Fed cuts rates to protect jobs amid labor market concerns | Pizza Hut bets employers will read resumes over lunch | Work wear tips: Blending professionalism, comfort and style
Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
In response to a weakening job market, the Federal Reserve made an aggressive half-point rate cut and predicted more reductions to curb rising unemployment and stimulate the economy. Fed Chair Jerome Powell assured that the economy is sound but acknowledged the necessity of the cuts to manage inflation and improve job prospects. Full Story: Politico (9/18)
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Pizza Hut's "ResZAmes" campaign in New York City aims to give 25 job seekers a leg up by printing their resumes on pizza boxes and delivering them to prospective employers. According to CareerMinds, 75% of resumes are never read by humans, prompting Pizza Hut to create this approach to get applicants' CVs noticed. "Who could possibly ignore a resume when it is delivered as a delicious pizza?" said Pizza Hut chief marketing officer Melissa Friebe. Full Story: CNBC (9/17)
Is "Tinder leave" the new employee perk? Some employers are offering creative employee benefits such as pet insurance, meditation classes, free health care after five years on the job, reimbursement for dating app subscriptions and time off to go on dates (called "Tinder leave"), according to studies and company executives. "Creative benefits go a long way in demonstrating what a company and its people value, which in turn contributes to better employee well-being and can even help attract top talent," says Nebel Crowhurst, chief people officer and chief appreciation officer at Reward Gateway/Edenred. Full Story: WorkLife (9/18)
Technology
Making cybersecurity a key focus in C-suite discussions In the digital economy, cybersecurity is crucial for business success, according to Behzad Mahdavi, CEO of InnoGI Technologies. Using golf as an analogy, he outlines four strategies for successful innovation: understanding market needs, choosing the right technologies, creating a diverse team to help overcome obstacles and ensuring sales alignment. Full Story: Forbes (tiered subscription model) (9/16)
The HR Leader
Why the future of HR will belong to the tech-savvy Although humans will remain in charge, AI is rapidly changing routine HR tasks, says CEO Jodi Kovitz of the Canada-based Human Resources Professional Association, and those that master it will prosper financially, according to data from Lightcast, a labor market analytics organization. One example of a change that HR professionals could see is the creation of an around-the-clock chatbot to answer questions about days-off policies and insurance coverage, rather than HR employees answering emails or calls about those topics. Full Story: The Globe and Mail (Toronto) (tiered subscription model) (9/17)
SmartBreak: Question of the Day
The Boeing Starliner astronauts might be in space until February 2025 -- more than 240 days. It's not a record, but neither is NASA astronaut Scott Kelly's space time. How many days did he spend off-planet?
My niece texted me for advice. She was nearing the end of her master’s program -- she’s a physician’s assistant -- and was interviewing for jobs. “Aunty, I know you travel a lot for work,” she said. “What shoes do you wear? I want to be professional, but comfortable too. Suggestions?” I remember smiling as I fired off my response. I sent her links to the Franco Sarto loafers, Timberland high tops, Nike platform sneakers and the gold strappy sandal with the chunky two-inch heel that are my go-to footwear for work. “You wear Timberlands to work, Aunty?? LOL!” she texted. “I do when I’m at a show in Philadelphia and the media folks have me running back and forth up the block for meetings. But most times, I’m in the loafers or gold sandals,” I responded. Professional attire standards have evolved and I’m grateful that they now make room for comfort and personal style. Today’s Leadership & Development story from Education Week profiles Melanie Kay-Wyatt, school superintendent for Alexandria City public schools in Virginia, and her take on workwear. I like her strategy: professional comfort. Her signature style revolves around colorful jackets, pearls and jewelry. The curated look allows her to maintain a professional appearance no matter what she’s doing -- presenting to the school board, taking a selfie with a community member, or sitting with a group of kindergarteners during reading circle. Right on! When it comes to workwear, I keep it simple. If I’m covering a show and will be walking a lot, I like dark wash jeans and a black sweater under a tan moto jacket. If I’m presenting at a conference, I opt for the black linen shift dress with a raw-edge jean jacket and a green statement necklace for color and impact. If I have a work party or dinner, it’s the black linen pants paired with a black tank, wide belt and my Lotus and Lime kimono. What’s your professional style? What pieces do you have in your workwear capsule wardrobe? Let me know! Do you love this brief? Share it with others. Want different stories? Something about it bug you? Tell me. In the words of Frasier Crane, “I’m listening.”
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