Category Archives: Personal Empowerment

CHICAGO, Dec. 17, 2021 /PRNewswire/ --PepsiCo today announced $175,000 in additional grants to the next round of community partners as part of the Pathways to Readiness and Empowerment Program (PREP). The announcement of the second round of grants reinforces PepsiCo's commitment to sustainable investment in the future of Chicago and in high-quality careers and new opportunities for the city's youth. Launched in October 2021 and co-designed with Chicago community leaders, PREP is PepsiCo's $5 million initiative to empower and increase access to high-quality careers among nearly 3,000 Black and Hispanic young people in Chicago's South and West Sides.

PREP's newest community partners in action include Girls in the Game, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metropolitan Chicago, Step Up and Teamwork Englewood.

The adverse impacts of COVID-19 are disproportionately impacting young people of color andBlack and Hispanic youth were 2.2 and 1.8 times more likely, respectively, to report experiencing racial discrimination compared to white youthwithin the world of work according to The Yes Project's The State of Youth Employment 2021 Report. As an employer of nearly 5,000 neighbors in the Chicagoland area, PepsiCo is working to build a pipeline of talent from historically underinvested communities through career exposure, paid mentorship and credentialing and hiring efforts. As part of that, PREP's second round of grantees includes:

"Girls in the Game's partnership with PepsiCo is our longest-standing partnership," said Meghan Morgan, Executive Director of Girls in the Game. "It has endured because of PepsiCo's deep commitment to supporting Chicago communities that need it most and their desire to develop meaningful, impactful volunteer opportunities for their employees. Through their support of Girls in the Game's teen programs, more teens will be able to gain the valuable leadership opportunities they need to grow into strong, confident leaders who will make a difference in the world."

"PepsiCo is committed to stimulating long-term economic growth in our South and West Side communities," said Neil Pryor, President of PepsiCo Beverages North America, Central Division. "Our investmentincareer exposure, paid internships, credentialing and hiring is designed to support workforce readiness in underinvested neighborhoods by helping to build a pipeline of talent which one day, might bring their skills to our team."

PREP's initial programming was announced in October 2021 with leading community-based organizations Cubs Charities, Chicago Jesuit Academy, Imagine Englewood if, North Lawndale Community Coordinating Council, Southwest Organizing Project (SWOP) and UCAN. Through the grant received in September, SWOP is currently developing a work readiness program through a leadership development lens that considers many of the needs and barriers of residents of the South Side of Chicago. The organization plans to serve 175 young people, connecting them to work readiness training, job placement, career pathway programs, and more.

PREP builds on the company's 120-year history and investment in Chicago. This program is an extension of PepsiCo's Racial Equality Journey, a more than $570 million set of commitments over five years to create opportunity and empower Black and Hispanic people in PepsiCo's workforce, business partnerships and communities.

About PepsiCoPepsiCo products are enjoyed by consumers more than one billion times a day in more than 200 countries and territories around the world. PepsiCo generated more than $70 billion in net revenue in 2020, driven by a complementary food and beverage portfolio that includes Frito-Lay, Gatorade, Pepsi-Cola, Quaker, Tropicana, and SodaStream. PepsiCo's product portfolio includes a wide range of enjoyable foods and beverages, including 23 brands that generate more than $1 billion each in estimated annual retail sales. Guiding PepsiCo is our vision to Be the Global Leader in Convenient Foods and Beverages by Winning with Purpose. "Winning with Purpose" reflects our ambition to win sustainably in the marketplace and embed purpose into all aspects of our business strategy and brands. For more information, visit http://www.pepsico.com.

About Girls in the GameSince 1995, Girls in the Game, a 501c3 nonprofit organization, has emerged as a leading girls' health and fitness organization in Chicago. Girls in the Game has empowered more than 55,000 girls to make healthier choices and develop the confidence and leadership skills they need to succeed on and off the field. At Girls in the Game every girl finds her voice, discovers her strength, and leads with confidence through fun and active sports, health and leadership programs. We empower all girls to be gamechangers. For more information, visit http://www.girlsinthegame.org.

About Big Brothers Big Sisters ChicagoBig Brothers Big Sisters of Metropolitan Chicago is an affiliate of the nation's largest donor-and volunteer-supported mentoring network. We provide high quality one-to-one mentoring services to over 2,200 children (ages 7-18) and their families across Cook, DuPage and Lake Counties in both Illinois and Indiana. Big Brothers Big Sisters carefully matches children, who we call "Littles", with positive volunteer mentors, who we call "Bigs." Throughout the course of their mentoring relationship, we monitor and support the match, providing safety and quality measures, as well as activity ideas and goals. Our programs are proven to keep kids in school, out of trouble and on the path to post-graduate success.

About Step UpStep Up believes all girls should have the opportunity to pursue their dreams of success. By offering free mentorship programs, the nonprofit works with teens facing systemic barriers on becoming confident, career-focused, and ready to join the next generation of leaders. Connect at suwn.org.

About Teamwork Englewood Teamwork Englewood was formed in 2003 to improve the quality of life of the residents and stakeholders of Englewood by facilitating economic, educational, and social opportunities. Its goal is to unite many organizations serving Englewood residents and work toward the common goal of the community. In addition to many services, Teamwork Englewood provides youth mentoring, leadership, and job training for youth throughout the Englewood community. Youth in Teamwork Englewood programming have access to enrichment, personal and professional development. Teamwork Englewood programming is rooted in a trauma informed lens and exposing young people to positive experiences they can use in their lives and in their future.

Jessica OrtizRise Strategy GroupC: 312-550-0102E: [emailprotected]

SOURCE PepsiCo, Inc.

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PEPSICO ANNOUNCES $175,000 IN ADDITIONAL FUNDING TO LOCAL NONPROFITS AIMED TO INCREASE ACCESS TO HIGH-QUALITY CAREERS AMONG 3,000 YOUTH IN CHICAGO'S...

At Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry's (FICCI) annual convention and 94th AGM held today in New Delhi, Naina Lal Kidwai, past president of FICCI and chairperson, Advent India Advisory Board was in conversation with Falguni Nayar, founder and CEO, Nykaa on the power of women entrepreneurship. In a free- wheeling chat they discussed Nykaa's journey, advice for younger women wanting to enter the start up world, and how to ensure more women have access to technology and education. Edited Excerpts:

Naina Lal Kidwai: You are an inspiration for women who want to not only take a mid-career but also an end-career jump into entrepreneurship. It's whole new example that you have sent out. Do you think it was easier for you, having had the experience, the contacts and the credibility that you had established?

Falguni Nayar: I personally feel when I decided to start Nykaa at 50 with no experience in beauty, no experience in technology, no experience in retail, it was all a learning curve. Even finding the right employees and investors who believed in me was tough. But it was the belief in me that I could do it, and not accepting any setbacks is what carried me through is what I can say.

My mindset was that before I turn 50 I had to start my own business otherwise I will never do it. I was 48 at that time. Instead of seeing age as a handicap, I saw it as all the experience that came with it. My professional experience came in very handy. But entrepreneurship is also about learning new things. So I would like to tell women to please educate yourselves and be very open minded.

The business landscape is perpetually evolving and one must be ready to learn and unlearn regularly. And I think this is what people with experience are not willing to do. They are not open to looking at the new landscape and see what it entails. For example, I have built a company that appeals to millennials and a lot of my workforce is millennial and I really had to sometime think of things very differently to appeal to my customers as well as my employees. And I had to be totally open to a new way of working than what I was used to.

I think these are some of the important things that one needs to do. And also one should not feel that oh I can't do this. Like I was not an engineer. I am not from IIT. Most of the entrepreneurs are like from IIT, smart, young, intelligent. Things came to them even when they were in college. They didn't seem to need training. But I felt I was ready to learn about technology, I was ready to ask stupid questions, I was ready to admit in an interview that look guys I may not talk your language but I have this vision for my business and I want to build the company like this. So I think just that confidence that you carry with yourself that you want to pursue a dream and you want to see it to the finishing line, is what's very important.

So my suggestion to women will be to pursue very wide education. I don't mean formally in colleges, but on the job. They should be open to learning more in fields that are not their strengths. So if they are strong in finance they should be open to learning marketing, technology, operations, supply-chain. Today successful businesses need all of that and more. And the other thing is that you have to stay committed to yourself and also believe in yourself. Entrepreneurship is a big roller coaster journey with good days and bad days and one must not lose heart when you face failures. You have to treat them as learning experiences. At the same time, if you let the highs get to your head then that's also a problem. So you need to be grounded and focus on the job. So I think these are some very important lessons that I learnt while I was on this journey.

Naina Lal Kidwai: Falguni, you are a great example of someone who believes in perennial learning and the humility with which you have managed it, is a great trait. For a younger woman who is starting off, say a next generation who wants to enter the start up world, is there any different or additional advice you might offer.

Falguni Nayar: Yes for sure. I listened to other experts at a Mckinsey session on what women need to do and I really self-learned from those sessions. And that's the lesson I want to share with younger women. I think many women do not build networks. They must build the right networks and relationships that are required to succeed. No one can be a one-woman army.

At the same time an entrepreneur must understand how to negotiate deals, how to pitch to investors, their ability to take the right risks. All of these soft skills are as necessary as the technical skills that a woman may have. I think a lot of women try to accentuate their strong skills but they don't try to embrace some of these other skills that are very much needed to be an entrepreneur who needs to see their business reach the finishing line.

The other thing is the balance between the personal life and work. A lot of young women have a very hard time trying to balance work and life. But sometimes you have to compromise the personal life and prioritise work, and it's ok. And sometimes you need to compromise on work for a little bit to pay attention to your personal life. So I have a very interesting word for it that I call 'juggle'. I think juggle is better than trying to have a balanced life. Trying to achieve a balanced life is nirvana which I think probably doesn't come easily.

Naina Lal Kidwai: Falguni, you are the envy of many family-owned businesses because you have managed to get two brilliant kids back from working in global organizations to actually come back and join you. Tell us about how you have embraced them and ensure that they stay with you in the business?

Falguni Nayar: I have to say that I am really lucky that both of them have agreed to stay with me and allowed me to be their boss. My kids are as millennial as any other kid their generation so I had to understand what it means to be a millennial for them to accept me. I have a lot of millennial employees. When I started to understand the milennials and Gen-Z and what kind of life they want, I became a better boss. They are very transparent, very honest, authenticity is very big to them. You cannot, as a company, be saying one thing and doing another. We as a company are a very millennial accepted company. Our value system as a company reflects very positively with them. I think because it is not a tale of two worlds they are happy working over here.

Naina Lal Kidwai: India has among the world's highest gender gaps in accessing digital technology. How can we ensure that women and girls are empowered enough to thrive in this technology-oriented digital world? What is your view on this?

Falguni Nayar: So yes this is a very important area. As routine jobs become automated and pressure on women will intensify then they will experience higher unemployment rates. Typically women hold most of the administrative and data processing roles currently in our industries and AI is likely to replace those. Technology has become critical to businesses not only for digital-first businesses like Nykaa but also internet companies becoming major employment creators. Even traditional businesses are becoming digitized, especially post the pandemic. With all this, access to and understanding internet and technology is a function of education at all levels.

First and foremost, I would like to see the gender disparity in education, especially at higher level which leads to certain level of differences in technology patterns such as women not going in for stem education. So the quality of education itself across all levels needs to be improved. Critical thinking as well as analytics needs to be inculcated. A critical bent of mind and fluency in a critical language like English is a must. All these are very important and we have to emphasise this for all students. And that this empowerment needs to be for everyone and not just boys needs to come from the families. Families need to ensure that girls don't drop out of education at any level. They have to be supportive of their girls and tell them that this will change your life if you reach the finishing line. Education is very important and it cannot be compromised because you have to get married or because you have to help at home.

Women have to pursue their dream and ambition. Pursuing their dream is a priority and it is a right that should be provided to the women rather than get them bogged down by a lot of familial tasks.

Our recent census shows that number of women in the country has gone up. So the mindset of Indians is changing. It is becoming positive towards women. I remember when I was growing up it was 880 among 1000 men. From there India has made a lot of progress to allow them the right to be born. Now I am saying give them a right to dream. Give them the freedom so that they feel empowered that they can use the family money. They don't have money in their name. They must have money in their name. Of course, institutional resources are important but I feel that it is the responsibility of the family also that women can take family money. If men can bet the whole house on their business, why not women.

Also Read: MPW: How Falguni Nayar Led Nykaa to a Successful IPO

Also Read: More women need to embrace STEM education, says Nykaa's Falguni Nayar

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I refused to see age as a handicap: Falguni Nayar - Business Today

1. The Government Is Paying Public School Parents Billions of Dollars to Keep Their Children HomeFamily would lose $409 a month in Pandemic-EBT benefits by moving 3 children to in-person from remoteBy Ira Stoll

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3. The Problems With Bidens Universal Pre-K ProposalThe proposed new investments in universal pre-K are not in step with the realities of the existing mixed-delivery systemBy Frederick Hess

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5. New Cal State LA Ethnic Studies Dean Backed Farrakhan, Wished Clarence Thomas DeadHer history of advocacy will serve her well, college president says in press release praising newly elevated economistBy Ira Stoll

6. A Rolling National Teacher Strike Is Why Schools Are ClosedContext isnt just coronavirus, but years of union activism and potential for tens of billions in federal funds from BidenBy Derrell Bradford

7. Is Hybrid Learning Killing Teaching?Bolstering the urgency of getting everyone back in person.By Robert Pondiscio

8. What Youngkins Virginia Win Means for EducationIt was all about values, frustration, and parental empowerment. And that is potent, deeply personal stuff.By Frederick Hess

9. When Does Educational Equity Become Educationally Unethical?The push for equity stumbles into a truly gruesome place when educators are being trained or directed to shortchange some students based on how they look or where they live.By Frederick Hess

10. An Encouraging Consensus on Character EducationSome recommendations for developing compassion, courage, determination, fairness, grit, honesty, patience, respect, responsibility, self-motivation, and temperance.By Andy Smarick

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The Top 10 Education Next Blog Posts of 2021 - EducationNext

c/o pitchfork.com

Id like to think that 95% of the countrys population would define themselves as Adele fans. While I am far from superfan or stan status (as I opt for more mainstream hits like Someone Like You, or When We Were Young), I can confidently say that there is perhaps no better recent case of an artist unveiling their vulnerability and emotion than Adeles 30. From the devastating opening line of Strangers by Nature to the cinematic conclusion of Love Is A Game (a title eerily similar to one of my favorite Amy Winehouse songs, Love Is A Losing Game), Adele has proven that despite genre, subject matter, or experimentation, she is still a public and musical powerhouse in 2021.

30 comes after Adeles divorce from her husband, Simon Konecki, and was credited as her most personal album even before its release. While the sound of Can I Get It and Cry Your Heart Out beg to differ, the album is incredibly introspective, documenting the singers deepest emotions, mental illness, support systems, and coping mechanisms. The conclusion of Love is a Game wraps up the work, signifying that although the issues and themes are still prevalent in Adeles life, she has entered a new stage where she centers herself and her emotional well-being. The growth that that singer undergoes and shares throughout the album is one of its most powerful components.

Beyond the albums emotional weight, Adele incorporates a number of genres within her music. For instance, Can I Get It explores traditional and classic rock sounds, while I Drink Wine is inspired by musicians such as Elton John and other artists of the 1970s. This makes the album that much more engaging and nuanced, underscoring Adeles versatility and experimentation.

I first took a deeper look into Adeles album after hearing My Little Love, a song that entwines beautiful lyrics and instrumentation with an intimate conversation the singer has with her son, Angelo. The song itself is relatively tough to listen to, but not because it was bad. Instead, I was surprised by Adeles willingness and ability to break down her personal walls. By doing so, the singer contrasts childlike wonder and adulthood sadness. As such, Adele breaks away from the nuclear family ideal that she has pursued throughout a significant portion of her adult life. Instead, she communicates that she is unable to compare to this ideal.As someone who grew up when Adele was the only thing on the radio, listening to this vulnerability was saddening and unexpected.

Coming after My Little Love is Cry Your Heart Out, a song that is unexpected in completely different ways, and is actually my favorite of the album. While coupling lyrics of feeling distant and depressed with an upbeat sound is uncommon in mainstream music, nor is it standard for Adele as an artist, it actually works. The decision symbolizes Adeles disconnect between being a mother, artist, and public figure, all while navigating her divorce. Despite this complexity, Adele has found some solace in crying and being vulnerable, an effective coping mechanism if I do say so myself.

When I first listened to Cry Your Heart Out, I was drawn to the line, I created this storm, its only fair I have to sit in its rain, primarily because of the imagery of water and weather, an element repeated throughout the album, during To Be Loved and the ending of I Drink Wine. If I, a basic Adele fan, were to read closely, I could also draw a connection to one of her most popular songs, I Set Fire to the Rain. In each of these songs, Adele uses rain and storms to symbolize both a deep emotional state and the notion of rebirth and renewal.

Oh My God also communicates the singers catharsis after Cry Your Heart Out, where Adele attains a newfound sense of individuality. In many ways, Adele expresses that she is a new person after the emotional weight of My Little Love and Cry Your Heart Out. Oh My God is Adeles realization that she can operate in the world after divorce, setting her on a path to a newfound way of life.

The albums interlude, All Night Parking, serves as a continuation of this self-empowerment by documenting her first relationship after the divorce. While this relationship is mostly to fill a hole (evident in the line dont leave me on this stretch alone), it cements the notion that the purpose of the album itself is to look inwards, prioritizing Adeles path to emotional stability over anger or disdain. Although Adele eventually refers to Konecki as lazy in Woman Like Me, the song, again, addresses self-empowerment and self-reliance. In other words, 30 is a story of Adele learning new things about herself.

Despite this growth, Adele maintains that nothing is static. This is most true on Hold On, where the singer refers to herself as small. This is also seen in Adeles characterization of herself as her own worst enemy. Despite these sentiments, the chorus includes a choir of her friends, underscoring the value of emotional support. Asis the case with most Adele songs, the song is ultimately depressing, but also forward-looking. To Adele, progress comes from vulnerability. Of course, that belted note at the 4:30 mark is more than worth a listen. In many ways, Hold On is the perfect segue to the albums final two songs.

To Be Loved is easily one of the albums saddest tracks (and Adeles entire canon). The song documents the effort and passion she put into her previous marriage, only to have it come crumbling down. Adele does this through the symbolism of a house for love to grow, which sadly resulted in her painting walls with all my secret tears / filling rooms with all my hopes and fears. The song nevertheless continues by portraying how she has learned to be her own support system but leaves the relationship with no regrets. Despite the pain of building and ending a relationship, she is willing to try it all again. This is the perfect encapsulation of the album: despite the devastation of her relationship, Adele is continuing to look forward.

Adele concludes with Love Is A Game, a jazzy and theatrical end to the album. The song sounds like the outro of a film emphasizing the riskiness of love, particularly considering the amount of pain that it caused her. Love Is A Game contains impressive vocals and perfectly wraps up the album. The song epitomizes how 30 is an album of triumph and sadness.

If you were unaware by now, I am very much a fan of this album. While the tracklist canfeel repetitive at times, I, perhaps controversially, see it as Adeles best one so far. The album is experimental, introspective, and bold, especially considering its hype. Suffice to say, I am a 30 fan, and you should be too.

Oliver Cope can be reached at ocope@wesleyan.edu

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The Power, Emotion, and Captivation of Adele's 30 - Wesleyan Argus

On many occasions, Samantha Ruth Prabhu has expressed her admiration for Priyanka Chopra. Recently, Samantha shared a video featuring Chopra where the latter was seen speaking candidly about women empowerment during a 2018 Forbes event.

In the clip, Priyanka made a case for womens emancipation as she compared the freedom men exercise vis--vis women.

Women should sound like this. Women should wear this. Women at this point should get married. We are always told what we should do. We need to be able to decide what we should do. Give me the ability to make my own decisions without judging me. Just the same kind of freedom men have had for such a long time, Priyanka was heard saying in the clip.

Samantha shared the video on her Instagram story on Tuesday morning without any caption.

On the work front, Samantha was recently honoured with the Filmfare OTT award for her stellar performance in the Amazon Prime series The Family Man Season 2.

Speaking to Filmfare on both her personal and professional life, the actor had said, I know Im still going to live my life and with all the issues that I now faced in my personal life, I was surprised at how strong I was. I thought I was a much weaker person. I thought that with my separation, I would crumble and die. I didnt think I was capable of being this strongToday Im very very proud of how strong Im because I really didnt know I was.

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Samantha Ruth Prabhu shares Priyanka Chopras speech on women empowerment: Give me the ability to make my own decisions - The Indian Express

Since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic, teleworking has been installed as an effective form of work continuity for millions of people in practically all activities.

Once the countries are finding answers to the epidemiological situation, they begin to raise the need for the social and to retake the face-to-face labor ties. Undoubtedly, this has been one of the greatest blows for all people, since the emotion, the feeling and the complementarity with other beings partially disappeared when we transformed into the virtual.

The same goes for children and adolescents deprived of schooling, and young people who had to leave their groups of belonging aside for a long time, to go on to contact each other almost exclusively through the Internet.

The discussion in the world today is not about coming back or not coming back; but about how, when and under what conditions to return, or to take a next step in the corporate work culture that helps to reconnect those cultural traits that, in many cases, have been lost and must be reconstituted.

The first two links to work on are security and trust.

Security encompasses everything related to protocols and the greatest care of people at all times; either when they are working from home, in transit to or within the company. It is safety and hygiene specialists and governments who need to establish the regulations that frame the procedures to guarantee it.

Instead, trust requires other components, since it is something that is built based on the personal history of the relationship between each person and the organization to which they belong. It occurs when a series of formal and unspoken contracts are constantly fulfilled and demonstrated over long periods: none of us trust immediately, it takes time; it is a progressive construction.

In addition, trust acquires different dimensions for each person, and is based on concrete facts with the company, and, also, with colleagues and, above all, with the direct report, bosses or leaders, who need to strengthen ties much more. And, of course, I get (self-confidence, the ability to trust your skills and abilities).

It is already known that trust takes many years to build, and can be destroyed in a second, as can reputation.

Imagine that you are in a circus and they present the number of the trapeze artists. There is an athlete who throws himself, and another person, the catcher, the one who catches. They need to fully trust, with surgical precision.

The same thing happens in companies: without well-oiled trust frameworks and commitment from both parties, it is difficult to think of a return to the office.

There are several international reports where workers claim that in certain cases they are feeling compelled to sacrifice personal safety in the context of COVID-19, in order not to lose their jobs. This has health consequences, such as exhaustion, anxiety, sustained stress that can lead to burnout; and, at the same time, family and work risks. A generalized imbalance of mental health, perhaps the least addressed by governments in terms of solutions and palliative.

From the formal, there are several scenarios that are handled, for example, moving to the permanent telework format, to the hybrid of some face-to-face days and others at a distance; Or, gather small teams by areas of proximity to their homes; or completely decentralize operations whenever the activity allows it.

Some countries have already enacted laws on teleworking, the first outlines of a trend that seems to be asserting itself over the months, and which, surely, will have to be periodically reviewed to adapt to technological and operational innovation.

Image: Malte Helmhold via Unsplash .

To help build security and trust in organizations, here are five steps with several practical tools:

1. Ensure environmental conditions

Each company and the workers themselves need to determine together the safety and hygiene measures to follow and guarantee, for the correct compliance with the protocols. The recommendation is to create a permanent working table dedicated to collecting the concerns of the sector, and that it is not only the area of human resources or talent management that takes responsibility. Involving the staff will be the most appropriate to create a synergy that allows to contain, adapt, provide security, correct deviations and act by mutual agreement, even when it is decided to work remotely.

2. Free from anxiety and fear

Faced with the uncertainty of moments like this, many managers transfer their own fears to the team. All they do is lower performance levels and significantly increase anxiety and fears. To elaborate these aspects, it is necessary to provide them with coaching, psychological support, team coaching work and spaces for reflection, in addition to applying and teaching about emotional intelligence to the entire staff, on a permanent basis.

3. Learn to communicate

As there is an abundance of messages going around, each company through its areas and leaders needs to establish internal and external communication protocols, totally clear, concise and without room for double interpretations.

The suggestion is to open up to divergent opinions, and integrate them into everyday life with concrete and clear actions. Also, greater confidence is achieved by being transparent about the measures that are being taken, even those that are unfriendly for the workers; by reporting progress weekly and forecasting so people don't feel unnecessary uncertainty about the improvisation tendency seen in many companies.

At the same time, it is necessary to assess the needs of employees through daily conversations, evaluations, surveys, feedback and feedforward - opportunities for improvement focused exclusively on the future, not reviewing what has already happened. With these data, the general action plan of the company and by areas will be prepared, tending to function in the most organic way possible even in the midst of the challenges that arise.

4. Talk about emotions and feelings

Human attention: it is allowed to feel.

If in real life many people find it difficult to put what they feel into words, I have seen this happen much more at work. It seems that there are still company cultures that insist on wanting to cover what they feel, instead of fostering direct, honest and deep conversations.

Each leader will be responsible for dedicating time from their agenda to, also, approach to speak with the people of their team; and then, in a board of directors, determine lines of action based on what is revealed.

5. Encourage self-leadership and empowerment

Another very effective way to reinforce trust is to let people express themselves, delegate and expand the spaces for decision-making and responsibility.

To achieve this, it is recommended that each person be trained in their self-leadership, which is born from self-knowledge and how they put it at the service of their role in the company. What if instead of having employees fulfilling orders, an organization started to have micro-entrepreneurs from each area, at the service of the greater result that is sought?

As a consequence, greater empowerment will be obtained, the improvement of intrinsic motivation, and, thus, will increase individual involvement and performance and in their relationship with the teams.

For these five points to be effective, it is necessary to guarantee work continuity in clear and equitable conditions, adequate equipment, and sign a psychological contract that encompasses these initiatives, along with those already in force by the company. The psychological is everything that both parties have committed to and that is not in writing: it is felt and lived in the culture of every day. It is understood -and it must be made explicit- that, if necessary, it is necessary to shuffle and give again to the changing contexts. No company was unscathed from the pandemic, nor will it: it will have been modified in some way.

What is certain: these transformations typical of the return to the office in the pandemic occur progressively; they will be observed over the months, as long as a clear, effective and people-focused policy is maintained. And then it will be the moment when the business result will come as a consequence.

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To return, not to return, or almost to return: 5 tips to generate confidence when returning to the offices - Entrepreneur

Scandal, intrigue and era-defining style are all on the cards inHouse Of Gucci, Ridley Scotts epic account of the iconic fashion family. Roe McDermott previews the hotly anticipated movie, which is already generating an Oscar buzz.

With Christmas breaks and possible Covid restrictions both on the horizon, theres no better time to settle in with a wildly entertaining movie. Luckily, Ridley ScottsHouse Of Gucciis arriving just in time to keep us utterly riveted.

The scandal-ridden real-life family drama is a thrilling exploration of three decades in the tangled history of the Gucci family. Coming to our screens 100 years after Guccio Gucci opened his first quality leather goods store in Florence,the film begins in the late 1970s, at a critical juncture in the Italian fashion empires history.

With the Gucci familys global reach and soaring prestige in the fashion world ever in the ascendancy, problems are arising personal, financial and legal. Financial improprieties, stifled innovation and a cheapening of the brand are causing headaches for Guccio Guccis two sons, the colourful and wily Aldo (Al Pacino), and his more conservative and detached sibling Rodolfo (Jeremy Irons).

But when Rodolfos timid scion, Maurizio (Adam Driver) falls in love with the beautiful and ambitious Patrizia Reggiani (Lady Gaga), Patrizias ambition and cunning change the destiny of the Gucci family forever. Conspiring with Uncle Aldo, pushing Maurizio to join the Gucci company and become the presumptive heir and letting her own endless ambition drive her actions Patrizia sets in motion a shift in the Gucci family, which will lead to many self-destructive choices from its sundry members.

Dodgy deals, scandalous affairs, battles for control and even consorts with a fortune teller (Salma Hayek) all add up to a relentlessly entertaining ride through three decades of the Gucci empire.

For the pivotal role of Patrizia Gucci, visionary director Ridley Scott (Alien, Blade Runner, Gladiator)approached Lady Gaga, who wowed audiences and the Motion Picture Academy in her debut,A Star is Born, for which she received an Oscar nomination as Best Actress, and won the Best Original Song award.

I became curious about Lady Gaga, particularly after I sawA Star Is Born, Scott has noted of the actress and singer. I thought, now heres a formidable talent as an entertainer, as a singer, as a producer and the writer of her own show. A real engine of creativity. Then we met and I liked her immediately.

The role of the aggressive and ambitious beauty Patriziais a stark departure from Gagas turn as the innocent and loving ingenue Ally inA Star Is Born, but there are some thematic similarities between the two films. In both stories, Gaga plays a character who falls in love with someone with much more power and influence than she, only for her own ambitions and talents to emerge when thrust into this new world.

Both characters are also constantly fighting to maintain any semblance of self-empowerment and control in a world dominated by men calling the shots.

Scott and his producers were convinced that she was the only person to embody Patrizia Gucci.

Lady Gagas performance highlights the layers of complexity to the character, but she has admitted she was initially wary about playing a figure who could have been reduced to mere caricature.

Im an outsider and I marry into the Gucci family, she recently said of Patrizia. Shes been surviving her whole life and then she meets Mauricio and falls madly in love, and she starts to advise him in the business.

When I first heard about it, I thought, Oh, cartoon baddie. I thought she was going to be some sexy killer after his money, and I felt this was uninteresting and that Id seen it before, and that it was a tale as old as time. Also, Im not interested in projecting that story about women, because not all women are like that.

However, having read Roberto Bentivegnas screenplay, Gaga found Patrizias motivations compelling. Likewise that the film explores the challenges, obstacles and sexism that Patrizia faced both within the Gucci empire and from the publics perception of her.

Before they see the film, some people might think Patrizia is a gold digger, Gaga commented. But when they got married, his family had turned their back on him. So, she didnt marry for money, she married for love.Here, Gaga is pointing out that itwas only after Maurizio inherited half the Gucci fortune from his late father that her ambition took hold and, even then, it emanated from a need for acceptance.

She wanted so much to be taken seriously by the family, the actress continued. She was smart and felt that she knew what to do in order to move the company forward. But their acceptance was only an illusion. They were all using her to get to Maurizio and firm up their control. She was always an outsider, a woman in a mans world, and theres only so much she could do, as many women know. Their power can often go unnoticed.

Lady Gaga found this gender dynamic intriguing and insightful, remarking that like many human experiences in a world of systemic patriarchy, she thought she had power, but as soon as the men said No you dont, she lost all her power just like that.

These issues of power, gender and patriarchal systems have always been important to Lady Gaga, who has spoken out about her own experiences of sexism and misogyny, both within the music industry and at large. An advocate for survivors of sexual violence, the singer talked about being raped by a music producer when she was 19, after months of abuse, as part of this years The Me You Cant See mental health docu-serie.

She has also spoken out about being body-shamed in the industry and being the subject of bizarre, misogynistic and transphobic rumours and attacks at the beginning of her career, all aiming to tear her down when her star was in the ascendant. But ever passionate and resilient, Gaga has consistently used her platform to speak out for people who are vulnerable, marginalised and abused.

In 2012, she launched Born This Way Foundation, a non-profit organisation dedicated to empowering youth, embracing differences, and inspiring kindness and bravery.

House Of Gucciis not only about gender and power, but also culture and assimilation. Gaga says that she felt deeply connected to the Italian narrative,given that she is Italian-American herself. She used her promotional tour for the film to speak eloquently and empathetically about the importance of immigrants and their experiences, crediting her heritage for her own work ethic and current success.

To Gaga, the House Of Gucci story is one of the ambition and cultural contributions of immigrants, which has become a vital conversation in America, given the explicit racism and xenophobia of the Trump administration, and the repeated devaluing, dehumanisation and targeting of immigrants.

People can be very blind to it, and listen,I think the most perfect system is kindness, she said to Ryan Tubridy on The Late Late Show. It goes both ways and it doesnt make anything go wrong. There is nothing bad there, its always good as long as its honest.And I think that people who are coming over from other countries are doing good hard honest work, and its elbow grease and its sweat and tears and its heart.

And heart matters. Its what connects us to our families. When I talk to my father about this movie, he cries, his eyes well up with tears, and I know that hes thinking about his father, and his fathers father, and his fathers fathers father. Theres a throughline that takes him all the way back to his soil, and I the same is true for Irish-Americans and immigrants from all over the world.

While Lady Gaga has a generous perspective on the film, its characters and the political messages held within, audiences may simply enjoy the glamour, scandal and betrayal thatHouse Of Guccihas in spades. The family history is fascinating, and the tale of self-made Italian royalty and global tycoons self-destructing over family feuds, personal slights and power plays is endlessly fascinating.

The dysfunctional web of family, money and power makesHouse Of Guccifeel like a better-dressed version ofSuccession,mixed with a grand tradition of warring Tuscan families of the renaissance period like the Midici or the Sforza clan great, powerful dynasties who couldnt help but fight with each other, until they destroyed the very empire they had spent generations building. But most importantly, its a damn good watch.

First and foremost, Gaga notes, this movie is a genuinely good time. A wild ride and every second is entertaining. Part of Ridleys magic is that, with all his artistic ways, ultimately, he wants the audience to enjoy themselves.

House of Gucciis in cinemas now.

Read: 5 Reasons To Love House of Gucci

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PHOENIX--(BUSINESS WIRE)--University of Phoenix is pleased to share that McCeil Johnson, J.D., vice president of Accreditation and Regulatory Compliance, will present at the Women in Automotive annual conference. Johnson will lead a TEDTalk closing keynote presentation on how to successfully navigate negotiations, Ignite the Future by Being a Better Negotiator at the December 11-12 conference, titled Ignite: Women in Automotive 2021 Conference.

We are delighted to have McCeil Johnsons experience, thought-leadership and dynamic stage presence as our Women in Automotive conference closing keynote on Sunday, December 12, 2021, states Jody DeVere, Co-Founder, Women in Automotive LLC.

Johnson has been serving as a speaker on the Women in Automotive circuit since March 2021, giving presentations and guidance on how women can empower themselves and their voices in a male-dominated industry. Earlier in 2021, she served on a panel, Establishing the Cornerstone of Diversity & Change in September, and led a discussion in March, Sparking Diversity and Inclusion Conversations in the Workplace.

I became involved with Women in Automotive when a colleague recommended me for a presentation, Johnson states. I was intrigued by how I might contribute to their mission of empowerment, and growing up in Iowa with friends at a young age; we agreed that every opportunity to talk about diversity issues or differences was a teaching moment and a chance to embrace. I have maintained this commitment to learning and development opportunities around diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.

Hailing from Des Moines, Iowa, Johnson completed her education at the University of Iowa, where she earned a Bachelors degree and a Masters degree, and completed her Juris Doctorate at the University of Iowa College of Law. In her current role as University of Phoenixs vice president, Accreditation & Regulatory Compliance, Johnson provides leadership and management for the Universitys institutional and college-specific accreditation and regulatory initiatives, including institutional, programmatic, state boards, and other regulatory functions. This fall, Johnson accepted an appointment to the University of Iowa College of Law Alumni Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Council.

Women in Automotive was founded by six industry female leaders who came together with the same interest in empowering and developing women in the auto industry. The philosophy is that this benefits both women and the automotive industry and will help facilitate attracting, hiring, training, mentoring and developing more women leaders industry wide. The conference is the organizations keystone event, fostering community, networking, career advancement, and empowerment for women working in automotive dealerships and businesses across the country.

Learn more about the Women in Automotive conference here.

About University of Phoenix

University of Phoenix is continually innovating to help working adults enhance their careers in a rapidly changing world. Flexible schedules, relevant courses, interactive learning, and Career Services for Life help students more effectively pursue career and personal aspirations while balancing their busy lives. For more information, visit phoenix.edu.

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University of Phoenix Leadership Serves as Empowerment Speaker for Women in Automotive - Business Wire

WASHINGTON, DC On December 8th, the House Financial Services Committee held the first of undoubtedly many more hearings on the future of cryptocurrency and digital assets in Americas financial ecosystem.

The historic hearing helped listeners understand the need to move from a regulatory environment focused on protect-the-status-quo defense to one that unleashes an innovative economic offense based on the power of the blockchain, said Board of Advisors lead and a man considered to be a founding father of the blockchain, Dr. W. Scott Stornetta. This was but the first of many hearings and subsequent legislative discussions. The early innings, if you will, in a World Series with truly global implications. I claim more than a disinterested bystanders interest in how this game plays out, and feel a personal responsibility to see the blockchain achieve its originally intended promise, which is to see an economy based on blockchains principles of integrity, transparency, and widely-shared responsibility.

American Blockchain PAC Founder Todd White said: The diplomatic discourse during the historic December 8th hearing will set the tone for the creation and implementation of new regulatory frameworks. This will ultimately lead to the introduction of legislation that will chart the course of digital assets and thereby determine Americas destiny and future position. The American Blockchain PAC is well-positioned to be the leading voice for the entire constellation of the blockchain and digital assets ecosystem.

American Blockchain PAC Advisory Board Member and Founder of Tezos DeFi, Kevin Mehrabi said: We, American DeFi entrepreneurs, share the same values as the public servants who govern us and preserve our national interests. Overhanded regulation of DeFi will not aid our national security, nor protect American consumers, nor maintain the US dollar as the global standard. On the contrary, such brazen broad stroked actions will spur massive advancements in subversive payment technologies, disenfranchise millions of Americans from their only financial empowerment opportunities, and force the global market to choose a new non-USD stablecoins as the new denominational cornerstone of our global finance. In fact, many DeFi ecosystem builders and participants are taking steps to adopt either the Euro or even Gold as the mainstay of this multi-trillion dollar ecosystem, citing looming US regulatory threats. I invite lawmakers to explore this new world of DeFi technologies and businesses as a friend to our national interests.

As stablecoins become more mainstream in our global economy, it will be essential for Congress to expand its digital policy to ensure that America can remain competitive and at the forefront of innovation, said American Blockchain PAC CEO Adelle Nazarian. When Americans prosper, the world prospers.

For additional information, and media inquiries, please contact press@AmericanBlockchainPAC.org###

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American Blockchain PAC Issues Statement on 'Historic' December 8th Hearing on Future of Digital Assets in America - InsiderNJ

Posted on December 14, 2021

HUMAN DIGNITY IS a foundational principle at the heart of human rights. It is mentioned in numerous international treaties, and the domestic laws of many countries.

According to the preamble of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights rights derive from the inherent dignity of the human person. Moreover, this principle is also referenced in the Constitution of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines (SVGs Constitution). Under the preamble of SVGs Constitution, Vincentians, amongst other things, affirm that the Nation is founded onthe freedom and dignity of man.

The very fact that we are human beings means that we are born with dignity. It is because of this inherent dignity why all human beings have rights, should be treated equally with respect, and should not be unjustly discriminated against based on characteristics such as race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, nationality, ethnicity, religion, political opinion, health status, age, disability and/or other status.

But what exactly is human dignity? According to the Canadian Supreme Court in Law v Canada (Minister of Employment and Immigration) [1999]: Human dignity means that an individual or group feels self-respect and self-worth. It is concerned with physical and psychological integrity and empowerment.

Human dignity is harmed by unfair treatment premised upon personal traits or circumstances which do not relate to the individual needs, capacities or merits. It is enhanced by laws which are sensitive to the needs, capacities and merits of different individuals, taking into account the context underlying their differences. Human dignity is harmed when individuals and groups are marginalized, ignored, or devalued, and is enhanced when laws recognize the full place of all individuals and groups within Canadian society. Unfortunately, throughout human history some peoples rights and lives have been given more worth or value based on various ascribed or achieved characteristics, whilst other persons who did not meet those standards or who did not have those characteristics were looked down upon, ostracized, violently attacked, tortured, or even worst, brutally murdered.

This has resulted in many wars and revolutions in which groups that feel oppressed stand up for themselves against the status quo. It is a vicious cycle that keeps repeating itself throughout human history.

A society where everyone is treated equally with dignity and respect is a society that benefits everyone. Disrespecting and devaluing others does not only affect the targeted persons, but it has a direct and indirect domino effect on others who may be close to them.

Persons can only truly self-actualize to their fullest potential, make great contributions to society and live dignified lives when human dignity is placed at the centre of development and progress, not backward ideologies or fear-mongering propaganda that devalues and disrespects certain groups of people in society.

Today, I encourage us to respect and value all human beings, because all human beings are born equal in dignity and rights and should be treated with respect.

Author: Jeshua Bardoo is a Vincentian Barrister- at-law and Solicitor.He is also the President of Equal Rights, Access and Opportunities SVG Inc.He can be contacted via email at [emailprotected]

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Human dignity: A foundational principle at the heart of human rights - Searchlight Newspaper