Latest news with #businesses
Bloomberg
an hour ago
- Business
- Bloomberg
Mukesh Ambani's Green Energy Venture Needs More Sunlight
Welcome to India Edition, I'm Menaka Doshi. Join me each week for a ringside view of the billionaires, businesses and policy decisions behind India's rise as an emerging economic powerhouse. You can subscribe here, and share feedback with me here.
Yahoo
20 hours ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Businesses and government offices close in Iran's capital due to heatwave
Iranian government offices, banks and businesses in the capital province of Tehran were shut down on Wednesday due to an intense heat wave and the need to conserve energy. (AP video by Mohsen Ganji) Solve the daily Crossword
Bloomberg
21 hours ago
- Automotive
- Bloomberg
Asia's Trump Tariff Rates Are Coming Into Force Lower Than Threatened
President Donald Trump's latest tariff deals are starting to offer businesses some clarity after months of blinding uncertainty. Trump's deal with Japan announced late Tuesday sets tariffs on the nation's exports to the US at 15%, including for autos — by far the biggest component of the trade deficit between the countries. That reduction from a threatened 25% was a relief for Japan and may provide a template for the likes of South Korea, and perhaps even the European Union.
Daily Mail
a day ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
Quarter of new mothers don't return to work after maternity leave - or quit within a year - due to 'unsupportive' bosses
A quarter of mothers on maternity leave do not return to work or quit within a year of restarting, according to a new study. Some 83 per cent of mothers who left their company within a year of returning blamed a lack of support from their employer for their departure, the study found. Half of women coming back from maternity leave said they were treated differently upon their return - with a third saying they were treated as if they had taken a break. Researchers estimate that more than 100,000 mothers each year do not return to their job after maternity leave or quit within a year - at a cost to British businesses of almost £650million. The study, carried out on 501 UK mothers who returned to work after having a child in the past three years, found that 15 per cent chose not to return to their role at all. Some 50 per cent of mothers said they made this decision because their company would not consider reasonable adjustments to their role and 33 per cent said they would not allow flexible working to pick children up from nursery. A further 12 per cent of mothers said they left their employer within a year of returning, with 83 per cent blaming 'poor parenting or return to work policies' for their decision. More than a third said their company had 'expectations of them that were simply not possible now they were now a parent' and 12 per cent said they were actively discriminated against or were forced out. Some 57 per cent of all of the mothers polled said they were treated differently or made to feel uncomfortable when they were pregnant or when they returned from maternity leave. In particular, 36 per cent said they were made to feel as if their maternity leave was a 'break' and 16 per cent said it was implied they were no longer giving their all now they were a parent. Out of the approximately 590,000 mothers who go on maternity leave each year, 27 per cent do not return to work or leave within a year, the study found. This equates to 105,669 mothers annually who do not return because of their employer's policies - with the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development estimating this costs businesses £647million each year based on the average cost of filling a vacancy. Sophie Maunder - a maternity leave expert and founder of Matri Maternity Coaching, which commissioned the study - said the findings 'paint a worryingly bleak picture'. She said: 'Mothers are not asking for the world - they generally want some practical flexibility that allows them to both work and be a parent, and for their employers to be supportive and understand that some give and take is required. 'When businesses do not offer this, they ultimately end up losing talent and have to fork out to replace those who leave.'
Fast Company
2 days ago
- Business
- Fast Company
Scaling growth in the 5th Industrial Revolution
The 5th Industrial Revolution is driving a fundamental shift in how businesses operate, innovate, and scale—ushering in a new era of increased productivity, business growth, and transformation. As we step into its second phase, vast opportunities emerge for businesses employing a combination of agentic AI, generative AI, and skilled human resources. This powerful trio will transform businesses and impact how they operate, innovate, and thrive, igniting innovative business models for growth and expansion into new markets, with a wider range of products and services. POTENTIAL TO REVOLUTIONIZE OPERATIONS As early adopters exit the Familiarization and Experimentation Phase of the 5th Industrial Revolution and enter the Productivity and Innovation Phase, the key to success lies in scaling growth—turning technological advancements into tangible outcomes. Whether it's driving business model innovation, enhancing workforce skills, or capitalizing on AI-driven automation, the potential to revolutionize operations is enormous. How can companies seize the opportunities of the 5th Industrial Revolution, harness its power, and propel business forward into a new age of limitless possibility? Businesses in industries such as healthcare, manufacturing, and finance will benefit from optimization and fast and smart decision-making, while media industries will enjoy faster and lower costs in intellectual property development and production. Early-adopting businesses progressing quickly to gain an advantage over their competitors and boost their profits may discover challenges ahead without effective risk management, usability testing, and sufficient focus on people. Those that survive will find themselves moving into the Risk Management and Human-Focus Mitigation (and Adaption) Phase of the 5th Industrial Revolution. THE KEY TO SUCCESS The key to success is to focus on core business principles such as effective strategic and project planning; competitor analysis; technology and feasibility testing; human resource planning; operational efficiency through upskilling, cross-skilling, and automation; as well as both short-term and long-term financial sustainability. Business growth through new business models will rely on a multi-disciplinary approach from a range of skilled leaders in digital transformation, business, governance, and operations. In the face of fast-moving technological shifts, shape shifting risks, turbulent economic times, and geopolitical tensions, successful businesses will adopt an agile strategy with a lean, skilled, and efficient workforce, transferable technology, and an optimal culture of competence and collaboration. Ongoing interdepartmental strategic planning plays a vital role, with the evolutionary strategic plan managed and monitored by one or more business, digital, and technologically skilled strategic leaders—individuals capable of fostering collaboration among key stakeholders. Digital and business ethics are most effective when placed at the heart of strategy and balanced carefully across departments, with an emphasis on customers, human resources, and environmental impact. EVOLVING ETHICS As we navigate the 5th Industrial Revolution, digital and business ethics are increasingly moving from the margins to the core of business and corporate strategy. It is vital that leaders embed these principles across departments by giving focused attention to customer experience, workforce well-being, and environmental stewardship. Sustainability has evolved beyond financial resilience to encompass action on issues such as reducing paper use through digitization, investing in automation, embracing renewable energy, and deepening social responsibility. These elements are not only essential to brand reputation; they reflect the conscience of the organization. Striking the right balance between profitability and ethics remains critical for success in this era of transformation. With AI optimizing everything from daily operations to strategic vision, businesses that act boldly and embrace the seismic shift in the way we work and operate are well-positioned to stay competitive, boost productivity, and lead the way toward a future of exponential growth. Those that move decisively, ethically, and innovatively won't just stay ahead—they will define the future of business.
