Robert Whittaker is one of the world's most respected mixed martial artists, with an explosive fighting style that has made him a middle-weight champion.

Now the Aussie athlete is stepping outside the ring to share his story of determination and success with his fans.

Watch the interview in the clip above

'The People's Champion' will get 'Up close and Personal' with the audience when he embarks on his major tour across Australia, kicking off in November.

For the first time ever, he will share his story, delve into the personal challenges he has faced and explain how he has overcome them to become one of the greatest and most respected mixed martial artists of all time.

"I just want to get out there and to tell my story," Whittaker told Sunrise.

"I've gone through trials and tribulation and if one guy can relate to my story or can take something from it then I'll feel the entire tour has been successful."

"I grew up in a split family, housing commision. It certainly had an impact on the man I am today."

"I want to show what you can achieve, even with the minimum resources you're given."

Click here for more info and ticket details

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UFC Legend Robert Whittaker to share his story on Aussie speaking tour - 7NEWS

McDonald's (NYSE:MCD) knows what you're probably going to order before you do. The company has been employing new technology that helps it predict orders, allowing it to fill those orders faster and increase customer satisfaction.

CEO Steve Easterbrook said during the chain's third-quarter earnings call:

We continue to move quickly to deploy Dynamic Yield, technology which improves our ability to offer customers what they are likely to want using machine learning to make suggestions based on time of day, weather and popular menu items.

Technology, including Dynamic Yield, computerized ordering kiosks, digital menu boards, and app-based delivery, has helped the company drive a 4.8% increase in same-store sales in the United States and a 5.9% increase globally. The fast-food giant has delivered 17 consecutive quarters of global sales growth, and on Tuesday morning the CEO attributed part of Q3's increase to "gains in global guest counts."

McDonald's has posted another quarter of strong growth. Image source: McDonald's.

McDonald's executives spent much of the latest earnings call talking about technology. Easterbrook explained that those efforts are focused on driving positive customer experience.

"With digital, we are working hard to fill customers' desire for simpler, smoother, and more personal engagement over our digital platforms, including kiosks, drive-throughs, and our mobile app," he said, continuing:

Nowhere was the power of our emerging digital ecosystem more on display during the third quarter than in China. The market drove strong comp sales growth in part by delivering tangible members-only benefits to our digital community, which now stands at 100 million registered members.

Digital, he added, also promotes delivery, which is another growth driver for the restaurant stock. In the U.S., digital sales have helped increase check size, which led to the comparable-store sales increase even in a quarter when foot traffic was down.

Food was also part of the company's success story. CFO Kevin Ozan explained what was working during his remarks:

Our iconic core menu continues to fuel results from the fresh beef QPC [Quarter Pounder with Cheese] and QPC deluxe line ... Our customers are showing us that our investment in fresh beef is paying off, as we continue to grow burger share. Additionally, our Worldwide Favorites promotion that launched in quarter two and carried into quarter three resonated well, and customers especially love the Stroopwafel McFlurry.

The success of fresh beef is interesting because of how McDonald's added it to its menu. The chain did not drop frozen beef on most of its burgers. Instead, it added fresh beef to the Quarter Pounder line. That gives the customers who care an option but keeps prices down for those who don't.

When it comes to technology and digital, the company has focused on changes that improve the consumer's experience and drive higher sales. Customers can see the app and ordering kiosks, but they may not notice behind-the-scenes technology, such as drive-through timers, which have improved order delivery speeds.

They also may not be aware of Dynamic Yield, but they are increasingly being affected by these changes. That's a strong plus for the company, which could post major gains if it can increase customer counts to its U.S. stores.

Originally posted here:
McDonald's Relies on Technology and Beef to Drive Growth - Motley Fool

If there ever was a trailblazer, its NBC News Correspondent Kelly ODonnell, who today is the first woman to receive the Career Achievement Award for Distinguished Reporting on Congress from the Radio and Television Correspondents Association. Having spent 25 years at NBC News covering everything from Capitol Hill to the White House, along with high-profile races and high-stakes issues including immigration and gun rights, Kelly has claimed a front-row seat to history. Here, Kelly shares her story along with some practical advice to help navigate this fast-moving, reactive world.

What has led you to where you are today?

After graduating from Northwestern and a start in local news, I've spent more than 25 years at NBC News working in Los Angeles, New York, stints in Denver and London before reaching our Washington bureau. My work has taken me to all 50 states and 56 countries. I am grateful that so many different experiences and assignments across the country and around the world enhanced my knowledge and perspective before I was able to apply those to covering politics in Washington.

On Oct. 24, 2019, Kelly O'Donnell became the first woman to receive the Radio & Television Correspondents Associations Career Achievement Award for Distinguished Reporting on Congress.

What pivotal moment throughout your career most stands out in your mind?

"I felt the impact of all of that energy and emotion as I reported that news."

Its hard to choose just one, but more recently I recall the weight of the moment when I broke the news that Hillary Clinton had conceded the presidential race in a phone call to Donald Trump. That one act, steeped in the history of campaigns, is riveting because it so captures a final and consequential point when a long, costly and emotional campaign journey for the country ends. The concession call brings peak emotions to each side. I felt the impact of all of that energy and emotion as I reported that news. I could feel the giant page turning.

What do you see as the major opportunities and challenges for women today?

Its important for women journalists of each generation to take time to learn about the sacrifices, boundaries and barriers that the women who came before us faced, endured and surpassed. Few things in life are new and a connection to the story of our own career field and the women who paved the way is important.

What advice or tips can you share?

"Opinions and advocacy may be on trend at times but its not the foundation of what we do."

One bit of advice: actively practice your ability to separate your own opinions and emotions from the stories you cover. Developing the skills and instincts that result in fair-minded coverage takes thoughtful effort. Opinions and advocacy may be on trend at times but its not the foundation of what we do.

A simple tip: label all your stuff. In busy workspaces, file centers, hotels and the like, I have left behind too many essentials but I have also had fantastic moments when someone returned my missing phone or charging cable because it had my name on it. Kindergarten rules can pay off.

How has the role of a reporter changed for women in her 25 years?

The good news for women is that more opportunity exists with more expectation that a work-family balance is possible and even expected. One challenge for young women is that faster success and opportunity can come with the risk that bumps in the road are more visible and costly.

Who has helped you in your journey and how have they shaped your thinking?

Beyond supportive family and close friends, special colleagues over the years have always lifted me and helped me find my way through the rough patches. Television is a team sport and the collaboration involved has always pushed me to be better and made the ride more fun.

How do you think about and approach work-life integration?

Being honest with yourself about what is realistic. After 25 years at the network, I still work weekends and holidays frequently. That is the nature of the work and accepting that makes for a much happier experience. Prioritize those family and personal events that are most important and be there but most everything else falls behind the demands of work. Its all about expectations.

Knowing what you know today, what one thing would you have done differently early in your career?

I wish I had started a journal of my experiences. That would be a treasure now. I have scripts, photos and mementos to help me remember but a personal narrative would mean so much.

If you werent doing what youre doing now, money or talent would be no object, what would you be doing?

If only I could be a time traveler so I could move back and forward across time to see how things all got started and how they work out.

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NBC News' Kelly O'Donnell Reflects on Lessons Learned During Her Award-Winning Career - Adweek

Veteran wide receiver Josh Gordon has hit another hurdle with his nagging knee injury that led to the New England Patriots to place him on the injured reserve on Wednesday afternoon. However, Gordon appears to have other plans in mind in the wake of this news that could mark the end of his tenure with the franchise.

Since entering the league back in 2012, Gordon has had his fair share of ups and downs with much leaning towards the former.

He has struggled with personal issues that landed him with multiple suspensions from the NFL that put his career in serious jeopardy. He was initially indefinitely suspended while with Cleveland Browns that put him out of the league for nearly three years.

Gordon made his return to the field, but another personal setback landed out of the league once again. He was able to work his way back in before being traded to the Patriots early in the 2018 campaign.

Not long after that, he suffered another setback as he was indefinitely suspended once again, but was reinstated just before the start of the 2019 regular season with New England. Gordon is now facing another career hurdle that could end his time with the Patriots.

It has been a struggle for Gordon to stay on the field in his second year with the Patriots as he has dealt with a nagging left knee injury.

He had attempting to play through it, but was forced out the Week 6 win over the New York Giants after trying to make a tackle after a fumble. Gordon sat out Mondays 33-0 blowout win over the New York Jets, which has led to the team to designate him for the injured reserve.

Its a move that has even caught Gordon off by surprise as Mike Garofolo of the NFL Network stated that the star wideout had believed he was close to returning and will be looking to play elsewhere in free agency.

The move opens the door to various possibilities for Gordon as there is a clear desire to get back on the field at some point in the near future this season.

The designation from the Patriots puts Gordon out of the mix for the rest of the 2019 for their usage. It was a move that had the precursor with the sudden acquisition of Mohamed Sanu in exchange for a second-round pick on Tuesday morning.

It leaves Gordon with the only option to play this year is if New England decides to cut him, which would put him on the waiver wire for any other team in the league to place a claim on him. It begins with the worst record in the league, which is currently held by the Miami Dolphins.

If Gordon can prove that he is past his nagging knee injury, he has proven to be a highly effective receiving option on the field. He is a legitimate deep-threat target and a major red-zone asset that many teams in the league needing help at the wide receiver position will take a chance on.

There will be a reasonable concern about his ability to stay out of personal struggles as that has played a factor in preventing him from being on the field. Its a part of the situation that any interested team would vet him thoroughly to check where he is at mentally and physically at this point in his career.

Ultimately, if the Patriots do grant him his wish to be released, there will be several teams lined up for his services.

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NFL: Patriots May Have Signaled End of Josh Gordon Era - Sportscasting

Supporters of AC Milan leaves the stadium in protest during the Serie A match between AC Milan and ... [+] ACF Fiorentina at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on September 29, 2019 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Giuseppe Cottini/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

It was an episode no diehard Serie A fan would ever forget. Two years ago, in a move that shocked the football world, Silvio Berlusconi, Italys infamous former prime minister, revealed that he would be ending his 31-year relationship with AC Milan, one of the most successful clubs in the history of Italian football.

Rossoneri supporters, perhaps too familiar with the businessmans penchant for surprises, buckled their seatbelts and braced for the rollercoaster ride that awaited them. They did not have to wait for long.

Subsequently, the mysterious Li Yonghonga wealthy businessman from the Far Easttook the wheel and propelled the club at breakneck speed, scooping up an array of talented players in a series of highly publicised moves.

But the ride was not without its dips and turns. Soon enough, to the chagrin of Milan supporters everywhere, it was announced that Li would be relinquishing the legendary club to Elliott Management, a vulture fund who are regarded as one of the most fearsome investment companies on the globe.

Fans everywhere were left wondering whether Elliotta relentless group likened to barbary pirates by ex-Obama Administration adviser Steven Rattnerwould change Milan for the better or the worse.

The facts speak for themselves: the firms directorship so far has been underwhelming.

According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, this year Milan reported a record loss of 146m. But thats not all: the team performed so badly in the first few games of the season that Elliott were pressuredreportedly at Berlusconis behest to fire head coach Marco Giampaolo. All this, as Rob Bagchi wrote in The Telegraph, suggests Milan are still lacking a coherent plan.

Others have been blunter. The fund [Elliott] are interested in finding a buyer and making capital gains, not winning games, said Fabrizio Biasin in an article for Il Milanista.

Writing for Panorama, Giovanni Capuano accused Elliott of being so distant that it appears almost disinterested in Milans wellbeing.

Milan deserves respect, he declared. It is not an incubator of capital gains or financial instruments.

If history is any indication, as long as AC Milan remains under Elliotts control, the teams troubles will continue.

Elliott, like other activist investors, acquires stakes in companies that they see as vulnerable or undervalued. It then presses for board representation, using its newfound influence (often bolstered with coordinated press campaigns) to demand changes they believe will maximise the opportunity for an early and profitable exit.

Unlike the running of sports organisations, which requires a great deal of community-spirited fervour and preservation of long-held traditions, activists operate on a purely transactional or business-minded basis, valuing personal enrichment over the long-term interests of the company.

For example, in his book, Vultures Picnic, New York Times bestselling author Greg Palast explained how Elliott, after purchasing several languishing asbestos companies, led a campaign to discredit sickened workers. Palast wrote: The legal, political, and PR attacks on the dying workers chiselled away the compensation expected to be paid by the asbestos companies, boosting the firms net worth.

In 2011 Elliott also bought failed UK retailer Comet for 2 from Kesa Electricals. Thereafter the hedge fund raked in 177m from the deal while almost 7,000 staff members were laid off.

As related in The Telegraph, the counsel representing the former employees said that the liquidation of Comet may properly be described as one of the more regrettable episodes of British corporate history.

More recently, Elliott has sought to intervene in the management of AT&T a decision some, including US presidential candidate Bernie Sanders, say could cost the American telecommunications conglomerate 30,000 jobs.

[Elliott] has a long history of eliminating jobs and union-busting, remarked Sanders.

Jim Hoffa, president of the Teamsters Union International, said: This predatory plan will only serve to deliver short term gain for billionaires while hurting thousands of AT&T workers and their families. We cannot allow this to happen.

Faced with this kind of track record, the Rossoneri have a right to be cautious. For their loyal supporters, Milan are the very cornerstone of their lives, and there is no monetary amount that can put a value on what it means to them. The club is not merely an asset and should be treated accordingly.

With this in mind, its fair to say that owners who arent involved in football as Milans former technical director Umberto Gandini put it will never be able to facilitate the sides long-term success. Supporters have already started to sit up and notice that the owners may not be steering the club towards the direction of success.

A poorly assembled and incoherent squad, continually dire performances on the pitch and the underwhelming appointment of new head Coach Stefano Piolidecisions that have led even the clubs most die-hard Ultras to question the leadership of former club legends Paolo Maldini and Zvonimir Bobanhave made the hashtag ElliotOut a trending topic on social media.

Disappointing player purchases and reports that a salary cap has been introduced in order to cut costs has also attracted the vitriol of those who follow the club.

Factoring in the above, in addition to Elliotts track record in business dealings, surely it is now time to question the ownership of one of Italys biggest and most historic clubs: AC Milan.

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Time To Question The AC Milan Owners - Forbes

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There should be a Leave No 401(k) Behind Law. Too many people forget to take their retirement savings with them when they clean out their desks at their old employer. Why is this so pandemic and what should you do to inoculate yourself from this potentially debilitating financial disease?

Theres a trend permeating throughout the retirement plan industry right now. Have you heard of it? Its called set-it-and-forget-it. Its generally credited with encouraging more people to save more for retirement.

Thats a good thing.

On the other hand, this same philosophy may also be responsible for people having less interest and even less awareness of their own retirement nest egg.

Thats a bad thing.

The biggest problem with the way people treat their 401(k) retirement savings accounts with former employers is that they ignore them altogether, says Laura Davis, a Financial Planner at Cuthbert Financial Guidance in Decatur, Georgia.

This isnt a temporary problem. Its chronic. Once people have set it, they then naturally forget it. How long does it usually take before an ex-employee finally notices their orphan 401(k) account?

Typically, the employee does nothing with it, says Wesley Botto, a Partner at Botto Financial Planning & Advisory in Cincinnati. It sits unmanaged for years before the employee makes any changes to it.

This apathy can have long-term repercussions for your financial well-being. When employees have old accounts, they risk losing track of them and they lose the ability to have an overall cohesive financial plan, says Alexandra Demosthenes, Director of Financial Planning at Investment Advisory Professionals, LLC in Boca Raton, Florida.

Believe it or not, when it comes to their old 401(k) account, ex-employees often choose a far worse alternative to ignorance. They take it with them. Another problem, and potentially more damaging than ignoring it, is cashing it out, says Urban Adams, Investment Advisor at Dynamic Wealth Advisors in Orange County, California. This creates tax liabilities, penalties and untold impact to their plan for securing retirement.

Nothing grinds my gears more than hearing otherwise intelligent Americans tell me, Ill just cash out my old 401(k) to cover myself until I get a new job or to pay for moving expenses, says Gary Herman, President of Consolidated Credit in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. They see a 401(k) as free money today instead of an investment in their future. We chide our children for not thinking about what happens tomorrow if they eat a lot of candy right now, but we dont take our own advice as adults. Trust me, if you raid your 401(k), you face an epic stomach ache that will last the rest of your life.

Theres a far better way to take your retirement savings with youwithout the penalties, without the taxes and without harming your best interest. You simply roll it over. Do this and you increase the odds you wont lose sight of decades-old savings when it comes time for you to retire.

Depending on your circumstances, you should always roll your old plan into your new employers plan or into an IRA, says Davis. You would be surprised how many say they simply dont remember if they contributed to an account and havent kept track of it, sometimes over more than a decade. You certainly dont want missing money and the best way is to consolidate and simplify whenever possible.

But, is it better to roll your precious retirement savings into your new employers plan or into your own personal IRA? (Or perhaps neither if you expect to be rejoining your old employer again sometime in the future.)

Every situation is unique, so youll want to evaluate all the optionsthere are great reasons to roll your 401(k) together at your current job while someone else may find its best to rollover to an IRA, says Kelley Long, Senior Financial Planner at Financial Finesse in Chicago and a member of the AICPA Consumer Financial Education Advocates. There also may be a reason why you would leave your retirement savings at your former employer. The best news here is that this is not a time-sensitive decision unless your old employer requires that you make a withdrawal due to a low balance. In that case, this should be toward the top of your list, and youll want to explore the pros and cons of rolling your account to your new job versus to an IRA.

Indeed, some will argue its better to leave your money in an old 401(k) plan. Still, its important to recognize the risks inherent in leaving your retirement savings behind.

Often we assume the original selections we made when we started at our last company are still relevant, in terms of investment decisions, when in fact we should take a yearly look at things with our financial advisor, says Matt Pietsch, Chief Revenue Officer for ENGAGE Talent in Charleston, South Carolina. The best time to do this is when we change jobs.

Its not just a change in your personal circumstances. Your former employer might have changes of its own. As time goes by, and you move further from that firm, it only gets harder to reclaim your retirement assets.

The old company could shut their doors or be acquired, says Kelley Steven-Waiss, Founder of Hitch in Los Gatos, California. It will become tedious to try to figure out what institution that account is still with. Additionally, you have the problem of forgetting passcodes or your email is no longer working. It just makes it that much more difficult. Make it a part of your onboarding or exit process!

Theres also a risk in leaving lots of little baby retirement accounts strewn across your financial landscape. Like anything else too much of something is bad for us, says Raquel M. R. Thomas, CEO of Dream Catchers Corp in Columbia, South Carolina. In the day-to-day of operating in the on-the-job space, having multiple IRA accounts could be mishandled or not handled at all due to having multiple accounts. Consolidating allows for a one stop shop.

You cant underestimate the value of one stop shopping. You shouldnt misunderstand it, either. All it means is the ability to bring independent experts under one single umbrella. Its easier for them, its easier for you and it improves your chances for success.

Consolidating retirement savings from your old company into a single IRA account streamlines the management and administration of your retirement funds and makes it significantly easier to track and invest in the future, says David Levine, COO at BerlinRosen in New York City. In addition to being able to see all funds in one place, its easier to make changes to fund investments in one central location rather than several disjointed accounts. Additionally, consolidating into the right IRA may give you better investment options and lower administrative fees, ultimately helping you maximize your investments and get a better return.

Eventually youll retire and youll need to roll over your retirement savings into a personal IRA. At the same time, youll want to have built your team of advisors well in advance of your retirement party. Why wait? You can begin this process the moment you leave your first job for your second. This will allow (and encourage) you to start working with the professionals youll need to work with down the road.

It is beneficial to keep all of your retirement savings in a personal account with the help of an accountant or financial advisor as this will keep your funds safe from any change that might happen with you or the company itself, says Sean Collins, VP of Operations at Maine Marketing Association in Portland, Maine.This is an added safety measure that not many employees take advantage of.

Dont let the fear of the unknown keep you from acting. Ask around. See how others have addressed this same situation.

The point of surrounding yourself with experts is genius, says William Tincup, President of RecruitingDaily in the Dallas/Fort Worth Area. Were not taught personal finance in school. Thats why most Americans make horrible financial decisions.

Dont be like most Americans. Dont make horrible financial decisions.

Seize the opportunity.

Even if retirement is years away, changing jobs provides you the opening to take your first step towards controlling your future.

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The Problem With (And Solution To) Leaving Your 401(k) With Your Former Employer - Forbes

If you're like most people, managing your finances isn't the most exciting task on your to-do list. Money is reportedly the No. 1 source of stress among Americans, according to a survey from Northwestern Mutual, outweighing both work and personal relationships. Furthermore, 87% of survey participants said nothing makes them feel happier than when their finances are in order.

It can be stressful enough just trying to pay all the bills and make ends meet, so sometimes it's even more challenging to find room in your budget to save for other goals, such as retirement. But new research shows that you might be able to save more money with help from a surprising source.

Image source: Getty Images

Your friends are always there for you when you need a sympathetic ear or a helping hand, and it turns out they can help improve your financial situation, too.

Those with a peer group to hold them accountable are able to save roughly twice as much as those who try to reach their financial goals alone, a recent study by the Columbia Business School found. In the study, participants would either attend a weekly meeting with their peers to discuss their financial goals and what they were doing to achieve them, or they would be paired with a "savings buddy" and would regularly text and share progress, or they would work toward their goals alone.

The results showed that those who met with their peers in person saved twice as much as those who went at it alone, and they also reported feeling much less worried about their finances. Researchers also found that those with a savings buddy who simply texted about their progress saved almost as much as those who went to in-person meetings -- and they still saved significantly more than those who did it alone.

In other words, working toward your goals with help from your peers can significantly increase your chances of saving more than if you were to keep your goals to yourself. Your friends can motivate you to stay on track, but they'll also hold you accountable when you inevitably slip up on occasion. And while in-person meetings have proved to be the most effective to encourage one another, texting about your progress can still help you save more than trying to accomplish your goals alone.

Forming a group of friends to encourage and motivate one another to save is important, but it's only half the battle; you also need some money to actually save.

The first step is to start tracking your expenses to see exactly how much you spend each month, as well as what you're spending it on. If you feel like you have no room in your budget to save, in reality you might simply be overspending on nonessentials without realizing it. Case in point: Nearly 60% of Americans say they're living paycheck to paycheck, a survey from Charles Schwab found, yet the average U.S. household spends close to $500 per month on unnecessary expenses. Unless you're closely tracking where all your money goes, it can be tough to tell whether you're spending on the right things.

Once you have an idea of how much you're spending each month, try to trim your costs as much as you comfortably can. You don't have to slash your budget with a machete; sometimes just small cuts are more effective long term.

Sticking to a budget is similar to dieting: If you eliminate every unhealthy food you love, chances are it won't be long before you cave and go back to your comfort foods. But if you allow yourself to splurge every so often while eating healthy the rest of the time, you're more likely to succeed. Think of budgeting the same way. If you live for your morning coffee, you don't have to give it up completely. But if you're currently buying it every day, see if you can cut back to just two or three times per week to save some money.

This is where encouragement from friends can help you save more. Once you have some financial goals in mind -- like cutting back on morning coffee to just twice per week, or maybe just saving a certain amount of money each month -- tell your friends about them. Ask them to check in on your progress every so often to see whether you're going to reach your goals, and if you're not, they may be able to motivate you to get back on track. When you're saving on your own, it can be tempting to quit or make excuses for why you can't save. But when you have people holding you accountable, you're more likely to stick to your goals.

Saving for the future isn't easy, but sometimes your friends can make it a little easier. By having people who will motivate you and encourage you when you fall off track, you'll give yourself the best chance for financial success.

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Save More With a Little Help From Your Friends - The Motley Fool

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Generous employee benefits and creative perks have taken center stage in todays war for talent. With unemployment low and some industries having trouble filling key positions, companies are looking for any recruiting edge they can get. Recruiting talent is not the same thing as retaining it, however. Enticing extras might get top talent in the door, but it is culture and values that motivate them to stay.

Leading researchers at Wharton recently weighed in on the efficacy of various benefits and perks in attracting and holding on to high-performing employees.All agree that aligning these offerings with company culture is critical.

As someone who works with executives on cultivating a healthy organizational culture, I see value (and values) as the common thread.

Offer real value to employees

While amenities like a gourmet snack station or onsite services like dry cleaning might catch an applicants attention, MetLifes most recent Employee Benefit Trends Study reminds us that salary, workplace culture, and benefits like health insurance and paid leave are the top priorities for employees. Additional perks should complement but not replace these core benefits.

Flexible or even unlimited vacation time is an increasingly popular offering, especially at high-tech companies. Yet extra time off means little if employees do not feel free to use it. In general, workers are earning more paid time off but leaving well over a quarter of that time unused. Once again, benefits and culture have to work hand-in-hand.

Are benefits like unlimited vacations and paid sabbaticals worth the investment? When it comes to your top performers, Whartons Iwan Barankay says yes. Typically, the top one percent of a company generates 15% to 20% of value-added, he says, so anything they can do to attract and retain these people is fair game.

Express shared values

Perks are most effective when they align with culture, says Whartons Sigal Barsade. A ping-pong table at a company not known for fun might come across as an empty gesture. When Patagonia founder Yvon Chouinard adopted the slogan Let my people go surfing and allowed employees to surf whenever they wanted to, it meant something. Enjoying the outdoors was at the heart of the companys brand and philosophy.

Similarly, Barsade points out, a benefit like a pet bereavement day will be more meaningful at an organization where compassion is embraced as a core value. Done right, she says, such extras serve a practical and behavioral purpose, and a symbolic and cultural purpose.

Demonstrate that employees are valued

Although we traditionally do not think of the quality of the work experience itself as a benefit, perhaps we should. The MetLife benefits study suggests it is the right combination of tangible benefits and the total employee experience that creates the trust that keeps employees motivated and engaged. Todays employees are looking for an employer that recognizes and supports them as whole individuals, not just as workers.

One way business leaders can demonstrate that commitment is by investing in their employees personal and professional development through training, mentoring, and coaching. At a recent Wharton MBA event, Vice Dean, Peggy Bishop Lane shared that the school provides executive coaching to their MBA students to set them up for success as future leaders. Forward-looking companies will increasingly view such one-on-one support as an integral part of their HR policy.

We can no longer afford to compartmentalize benefits and the employee experience. Both contribute to shaping organizational culture, and we need to integrate them and other intangibles into a single holistic vision.

"A lot of times leaders and managers tend to overlook some of the little things they can do to make people feel valued, says Whartons Nancy Rothbard, whether its perks or treating people with respect and asking them how they are doing.

Gallups State of the American Workplace report agrees: Engagement is not an event, an incentive program or a fun perk. Engagement is about building relationships and about shaping an environment that allows employees to thrive. A workplace culture that recognizes and supports employees as whole individuals benefits employers and their bottom line as well.

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If You Want To Improve Employee Engagement, Benefits Need To Have ValueAnd Reflect Values - Forbes

From social apps to machine learning, a handful of buzzing innovations with no signs of slowing down.

October24, 20195 min read

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

If you are an entrepreneur, you know how competitive the business world can be. In order to stay on top, you need to have your finger on the pulse of modern technology and keep up with the latest innovations. With that in mind, here are five unique trends that are expected to drive business growth in the coming year and beyond.

Older readers may remember a time before the internet, but foryounger generations, it's an essential part of everything they do. And as they age and make up more of the consumer market, companies must do their best to relateby moving their marketing to a digital platform. Take TikTok, the mobile-centric video platform that has experiencedcrazy growth in the past few years. With500 million active users worldwide, it ranksninth in that categoryamongsocial-networking sites, ahead ofLinkedIn, Twitter, Pinterestand Snapchat.

YouTube has also made digital marketing more accessible to this audience. According to a recent VidMob survey, 59 percentof Gen Z respondents said they use their YouTube app a lot more than they did a year prior, showing that this market is just getting started.

Related: 13 Expert Tips to Increase Online Conversions in 2020

More people are adopting a green lifestyle. Beyond Meat, maker of plant-based proteins, has increased its stock prices by more than three times since its IPO launch. But for consumers, the eco-conscious lifestyle doesnt stop at vegetarian diets and organic hygiene products.Lunya, a popular womens-clothing maker, constructs its products from natural fabrics and fibers, and its sleepwear andintimates lines use Pima cotton for durability and comfort. Using natural materials lowers the carbon footprint of their business, as well as that of the individual consumer.

According to Small Business Trends, when it comes to tapping new consumers in an already-crowded green market, The answer may lie in supplying consumers with details -- and authenticity. Its not enough to be green anymore; you have to help the customer understand what making eco-friendly choices means for you and them.

The artificial-intelligence industry is continuing to grow and will have a significant impact on the world economy in the coming years. Even smaller uses of AI and algorithms can improve the user experience in nearly all industries. Spotify, for one,uses artificial intelligence to make the listening experience more personal by creating customized sessions for each user.

AI is also transforming customer service. As Omer Khan, founder and CEO of VividTech told Entrepreneur, Todays chatbots and virtual assistants are able to handle more customer service tasks than ever before to better facilitate the customer journey. As they utilize machine learning to better respond to customer requests, these interactions become even more efficient. Through the smart use of technology, business and consumers will all benefit.

In the coming four years, global e-commerce is expected to reach around $5 trillion, as reported by Statista, causing many retailers to move investments from brick-and-mortar storefronts to online stores.Fashion Nova has utilized the power of online shopping with only a small handful of physical locations, leveraging social media to generate hundreds of millions in sales. They even created a state-of-the-art warehouse that can ship out orders faster. As more specialized retailers appear on the market, there seems to be no limit to what can be sold online.

Related: 5 Marketing Experts Share Trends to Jump On

As companies look to provide more services and options to their customers, demand has risen for all-in-one platforms to handle financial transactions, securityand banking needs. Consumers and business owners alike appreciate the ability to accomplish more than one of their goals with a particular vendor, and these comprehensive systems are gaining popularity.

Weve seen companies and products like Cyfe and Tableau (who had a massive IPO) create central business-intelligence platforms with APIs and integrations that continue to push the tech pace. Another example is Prime Trust, which offers one-stop shopping for business owners by providing financial services and infrastructure solutions, saving them time and creatinga more convenient experience for customers, which is the ultimate goal.As the demand for diverse payment methods grows, these types of full-service banking and financial platforms will be necessary for even small businesses or storefronts. Customers want contactless credit options and the ability to pay with crypto currency or their phone. They also demand high security and instant, 24-hour access to funds. Having experts to guide your business through thisever-changing financial maze will be crucial moving forward.

Competition for new customers is always fierce, and adapting to the changing consumer market can be crucial for the success of any business. It is essential to know what your customers are demanding and where they are spending their dollars. To help your business make the right decisions for the year ahead and beyond, seize on these trends that are likely to influence business growth into the coming years.

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5 Hit Business Trends to Keep an Eye on in 2020 - Entrepreneur

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- As Republican leaders in Washington lean on Democrats to approve the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Trade Agreement (USMCTA), a review of recent Gallup data on trade provides insights into the public opinion backdrop.

Five key points emerge from Gallup polling on trade since President Donald Trump took office in 2017.

Here are more details on these essential points.

Gallup has not asked Americans explicitly whether they agree with an "America First" approach to trade, but less than a month into Trump's presidency, in February 2017, 71% of Americans rated "promoting favorable trade policies for the U.S. in foreign markets" as a "very important" U.S. foreign policy goal.

In that survey, promoting favorable trade policies ranked fourth in importance to Americans out of eight possible foreign policy goals. It was slightly behind securing U.S. energy supplies (80% very important) and preventing either the spread of nuclear weapons (84%) or future acts of terrorism (85%). It ranked ahead of defending U.S. allies' security (66%), working with the U.N. to achieve world cooperation (63%), and promoting human rights (53%) or building democracy (29%) in other countries.

In other words, Americans value favorable trade deals on par with preserving national security, and prioritize it over international rights and cooperation.

Underscoring this finding, a January 2017 Gallup poll conducted shortly before Trump took office found the president-elect holding something of a mandate to renegotiate U.S. trade deals. In the poll, Gallup tested a number of promises Trump made during the 2016 campaign, asking respondents how important it was that he keep each as president.

Most Americans thought it was "very" or "somewhat" important that Trump keep each of his three major promises on trade, with an outright majority saying one of them was very important:

Americans' broad view of trade is the most positive it has been in more than a quarter-century. As of February 2019, nearly three in four U.S. adults (74%) believe trade represents "an opportunity for economic growth through increased U.S. exports." Barely one in five (21%) see trade as more of "a threat to the economy from foreign imports."

Changes in Americans' sentiment on trade have largely followed U.S. economic conditions. In 1992, more Americans saw trade as a threat than an opportunity, as consumers were still recovering from the 1990-1991 recession. By 1994, the economy was doing well, and the majority saw trade as an opportunity. Perceptions shifted again in 2005 as the economy slowed and entered an 18-month recession in late 2007, but they have since grown increasingly positive.

The relationship between Americans' perceptions of trade and U.S. economic conditions has been particularly strong since 2011. As the unemployment rate declined from over 9% in January 2011 to 4.0% in January 2019, the percentage of Americans perceiving trade as a threat from imports dropped by more than half, from 45% to 21%.

Both Republicans and Democrats have become more positive about trade over this period of improving economic conditions. However, support for trade among both groups jumped sharply after Trump took office in 2017.

Most Americans today believe trade is beneficial to several key aspects of the economy -- particularly innovation and economic growth. Americans are the least positive about the effect trade has on the availability of jobs for U.S. workers. Still, the slight majority say U.S. trade with other countries has a mostly positive effect on jobs for U.S. workers.

Effect That Trade With Other Countries Has on Each Aspect

Do you think U.S. trade with other countries has a mostly positive effect or a mostly negative effect on -- [RANDOM ORDER]?

Republicans and Democrats largely agree about the impact that trade has in all six areas.

In Gallup polling from 1997 to 2004, Republicans and Democrats were in close agreement on NAFTA, with less than half of either group viewing it as good policy for the U.S. In Gallup's next measurement in 2017, however, Democratic support had soared to 67% while Republican support had sunk to 22%.

The long interlude between Gallup's 2004 and 2017 readings makes it impossible to pinpoint when the shift occurred or why; however, today's partisan gap makes sense in the context of Trump's harsh criticism of NAFTA.

Whatever the reason, the broad support of Democrats nationally for NAFTA could be affecting Democratic leaders' current willingness to approve the USMCTA, the Trump administration's replacement for NAFTA.

On the one hand, twice as many Americans in June 2018 said that China engages in unfair rather than fair trade with the U.S. -- 62% vs. 30% -- by far the worst rating given to any U.S. trading partner.

On the other hand, Americans haven't embraced Trump's tough stance on trade. More Americans in July 2018 thought the tariffs imposed by the U.S. and China on each other after stalled trade talks would be more harmful than helpful to the U.S. economy in the long term, with 45% saying this. However, respondents' expectations for the impact on their own finances and those of their employer were less negative, with close to half saying the tariffs would have no effect.

Perceived Effect of 2018 U.S.-China Tariffs

As you may know, the U.S. has imposed new tariffs on many products and materials made in China and sold in the U.S., and in return China has imposed new tariffs on products and materials from the U.S. sold in China. In the long run, do you think these new tariffs will make things better, not make much difference or make things worse for each of the following?

Republicans and Democrats did see the U.S.-China tariffs somewhat differently. Nearly three-quarters of Democrats (72%) thought the tariffs would negatively affect the economy in the long term, and 56% said they would be detrimental to their own finances. By contrast, a majority of Republicans (62%) said the tariffs would help the U.S. economy, and thought the tariffs would have no effect on their personal finances (44%) or would improve them (39%).

Trump may be in sync with Americans when he expresses the strong desire to renegotiate trade deals so they are more favorable to U.S. interests, but with the USCMTA hung up in Congress, he lacks a major legislative success in this arena. His criticism of China's trade practices may meet with approval from the majority of Americans who consider China an unfair trading partner, but his strategy of raising tariffs on Chinese imports -- which has prompted China to issue countertariffs on U.S. products -- was not particularly reassuring to Americans.

The net effect of Trump's pluses and minuses on trade is that his approval rating for how he is handling foreign trade tracks closely with his overall job rating. For instance, when last measured in February, Trump earned 43% job approval on trade, vs. 45% overall. That contrasts with the 56% he earned on the economy generally.

Trump's overall job approval rating is even lower today, at 39%, most likely meaning his rating on trade is also down and only reducing what political leverage he might have with reluctant Democrats on Capitol Hill over the USCMTA.

Lydia Saad is a Senior Editor at Gallup.

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Americans' Views on Trade in the Trump Era - Gallup