Monthly Archives: May 2021

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Both Apple and Amazon collect cash from companies that want to pitch their products to us. Let me make the case that these side hustles are icky conflicts of interest that hurt us and ultimately these tech titans, too.

Heres what I mean: Try typing dog beds into the search box on Amazon. You might assume that Amazon will show you what it considers to be the very best dog beds. But actually the first options youll see are most likely from companies that paid Amazon to appear directly in front of your eyeballs. Theyre advertisements in semi-disguise. Amazon tags these listings as sponsored, and once you start to notice them you realize that these advertised products are everywhere.

Apple does this, too. Try searching for fitness in the iPhone app store. The first option might be a workout app that appears in a shaded blue box. Again, its an ad. (Android app stores tend to do this, too.)

Amazon and Apple preach their obsession with doing the best things for customers, but these advertising businesses arent really about us at all.

Advertising is not unusual or necessarily bad. The New York Times and many other reputable companies make money from ads. But Id argue that what Apple and Amazon are doing is different from almost all other advertising.

Google, Facebook and The Times dont usually show you ads and sell you the advertised product. The dog bed company pays Amazon to make sure that its products are listed prominently so that people will buy them from Amazon.

In the companies defense, there are some other advertising businesses that are also closed loops. Kelloggs might pay the supermarket to make sure that its cereal boxes are at eye level on the store shelf. Thats similar to what Apple and Amazon do. (Though the supermarket is not valued at more than $1.5 trillion, as both Apple and Amazon are.)

When companies pay Amazon and Apple to get noticed, that likely trickles down in the form of higher product or app prices for us. You might say that all advertising is annoying and a tax on consumers. But on Apple and Amazon, were there to pay for an app or product anyway. The ads are simply a toll for choosing one dog bed or fitness app over another.

When Amazon takes money from a dog bed company in exchange for making it the first item we see, thats not necessarily the best dog bed. It may not even be a good dog bed. Showing that ad is definitely good for Amazon and often for the merchant as well. But its much harder to make the case that its good for us. Ditto for Apple and its app advertisements.

Amazon knows this. My colleague Karen Weise has reported on the fierce debate inside Amazon about whether paid product commercials would erode customers trust. Jeff Bezos made the final call that showing ads might make things a little worse for Amazon shoppers but that the extra money would help the company invent amazing new things for customers.

Bezos assessment of short-term pain for long-term gain might be right. Or maybe he just got excited about the money.

Apple has argued that online advertising that tracks its users is an invasion of our privacy and declared a war with Facebook over ads. The company also wants to go bigger in selling advertising. (Apple says that its ads are less invasive than those of other companies.)

Let me propose an alternative for Amazon and Apple. Instead of grabbing for more cash with paid commercials, what if the companies improved their products and made more money that way?

Its been a big problem for years that Apples app store is a sea of options and that makes it hard for people to discover something new that might interest them. Paid app promotions that dont surface the best apps are not the right answer. At Amazon, it sometimes feels as if the company doesnt know how to make a nice place for people to shop easily. Ads are not the answer. They may be making things worse.

I recently went looking for a pulse oximeter on Amazon and searched for a specific brand. I was overwhelmed and turned off by how many ads I saw for what seemed to be shady knockoffs. I gave up. Amazon lost a potential sale because its store can feel like an unruly mess, and its paid commercials are part of the problem.

Maybe there should be a Golden Rule for rich and powerful tech titans: Just because a company can make money doing something, doesnt mean that it should.

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A cryptocurrency craze is becoming fuel for on-court trash talk: A new type of virtual trading cards featuring basketball highlights has engrossed some of the athletes, too. My colleague Kellen Browning explains N.B.A. players infatuation with the online marketplace Top Shot.

Big Tech backlash is bipartisan: I read two U.S. senators books about antitrust law so you dont have to. Politicians on opposite ends of the political spectrum agree that Americas tech giants have too much influence, and theyre urging a return to citizen engagement in fighting against the consolidation of industries.

Our bodies were not made to use computers: Vice News traced the long history of humans breaking from using computers. There was really no precedent in our history of media interaction for what the combination of sitting and looking at a computer monitor did to the human body, Vice News writes.

I cannot resist these tiny, fuzzy and cuddling peregrine falcon chicks.

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The Apple and Amazon Side Hustles - The New York Times

There are clear advantages to being your bosss favorite. But there are downsides, too: Your peers may resent you, and its not good for team morale. If youre your managers pet, how can you encourage them to treat everyone more equally? How can you push back on the favoritism without seeming ungrateful or damaging your relationship?

Being the bosss chosen one is both fabulous and terrible at the same time, according to Karen Dillon, author of theHBRGuide to Office Politics, among other books. The benefits are obvious: You get choice assignments, extra attention, and inside information on whats happening with the organization. But that special treatment comes at a cost. It can breed animosity and resentment among your peers, which can make things very uncomfortable for you, she says.

Thomas J. DeLong, a professor of management practice at Harvard Business School and author of the book Flying Without a Net, among others, concurs. Its often open season on the bosss favorite because others are jealous, he says. Favorites can get blindsided politically in subtle and not-so-subtle ways. Heres how to cope with the situation and advice on how to encourage your boss to spread the love.

Being the bosss pet may place you in a tough spot with your coworkers, but try to remember that your manager isnt being intentionally malicious by putting you in this position, says Dillon. It comes from a good place. Youve earned their trust and admiration, and its likely your boss doesnt appreciate just how difficult the situation is for you and that they may be undermining the work environment by unwittingly causing resentment among your colleagues. In your bosss mind, youre a valued and respected employee, but to your colleagues, youre the favorite.

However, allowing yourself to be the managers darling is not always a smart career move. Youre hitching your wagon to this persons star. If they leave or get fired, youve lost your power base, Dillon says. Consider, too, why your boss chose you in the first place. The person who is a favorite knows how to stroke the managers ego, says DeLong. Its psychological collusion. You make the boss feel good. But some day, you could very well fall out of favor.

When your relationship with your boss is chummy and casual, its very easy not to realize how much other people see and observe, says Dillon. Do you regularly drop into your bosss office unannounced? Grab lunch together more often than not? Casually toss a Nerf football around the hallway? These may seem like minor gestures, but they are so in-your-face to those not included, she says. They have meaning, and people read into them. Being sensitive to the optics of the situation requires that you put a guardrail between you and your boss, she says.

Try to create some structural distance, adds DeLong. In the spirit of fairness, you might suggest your manager embark on a time-tracking exercise. Say, Heres something that could be interesting. Track your time to see who youre spending most of it with. Then consider how it looks. Your goal, he says, is to get your boss to be more mindful of their patterns. After all, he says, Everything a leader does is a signal, and the signals need to be pure.

As the favored employee, you also need to make an effort to help your boss see the value of other people on the team, says Dillon. Use your status to shine a spotlight on others and give credit where its due. This not only encourages your boss to spread the love, it also allows your team members to see that youre using your platform wisely. She recommends doing this publicly and privately. For instance, you might send an email to your boss detailing the specific contributions that a colleague made to prepare for a big presentation and CC that colleague, of course. You might also ask your boss to recognize a particular employee in the next team meeting and thank that person for all their hard work. Your objective is to inspire your boss to be generous with credit and praise when its deserved. Most importantly, dont hoard your bosss attention and goodwill. And dont take advantage of your relationship.

Its also worth considering talking with your boss about the situation. DeLong recommends saying something like: Were close and its affecting my relationships with others. I dont want to be seen as your spy. I need to strategically distance myself from you. He predicts that because of your honesty, the boss will fall even more in love with you. Your candor and directness are demonstrations that youre not focused only on your own agenda, he says. Youre saying: At the end of the day, this is what is best for the institution. Dillon, however, counsels caution in broaching the subject. You dont want to put your boss on the defensive, she says. Instead, she recommends navigating the situation as best as you can with your actions and behavior. Be constructive and positive, she adds.

Of course, its more fun to talk about other people than it is to talk about, say, systems or theory, but gossiping with your boss is ill advised, says DeLong. Say: We have to have a conversation about what we talk about. I am honored that you share [things] with me, but it colors my relationships with my colleagues, and I dont know what to do with the information. Stand firm. If your boss repeatedly grouses to you about a coworker, DeLong suggests saying in a teasing and supportive manner: I assume youve told this person what youre thinking.

Your objective is to gently coach your manager out of this behavior. And yet, try not to be too hard on your boss, says Dillon. Ask yourself: Is my boss stepping out of bounds? Or is this one human sharing a passing thought? It might be wise to simply listen and let your manager say their piece. You also could try gently defending your colleague or offering more context on the matter. Whatever you do, dont join in the criticism.

Perhaps the best remedy for dealing with the resentment caused by your most-favored status is to work very hard to be a good colleague to everyone, says Dillon. In other words, dont just be the bosss pet; be everyones pet. Be engaged and supportive, pay close attention to what people on your team are working on, and offer feedback and assistance when others need it. Your goal is to be well regarded by the boss and everyone else on the team. It is hard to resent someone who is helpful and engaged and publicly and privately supportive.

Alexander Lowry, Executive Director of the Career and Connection Institute at Gordon College, says that the key to dealing with the resentment caused by being the bosss favorite is to remember the golden rule.

Do unto othersas youwould have them do untoyou, he says.Envision yourself as the person on the outside observing the preferred employee. [And ask yourself:] How can you be supportive and helpful to your colleagues while you have a shining star on your back?

Earlier in his career, Alexander worked at a New York investment bank under a boss well call her June who was relatively new to the organization. She was very smart and we had a great working relationship, says Alexander.

June was friendly to everyone, but there was no question that Alexander was her favorite. She arranged to have his desk put right in front of her office. So whenever she came back from a big meeting, she stopped by to tell me what happened, he recalls. I was hired to be her deputy, but in practice I was more like a de facto co-director of the division.

Alexanders close relationship with June was not lost on his colleagues. One colleague in particular well call her Shelley was incredibly jealous. Shelley was one of the first members of the team, and she saw her upward career trajectory linked to Junes, he says. Shelleywas clearly unnerved by the fact that it looked as thoughI was equally in charge of the group.

To allay Shelleys concerns, Alexander worked hard to prove he had her best interests at heart. For instance, he would often pull Shelley into meetings so that she could get exposure to other top managers and gain insights into organizational priorities. And I talked up things she had done well to ensure that June recognized her for her contributions, he says.

I wanted to help Shelley have a chance to shine.

Alexander also did his best to be an exceptionally good colleague to Shelley. I would often ask her what she was working on and whetherI couldhelp, he says.

Shelley was appreciative, and she and Alexander built a strong working relationship.

Today, the advice Alexander gives to students in this situation is to recognize that there are both career-boosting aspects but also potential pitfalls. You need to recognize how your colleagues are feeling.You want to build strong relationships with everyone, as your network is the most important thing for you career.

Chris Lee knows all too well what its like being the bosss favorite. In one of his first jobs, he worked at a medical practice brokerage, where he was the most junior member of the team. His boss well call him Harold took a special interest in Chris. He openly praised him to other colleagues and often took him to lunch.

When they went to lunch, Harold would often make disparaging remarks about other employees. Sometimes he would complain about how a team member was doing for instance [hed say], He made a large sale last month, so now hes slacking, recalls Chris. [It] put me in an awkward position.

Chris reflected on his bosss motivations for sharing the information. I know that at times people just need get things off their chest, he says. Im sure my boss wasnt seeking my advice on how to handle staff. He just wanted to vent his frustration.

Still, hearing his bosss criticism of others colored how [he] viewed his colleagues; he knew he needed to stop the habit.

Chris started to gently question Harolds assumptions in order to inject some objectivity into the conversations and force him to take a step back and consider the big picture. Chris never joined in the criticism.

Sometimes that meant reiterating what my boss had said. For instance, You mentioned that he brought in a lot of business last month, right? he says. Or if my boss attributed a colleagues underperformance to laziness, I might suggest that maybe hes going through a rough patch without speculating or getting into it, as its really not my place.

Chris was also wary of how things looked, so he also tried to create distance between him and his boss by taking more lunches with colleagues.

Chris stayed at the job for two years, and today he is a senior marketing manager at a large health system and the founder of PurposeRedeemed, a career consultancy.

Since then, he has maintained a very good relationship with Harold. Its difficult to build that level of trust and rapport with a manager, so I never took it for granted, he says. He has served as my reference for other jobs and even contracted me to work on a project.

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The Hazards of Being the Boss's Favorite - Harvard Business Review

Rev. George Ellis

Pastors Corner

Last Sunday we celebrated Mothers Day. There is no day like Mothers Day. It is the heart of our country; for without mothers, first of all, there would be no us; and whether you honored your mother or if you are a mother yourself, we all agree that the world is a better place because of mothers; and we agree that we are largely what we are because of them.

If you still have your mother, make sure you tell them Momma, I love you! Say it before you are in the category with those of us whose mother is no longer with us. To grieving children today, older and younger, I say, I understand, because I am in there with you; Ive sat where you are sitting. We miss them, but we have a gift that nothing can take away from us the gift of precious memories.

Like many of you, I had a good mother; one who literally raised nine children, seven of us after we lost our father early in life; one who provided for us in so many ways as a single parent until we all were grown; I honor her today; you all have your own stories.

But today, I want to talk to the living mothers when I say mothers build communities they build nations; but most of all mothers builds homes. Mothers are the heartbeat of a nation, especially Godly mothers; they take their children to Sunday School, and they teach them the golden rule; mothers mold their children for a lifetime; I wish that all mothers would understand that; that their influence on their children lasts for a lifetime good or bad; that their sons will measure every woman that they meet by her; she sets the standard.

And when a man says he wants a wife just like his mother that is saying something good about her; And mothers, heres a tribute to you: Just one little wish for you mom, But its loving and happy and true-Its a wish that the nicest and best things, will always keep coming to you.

To the wonderful mother I say: The heart of a mother whose love is warm and true, and home has always been sweet home with a wonderful mother like you!

Personally, I would say to my mom if she were here, I thank you from the heart, for all youve done for me; and I bless the Lord for giving me, the best mother there could be! Solomon said that Every wise woman BUILDS her house: but the foolish (woman) plucks it down with her hands (Pro. 14:1).

The wise mother puts God first in her life. she understands her influence in the home; The family, mothers, is the most important unit in the community and the world; it is from the family mothers, that presidents are made; heads of state are made; doctors and lawyers are shaped by mothers; famous athletes often testify that if it had not been for their mothers they dont know what they would have done or how they would have made it; many are brought to tears when they talk about their mothers; how their mothers sacrificed so much for them, what she instilled in them.

Mothers picked us up when we fell, kissed our hands, and some still do; put up with us on our worse day; they still call us son and daughter; but let me say to those who are raising children today; you will only get one opportunity to influence and raise your children; you dont get a second chance; you can build a home or you can tear it down; what you instill in them, how you live before them, and who you bring in your house says a lot to your children.

You mothers can teach them to respect authority, both in the home and in society; and you may save their life; show them and teach them how to treat a woman; that they dont verbally or physically abuse any woman; dont make rap songs that demean women and call them names less than who they are and who God made them; teach them mothers, that women are to be respected, honored and loved; mothers, you can teach your daughters that God did not make them to be a punching bag for any man; and then mothers, you dont need to be a punching bag yourself! They pattern after you!

Good teaching that comes from the home; they will not get that from the streets; they wont get that from the school, and they wont get that from Hollywood; dont let either one of them influence your children; home training come from the home; and it starts from the cradle.

And then children, you only get one mother; the world is not the same when they are gone; nothing or nobody can take their place; and thats why, I hate to see mothers and daughters that dont get along; sons who disrespect their mothers; life is just too short; and I know, in some cases, all mothers may not be all that they need to be, but good or bad they brought us into the world; they gave us life; they did not abort us; or leave us on the doorstep of the police department or in a garbage dump; think about it; we would not be here were it not for our mothers; every world leader had a mother; and credits their mother for being what they are.

Truly today is a tribute to the mother.

The Rev. George Ellis is the pastor at Union Grove Missionary Baptist Church.

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A tribute to all of our mothers - Laurinburg Exchange

The golden rule of pandemics: Just because you can, it doesn't mean you must.

So from Monday you can stand, cheek by sweaty jowl, in a steaming crowd of drinkers at your much-missed pub. But don't be surprised if some folk stay outside for a week or two - just until we've seen how many of you develop a nasty, dry cough and lose your sense of taste. Let's face it, some of us are cowards. And some of you are canaries.

No, Boris, we do not need a skills revolution, no matter how thrilling those words may sound. What we really need is a state education system that guarantees nobody leaves primary school without being able to read and write. Education is like a huge warehouse full of tins of wonderful stuff. Literacy is the tin-opener.

Meanwhile, deputy Labour leader Angela Rayner tells her fellow MPs: For too long we have been distant from the people we are here to represent.

That doesn't quite explain why so many horny-handed sons of toil vote for a privileged, bouffant-blond toff and former member of the Bullingdon Club but let us press on. If Rayner and her comrades really want to connect with the workers, they already have a fine parliamentary example of how to do it. Step forward, Dave Nellist.

Nellist, MP for Coventry South-East from 1983-92, stood as a workers' MP on a worker's wage. He drew only 40 per cent of his MPs salary which put him on the same wage as a skilled factory worker. He gave the rest to Labour and various charities. He may have been a tad to the Left of today's Starmerites but no-one ever questioned his commitment. Any of today's MPs care to follow that shining example? Thought not.

It's a fine old tradition. First, TV launches some new drama. Next, viewers complain they can't hear the lines because everyone's mumbling. The Pursuit of Love (BBC1) is the latest victim. The real bind, at least on my telly, is that if you binge-watch it on iPlayer, the subtitles don't work.

The Daily Telegraph described The Pursuit of Love's permanently angry father figure, Uncle Matthew (Dominic West) as politically incorrect. Only by today's values. In some circles in the 1930s, beating children, hating foreigners and mistrusting educated women was perfectly in order.

The death of a minke whale in the Thames this week followed the usual pattern. Large mammal gets lost and distressed. Hordes of humans congregate, adding to the stress. Large mammal has to be destroyed. Hordes of humans say ah, how sad. The survival rate for whales and suchlike once they enter river estuaries is depressingly low. Wouldn't it be kinder to shoot them on sight?

Prince Michael of Kent allegedly offered to lobby the Kremlin for a 10,000-a-day consultancy fee, even though his office insists he has no special relationship with President Putin. So how well-connected is he? Useful Russian phrase: Prints kto? (Prince Who?).

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Peter Rhodes on stray whales, 1930s values and why we won't all be rushing into pubs - expressandstar.com

State Rep. James Gailliard (Center)

North Carolina joined a growing list of states Tuesday pushing legislation that could restrict how Americas racial history is taught in schools.

House Bill 324, which the House Education Committee approved on a voice vote, prohibits schools from promoting concepts that suggest America is racists and that people are inherently racist or sexist, whether consciously or unconsciously.

HB 324 also prohibits teachers from promoting the concept that anyone is responsible for the sins of their forefathers.

The full House is expected to vote on the bill Wednesday.

It ensures dignity and non-discrimination in school, said Rep. John Torbett, a Gaston County Republican who introduced the bill and co-chairs the Education Committee.

The bill doesnt mention Critical Race Theory, an academic discipline that examines how racism has shaped the nations legal and social systems. The concept is mentioned in a press release posted on House Speaker Tim Moores webpage.

The legislation would not prevent Critical Race Theory or any other concept or materials from being discussed in schools, so long as the public school unit makes clear that it does not sponsor, approve, or endorse such concepts or work, the press release said.

State Superintendent Catherine Truitt

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Catherine Truitt endorsed the bill in a statement posted on Moores webpage.

This is a common-sense bill that provides reasonable expectations for the kind of civil discourse we want our children to experience in public schools, Truitt said. This golden rule approach ensures that all voices are valued in our school system.

Truitt said the goal is to encourage students to think freely and to respect differences of opinions.

Classrooms should be an environment where all points of view are honored, Truitt said. There is no room for divisive rhetoric that condones preferential treatment of any one group over another.

Shortly before the Education Committees vote, Rep. James Gailliard, a Democrat from Nash County, pushed back on HB 324, which he called an anti-education bill.

This is an act to ensure discrimination, fanaticism, bigotry, Gailliard said. This is really a dont hurt my feelings bill, dont tell me the truth about our history because it might hurt my feelings.

Gailliard said bill supporters do a disservice to North Carolinas children by hiding the truth about the nations checkered racial past.

This is a bill of hatred, this is a bill of classism, this a bill of privilege, this is a bill of fragility and has no place in North Carolinas General Assembly, he said.

Min. Paul Scott, a Durham activist who often speaks out on issues involving race, called the bill academic Apartheid and classroom colonization.

Scott said parents, teachers and others must create an African American Truth Commission to challenge attacks on Critical Race Theory.

They are trying to make the South rise again, Scott said. Not on our watch.

Heres a look at what the bill would prohibit teachers from promoting:

The language in the North Carolina bill is a lot like that in a Texas bill House Bill 3979 introduced by Republicans that also takes aim at Critical Race Theory. The Texas bill prohibits teaching the idea that one race or sex is inherently superior to another race or sex or that someone is inherently racist, sexist or oppressive based on their race or sex.

North Carolina Republicans have moved to restrict what students are taught in classrooms about Americas racial history.

Last week, House Republicans introduced House Bill 755 that would require teachers to post educational material prominently on school websites.

Bill sponsor, Rep. Hugh Blackwell, a Republican from Burke County, said HB 755 will improve academic outcomes for students by involving parents in their childrens education.

But Rep. Jeffrey McNeely, an Iredell County Republican, believes it will alert parents when teachers attempt to indoctrinate students with political views or teach critical race theory.

To me, this will help the parents going to the next grade be able to look and see what that teacher taught the year before, and hopefully were just going teach the kids and were not going to try to indoctrinate them and teach them in a certain way to make them believe something other than the facts, the knowledge and the ability to write and the ability to read, McNeely said.

Student indoctrination has been a popular theme in the states GOP circles since the State Board of Education approved new social studies standards in February.

Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson criticized the new standards and quickly assembled a task force to end what he calls the political indoctrination of students in classrooms.

Black Democrats took Robinson to task in January after he called the standards divisive and politically charged and claimed systemic racism doesnt exist. Robinson isthe states first Black lieutenant governor

This year, Republican legislatures across the nation have introduced bills that would restrict educators ability to teach about systemic racism, sexism, bias and similar topics.

In Tennessee, the House of Representatives debated a bill this week that would ban classroom discussions about systemic racism. The state would withhold funding to schools that taught about systemic racism and white privilege under the bill.

The Tennessee House approved the bill along party lines with Republicans voting in favor of it while Democrats opposed it. The Senate, however, declined to accept the legislation.

Republican-led legislatures in Oklahoma, Texas, Idaho and other states have introduced similar bills.

GOP lawmakers are searching for a problem that doesnt exist, said Khalilah Harris, acting vice president for K-12 Education Policy at the Center for American Progress.

Talking about racism, sexism, or homophobia doesnt create racism, sexism, or homophobia; neither does centering the voices of people most affected by systemic forms of bias in academic instruction, Harris said. To the contrary, this approach empowers students to leave the classroom with a more informed understanding of our history, peoples lived experiences, and how they can limit the influence of bias in their own lives.

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House bill could restrict what students learn about nation's racial history | The Progressive Pulse - The Progressive Pulse

Lindsay Bradley Published 9:16 p.m. PT May 10, 2021

Lindsay Bradley(Photo: Jeramie Lu Photography, provided by NCET)

NCET helps you explores business and technology.

We have all been a job seeker at some point in our career, and boy, things sure have changed. While I will admit searching for a job has gotten easier with technology, there are a lot of things I sure miss about the old days one of which was getting a call from an actual human (gasp!).

Somewhere along the way, companies heard taking the human touch out of the recruiting process was a good idea. I am pretty sure those of us who have spent numerous hours combing job postings, guessing what the salary might be,and tailoring our resume to match what we believe aligns with the ideal candidate would wholeheartedly disagree. But wait, I didnt even mention duplicating information into an online portal and crossing our fingers the algorithm will be in our favor. Conquering the application obstacle course feels reminiscent of an episode of American Gladiators.

We have numerous media for communication, yet companies think its OKto leave candidates in the dark, even after conducting an in-person interview. I am talking Crickets. Tumbleweeds. Goose Egg. Nada. Zilch. I mean, whatever happened to the Golden Rule?

Speaking of being in the dark, do you really not know what you are willing (or have in the budget) to pay someone? You may as well start using the 4-square method made famous by your neighborhood used-car salesman. It shows about the same level of genuineness, not to mention it wastes everyones time.

Companies often rely heavily on computer programs to tell them which candidates they should be interested in. Yes, an ATS (applicant tracking system) can be a great way to collect data and tell you who used your magical keywords on their resume, but Im pretty sure it couldnt tell you a lick about culture fit, attitudeor potential. Putting all your eggs in this basket to find a candidate sure screams fast, cheapand easy. And whats the point of having all this data, ahem, such as contact information if you dont plan to use it to communicate?

To the companies who believe less is more when it comes to putting the human touch in their hiring practices,I hope you never have to be on the receiving end of the halfhearted processes you are enabling. I challenge you to step off your soapbox and instead step up your hiring gamefor humanitys sake.

Here are three simple ways to put the human touch back into your hiring process:

Increase your communication. Provide regular updates. Be honest and helpfulthis means giving feedback even if it's uncomfortable. Make phone calls instead of sending emails when possible, but always call those you have personally interviewed. Close the circle with everyone.

Embrace realistic job ads. You should be attracting suitable candidates not everyone so remove the fluff. Take out the mundane list of responsibilities and replace them with the fundamental skills (both hard and human skills aka soft skills) needed for the role. Also, use the correct industry/role lingo, share insights into your companys culture, and include a salary range.

Utilize surveys. Send post-hire surveys to see where you might be missing the mark. A simple survey costs nothing, and the insight is invaluable if you are willing to accept and act on the feedback.

Remember, your hiring process is a direct reflection of who you are as a branda companyand it undoubtedly sends a message about your culture. A poor recruitment experience paints a picture of your company for potential candidates, and I think '90s pop icon Cher Horowitz would say its looking like a full-on Monet: from far away, it's OK, but up close, it's a big ol'mess.By using a more human-centric approach to hiring, you might be surprised at what happens to your retention rate, your talent pooland your bottom line.

Learn about Elevating the Candidate Experience (and your Employer Brand!) at NCETs virtual Biz Cafe on May 19 from 3 to 4p.m. with virtual networking from 2:30 to3p.m. NCET is a member-supported nonprofit organization that produces educational and networking events to help people explore business and technology. More info at http://www.NCETcafe.org.

Lindsay Bradley is vice president of administration at LeisureQuip, Inc. (www.leisurequipinc.com) and is passionate about optimizing cultures and increasing leadership effectiveness through human-centric strategies.

Read or Share this story: https://www.rgj.com/story/news/money/business/2021/05/10/3-simple-ways-put-human-touch-your-hiring-process-ncet-biz-tips/5033250001/

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3 simple ways to put the human touch on your hiring process | NCET Biz Tips - Reno Gazette Journal

North Carolina State Legislative Building

RALEIGH On May 11, the House Education Committee approved a bill seeking to address increasing concerns about controversial Critical Race Theory in North Carolinas K-12 classrooms.

House Bill 324 was originally a bill to deal with moving the states public charter schools to Plan A. A preferred committee substitute (PCS) has replaced the original language and changed the bills title to Ensuring Dignity & Nondiscrimination/Schools.

No student or school employee should be made to feel inferior solely because of the color of their skin or their gender,Chairman Torbett (R-Gaston) said in a statement.Our public schools should be a place of respectnot hateful ideologies.

The new bill prohibits the promotion of certain concepts tied to Critical Race Theory (CRT), a belief with Marxist roots that holds racism is constant and inherent in all people and institutions. CRT views all facets of society through a racial lens, dividing people into oppressed and oppressor categories by race.

The bill has the backing of House Speaker Tim Moore (R-Kings Mountain).

In a tweet announcing the bill, Moore said that Schools should be places of dignity and respect for ALL students and teachers. Thats why the N.C. House Education Committee passed legislation today to address Critical Race Theory and other hateful ideas that are attacking our kids.

Moore tweeted that he expects the bill to pass the House by the end of the week. The bill is on the calendar for a House vote today, May 12.

N.C. State Superintendent Catherine Truitt also gave her support to the legislation.

This is a common-sense bill that provides reasonable expectations for the kind of civil discourse we want our children to experience in public schools. This golden rule approach ensures that all voices are valued in our school system, Truitt said in the statement.

Truitt continued, We want to encourage students to think freely and respect differences of opinions, while ensuring our classrooms are not promoting ideas contrary to the equality and rights of all. Classrooms should be an environment where all points of view are honored. There is no room for divisive rhetoric that condones preferential treatment of any one group over another.

According to the bill analysis document for the PCS, schools in the state would be prohibited from promoting the idea that one race or sex is inherently superior to another race or sex or that based only a persons race that that individual is inherently racist, sexist, or oppressive, whether consciously or unconsciously.

The House Education committee has already pursued legislation to increase transparency for parents,said Chairman Blackwell (R- Burke) in the press release.This legislation ensures that tax dollars are spent to educate our students and not on distracting political projects.

The bill takes aim at a key CRT tenet, the United States is a meritocracy or that the nation was founded by members of a particular race or sex to oppress members of another race or sex.

Additionally, HB 324 prohibits promotion of concepts that create discomfort, guilt, anguish, or any other form of psychological distress for any individual solely by virtue of his or her race or sex.

In a press release announcing the bill change, North State Journals reporting on CRT training in Wake County Public Schools was cited. That article cited training conducted by a company called The Equity Collaborative, founded and run by current General Assembly legislator Graig Meyer (D-Durham). The Equity Collaborative also appears to have conducted training in Loudon County, Virginia, where parents have mounted a campaign to recall the local school board.

A second article following the initial report detailed talking points and denial of CRT-infused teacher training in the district by the head of the Wake County Office of Equity Affairs, Rodney Trice. Following publication, it was announced Trice was leaving Wake County and returning to Chapel Hill Carrboro City Schools as the director of equity in that district.

On the national level, North Carolina Congressman Dan Bishop (R-09) said that he will be holding a press conference in Washington, D.C. on May 12 at 2 p.m. to introduce legislation to keep Critical Race Theory out of our schools, federal workforce, and the military.

The Biden administration has drawn criticism for a new rule inserting CRT elements into the way history and civics are taught. On April 19, the Bidens Department of Education submitted the new rule to the Federal Register. The proposed rule uses as an example the controversial and historically inaccurate 1619 Project. It also quotes antiracist activist Ibram X. Kendi to support inserting anti-racist practices into teaching and learning on a national scale.

Joining Bishop for the legislation introduction are former OMB Director and President of Citizens for Renewing America Russ Vought, Rep. Chip Roy (TX-21), Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (GA-14), Rep. Ted Budd (NC-13), Rep. Lauren Boebert (CO-03), Rep Andy Biggs (AZ-05), and Rep. Ralph Norman (SC-05).

More here:

Bill countering Critical Race Theory passed by House Education Committee - North State Journal

How often do you go over your mobile phone bill at the end of the month? Tap or click here for five ways to save money on your phone bill. Have you ever noticed anything strange, like a large number of text messages? If you have, you may have fallen victim to a dangerous new scam.

Cybercriminals are now going for a one-two punch by infecting your phone with malware and stealing your credit card details in the process. Research done by security firm Pradeo unraveled just how brazen cybercriminals are becoming.

Scammers are combining old tricks with new methods to spread chaos and get rich in the process. Falling victim to this scam will lead to enormous phone bills and banking fraud.

Cybercriminals will first send a malicious text message to get your personal information for the attack to be successful. This is also known as a smishing Trojan. In it, the criminals claim that you need to pay a small fee for a package delivery by following a link.

Once you click on the link, a message will inform you that you need to update your Google Chrome to the latest version to proceed. Unsuspecting users will continue with the suggested update, but its nothing but cleverly disguised malware.

Learn the tech tips and tricks only the pros know.

Once you have completed the transaction for the package delivery, which is usually no more than $2, the criminals have your credit card details. Not only did you hand over $2, but also the ability for them to drain your account.

But how did they get your number? Well, that is where the fake Google Chrome app comes in. The malware isnt designed to steal your info but uses your phone as a proxy for sending out thousands of texts like the one you received.

By combining an efficient phishing technique, a malware to propagate actively, and methods to bypass security solutions, this campaign is particularly dangerous, Pradeos researchers explain in a blog post.

The fake Chrome app will also wreak havoc on your mobile phone bill. By using your number, the fake app sends more than 2,000 SMS per week. Its active every day for two or three hours. The numbers targeted are seemingly random but follow a sequential pattern.

The golden rule of online safety is never to trust anything from a person you dont know. If the message or email seems strange, its always best to delete it. If you are not expecting a package delivery, there shouldnt be any reason for you to follow the link and pay a fee.

Never give your credit card details to anybody that you cant independently verify. In this case, it would be best to check with the package delivery company to authenticate the message. If a tracking number hasnt been provided, its probably fake.

For Android users specifically, always download apps from the official Google Play Store. And never blindly follow a link in an unsolicited text or email. It could be malicious and infect your device with malware.

Open database exposes massive Amazon review scam

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Learn the tech tips and tricks only the pros know.

Scams and malware involving Google Alerts are getting worse Dont be fooled

Original post:

Don't click on this scary text that can steal your data and hijack your phone - Komando

We all know or should know that legacies persist. That's why we call them legacies. They have persisted.

But some of us are in denial of the power of legacies. In particular, one called systemic racism.

That crossroads of denial and systemic racism seems to be where we are right now about all things having to do with race and equity and the newest conservative GOP dog whistle and culture wedge.

President Abraham Lincoln understood the legacy of racism. While not spotless in his own opinions of race, he knew the consequences of inequality and inequity. In his second inaugural address during the Civil War, he observed that we "all knew that [slavery] was somehow the cause of the war."

More than a century and half later, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops put it this way in a 2018 report that evolved out its Ad Hoc Committee Against Racism: "Today, racism continues to exist in our communities and in our parishes. Racism is what makes us see the "other" with suspicion or to attribute negative characteristics to an entire group of people ... Today's continuing inequalities in education, housing, employment, wealth, and representation in leadership positions are rooted in our country's shameful history of slavery and systemic racism."

For our money, looking for unity, equality and equity are not unlike the Golden Rule: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. And when we're not sure what that looks like or how to do it, we talk to friends and leaders and seek help and thoughtful education to learn.

The Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce has embarked on that sort of learning experience with Velocity 2040 visioning process, and last week the Chamber began circulating a pledge for racial equity that quickly drew about 40 business signatures along with the unhappy howls of the local right-wing group, Hamilton Flourishing, which has a history of opposing equity and equity training.

Also last week in the Tennessee General Assembly, Rep. John Ragan, R-Oak Ridge, penned an amendment to an education rules bill he is carrying that would ban any school lessons including discussion of systemic racism. Along with the proposed ban is a measure that would withhold funding from school districts that include those and other similar history discussions in curriculum.

(READ MORE: Tennessee Republicans pass bill that punishes public schools that teach systemic racism concepts)

The biggest sticking point for these conservatives seems to be the phrase "systemic racism."

In the statehouse, Ragan specifically included it in his list of lessons to ban, telling members of the GOP House Education Administration Committee, "Today, subversive factions are seeking to undermine our unique form of government, of the people, by the people and for the people."

The use of the phrase also appeared in the Chamber pledge that drew the ire of Hamilton Flourishing. The pledge includes a commitment to "educate ourselves and share the history of systemic racism in Chattanooga and Hamilton County and the barriers that continue, so that as we recognize them, we can find new ways to overcome them."

Doug Daugherty, president of Hamilton Flourishing, fussed: "Tangentially it might help some businesses, but it's not [the Chamber's] primary job to reorient the culture. We're supporting them to recruit business. If they're not doing that, what are they doing?"

He also groused about the Chamber conflating access to opportunity and ensuring success based on race.

"Everybody should have an equal opportunity, but that's not the same as outcome," he said. "This document actually puts the two together," he said.

Well yeah. And it should.

A 2019 report as part of Velocity 2040 showed the racial gap in household earnings in Hamilton County is 30% greater than in the country as a whole, with the typical white household in Chattanooga earning twice as much as the average Black household.

That's not just bad for Black households here. It also has an impact on growing more jobs all jobs locally.

In early 2019, consultants told the Chattanooga City Council that for all our success in recruiting three of the biggest business investments in Tennessee during the previous decade, the city's job growth had slowed in the last five years so much so that it trailed other comparable mid-sized cities and was growing even more slowly than that of the rest of Tennessee and the U.S. as a whole.

Lorne Steedley, the chamber's vice president of diversity and inclusive growth, reminds us that our city competes globally for skilled workers to help companies grow. Working to correct inequity makes Chattanooga a more competitive business destination.

"If you close the wealth gap, [the city] opens itself up to more consumer spending, and provides an environment, and Chattanooga becomes a destination for opportunity," he said.

Mayor Tim Kelly, who campaigned on the issue of narrowing the city's equity gap and growing Chattanooga's economy, has signed the chamber's pledge. He says years of systemic racism have "split us over time into two cities," in which one city has not shared in the rising prosperity experienced by the other.

"But it's not just a moral problem, it's an economic problem. This issue is holding us back from economic progress," Kelly said.

Our state lawmakers and Hamilton Flourishing like Donald Trump and Lindsay Graham would have us deny that there is such a thing as "systemic racism."

But, then, they also seem to be in denial about that "do unto others as you'd have them do unto you" thing.

And that is a moral issue.

See more here:

Sohn: Beware of the legacy of racism, and more so the legacy of GOP denial - Chattanooga Times Free Press