Working From Home: will it become a norm?

Flexible jobs can be a powerful tool to attract and retain top talent.  When done right, flex jobs—defined as jobs that allow employees to contribute their skills outside the standard workweek—offer several benefits. They appeal to burned-out employees who are seeking sustainability. They allow employees, particularly women, to stay engaged and continue to advance during periods when they confront dilemmas such as caring for children or aging parents and managing 60-hour work weeks or extensive travel.

However, so far very few companies have mastered the art of carefully designing and implementing effective flexible job models. While many companies offer flexible work models such as part-time, telecommuting and leaves of absence, the latest research from Bain & Company shows that is not enough.

Read Bain's full pdf report

Courtesy: Economist Intelligence Unit

Bloom Energy: an energy company's ambition to combat e-waste

By manipulating electrons, Bloom Energy, an innovating energy company is attacking e-waste to minimize toxic pollution in the environment.

FreshDialogues conducted an interview with the CEO of Bloom Energy who shares his vision of his company.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FrApTMCWyEw&NR=1

Courtesy: FreshDialogues

The Nature of 4G: caveat emptor

This article describes what 4G really means to the customers when it comes to speed.  It is not always what the sellers are saying it is.  The consumers must proactively research on 4G before signing up with its providers.   

http://www.economist.com/blogs/babbage/2010/12/mobile_phones&fsrc=nwl

Courtesy: The Economist

The Green Technology: is it sustainable?

The Green IT has taken the earth by storm. But what lies ahead of this trend? Is is viable, affordable, feasible, or sustainable? No one knows for sure. The opposing politicians in countries like the U.S. squabble over this issue to persuade (or dissuade) voters. The progress of Green IT is minimal. China continues to burn fossil fuel as its economy rages on. All the while the climate gets warmer, sea level rises, and glaciers melt, creating and endangering the ecological balance.


Here's a FreshDialogues interview with an economist at The Economist magazine.



Courtesy: FreshDialogues

The Amazing Race in Dhaka

Courtesy: YouTube

Holt Honors Dr. Muhammad Yunus

Courtesy: YouTube

Grameen Danone: a Social Business (with English subtitles)

Two cups of yogurt per week for a year and life grows for a child.



Courtesy: YouTube

Grameen Shakti: Grameen power

Courtesy: Holly M. (bonsaimovie.com)

Grameen Green Children Eye Hospital

I see you...



Courtesy: YouTube

Grameen Check: Grameen clothing

Courtesy: Holly M. (bonsaimovie.com)

Grameen Shikkha: Grameen Education

Courtesy: Holly M. (Bonsaimovie.com)

Social Entrepreneurship: it's not about money

Theories and models to improve our lives abound. But they do not act alone. Intuition and instinct are just as important and crucial. They are all part of a model that require creative, analytical, and implementation skills. When Dr. Yunus first lent $27 to the women in village, he was, as my instinct tells me, very aware of the return on his investment. But his focus and creative mind were else where – how to free women from the tyranny of the village loan sharks. In other words, empowering women was the driving factor for his social initiative which ultimately gave birth to microlending.

To change the way we think is to change the world. And that means we empower people’s lives. Dr. Yunus’ tireless efforts to eradicate poverty and empower people have left an indelible mark in the hearts and minds of those who once seem powerless but are now enriched, educated, and prospered.

Dr. Yunus’ social entrepreneurial efforts must earn return on their investments. The return is the wellbeing of people. Everything else follows after that.

Here’s a brilliant film on Grameen made by Holly Mosher.

http://bonsaimovie.com/


Courtesy: Holly Mosher

Wellbeing and GDP: a perfect conundrum

Economic wellbeing and income are related.  But they do not solely depend on one another.  Other economic factors such as output per worker, investment, and consumption must be considered.  In addition, other non-economic factors such as democracy and environment must play a role in determining wellbeing.  Economic prosperity, the term often used interchangeably with wellbeing, varies from country to country.  Researches indicate that while rich countries generally enjoy higher economic wellbeing, countries in developing countries also enjoy higher economic wellbeing.  In some cases, developing countries score higher in economic wellbeing than some rich countries.  Economic development tends to level off at a certain level.  Beyond that level, the economic factors become less important in determining wellbeing.  Quality of life style becomes more desirable.  Factors such as democracy and values are crucial in extending people’s wellbeing. 

To sum up, income enhances wellbeing.  But it does not guarantee wellbeing for a longer period of time and income must be accompanied by other economic and non-economic factors.  The economic and non-economic factors complement each other to determine economic wellbeing.  The institutions of sound economic factors such as production, investment, and government policies must be aligned to enhance wellbeing of individuals.

Click on the link below to read a brilliant article on well-being and GDP which has been recently published in The Economist.

http://www.economist.com/node/17578888?story_id=17578888

Source: The Economist, November 2010