HYDERABAD, India, Oct. 5, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Gap Inc. (NYSE: GPS) and India's Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD) are proud to announce a new partnership to reach hundreds of thousands of young women and men over the next three years by leveraging Gap Inc.'s P.A.C.E. (Personal Advancement & Career Enhancement) program. The collaboration represents a culmination of efforts across both organizations to provide greater opportunity to youth in rural communities across India.

P.A.C.E. was founded in 2007 on the belief that all women deserve the opportunity to reach their full potential. Operating now in 17 countries, P.A.C.E. provides education and life skills learning including communication skills, problem-solving & decision-making, time & stress management, financial literacy, general health & hygiene, negotiation and people skills. Originally designed for women working in the Gap Inc. contracted manufacturing factories in India, it has expanded to include rural community settings, academic and vocational institutions, and emergency relief centers.

In 2019, two thousand youth participated in a P.A.C.E. pilot program in two Indian states - Kerala and Chhattisgarh - in partnership with MoRD and the State Rural Livelihood Mission (SRLM). The program was evaluated by Tata Institute of Social Sciences Mumbai (TISS), and demonstrated an increase in knowledge, attitude and skills (especially for topics related to gender, financial literacy, health and stress management) for those who participated in P.A.C.E., compared to a control group. Based on the results of the successful pilot and evaluation, MoRD and Gap Inc. agreed to broaden the partnership across the country.

"P.A.C.E. taught us (about) the equality of women in society and the rights we have. This school of thought has changed and enhanced my outlook on my life and career. I am now more confident in applying and getting a job and growing my career," said Anu CB, a recent graduate of the program.

"In P.A.C.E. training, I learned to interact with people with good communication skills," said Kiran Banjare, a program participant who is now working as a sales executive in Reliance Raipur as a result of participating in the MoRD and P.A.C.E. pilot. "I am very careful about my financial management that I have learned through this training. I am now better able to handle stress and able to manage time. I also learned to maintain hygiene and it's helpful in this crucial situation."

"We are proud to support MoRD and the Indian Government's vision to empower poor and rural youth to be an economically independent and globally relevant workforce. Since 2007 we have been implementing P.A.C.E. in India, where we have seen the impact of the program, especially amongst youth who are entering the job market.P.A.C.E. provides a setting and framework to learn and apply foundational soft skills that we know are critical for positive behavior change in young people. We also see clear linkages to increases in retention and productivity in the workplace as a result of participating in the program," said Elvis Francis, Director of P.A.C.E., Gap Foundation.

Almost half of the over 500,000 women and girls who have participated in P.A.C.E. programs to date live in India, and as such, the program has gained recognition across the country, including with India's federal government. MoRD runs an initiative, Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana (DDU-GKY), the program through which P.A.C.E. will be deployed in partnership with MoRD. It focuses on skill development and job placement for poor rural youth ages 18-35. It is the largest program of its kind in India, and likely one of the biggest in the world, spreading across all 28 states and Union Territories, in partnership with over 650 local implementing organizations. Youth take part in skill development courses for a period of 3-12 months, with the goal of finding job placements in industries specific to their skillset. Youth also receive training across both technical and soft skills (like communication, financial literacy, job readiness, etc.), in addition to English and computer literacy.

S. Harikishore IAS, Executive Director, Kudumbashree Mission, Govt. of Kerala, said, "The integration of the P.A.C.E. curriculum with DDUGKY soft skills will bring forth greater possibilities of change for the rural aspirants joining the program, looking for a brighter future across the country. They will attain necessary technical skills and personal development which is essential for success."

With the partnership between Gap Inc. and MoRD, P.A.C.E. will augment the current soft skills curriculum delivered through DDU-GKY, providing 80 hours of life skills content contextualized to meet the young peoples' needs. This full-scale roll-out will kick off this fall, with the goal of certifying around 150 P.A.C.E. Master Trainers across multiple regions in India, who in turn will be responsible for training a larger base of around 1,700 P.A.C.E. trainers, with the potential to reach over 100,000 youth annually going forward.

For more information about this partnership, please email Mark Snyder, Communications Manager, at [emailprotected].

For more information about Gap Inc. P.A.C.E. please visit: https://www.gapincsustainability.com/people

About Gap Inc.

Gap Inc. is a leading global retailer offering clothing, accessories, and personal care products for men, women, and children under the Old Navy, Gap, Banana Republic, Athleta, Intermix, Janie and Jack, and Hill City brands. Fiscal year 2019 net sales were $16.4 billion. Gap Inc. products are available for purchase worldwide through company-operated stores, franchise stores, and e-commerce sites.

For more information, please visit http://www.gapinc.com

SOURCE Gap Inc.

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Gap Inc. and India's Ministry of Rural Development Partner to Create Opportunities for Rural Youth - PR Newswire India

CBS Survivor: Cagayan Luzon tribe

There is a section of the vast Survivor fandom that feels strongly about how twisty the show has become in recent years. They say it makes the game needlessly complicated and features too many gimmicks. But it isnt just fans saying that. Two-time Survivor castaway Spencer Bledsoe is firmly in the lets get back to basics camp. In fact, he has a really interesting idea for how the show can be radically re-invented.

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New month, same offer FREE MEDITATION class with me every day. New month, NEW format Instagram Live! Starting this Wednesday, July 1, Ill be live each morning at 7am PST / 10am eastern, guiding you through a series of 12 meditations. Well start at square one, with a simple 10-minute mindfulness practice, and build from there. After each meditation, Ill stick around for at least 5 minutes to answer your questions and be a resource. By July 12, youll have a lay of the (meditative) land, and youll know how to meditate. This is for anyone looking for more concentration, or for less anxiety. This is for anyone whos been meaning to try meditating, but just hasnt gotten around to it. This is for anyone ready to take the plunge and give it a shot! Im looking forward to sharing the practice that has brought such peace into my life with YOU! See you Wednesday

A post shared by Reiman (Spencer) Bledsoe (@reimanbledsoe) on Jun 29, 2020 at 8:25am PDT

In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Bledsoe says he thinks the show should take a beat and slow things down, including putting off the first vote for at least a week.

Survivor needs to be radically re-invented, said Bledsoe. It can be so much more than the hodge-podge of advantages that it devolved into during seasons 34-39 To overcome this long dark age, though, its going to take a lot: Im talking about taking all advantages out, taking all manufactured drama and twist-y-ness out, and refocusing on characters, personalities, and journeys. Im talking about a season where there is no voting for the first few weeks, or where tribes have to actually create their own structures and/or mechanisms for voting, elect leaders and form worlds.

He added that if he ever played the game again, he would blaze the trails for a new non-strategic paradigm on the show.

The show started as a social experiment dropping strangers from different walks of life on an island and forcing them to create a new world together. How amazing is that? he said, adding, The chaotic sea of fifty thousand different advantages and people whispering s*** you cant even hear at Tribal has been fun, I guess, but come on. Lets not worry about what silly twist will retain one hundred thousand more viewers for S41, and remember why this show captured the attention of hundreds of millions of viewers in the first place.

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The Redeeming Disorder podcast is COMING BACK! Dusting off the mental health cobwebs, this weeks episode features an inspiring, genuine friend of mine @_erikadelacruz. Wait, who the hell is this Reiman guy? Reiman (pronounced like Simon with an R) was my middle name, and is now my first name! But onto more important things Since it may be a long time until I can wish you a happy #Survivor Wednesday: Every Thursday for the foreseeable future, Ill be wishing you happier mental health and releasing a vulnerable, personal and real interview on Redeeming Disorder. You can find the podcast on my LinkTree, iTunes, or your favorite listening app. Ive conducted these interviews across 16 states between 2018-2020, talking in-person with individuals who were brave enough to share their stories and allow them to be included in the book Im working on, Disorder. Now about this weeks interviewee, Erika De La Cruz: Shes the bestselling author of the personal development book Passionistas, shes a television personality and shes the CEO of Passion to Paycheck a sold-out annual conference & online community that champions the destigmatization of mental health in mainstream media. Enjoy the vulnerable conversations coming your way, and please support your own mental health during these challenging times of change. So much love to you all.

A post shared by Reiman (Spencer) Bledsoe (@reimanbledsoe) on Oct 1, 2020 at 10:12am PDT

Bledsoe said that returning to the real world after filming the show was incredibly hard and he does have some regrets about appearing on the show.

I felt the same stuff nearly everyone feels [when they get back] trust issues, weird neuroses around food, and fear of the rain. Also shocking to be reacquainted within American culture: consumerism, mirrors (I mean literal mirrors this time), and our obsession with our own appearances, said Bledsoe.

He continued, There have been countless times when thoughts of regret have come and gone. Survivor produced neuroses, fears, parasites, stretch marks, and sadness. Being popular on a TV show at 21 years old did a number on my ego. Watching myself on the show made me addicted to the smartphone-induced dopamine rushes of strangers on the internet liking me (or liking their idea of me, rather). Theres also no doubt that I did some serious psychological harm to myself in Cambodia by living and breathing distrust and manipulation for 39 days.

Yet, Survivor was also my first step toward reevaluating life and ultimately toward happiness a real happiness its doubtful I ever would have known otherwise. Survivorfundamentally altered the trajectory of my life, and I wouldnt have the perspective I have today without it, so I can never truly regret it. It shifted my course so dramatically that it doesnt even make sense to me to talk about some version of myself who never got on the show.

If youre curious about what he meant by that, Bledsoe also said that since going on the show, he got into studying mental health. He now has a podcast called Redeeming Disorder that aims to dive into real stories of mental disorder to overcome stigma, redeem perceptions, and start a conversation. He has also taken up meditation and strives to keep learning about himself.

Survivor hopes to film season 41 in the spring of 2021 for a fall 2021 premiere.

READ NEXT: An Update on Survivor Jonathan Penner and His Wife Stacy

Originally posted here:
Survivor's Spencer Bledsoe: The Twists Are Getting Old - Heavy.com

Dominico Zapata/Stuff

Rotoruas famous Lakefront, which is currently in the midst of a multi-million dollar revamp.

In the lead up to the 2020 election, Stuff is keeping voters up to date with whats happening in their electorate, through Neighbourly. Heres what you need to know about the candidates in the running to be Rotoruas MP.

At the October 17 election, New Zealanders have the opportunity to choose their regional spokesperson.

Through the Mixed Member Proportional (MMP) voting system, those enrolled can vote for the party they want as well as a local representative.

The person elected will be the voice for your region in Parliament. If youre having trouble getting entitlements or dealing with Government departments, they can help. If your community needs funding for certain projects or activities, or there isnt enough healthcare in the area, the elected MP can step in and help.

To be elected, the candidate needs to secure the most votes.

The electorate covers suburbs including Springfield, Western Heights, Selwyn Heights, Owhata, Ngapuna and Rotorua Central.

He was first elected to Parliament in 2008 after winning the Rotorua seat from the Labour Government with a majority of more than 5,000 votes. Since then he has been re-elected in 2011, 2014 and 2017.

McClay was appointed Minister in the fourth and fifth National governments and has held the portfolios of Minister of Trade, State Owned Enterprises, and Revenue. He has also been the Associate Minister of Health, Tourism, Trade, and Foreign Affairs.

Claire Mahon is an internationally award-winning former human rights lawyer who worked for the United Nations and Amnesty International, who returned to live in Rotorua permanently in 2018. Working out of Digital Basecamp co-working space, shes been active in the community, appointed to the boards of Kai Rotorua and Visions for a Helping Hand. She is one of the founders of Evolve Rotorua, the advocacy group launched in 2019 which focuses on shaping the future of Rotorua.

Deputy Leader of New Zealand First, Under Secretary for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Under Secretary for Disarmament and Arms Control, and Under Secretary for Regional Economic Development, Deputy Chairperson of the Finance Select Committee.

Fletcher Tabuteau has been a member of New Zealand First since its inception. He believes that New Zealand First represents common sense and has always had a forthright and clear direction for New Zealands future encapsulated in the partys name.

Prior to relocating to Rotorua, Alan served as a physical training instructor in the Royal NZ Air Force and has travelled to more than 40 countries.

Devoting 20 years to working in leadership and personal development, he found success as a regional and national award-winning sales and marketing consultant. This taught him valuable business skills and after the crash of 2009 he saw an opportunity to help local business recover.

Sparke is standing as the Green Party candidate for Rotorua to increase the Green Party Vote.

Having experienced some of the inequities in our society at a young age, she realised that politics affects everyone, whether we like it or not. After noticing how our "house of representatives" looks more like a "house of economics degrees and business suits", she thought it might be time to shake things up and get involved.

Inspired by the likes of Angela Davis, she is passionate about social issues and the need for transformational change.

Kirkwood teaches financial, relationship, and mental health skills that empower people to create the lives they wish to have and maximise their personal freedom, and has a wide range of experience including managing a multimillion dollar finance company, in sales, as well as owning small businesses.

He is standing for ACT because New Zealand needs leadership that values the freedom of its individual citizens.

As a teacher educator, Vercoe knows education can be used to harm or heal a nation. She will be committed to initiatives that adequately prepare our children for the real stuff needed to achieve an academic, economic and social success.

She believes ONE Party will provide an avenue to reset the governance over our land, and together, we will make our nation great again.

Vercoe had the skills to work across government departments, and within communities to collectively address issues to do with homelessness-poverty, oranga tamariki, mental health, suicide, educational disparities, and drug addictions, presently crippling our people and nation.

Ward lives in a home of four generations, helping to care for her kuia and her three children. Mana whine and being mm are two of Kiris most important roles.

Her passions include demonstrating what can be achieved when women step into our unique power as whine, promoting holistic health and maintaining hauora to enable all individuals to thrive, a belief that healthy individuals will positively affect the family unit, our communities, regional areas and cities, and therefore our country as a whole.

This story is produced from publicly available content via the electoral office or party websites. If the information is incomplete, please contact social@stuff.co.nz with details.

Stuff

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Election 2020: Who are the candidates for the Rotorua electorate? - Stuff.co.nz

Onward Homes is one of the largest registered providers of social housing in the North West, with 35,000 properties across the region.

Our in-house repairs team aims to deliver a high quality service that is convenient for our customers and keeps our homes safe and in excellent condition. We complete day to day repairs to customers homes and also empty properties to bring them up to the required Onward standard. We also service and repair gas boilers throughout the Lancashire region.

At Onward were working towards creating positive spaces, which extends to not only to the communities we serve but to our workplaces being positive spaces that are open, diverse and inclusive. Onward is committed to being a diverse and inclusive organisation in every aspect of our work.

We are looking for aSenior Infrastructure Analyst (1 post)to join our ICT team.

Reporting to the Infrastructure and Security Manager you will provide advice, support and guidance to Onward colleagues for a broad range of ICT technologies, devices and applications and be responsible for the installation, configuration and maintenance of ICT technologies.

You will ensure that systems are delivering against the business objectives of Onward and manage the security of systems and user accounts, analysing potential breaches. You will support in the development and maintenance of new and existing solutions and you will provide support to the day to day operations of ICT Infrastructure systems. You will provide guidance and support to team members sharing technical knowledge and skills.

It is essential you have experience of working in a service desk environment with ITIL methodologies, delivering high levels of customer services within a SLA environment. Providing a professional service to our customers, you will have experience of installing, configuring and supporting a wide range of desktop hardware, software and security systems including implementing Microsoft technologies. You will have an understanding of the practices and environments of the housing sector.

It is essential to be educated to A level standard/have equivalent qualification or experience and Prince 2 Foundation/have equivalent qualification or experience. The successful candidate will alsobe able to demonstratehaving a detailed knowledge and show operational support of Microsoft Azure, Teams and O365 environments.

All posts are recruited to the recruitment salary and movement to the confirmed salary is based on successful completion of a 6 month probation. As well as a competitive salary and a generous annual leave entitlement, we offer a range of benefits for a rewarding career including a health cash plan, pension scheme and personal development.

The base location for this role is Liverpool. However please note that due to Covid-19, we have adapted our working arrangements under government guidelines and Safe Systems of Work. Discussions around the current working arrangements and Safe Systems of Work specific to the role will take place during the interview process. If candidates have any concerns / questions in relation to Covid-19 and the role at any stage of the recruitment and selection process they can contact the HR team on HumanResourcesTeam@onward.co.uk and a member of the HR Team will be in touch.

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Senior Infrastructure Analyst job with Onward Homes | 4642970 - Inside Housing

Last month, the Artists of Colour Initiative (AOC) launched a scholarship competition designed to provide financial assistance and industry support to six exceptionally talented theatre performers based in Australia that identify as Bla(c)k, Indigenous or as People of Colour (POC).

The initiative was born from the recognition of underrepresentation of these communities in the Australian theatre Industry. The aim of the scholarship is to ensure greater participation within the field of musical theatre amongst these marginalised communities.

With over 60 performers applying for the 2020 Artists of Colour Initiative the Top 30 semi-finalists have been chosen. They are:

Aadhya Wijegoonawardena, Abu Kebe, Aiden Wang, Akansha Hugenahally, Angelina Thomson, Ava Madon, Daniella Delfin, Deirdre Khoo, Dindi Huckle-Moran, Ellie Chan, Gabriella Barbagallo, Giorgia Kennedy, Grace Driscoll, Guillaume Gentil, Jade Delmiguez, Jarrod Draper, Jerome Javier, Joshua Sanerive, Juan Gomez, Kara Sims, Karis Oka, Kristie Nguy, Lauren Cheok, Martha Berhane, Milo Hartill-Batsietswe, Naarah Barnes, Nicole Rammesh, Raphael Wong, Shannon Cheong and Yashith Fernando.

AOC Initiative founder Tarik Frimpong shared his excitement about the finalists:

These artists are the future. These artists are changing the game. I watched a young man Krump to a musical theatre track and you best believe I was yelling at my computer screen ready to jump in and join the cypher. Watching Bla(c)k, Indigenous and People of Colour artists perform works as well as embody and reinvent characters historically played by white performers; it really does something for the soul. I am so proud to be an artist of colour and these applicants have inspired me to continue to show up.

The semi-finalists represent 21 different cultural backgrounds including Sri Lankan, West African (Sierra Leone, Nigeria), East African (Eritrea, Mauritius), Chinese, Japanese, Hawaiian, Colombian, Caribbean (Trinidad and Tobago), Polynesian, Aboriginal, Indian, Singaporean, Malaysian, Filipino, Parsis, Vietnamese, Fijian, Samoan and Botswana.

The impact of the AOC Initiative goes beyond this competition; it mobilises and empowers so many Bla(c)k, Indigenous and People of Colour who are at entirely different stages of their careers or involved in different aspects of the musical theatre industry. Despite the pandemic, despite recent events in the industry and despite larger systemic issues, these artists have shown up and put on a show, says Frimpong.

In the first round of the competition, each applicant was asked to submit one video of themselves singing or rapping any song from a musical; one video of themselves dancing or moving to any song from a musical; an introductory video and a response to how they would spend $5,000 to further their training and career aspirations.

AOC Initiative panelist Fiona Choi commented on the entrants:

I have been moved to tears watching these submissions. The raw talent is humbling in itself, but more powerful is the heart, poise and tenacity of self-expression that shines through. I dont remember having anywhere near this much grace and self-assurance as a younger performer, or such a beautiful sense of community: it is clear that the AOC Initiative is not just a competition to these candidates, but serves a much higher purpose an opportunity to lift each other up. With humans like these rising through the ranks, the future of Australian musical theatre looks bright indeed.

The latest AOC Initiative GoFundMe campaign has raised over $26,000 with a new target goal now set to $40,000. 100% of the funds raised will be awarded to the six finalists with the winner receiving 50% of the funds, the runner up receiving 20% of the funds and the final four receiving 7.5% each of the funds.

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The Artists of Colour Initiative Top 30 semi-finalists announced | News - Aussie Theatre

By day, Sabrina Ooi helps brands in the APAC region optimize their digital customer experience as a customer success manager. In the evenings and on weekends, shes a professional DJ by night. Shes also the co-founder of Calm Collective Asia, an online community for good mental health, where she has helped build a space to share practical and actionable strategies for better mental well-being through free virtual talks and normalising the conversation on mental health.

Community members can ask Sabrina questions here.

The following interview has been edited for brevity and clarity.

KrASIA (Kr): At what point did you realize there was something missing in Singaporesor Asiassupport structures for mental health?

Sabrina Ooi (SO): We started Calm Collective Asia during the circuit breaker period, or the lockdown in Singapore. This was back in April. The trigger was the fact that mental health services were considered non-essential during that time, so if you had to see a therapist or psychiatrist and get medication, that was considered non-essential.

I was upset, because Ive gone through my own mental health journey. It got me thinking about the people who really need that help, especially since its such a stressful time for all of us right now.

We started with the idea of a virtual summit at the start of May, where speakers share strategies to help people cope better, mentally, with distress related to the pandemic. It was supposed to be a one-off summit. But we got a really good response, and my co-founders and I were motivated to continue hosting talks for people.

Kr: How would you describe the way people perceive mental health in Asia? Is there any stigma around it?

SO: We call ourselves Calm Collective Asia because we wanted to address the stigma that exists in this part of the world.

In Singapore, theres still major stigma, because people dont have the understanding or education about what mental health or mental illness is. Therefore, when someone has a mental illness, people are like: Oh, that person is crazy, lets not talk to them.

That amplifies the isolation that people going through these challenges feel. For me, back when I had major depression, I had the privilege of knowing a friend whod told me that he had gotten professional help for depression, and with the help of medication he started getting better. But its so expensive, so theres a high barrier to entry. When I reached out to my parents, my dad told me to just sleep it off. And Im like: No, Ive been asleep all day, and the thoughts are still there with me.

My mom was trying to problem-solve and pinpoint the factors. I had a friend whod passed away around that time and I was sad, but to the point that I couldnt function, I couldnt get out of bed, I had no motivation for anything. It just didnt make sense. I really needed support to get treatment. And she brought me to a bomoh, which is a traditional witch doctor, and she was praying into lime leaves and water. It didnt work.

One of my friends gave me a really good perspective on mental illness. He basically said: Your brain is an organ, and just like any other organ, it can fall sick.

After a few weeks, I saw that the medication did work. I was able to accept that what I was experiencing was in fact some sort of illness, something biological, and it can get better with the help of whatever my body is lacking.

Kr: How did you start the dialogue about mental health?

SO: It was really hard for me. Back then, I felt really bad and reached out for help, but its honestly difficult to support someone with depression if you dont have that awareness. If youve never been through it and come out of it in a better state, its really, really difficult to empathize with someone going through depression, anxiety, or any other mental health condition.

Back then, I didnt successfully communicate or open up the conversation. I actually wanted to kill myself. The depression got so bad that I wanted to give up. I just couldnt find any other way out because its biological. What could I have done?

I was arrested for attempted suicideluckily, I was doing that in a public enough space, and some people saw me and called the police. Going through that whole experience, the fact that the police had come, and I was jailed and sent to the Institute of Mental Health, having them call my dad. . . It was really sad for me, realizing that it took all of that for my parents to finally understand that I needed help. There is a stigma, there is a lack of understanding. And thats why a lot of people, I think, just give up.

Kr: How should we support someone who is dealing with mental health issues?

SO: When were talking or having regular conversations, we often listen to answer or solve a problem, but we dont just sit with whatever the person has said. One of the key things would be to listen attentively without judging what your depressed, sad, or anxious friend is going through. You dont have to problem-solve, its really about listening.

Its important to project emotional stability. You cant give when your glass is empty. When were encountering a lot of stress, we just dont have the headspace, and thats okay. Whenever you are spending time with your friend or loved one, you have to be in a good space and show that you can be their rockfor that moment, at least.

On the flip side, if youre not in that headspace, its important that you say you cant be there for them right now, but you care for and want to support them, maybe you will get back to them tomorrow. This gives them something to look forward to and reassures them that you care, as opposed to not replying.

Kr: If you could talk to a younger version of yourself, what would you tell her?

SO: I would sit down and say everything will be fine, things get better. Therell be bad days. but things will get better overall. Its an upward trajectory.

I would say: You really need to take care of yourself, these are the ways you can take care of yourself. I would teach her the signs of depression, anxiety, how to get help. I would basically teach her Mental Health 101. I would tell her that her brain is just an organ, it does fall sick, and thats okay, you can get help for that.

Beyond the medication or science behind it, its also a lot about personal development. I learned how to take care of myself and appreciate myself. The idea of cultivating self-love has been a big theme for me in the past few years.

Depression and anxiety are triggered from stress, and that stress builds up when youre trying to live up to someones or your own expectations. But when you let go of all that, you can come home to yourself, and have the self-love and self-confidence that will shield you from that kind of stress.

Kr: What developments would you like to see in Asia in terms of mental health care in the next five to ten years?

SO: In an ideal world, we would be able to talk about mental health openly and get the help that we need. The vision that we have for Calm Collective is aligned with that. We host talks to normalize the conversation around mental health, so that we give people the confidence to seek the help that they need. We believe that there are a lot of people who are probably suffering, to some extent, because theyre either undiagnosed or not reaching out through the right channels.

I hope that schools in Asia embrace mental health by formally introducing these ideas within the school system. I hope that kids in the future will understand this, and that our generation and older generations will embrace these concepts.

Theres another thing about the Asian male stereotype, and how he has to be this straight and strong breadwinner, and he shouldnt be showing his feelings or any vulnerability. I hope for a world where men, too, can be emotional and show their hearts on their sleeves.

Read this article:
[Tuning In] Sabrina Ooi on destigmatizing mental illness: Your brain is an organ, and it can fall sick - KrASIA

Join us in building one of the most impactful products in Zalando. The Merchant Operations business unit in Zalando, responsible for building Zalando's Marketplace, is further developing a platform called zDirect, which will be an ecosystem of apps and services to help partners self-serve and get started on Zalando, manage their business and steer growth.

As our Senior Product Manager in the Marketplace Partner Life Cycle (PLC) team, you will be responsible for the Partner Support pillar of the PLC that includes both partner-facing and internal products. The Partner Support pillar enhances partner experience on the platform leading them to better serve the customers. You will conceptualise, develop and lead the strategy and vision of this very important pillar.

Please read more about the Zalando Merchant Operations business unit on our Intro webpage here.

WHERE YOUR EXPERTISE IS NEEDED

ABOUT ZALANDO

Zalando is Europe's leading online platform for fashion, connecting customers, brands and partners across 17 markets. We drive digital solutions for fashion, logistics, advertising and research, bringing head-to-toe fashion to more than 23 million active customers through diverse skill-sets, interests and languages our teams choose to use.

Please note that all applications must be completed using the online form and submitted in English - we do not accept applications via e-mail.

Continue reading here:
Senior Product Manager - zDirect Partner Profile Management job with Zalando | 147411 - The Business of Fashion

Feel the freedom and reclaim your space.

Boundaries some love them, some dont. Its a trigger word for some, and then there are those who pride themselves on how easily they can block people and say no without any problems.

Actually, there are many kinds of boundaries. Maybe youre very good at setting one of them but not that skilled yet in another. Here comes a non-exhaustive list of different kinds of boundaries:

-physical boundaries: especially nowadays, we encounter this one almost on a daily basis. The person next to you doesnt respect the safety distance, your colleague doesnt wear a mask and comes too close to you. And in pre-Covid times an example would be that a stranger or even a person close to you simply doesnt respect your personal space and makes you feel uncomfortable.

-material boundaries: does someone always borrow your clothes without asking? Did your colleague take your keyboard because his/hers was missing and forgot to tell you about it? Do you like to borrow small amounts of money for a coffee and dont return the favor? All of these are material boundaries, it could be money or actual things.

-mental boundaries: how well do you know your values and how far are you willing to stretch them? Do you consider yourself an open-minded person? How quickly do you judge others? Mental boundaries want to protect our beliefs, our values and opinions. Sometimes it might help to leave a little space open to new views and opinions and to see afterwards if you might want to expand your mental boundaries or not.

-emotional boundaries: this is most probably the gold standard of all boundaries. Once you manage to preserve your emotional boundaries, youre already very far in your personal development journey. Emotional boundaries are about separating your emotions from someone elses emotions. Its about being aware of your own emotions and to not let someone else parasite you with their emotions. Be aware of so-called emotional vampires who want to suck your emotions out of you and leave you feeling exhausted or guilty after you saw them.

All of the boundaries mentioned above are linked to a space sometimes an actual space or a space that you preserve for your thoughts, emotions and values. Its an intimate space that can be fragile sometimes and that needs your attention. Be careful about who you let enter your space, and reclaim it if needed. This space is above all yours and only you have the power and responsibility to decide how you want to treat it, and if you want to expand or downsize it from time to time. As usual, its always a question of balance and it takes some time to feel into certain situations and get an understanding of which boundaries havent been respected from your side or from someone elses. Be aware that its only you who holds the power over your boundaries.

To train your boundary muscle, here are a few tips that will help you to set healthy boundaries at work and beyond:

1.Identify the stressor: next time you feel that your boundaries have been crossed, try to identify who or what is at the source. Ideally, you can identify the who, the when and youll get some extra credit for the why. Joke aside, when you manage to identify the why, youll have the key to work through it. The why will be related to one of the different boundaries explained above and as soon as youve categorized it, its easier to take a step back.

2.Take a helicopter view: analyze the situation from afar. Especially with a bit of distance, its easier to have more clarity of who is crossing one of your boundaries and when it usually happens. It also helps to write all of this down so you can see it in front of you and get it from your head and heart onto paper. Consequently, it becomes a list of facts and less emotional.

3.Choose your words wisely: once youve identified the different players involved in your boundaries game, its important to prepare yourself for the boundaries test because it will come. It helps to always start with I (as clear as it may sound) as you want to explain your part of the story and perspective on the situation. It can be as simple as I think that I need more space if someone literally comes too close. Or: I need to think about it and will get back to you if someone wants to add another task to your to-do list. Its important to explain yourself and to not apologize or justify yourself. Its about setting clear boundaries and not having to apologize for them. Nonviolent communication is also a great help in finding the right words for difficult situations.

4.Reclaim your space: By expressing how you feel, what you need or what a certain behavior does to you, you not only make yourself heard but you literally reclaim your space. And if the other person doesnt want to listen or there are too many emotions occupying the space, it also helps to simply leave the space, take a break and return after everyone has cooled down. Yet, before you leave, make sure to express it. I need to breathe a bit. Lets continue the conversation later.

5.Create your personal mantra: This one is a little bonus. In situations when your boundaries arent being respected and you feel belittled, not seen or heard, and you feel that someone went too far, there might be an inner critic telling you that maybe you are difficult or you are exaggerating. Your personal boundaries mantra will help you to silence the inner critic and speak to you from a place of self-compassion. It can be I matter, I am enough or I deserve respect. Pick a short sentence that you can quickly remember and that will help you to re-center.

You deserve your space and this space should be spacious. Depending on the day, phase and area of your life, this space can be sometimes smaller, sometimes bigger, but it is yours and yours only. Its not easy to set boundaries and understand how far you want someone to go, but its worth training that muscle and reclaiming your space. Youll be surprised how others will perceive you and how they might even respect you more. Its worth it. Youre worth it.

Go here to read the rest:
How To Set Healthy Boundaries At Work And Beyond - Forbes

Artificial intelligence has been revealed as the biggest driver of organisational growth, according to new research from Citrix.

What does the future of work hold? In a world where its impossible to predict what will happen tomorrow, its a tough question to answer, Citrix says.

"But businesses that hope to emerge from the global pandemic in a stronger, better position need to be thinking about and planning for future models today."

Citrix undertook Work 2035, a year-long examination of global work patterns and plans, to understand how work will change and the role that technology will play in enabling people to perform at their best.

Driven by flexible models and intelligent solutions that remove the complexity and noise from work, employees will be more engaged and productive and fuel innovation and growth like never before, Citrix says.

Citrix research found robots will not replace humans but they will make us smarter and more efficient.

More than three quarters of those polled (77%) believe that in fifteen years, artificial intelligence (AI) will significantly speed up the decision-making process and make workers more productive.

New jobs will be created new roles will emerge to support a technology-driven workplace and the changing relationship between humans and machines. Here are the positions respondents believe will be created: Robot / AI trainer (82% / 44% of employees) Virtual reality manager (79% of leaders / 36% of employees) Advanced data scientist (76% of leaders / 35% of employees) Privacy and trust manager (68% leaders / 30% of employees) Design thinker (56% of leaders / 27% of employees)

Work will be more flexible technology that allows for seamless access to the tools and information people need to collaborate and get work done wherever they happen to be, will fuel flexible models that the future of work will demand. 67 per cent of professionals (business leaders and workers combined) believe that a platform model which creates value by facilitating exchanges between groups or individuals using digital technology will dominate work in the future. 60 per cent of workers believe permanent employees will become rare by 2035. 80 per cent of leaders believe that technology platforms will provide instant access to the highly specialised, on-demand talent required to power future organisations and accommodate rapid changes in business and customer needs. 39 per cent of leaders believe that in 2035, the majority of high-value specialist workers will be on-demand and freelance workers.

Leadership will have a new look more than half of those surveyed (57%) believe AI will make most business decisions and potentially eliminate the need for senior management teams. 75 per cent think most organisations will have a central AI department overseeing all areas of the business. 69 per cent believe that the CEO will work in a human-machine partnership with a Chief of Artificial Intelligence (CAI).

Productivity will get a major boost technology, closely integrated with humans, will drive step changes in productivity as workers are supported by solutions that enable them to perform at their best.

AI-ngels digital assistants driven by AI will draw on personal and workplace data to help employees prioritise their tasks and time and ensure mental and physical wellness.

These worker augmented assistants will, for example, schedule meetings to take place at the most effective time based on factors ranging from the blood sugar levels of participants to their sentiments at different times of day. And while the meetings are taking place, they will monitor concentration levels and attitudes and adjust as necessary to drive optimal outcomes.

More than half of professionals surveyed (51%) believe technology will make workers at least twice as productive by 2035. Among the solutions they believe will be commonplace: AI that anticipates and performs tasks based on habits and preferences AI nudges AI personal assistants AI-guided digital wellness to ensure employees mental and physical well being Wearable technology to interact with systems Augmented reality glasses Neuro-linked technology for controlling devices Exoskeletons to enhance performance-related tasks

Employee engagement will improve as technology and AI takes over time-consuming, mundane tasks, work will become more strategic and employees more engaged. 83 per cent of professionals believe that by 2035, technology will automate low-value tasks, freeing workers to focus on the meaningful work they want and are paid to do. 79 per cent say it will be a significant factor in upskilling human workers, creating new opportunities for personal development and career growth. Innovation and growth will soar organisations will invest more in technology and AI than human capital. This will open the door to unprecedented levels of innovation and new revenue streams and fuel sustainable growth particularly among small businesses. 90 per cent of business leaders believe that in 2035, AI technology investment will be the biggest driver of growth for their organisation. 72 per cent of professionals believe that by 2030, AI will generate more revenue for their organisation than human workers. 63 per cent of professionals believe that technology will level the playing field and convey advantage to small companies.

The COVID-19 pandemic has forced companies to reimagine the way things get done, and over the next 15 years, they will face more challenges anddisruptions than ever, says Tim Minahan, executive vice president of Business Strategy, Citrix.

But as Work 2035 makes clear, within this chaos lies opportunity. Savvy companies are using this crisis to begin planning for the next normal. Not just return to where they were, but to embrace new workforce and work models to power their business forward," he explains.

Read the rest here:
AI as the biggest driver of organisational growth - Citrix - IT Brief Australia

MARION (WSIL) -- Marion will once again be one of 300 host sites for the annual Live 2 Lead Conference.

The leadership development and personal growth experience is open to anyone who wants to become a better leader, or focus on personal growth. Traditionally, the event is held at the Pavilion of the City of Marion, but due to COVID-19, the event will be fully virtual.

The live broadcast is Friday, October 9th, from 8 to 12.

This year, people can interact online and and chat with other viewers They can also join a discussion group after the broadcast.

"You don't have to go to a major city, to be able to attend this type of conference. These type of resources are available here in our area, and with it being a virtual event, it's available to their work computer, their home computer, wherever they happen to be working," says Karen Mullins, Executive Director of the Marion Chamber of Commerce.

Those who buy tickets through the Marion Chamber of Commerce will also have access to pre-recorded talks from several local community leaders.

You can find more information and buy tickets on the Marion Chamber of Commerce's website.

Excerpt from:
Marion to host virtual Live 2 Lead Conference - WSIL TV