Why Investing In A Healthy Workforce Is Good For A Small Business

Business News

Employee wellbeing is at the top of the business agenda as a key factor in boosting employee performance, reducing sickness absence, and lowering costs. It also helps companies to attract and retain valuable talent.

However, a common misconception among startups and small businesses is that investing in wellbeing initiatives is costly and therefore the preserve of larger organizations. A 2019 study by AXA PPP Healthcare found that 82% of small and medium-sized businesses in the U.K. do not have a health and wellbeing strategy in place.

Prevention is key
Chartered psychologist Dr Sanjay Popat works with companies to develop wellbeing strategies and has observed that when small businesses do engage with wellbeing it tends to be reactive, i.e., responding to seismic changes in their operations brought about by wellbeing crises, rather than proactive; anticipating potential wellbeing issues and intervening before they lead to such crises.

He says: “In some ways, small businesses are particularly well positioned to promote a preventative well-being strategy; as they tend to be less bureaucratic, with fewer layers of management, and a close-knit environment, well-being decisions can be made swiftly and developed from close consideration of the voice of employees.

“Prevention is often a lot cheaper than having to provide expensive counselling or specialist services if employees are already burnt out or have developed a mental health condition. Small businesses can do this in two main ways, by reducing the sources of stress employees are exposed to; job demands or increasing resources to them; job resources.”

To reduce job demands, it’s important to find out what the key stressors are for the employees, via simple questionnaires or short interviews. Steps can then be taken to minimize these by having regular check-ins where questions or concerns can be raised, or by setting professional boundaries regarding the scope of work or communication etiquette before taking on clients. Resources may also include providing autonomy, such as employees having control of where they work and involving them in key decisions.

A tech talent crisis
Rising workloads and budget constraints are taking their toll on employees in the tech sector, which is facing a huge talent crisis. Figures from the Harvey Nash Global Tech Talent & Salary Report found that the workloads of more than half (55%) of tech professionals increased over the past year, while more than a quarter (26%) reported a reduction in the size of their team.

It also revealed that 44% of tech professionals are considering leaving their present role in the next 12 months, with 31% considering leaving for a change of culture. Staff do, however, feel well supported, with 80% of tech professionals saying their employer is supportive of their physical and mental wellbeing.
Data security firm Harmonic Security employs 30 people in the U.K., U.S. and Iceland and has always embraced a ‘work anywhere’ model. CEO and cofounder Alastair Paterson says: “Unlike others in the technology industry, we don’t ask our employees to undergo an upheaval in their lives just to come and work for us. In the U.K., too, not everyone wants the expense or cost of living close to London, so we don’t ask them to do that.”
Working from anywhere has proved effective in attracting and retaining talent and maintaining a healthy workforce, however, there is recognition of the importance of face-to-face contact for building trust in employees. The company’s U.K. HQ is based in a vibrant area of London and offers popular staff amenities, including a gym, showers, bike racks, social events, and a chef-run canteen. “We have an office that is a place the team wants to visit,” says Paterson.
Staff are also offered unlimited holidays and health cover and enjoy quarterly company offsites, with the most recent one taking place in Iceland. Paterson insists that investing in a culture that supports wellbeing ultimately pays for itself. “Recruiting staff costs money and we want people to stay with us so that any recruitment we do is for new positions,” he says. “All staff get equity on top of a competitive salary which means they’re invested in the business from day one. If we are successful as a business, then so are they and the cost to us is in proportion to that.”
Affordable initiatives
There are plenty of cost-effective wellbeing measures available, including offering flexible work arrangements to promote work-life balance and improve productivity, as well as facilitating free or low-cost workshops on stress management, mindfulness, or meditation. Startups and small firms can also share free mental and physical health resources, such as online courses, meditation apps, and exercise videos.
Group risk benefits like critical illness insurance and group income protection employers can help to improve employee financial wellbeing, which can support higher levels of engagement and productivity, and help reduced stress. Although these perks are traditionally associated with larger organizations, some insurance providers specialize in working with startups and small businesses, offering flexible terms and lower minimum participation requirements, enabling even small teams to access these valuable benefits.
Launched in 2020, CasinoReviews provides reviews and updates about online casinos. The company employs just 18 people but includes income protection and life insurance in its employee benefits package. Its wellbeing strategy was developed at the outset in order to create a good work environment.
HR manager Tsvetelina Nasteva says: “Along with the group risk benefits, we offer flexible work hours, wellness workshops, and mental health services. We also encourage the use of free wellness apps like Calm or Headspace for meditation, or MyFitnessPal for fitness tracking, and focus on balancing work and life through team activities and keeping open communication to meet everyone’s needs.”
The wellbeing strategy has brought positive results, with fewer people taking unplanned sick days. “It’s also helped us attract and keep top talent, with many new hires saying our benefits made them want to join us,” says Nasteva. “Overall, investing in employee wellbeing has helped our company grow.”
Creating a positive work culture is crucial and can be considered a resource in its own right, for example, by supporting staff to talk about challenges and problems, discouraging overwork, and encouraging breaks.
“Role modelling is particularly useful here; small business owners should set an example for their employees, making it more likely that these behaviors are mirrored,” adds Popat. “Continually engaging with these low-cost strategies can lead to high-impact outcomes for the business, such as reducing staff turnover, and increasing productivity and engagement.”
ENDS

Riley Reid reveals why she stopped filming porn with men

Arts & Culture, Film & TV

Pornstar Riley Reid has opened up about the reasons why she stopped filming certain pornographic videos, particularly with men.Reid rose to stardom in the world of adult entertainment during the 2010s and has become a big name in the industry. Recently, however, she quit shooting scenes that involved her having sex with male performers.The 32-year-old spoke during an appearance on the What They Don’t Tell You podcast with Jordyn Jones, where she explained how filming boy-girl scenes has impacted her off-screen relationships and talked about her decision to stop doing them.Jones asked Reid if she’s had boyfriends in the past, to which Reid explained that “dating was really hard” and added that often partners have a perceived “persona of you”.She continued: “Especially as I grew a name for myself, it was hard to meet someone who [didn’t] know who I was, so there was always that fandom.”Reid, whose real name is Ashley Matthews, revealed that it’s hard to meet guys and explain to them she is not her on-screen character.She said: “They met me first in their mind as Riley, so it was really hard to like reverse and teach them that I’m Ashley.”Being a pornstar, Reid said that men also wouldn’t take her home to meet their mum and it made her change some of her career decisions.Reid explained: “I didn’t retire, but I just stopped shooting boy-girl porn. So, it was a choice that I made on my own, but I made that choice because I was lonely and I wanted love and affection and stuff.“I was like, I’m not going to be able to find this while I’m performing because it makes dating really hard. Because I’ve dated guys and they were like, ‘me or porn’.”In the past, Reid has been very open about her experiences in the adult entertainment world revealing how much money she earned on specific shoots and shared candid advice for anyone wishing to get into the industry.Sign up to our new free Indy100 weekly newsletterHave your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.

I’m An ER Doctor. Here’s The 1 Thing I Always Do When I Travel.

Travel

andreswd via Getty ImagesTaking a vacation soon? Make sure to prioritize healthy sleep.It’s not staying hydrated, eating well or even handwashing (although those are all important, too) ― when New York City emergency room physician Dr. Calvin Sun travels, his No. 1 priority is quality sleep.There’s no denying that traveling has extensive health and mood benefits, but making sure you get proper rest while you’re away is key to enjoying them. It’s not exactly easy to do: A 2023 study found that only 18% of hotel travelers reported “excellent” sleep while they were away. Advertisement

Sun knows sleep health is key, both from his medical experience and also from his weekends leading adventure travel experiences, including excursions in Antarctica, Africa, the Swiss Alps and Easter Island. He has traveled to close to 200 countries in the last 14 years. Those types of experiences are more enjoyable when you’re awake and happy, which is why he said he always focuses on getting good sleep before and during a trip.Here’s what he does to ensure he’s well-rested enough to truly see the world while he’s away:Maintain a somewhat consistent sleep schedule.Regular bedtimes aren’t just for kids. “You can harness them to your advantage,” Sun said. “Make your schedule around it [so you can] be more awake and efficient to be able to do things and see things you want to.”He begins adjusting his bedtime three to four days before travel: He’ll go to sleep earlier if flying east and later if flying west so he can adjust to the time zone changes.Plan around jet lag.If it’s one to three time zones different from home, Sun doesn’t stress too much about specific sleep planning. “Your body can adjust quickly,” he said. “But anything more than three to four hours ahead or before, and I’m a little more intentional.”Advertisement

For eastbound trips, he prefers red-eye flights for easier in-flight sleep. He uses an app called Time Shifter to help navigate sleep and time zone changes, which he trusts as it’s based on NASA science for astronauts combatting jet lag. He also pays special attention to caffeine and melatonin timing, light exposure and darkness exposure.Be mindful of alcohol.Sun understands enjoying nightlife at your destination and having a drink on the plane. But he personally holds off on alcohol as much as possible because it can wreak havoc on quality sleep — and he says that means he doesn’t enjoy his trip as much.“I don’t blame people for wanting a little nightcap before they sleep … It’s the allure of fancy travel when you have a glass of champagne before you turn in. But objectively, it is not great for sleep and it is not great for any health benefits,” Sun said.He reminds travelers that though alcohol can make you fall asleep faster, it messes with the overall quality of your sleep. “You want to feel as rested as you can when you wake up, which then perpetuates how you sleep when you get to your destination,” he said. “The fear I have is that it compels people to rely more on alcohol for sleep, creating a negative feedback loop.” He prioritizes being a “little more awake with a little less jet lag” instead.Advertisement

Pack your sleep essentials.Preparing for plane naps is way more than popping in earbuds for Sun. He also brings a comfortable travel pillow, a Bluetooth headphone converter for the in-flight entertainment system, an eye mask and a foot hammock.Sun finds the hammock particularly helpful as it takes pressure off your backside and tailbone. “This is the anatomy and physiology of your body — you put less weight on your buttocks as you’re sleeping,” he explained.He’ll also take advantage of an airplane blanket if it’s available. “I can either use it as a buttocks cushion, or roll it up and use it as a lumbar support,” he said.Sun encouraged every traveler to prioritize sleep however best they can ― it’s the secret to making your trip magical. “You can’t pour from an empty cup,” he said. “Your taste for adventure and serendipity is diminished when you’re not as awake enough because of lack of sleep.”RelatedSleeptravelingHealthy Travel13 Amazing Destinations For A Last-Minute Solo TripThis New Travel Trend Might Be The Key To A Better VacationHow To Make The Most Of Your Last Few Hours Of Vacation

Scientists unveil hovering ‘shopping cart’ drone

Science and Health

South Korean researchers have developed a transport drone flying on multiple flexible rotors that self-correct to stay level in flight and can be used as a “flying shopping cart” to carry goods over uneven terrain such as stairs.

The prototype developed by a Seoul National University of Science and Technology team has a cargo platform mounted on top of a multi-rotor drone, which is handled by a person using gentle force to guide the hovering aircraft.

Members of the team demonstrated the hovering platform with a handlebar much like one on a push shopping cart, moving objects up and down stairs and loading boxes on top as it hovered mid-air and maintained its balance by using a center of the mass estimation algorithm.

To move objects over uneven terrain or stairs when a wheeled cart cannot, the drone responds to human control with what the developers call a physical human-robot interaction technique that anticipates human intentions for smooth flight, said Lee Seung-Jae, professor of mechanical system design engineering.

The broader focus of Lee’s team is not on developing a shopping cart to be used over steps but instead on applications that would use a drone with reliable horizontal stability without pitching and rolling.

“The Palletrone can be more than a flying shopping cart,” he said, referring to the name the team gave the prototype by joining the words pallet, which is the platform for cargo on top and drone.

Lee’s team has tested a platform to carry objects up to 3 kilograms (6.6 pounds) and concedes that commercial applications for cargo transportation at such a small weight that are easily carried by humans are limited.

Still, the mechanism that allows the drone to change directions in flight without banking and to maintain a level attitude has applications for delivering sensitive or fragile payloads, Lee said.

But Lee’s team is looking further ahead for the technology’s potential use for uncrewed “flying taxis” carrying humans and for drones to be “refueled” mid-air by changing batteries so the aircraft does not need to return to base for a fresh charge.

Multi-rotor drones are inherently limited in speed and range compared to fixed-wing drones but have better control and maneuverability, including the ability to hover in flight.

They have been used to deliver cargo, food and medical supplies, but commercial applications have been limited largely because it is impractical to increase the size of the battery enough to transport a heavier payload over a longer distance.

Seoul Tech’s work was published in IEEE Robotics and Automation Letters this year and by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers based in New York.

Clemson brings in renowned scientist to develop advanced materials lab

Science and Health

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A world-renowned materials scientist is bringing his expertise to one of Clemson University’s newest projects — an endeavor the university says will add fuel to a fast-growing industry in South Carolina.
Peter Maksymovych’s last post was with the Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Tennessee.
Peter Maksymovych, a new professor in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering, is helping design a laboratory that will be a crown jewel in the new Advanced Materials Innovation Complex, under construction now on the main campus at Clemson.
AMIC’s labs will feature cutting-edge technologies, including nanomechanical, optoelectronic and three-dimensional X-ray imaging, according to a news release. These techniques will be developed with machine learning and automation to help researchers analyze and manipulate materials in ways that were previously not possible.
“I’m thrilled to be part of this transformative effort,” Maksymovych said in the release. “We have an incredible opportunity here to push the boundaries of what advanced materials can achieve and can be, and AMIC is the perfect environment to make that happen.”
Before Maksymovych joined Clemson in August, he served as a distinguished research scientist at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, where numerous awards, patents and publications established him as an international leader in materials science and scanning probe microscopy, the release stated.
His work centers on unraveling the mysteries of complex materials — reverse engineering them to understand their properties down to atomic level and discover new phenomena that can define future functional materials.
Related: Clemson University joins organization to cultivate entrepreneurship in engineering
Related: How Prisma and Clemson University are collaborating to fight this disease
By breaking down the structure and composition of advanced materials, he aims to understand how they form, how they function and how something entirely new can be created. The approach could pave the way for breakthroughs in how materials are created and used across industries that include computing, energy and health, according to the release.
In the AMIC lab, Maksymovych plans to bring together what he called “sophisticated microscopy methods that will make it possible to analyze materials and devices through a concept of multiresolution functional imaging.” It is intended to help researchers better understand how materials grow, respond and function at multiple scales.
When complete, AMIC will have the largest research footprint at Clemson. The 143,000-square-foot facility will be the largest on campus and support the research and workforce needs of the advanced materials industry.
In South Carolina, the industry accounted for 5,272 jobs announcements and $1.5 billion in capital investment announcements from 2017-23, according to the state Department of Commerce.
Kyle Brinkman, chair of Clemson’s Department of Materials Science and Engineering, said that with its new facilities and top-tier faculty, Clemson is well positioned for the future.
“With AMIC set for completion in 2025, Clemson is positioning itself as a leader in future advanced materials innovation, and Dr. Maksymovych is a key part of that vision,” Brinkman said. “His work will help students and researchers push the boundaries of what materials can do, keeping Clemson at the forefront of technological advancement, while supporting the needs of industry in the region and nation.”
The building will be the home of the Department of Materials Science and Engineering. Researchers and educators from the departments of Materials Science and Engineering, Chemistry and Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering will work collaboratively in the new space, according to information from the university at the time of the groundbreaking.
“In the atomic realm, we’ve unlocked the ability to predict millions of potential materials,” Maksymovych said in the release. “Yet, bridging simulation and reality reveals complexities that challenge our understanding. We now recognize that structure-function relationships evolve dynamically with size, time, and energy. Static pictures no longer suffice; we must capture, decode and connect material structure, defects and functional properties as they traverse vast scales. This pursuit defines the next evolution of experiments and models, accelerating our grasp of materials’ true potential and paving the way for transformative discoveries.”

Pentagon Seeks Silicon Valley Tech Leaders to Enlist as Military Reservists

Technology

The Pentagon is seeking Silicon Valley tech leaders to enlist as reservists, bringing their cyber expertise to the military to address growing national security challenges.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
The Pentagon is making an unprecedented move to enlist technology executives from Silicon Valley as military reservists, aiming to harness their expertise in cybersecurity and data analysis to strengthen the military’s capabilities. The effort comes as the United States faces an increasingly complex global security landscape, with adversaries like China ramping up their technological advancements for military purposes.
Brynt Parmeter, the Department of Defense (DOD) lead talent officer, is spearheading the initiative, focusing on recruiting individuals and organizations from U.S. technology hubs such as Silicon Valley. Parmeter explained that the program is designed to build a “people industrial base” to help solve the national security challenges the U.S. faces in the coming decades.
“We’re creating this people industrial base that is going to help us solve our national-security problems and national security challenges in the decades to come,” Parmeter said in an interview with The Wall Street Journal.
The executives who join the program would be enlisted in mid-to-high level positions as reservists. Instead of traditional combat roles, these executives would focus on cybersecurity and data projects within the military, strengthening the Pentagon’s cyber defense capabilities. Parmeter noted that while the reservists will be expected to undergo routine training, they will not be deployed to front-line combat zones.
“It’s not like, ‘Put down your keyboard and pick up a rifle,’” Parmeter told The Wall Street Journal. “The idea is to harness their technology expertise for various military projects related to cybersecurity, data analytics, and other digital warfare capabilities.”
One of the first tech leaders to express interest in the program is Shyam Sankar, an executive from Palantir Technologies, a company that provides artificial intelligence (AI) technologies to the Pentagon and other Western governments. Sankar has publicly stated his commitment to the program, saying he would be “first in line to join” when it launches. Sankar is also assisting Parmeter in identifying and recruiting other potential participants from Silicon Valley.
While traditionally wary of working with the defense sector, many in the technology community are shifting their views in response to heightened global tensions. The ongoing conflicts in Europe, the Middle East, and the rising military threat from China have prompted Silicon Valley to take a more active role in defense-related projects. According to The Wall Street Journal, investments in venture-backed defense projects soared to over $35 billion in 2023, a significant increase from just $2 billion in 2013 for.
Parmeter hopes to have the program fully operational by September of next year, with the long-term goal of recruiting thousands of tech executives to serve as reservists. The DOD believes that the expertise of these tech leaders is essential to maintaining the U.S. military’s technological edge, particularly as cyber warfare becomes a more prominent aspect of global conflicts.
As the Pentagon moves forward with this initiative, the collaboration between Silicon Valley and the military is expected to play a crucial role in addressing modern security threats and preparing the U.S. for the challenges that lie ahead.
Featured Image: yourNEWS Media Illustration
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Dünýä Ulag Hyzmatlary offers services for organizing business trips to foreign exhibitions

Business News

The economic society Dünýä Ulag Hyzmatlary launches a new service providing comprehensive support to entrepreneurs from Turkmenistan in organizing participation in foreign exhibitions.

Now, thanks to Dünýä Ulag Hyzmatlary, Turkmen businessmen will be able to focus on presenting their products and services without being distracted by organizational issues.

Within the framework of the services provided, the company undertakes to fully resolve organizational issues, including visa processing, purchasing air tickets, registering participants at exhibitions, organizing transfers and booking hotels. Depending on the chosen tariff plan, clients are also provided with additional services, such as interpreter services and accommodation in five-star hotels.

Dünýä Ulag Hyzmatlary guarantees high quality services and an individual approach to each client, opening up new horizons for the development of your business in the international market.

Contact information:

address: Mary, Atabayev street, Ojar Aziýa building, 7th floor
phones: (+993 65) 65 85 65, (+993 63) 22 56 00, 8 (522) 7 00 85
social network page.

GCB empowers small business owners

Business News

The Ghana Commodity Exchange (GCX) has commenced trading of rice on its electronic trading platform.This brings the number of commodities traded on the exchange to five, with the four others being maize, soya bean, sorghum and sesame.Advertisement The GCX was established two years ago to help transform and standardise commodity trading in the country.At the launch of the programme in Accra, the Chief Operating Officer of the GCX, Mr Robert Dowuono Owoo, said it was a structured marketplace where buyers and sellers of agricultural commodities met to transact business using modern and innovative technology.He said the local rice industry was very key to the commodity value chain, since almost all regions in the country cultivated rice, a staple food.He said it was, therefore, necessary for the industry to be well developed to ensure that the rice value chain benefited from the marketing structures put in place by the GCX, adding: “I hope this will be a win-win situation for everyone in the local rice value chain.”Fair marketThe Chief Executive Officer of the GCX, Mrs Tucci Goka Ivowi, said since its inception in 2018, the exchange had been working with key stakeholders to develop commodity value chains to add value to the lives of farmers by creating a transparent and fair market.She said the establishment would support rice farmers to reduce post-harvest losses, have access to affordable drying, cleaning and weighing facilities, while selling their commodity by weight and grade and also packaging it to increase appeal, as well as have access to the financial market through its warehouse receipt system.“This will enable farmers to gain access to affordable credit using their commodity as collateral. Rice farmers will also benefit from a modern, efficient trading platform where they can be linked to a larger pool of buyers.“They will receive prompt payment 24 hours after selling, and also have access to price information that will help them make sales decisions. The grains will also be insured against quality degradation and natural disasters,” he added.For buyers, she said, the exchange would guarantee the quality and the quantity of the commodities they purchased.‘They will also receive assurance on food safety and traceability to where commodities are produced. In addition, buyers can easily find sellers, thereby reducing their marketing and transaction cost,” Mrs Ivowi added.Timely interventionThe Vice-President of the Commodity Brokers Association, Mr Jeffery Nkansah, said as brokers, the critical challenge they faced in mobilising grains for export was quality.According to him, it was difficult for them to guarantee constant quality in terms of moisture content and aflatoxins when they were aggregating from smallholder farmers.“So the introduction of the exchange is a timely intervention to ensure that quality is guaranteed for us from the warehouse. Once we have joined the exchange, we can see our business grow because now we can take on constant orders from our clients without necessarily bothering about quality.“Ghana has strong prospects for local rice, but this has failed to materialise. As we launch the trading of rice, we believe this will be a critical step in developing the needed local infrastructure to support the production and eating of rice,” he said.