participants. Sports days with friendly competition are also good ideas. Gyms partnering with other establishments can spearhead small sports tournaments like basketball or tag football, just to raise awareness that in the area, a fitness center exists that can boost the level of one’s athleticism.

How much does setting up the Olympics cost?

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Back in 1948, it cost London around $1 million to set up the Olympic Games. How times have changed. Over the past decades, the cost of setting up a special megaproject of this magnitude has steadily (on an average) gone up. Truth be told, setting up the Olympic Games is like planning a number of massive multimillion-dollar projects that include infrastructure and venues. Countries bid heavily to host the Olympics because they foresee long-term monetary gains over the short-term losses, plus the fact that the changes made to their cities would be welcome improvements.

The exact total cost of the Olympic Games is always difficult to determine since there are also intangible costs to the environment and society, among others. But expenses such as improvements and renovations made to infrastructure, the beefing up of security, and the budget allotted to the many different operations are more or less estimated with acceptable accuracy.

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Beijing 2008 had the biggest price tag in Olympic history. The organizers claimed that the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games cost around $15 billion, which was roughly the equivalent of the 2004 Athens Olympic Games. They also reported that revenues reached around $16 million. There were, however, some reports that estimated a total cost that far exceeded what the organizers presented. The price tag of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games was found to be over $40 billion. This meant that this incarnation of the summer Olympics was far and away the most expensive in history, until of course the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics, which was marred by controversy.

In the shadow of Beijing 2008, which many global event organizers thought used blatant overspending, the organizers of London 2012 cut down costs dramatically and put up a successful Olympic Games for a little over $10 billion. Expensive? Yes. But not as expensive as Beijing.

Music streaming: Now more popular than video

Spotify, Apple Music, Tidal, Google Play, and others have combined to conquer major streaming site YouTube and Vevo. Before this year, video streaming sites have led audio platforms in terms of number of user streams.

But numbers during the first half of the year have shown there were 114 billion music streams, topping the 95 billion videos that were streamed. The number of audio streams more than doubled from the same time period in 2015, while video streams grew by just 23 percent.

Overall streaming increased by 58 percent from last year, continuing a surge in rate of growth.

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The increase in popularity in music streaming had been helped by Rihanna’s Work, which is the most played song so far this year. Drake’s Views, meanwhile, is the most requested album, having been streamed 1.5 billion times. This is followed closely by Justin Bieber’s Purpose at 1.3 billion and Rihanna’s Anti at 1.2 billion.

The shift toward music streaming is notable because YouTube has more than a billion users all over the world. Spotify, which is currently the largest streaming company, only has 89 million active users every month.

However, the rising lead of audio streaming over video would possibly empower the music industry in its negotiation with YouTube over new licensing deals. Music artists and record labels have long argued that the video stream empire has been “unfairly siphoning value away from musicians and songwriters.”

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In the UK, the British Phonographic Industry reports that the music industry was able to earn more than £146 million in 2015, while video streams netted them £24.4 million.

YouTube, in its defense, claims that it shelled out $3 billion to the industry and has been working collaboratively with the industry to provide the artists their due. The ascent, though, of audio streaming sites generally has boded well for the industry as it has contributed to the 6.5 percent growth of music consumption in the US, despite the decline in CD and digital album sales.

How Zuffa became a major player in MMA broadcasting

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Ask any fan of combat sports, and they’ll tell you that the premiere mixed martial arts league in the world is the Ultimate Fighting Championship, which is more popularly known as the UFC. The UFC is where the best fighters from other leagues come to fight.

Just how did the UFC come to be as big as it is today? Hardcore fight fans will tell you that it’s because of the fighters. But those in the television industry and those who’ve been following the biggest boxing matches in history will tell you that the fighters are only half of the equation. The promotion matters just as much.

Zuffa, LLC is the sports promotion company that lifted the UFC out of small countryside arenas, with drunk audiences, and several circus sideshow freaks as its featured fighters, into the MMA giant today. The key word was exposure. After the UFC got the likes of Vitor Belfort, Tito Ortiz, Chuck Liddell and Randy Couture under its banner, it wasn’t long before the general public noticed the quality of fighters squaring off in the octagon.

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From that point onwards, Zuffa owners, the Fertitta brothers, and Dana White signed television deal after television deal for a monopoly of the MMA broadcasting rights possible. After this, Zuffa bought out rival fighting promotions World Fighting Alliance, Pride Fighting Championships, World Extreme Cagefighting, Strikeforce and, Invicta FC. With these buyouts, Zuffa then began to recruit their top fighters and incorporate them into the UFC.

Today, the UFC is looking to expand further, this time into China. In order to do this, owners of Zuffa would need to sell a minute percentage of their ownership. The world and fight fans can look forward to even bigger things in the future, as Zuffa and the UFC take over mixed martial arts on a global scale.

Brexit: A brief background

U.K. Prime Minister David Cameron has called for a referendum to decide whether Britain should leave or remain in the European Union. According to Cameron, it is time for the British people to have their say about the country’s EU membership. The referendum will be held on June 23.

The European Union is an economic and political partnership among 28 European countries. The union aims to foster economic cooperation through free movement of people, goods, and services within its member countries. It has its own law-making body, the European Parliament, which sets policies for a broad range of areas including environment, health, consumer rights, and migration.

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The U.K. Independence Party and half of Conservative MPs are lobbying for Brexit. The “leave” campaign believes that Britain is held back by EU. They argue that the millions of pounds spent on membership fees offer minimal return and could be spent on more important endeavors such as education and scientific research. Regaining full control of Britain’s borders to reduce the number of immigrant workers is another point raised by those for Brexit.

The Prime Minister, along with 16 members of the cabinet, advocates for the country’s continued membership of EU. The “remain” lobby sees the benefits of the union in boosting the country’s economy through free movement of labor and trade. They also argue that a unified Europe promotes greater influence in foreign policy and creates an avenue on better trade and defense negotiation.

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Economists are still uncertain about the long-term impacts of Brexit on the British and European economies but both “leave” and “remain” parties acknowledge that the short-term consequences of departing the union are likely to be negative. Brexit could expose Britain to heightened uncertainty over future trade arrangements that could potentially incur losses in income. The worst case scenario, according to the organization Open Europe, is that U.K. GDP would be 2.2 percent lower in 2030 if it leaves EU. Conversely, in a best case scenario, Britain could increase its GDP by 1.6 percent after Brexit.

Opinion polls show that the British people remain split on the Brexit issue. As U.K. nears the referendum, it is imperative for the citizens to weigh the pros and cons of leaving the union as the outcome of Brexit will impact not only Britain and Europe but also the rest of the world.

Forecasts and trends: Business in 2016

It is that time of the year again when industry observers share their insights on what’s in store for companies in the next 12 months. If 2015 was marked by high-profile mergers, jittery financial markets, shrinking economies, and corporate blunders, will 2016 follow the same path or a different road? Below are three projections for the coming year:

 More gigs to come: The so-called “gig economy” or an environment wherein temporary positions are prevalent and companies tap independent workers for short-term projects has finally made its mark this year. A 2015 survey by Freelancers Union of over 1,000 U.S. workers revealed that 34 percent had done freelance work over the past year, and 60 percent of them credit more than 25 percent of their income from such gig.

While there is still an ongoing debate on how exactly such employment model will benefit both independent contractors and organizations in the long-term, the fact remains that freelance work will continue to multiply, with more people looking to supplement their income and to inject more flexibility in their schedule.

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Technology will still rule. While the introduction of new technology in one way or the other has resulted in disruption, observers believe that 2016 will be the year the business community will witness a transformation in various segments. For instance, work mobility or the ability to work from anywhere, anytime, and on any device, will be primarily driven by technology. And with more workers, especially millennials favoring such setup, 2016 will see more advanced technology, devices, and tools that will support work flexibility and boost productivity.

Another use of advanced technology in business is in security. With more reports of data breaches and hacking, companies are looking for more stringent measures to protect sensitive information. And technology will play a key role in keeping data secure from malicious attacks.

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It will be all about the [user] experience. Companies must acknowledge the fact that in the mobile age, customers expect actions to be completed in just a single tap. Gone are the days of waiting for advances in technology has allowed companies to offer their customers seamless and enriching experience.

For a truly rich user experience, companies will need to convert existing processes from analog to digital, to fully embrace the cloud, to boost their big data allocation, to solidify further their mobile strategy, and to smartly harness the power of social media.

Retail moves: Tesla adds clothes and accessories to car lineup

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In a bid to unwrap the enigma behind its product, Tesla Motors has revamped its stores worldwide as the electric car company prepares to deliver its first sport-utility vehicle, Model X, early next year. A critical part of this makeover is the introduction of a retail lineup of bags, gloves, and other leather accessories, which call to mind the posh fashion merchandise of luxury car makers Ferrari, Porsche, and BMW.

The Tesla Design Collection, which will be available through Tesla’s revamped stores, will include premium leather pieces such as the $400 Moab Weekender Bag, the $300 Aurland Tote, the $100 Men's Touch Screen Leather Driving Gloves, the $100 Bethesda iPad Sleeve, the $40 Lully Pouch, and the $30 Maumee Key Fob Sleeve. Cycling jerseys will also go on sale in Tesla stores in October.

An in-house product design team based in Los Angeles is working on the retail collection. The materials used for the collection come from scraps of interiors of Tesla vehicles. According to Tesla, customers usually buy bags and accessories that match their cars’ interiors. In addition, the company is looking into a twice yearly, seasonal revamp of its stores, similar to the mechanisms of the fashion industry.

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Telling the Tesla story

Tesla’s retail strategy and its store transformation are part of the company’s efforts to tell its story, which industry observers note as an ingenious move for a young firm that is selling a product unfamiliar to most consumers. In the revamped stores, for example, interactive displays will highlight four elements about Tesla’s electric cars: safety, autopilot features, charging networks, and the dual motors that power each axle. Product specialists are also on hand to greet and educate costumers.

The latest Tesla project is also all about luring new customers and keeping current ones, which are critical in reaching the yearly sales goal of 500,000 electric cars by 2020 set by CEO Elon Musk. The company hopes that by making its in-store experience more engaging, it will attract a steady stream of curious shoppers.

Tap and Sip: Starbucks Partners with Lyft on Loyalty Program

To attract new customers and strengthen the loyalty of existing patrons beyond its coffeehouses, Starbucks Corp. is teaming up with ride-sharing service Lyft Inc.   Under the agreement, customers who use Lyft’s mobile app will earn loyalty “stars,” redeemable for food and drinks at Starbucks outlets.  Lyft drivers can also receive loyalty stars through the partnership. They even have the option to earn immediately a gold status, which normally takes several months to achieve, in the coffee giant’s loyalty program.  They can also receive loyalty stars via tips from riders.


“Our digital loyalty ecosystem will strengthen Lyft’s ability to attract and retain customers in a highly profitable way, while at the same time accelerating the incrementality of redemption of rewards,” Adam Brotman, chief digital officer of Starbucks, said in a statement.  Starbucks didn’t disclose the details of the multiyear agreement with Lyft, which is expected to commence later this year.

Image source: telegraph.co.uk

The pairing is the newest addition to Starbucks’ lineup of corporate partnerships that focus on its customer loyalty program.  Earlier this year, it forged a partnership with streaming music company Spotify.  Starbuck customers can earn loyalty stars by signing up for Spotify Premium, which can also give them a chance to influence in-store playlists.  Another recently announced arrangement is with The New York Times.  Currently, Starbucks patrons get free access to 15 NYT articles when using the company’s mobile app.  By 2016, however, Starbucks mobile app users can access top news of the day and more timely articles for free.

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Also central to Starbucks’ recent wave of tie-ups is its mobile system.  The Seattle-based coffeehouse chain is keen on beefing up its digital strategy and is working on making it easier for customers to order and pay for their purchases using their smartphones and other mobile devices.  Chief executive Howard Schultz revealed that 20 percent of Starbucks purchases worldwide were made using a mobile device.

Of Recovery and New Job Opportunities: Taking Advantage of the Economic Rebound

The economy may appear to be in the same shabby state as it had been since the start of the recession in the late 2000s, but appearances can be deceiving. Closer observation of current trends suggests that the worst of the economic storm has indeed passed, due in no small part to a rapid and widespread restructuring of the U.S. economy and gradual demographic and social shifts.

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The recession saw an end to the abuses that led to the housing bubble, while the slow but steady recovery of real estate and manufacturing were met with a resurgence of low energy costs and the increased spending power of the American buyer. In the previous year alone, job creation in the country reached a 6-year high. Moreover, lower crime rates have relieved some of the economic burdens from citizens, fostering more resilient urban economies in the process.

The U.S. economy's recovery is also frequently seen as the most sustainable, capable of keeping up growth expectations in the near future. However, the country's not out of the woods yet. While the real estate markets are recovering, the average potential homebuyer has not. The growing economic divides between rich and poor make the targeted economic growth goals all the more difficult to reach. More needs to be done to bridge this gap.

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The economic climate has been extremely kind to startups and newer industries, which are leading the hiring boom as their insatiable appetite for talent propels them forward. With job demands at a robust high, the job market has become more and more competitive. Startups and other smaller businesses would need to step up their game to attract the same talent that other larger corporations are also vying for.

While it's too early to be overly confident with this new, more robust economy, there are plenty of reasons to be cautiously optimistic.

From cars to homes: Tesla's move to power society

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Chief executive of Tesla Motors, Inc., Elon Musk, recently announced the company’s intention to expand its capabilities into the home market. In several tweets and reports, Musk revealed Tesla Energy – a branch of the business that will manufacture storage systems or batteries for homes, companies, and utilities. This new line of products, many financial experts agree, is Tesla’s attempt to capitalize on the ever-growing and rapid energy sector.

The need for alternative energy sources has been strengthening over the last few years. What with several politicians, celebrities, scientists, and other personalities calling for reduced dependence on fossil fuels, Tesla’s transition into the energy industry could not have come at a better time. According to Musk, the company’s goal is to "fundamentally change the way the world uses energy on an extreme scale." Tesla’s solution involves self-sustaining storage batteries that work with solar panels. The smallest unit, called the Powerwall, is a mere six-inches, and is hung inside a person’s garage or within the outer perimeters of the house.

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Tesla’s announcement has several implications in the global and local market. For one, many enterprises are now seeing the necessity to move into this industry as well; or begin amplifying their own power sources so that their production or management of their headquarters becomes energy-friendly. Second, many oil and gas companies are slowly feeling the effects of dwindling demand for fossil fuel sources. Recent reports suggest that oil output will reach a plateau in five years – with negligible growth over the same time period. This, combined with the move to make alternative energy sources (particularly solar power) more affordable and easier to harness, has caused many companies to worry about the future of their revenues.

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A beginner's guide to the stock market

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Those interested in developing better financial knowledge should consider a refresher course about the stock market. Contrary to popular belief, the stock market is simple to understand; the challenge is participating in it. Before anything, though, it is important that the individual ask himself or herself whether he or she is prepared to lose money. It is an inevitable fact that at one point in a stock broker’s career, he or she will lose a certain amount of money. To be sure, this can be gained back; but beginners should reflect whether they are willing to take the risk. The stock market is neither a stable environment nor is it a gambling arena. It is a financial market that requires patience, perseverance, and diligence. While it is an exciting venture – what with its potential high rewards – it also requires a basic knowledge of economics.

A few strategies are listed below to help the aspiring stock market enthusiast:

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Investing in a funds, rather than in shares: Most beginners buy shares, and unintentionally place most of their funds in a single company. This is not recommended. Financial experts suggest investing in a fund such as a unit trust or an open-ended investment company. Trust funds and guaranteed equity bonds are also recommended. While these are a bit more complex to understand than standard shares, they have less risk of financial instability.

Splitting funds: If the individual has a bigger starting fund, it is suggested that he or she split the money into low, medium, and high risk investments. By splitting the funds, the individual not only potentially increases the returns but significantly hedges risks associated with placing money in a single investment. These should help the aspiring investor get a leg in the stock market. Practice is the best teacher, however, and no matter how much research an individual does, undoubtedly he or she will find that experience is the most ideal way to learn.

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Guarding against the dangers of childhood diseases

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Many measles cases are now reported across the nation, highlighting the importance of childhood vaccinations. While the measles outbreak has gotten people lining up for vaccines, it has also spurned anti-vaccination arguments based on old myths about the medical practice.

Particularly alarming is what some parents are willing to do to show their mistrust of vaccines. There was even an anti-vaccination children’s picture book published with the aim of educating children on the benefits of having measles. The book’s author said that “according to natural health sources, [some diseases] are beneficial to the body.” The book has since received more than 800 one-star ratings and negative reviews.

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Meanwhile, the U.S. Department of Health has had to issue a strong recommendation against intentionally exposing children to measles. This move was in response to rumors of “measles parties” spreading after a local radio station in San Francisco reported that a mother offered to arrange a play date among sick and healthy children. The health department warns that such intentional exposure puts children at unnecessary risk and contributes to the spread of the disease.

It’s difficult to see the benefits of acquiring the disease when, in some parts of the world, measles is still one of the main causes of death. Additionally, the families in these areas often don’t have the luxury of choice in the vaccination debate because they simply don’t have access to the vaccine.

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Parents of children who have seen the effects of the disease first hand implore others to vaccinate their children. Notably, Roald Dahl has written about the importance of vaccination after his daughter died of measles encephalitis. Dahl said, “In my opinion parents who now refuse to have their children immunized are putting the lives of those children at risk.”

Additionally, choosing not to vaccinate your children also puts other kids in danger. One of the important principles related to vaccination is community immunity. Some people like infants, pregnant women, and immunocompromised individuals are not eligible for certain vaccines. For their risks against certain diseases to be kept to a minimum, most members of their community need to be protected against illnesses. When more people choose not to be immunized, the whole community is put at risk of an outbreak.

The art of settlement: Tips for peaceful arbitration

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Arbitration, as a form of alternative dispute resolution, has a number of advantages over judicial proceedings. It is faster than conventional litigation and it can be less expensive and more flexible for opposing parties.

Despite its perceived advantages, however, arbitration has its own drawbacks. Due to its exclusive dependency on agreements, arbitration may sometimes be subject to pressure from the stronger and wealthier party, causing a disparity in settlements.

For speedy, successful, and fair resolutions, below are tips for resolving arbitrary cases:

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Agree to arbitration before engaging in legal processes. Arbitration attorneys stress the importance of both parties contemplating on agreements at the earliest possible stage of the resolution. The absence of an agreement, regardless of how often both parties communicate, may impede the chances of agreement once the dispute develops.

Avoid personal attacks. It is vital that both clients and lawyers keep their emotions in check during arbitration. All parties must be objective and professional when presenting the merits of the case before the arbitrator.

Choose a neutral site when settling a case. Both parties must agree on a neutral site or facility to avoid biases when coming up resolutions.

Be creative on demands. Claimants and offenders may have the flexibility in devising remedies for damages. For instance, using a certain approach, both parties may set a minimum amount that may be rewarded no matter the outcome of the negotiation. Both parties should also think of techniques on how they can maximize rewards by considering non-economical settlements such reinstatement of a job or an asset.

Arbitration is a powerful tool for resolving disputes. Apart from the techniques mentioned, both parties must have a deep understanding of the nature of the situation to ensure all interests are addressed.

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