http://ift.tt/2nauSgI
AI and the rising expectations for enterprise software http://ift.tt/2o3L2xh GUEST: From the dawn of the information age, computers have helped us accelerate our understanding of business performance and opportunities for improvements. We rely on them to tackle the routine, yet often complex, calculations underlying our most important metrics: revenue, growth, costs, and customers. The catch? In order to effectively communicate with machines, we have been forced to learn their language — hence the explosion of software engineers, IT professionals, data analysts, and most recently, data scientists. But imagine a new world where a human language interface could be the way we interact with every dataset and enterprise application on a daily basis. Thanks to developments in artificial intelligence such as machine learning and natural language generation (NLG), that future is becoming a reality. Consider Gartner’s stance that by 2019, natural language generation will integrate into 90 percent of BI platforms. Kasey Panetta of Gartner states, “NLG will enable next-generation BI and analytics platforms to automatically find, visualize and narrate important findings. The technology will expand analytics to a broad audience as well as reduce time and cost for regular batch reports.” AI is creating a world where organizations don’t need to struggle with charts or dashboards anymore. Everyone, no matter their analytical skill level, can easily get the answers they need from their data via human-sounding language (to varying levels of success). This is just the beginning of the AI evolution. We are working towards a future that will humanize enterprise software interactions. We will have dynamic, intelligent conversations with our systems — a natural discussion in plain English. Machines will evolve and demonstrate a true appreciation of the questions at hand and present answers that are relevant and contextually aware, and even pose new questions. This communication evolution represents the greatest opportunity for an enhanced and more productive work experience. That’s a compelling vision. But how do we get there, and when will it happen? Three AI technology trends, some already mainstream and others just now appearing, signal the imminent arrival of more intelligent enterprise applications:
It is notable how quickly we expect incredibly complex human-machine interfaces to “just work.” Consider Google search. We take for granted auto-complete on the search command line, a user interface advancement that is as handy as it is powerful and complex. The same effect is taking place with bots. Alexa, the AI underlying Amazon Echo, launched with a few hundred skills, and now it has grown to possess over 7,000 skills. Our expectations are high, but our interactions with these systems are still quite basic. We expect a conversation but are limited to task delivery and execution. The technology isn’t there — yet. In the future, AI-powered human language will become the interface to enterprise software for true interactivity just as it is now for consumer software. Think of the metrics we mentioned earlier: revenue, growth, costs, and customers. AI will enable software of the future to measure and understand these metrics, not just with a simple response but with an intelligent narrative — a rich, comprehensive story — that provides context, reasoning, and transparency into its decisions and responses. Nick Beil is the COO at Narrative Science, an automated personalization company. Business via VentureBeat https://venturebeat.com March 27, 2017 at 09:35AM
0 Comments
http://ift.tt/2nbunUw
This app makes staying in touch with your professional contacts easier than ever http://ift.tt/2noqJYl The Insider Picks team writes about stuff we think you'll like. Business Insider has affiliate partnerships, so we get a share of the revenue from your purchase. Getty Images/ Justin SullivanIf you want to catapult your career forward, who you know can be just as important as what you know; last year, LinkedIn found that 85% of all job postings are filled by networking. You can connect with just about anyone on Twitter, Instagram, or LinkedIn, but there's something special about swapping business cards with a professional you admire. But what are you supposed to do with their business card after you initially meet? Instead of letting them clutter the depths of your work bag or desk drawer, you might want to consider downloading CamCard. Once you receive a new business card, open the app and take a quick picture of it. Not only will CamCard automatically add all the contents of the business card to your phone, you can also add additional notes and reminders to check in with your new contact. I your new acquaintance has an electronic version of their business card, you can go paperless and exchange emails and social media handles through the app. Trading contact information is only half the battle, though; it's just as important to forge a positive, lasting relationship. CamCard makes keeping in touch easier than ever before by alerting you when one of your contacts is promoted or switches jobs, so you can be one of the first people to congratulate then. While CamCard does have a free version on the App Store, which allows you to scan up to 200 business cards, you can download an unlimited edition for just $1. Whether you want to foster a new partnership at the office, work on your side hustle, or look for a new job, CamCard is worthwhile investment for your career. CamCard- Business Card Scanner and Reader, $0.99See Also:
SEE ALSO: Learning how to write cold emails that get responses is an invaluable skill in the workplace DON'T MISS: These 9 skills are great ones to have on your résumé right now Business via Business Insider http://ift.tt/eKERsB March 27, 2017 at 09:27AM
http://ift.tt/2nFPNvZ
Apple says it found one underage worker building Apple products last year (AAPL) http://ift.tt/2noFF8T Getty Images/Chip Somodevilla The people that actually assemble Apple products like the iPhone don't actually work for Apple — the Cupertino giant contracts with manufacturing companies like Foxconn and Pegatron to do it for them. And since those companies are based in Asia, which have different labor standards than the US, it's a constant battle for Apple to ensure that its products are built ethically and to its standards. Apple said on Monday that it performed 705 checks on its various manufacturing facilities in 2016, and found 22 core violations of labor and human rights, including bonded labor violations, falsification of working hours, and harassment violations. Only one of those violations was for an underage worker, who was "a 15½-year-old" at the time of the discovery. The legal working age in China is 16. Apple required the supplier that hired the child worker to "continue paying their wages while also providing an educational opportunity" and provide him "safe passage" home. When the underage worker turns 16, the factory this person worked at will be required to provide a job offer, Apple said. "There’s absolutely no excuse for anyone under legal working age to be in our supply chain," Apple said in the report. Apple's 705 checks covered 1.2 million workers, according to the report. "All supplier core violations are escalated directly to senior management at Apple and the supplier, and are required to be addressed immediately," Apple writes. 'Supplier shall employ only Workers who are at least 15 years of age'Apple Apple's official underage labor policy lists 15 as the minimum age to build Apple products, unless there's a law in the local region with a higher minimum age. According to the policy, Apple's suppliers should match photo IDs to worker's faces, verify workers' ages through local government offices or online, and inspect their facilities periodically. Sometimes, supplier employees see Apple as a force that is able to put pressure on the manufacturer to improve working conditions, according to an open letter from an worker at an Apple supplier published by China Labor Watch, an activist group. Often, violations like these happen without Apple knowing, which is why the company routinely drops in and checks their facilities, performing about two of these checks per day total during 2016. But there are a lot of factories working on Apple products, so while 705 checks sounds like a lot, it's really not. Apple did not respond to repeated requests for more information about its supplier responsibility eport. See Also:
SEE ALSO: Apple just released a huge new update for iPhones — here's what’s new Business via Business Insider http://ift.tt/eKERsB March 27, 2017 at 09:27AM A top Goldman Sachs dealmaker says she learned a major career lesson eating in a cafeteria in Milan3/27/2017
http://ift.tt/2nbntP2
A top Goldman Sachs dealmaker says she learned a major career lesson eating in a cafeteria in Milan http://ift.tt/2orZ9Zv It's no secret that women are often treated differently in the workplace. And that is especially the case in more male-dominated fields such as financial services. It's for that reason that Clare Scherrer, a partner at Goldman Sachs, advises young women to get in front of clients as soon as possible. The idea: To get past any preconceptions, and show off your ideas. "One of the things I think is important for women to realize is that we all tend to judge a book by its cover until we start reading the book," she said in a recent Q&A with Goldman Sachs podcast, Exchanges at Goldman Sachs. Scherrer, who is global co-head of industrials in Goldman Sachs' investment banking division, cited an example from her career when she had to do just that. "I was flying to Milan to meet with an Italian client, and when we landed and we're going through Customs and Immigration, my Italian male colleague got a phone call from the CEO who said,"You didn't tell me Clare, who you're bringing to the meeting, is a woman." Scherrer said the CEO was upset because he did not make reservations for their meeting at a fancy restaurant. But Scherrer made sure to illustrate her value proposition, and within 15 minutes the CEO forgot all about her being a woman. She said: "Isn't that interesting that that's what he was worried about? And we got to the company, we started the meeting at the cafeteria, eating sandwiches. Fifteen minutes into the meeting, he no longer was focused on me being a woman; he was focused on my content. He was focused on the fact that I actually knew the most about the topic he wanted to cover within the Goldman Sachs network, and the cover of the book didn't matter; the content of the book is what mattered." That experience informs the advice Scherrer passes on to young women trying to make it in finance. "So, when I'm advising young women, I tell them that the sooner and the more often they can talk in front of their clients and really deliver advice and judgments, the better," she added. "That's the way that young women can really set themselves up to succeed." NOW WATCH: A penthouse owned by Trump's trust is on the market for $35 million — here’s a look inside See Also:
Business via Business Insider http://ift.tt/eKERsB March 27, 2017 at 09:21AM Former Republican House majority leader says its a rookie mistake for Trump to work with Democrats3/27/2017
http://ift.tt/2ntPiVG
Former Republican House majority leader says it’s a ‘rookie mistake’ for Trump to work with Democrats http://ift.tt/2mJWxKc Getty Images Former Republican House Majority Leader Tom DeLay said Monday that President Donald Trump's suggestion he would be "totally open" to working with Democrats after the failure of the American Health Care Act was "very dangerous" politically and a "rookie mistake." The Texas Republican cited former House Speaker John Boehner and President George H.W. Bush on CNN as example of Republicans who did exactly that and hurt themselves. "It's not a good idea," DeLay told the cable news outlet. "Just because you're upset with the Republicans and conservatives — who are standing on principal by the way — and it's sort of a rookie mistake [to say] that, 'well, now I'm going to work with the Democrats.'" "It's very dangerous and very risky," he continued. After the AHCA — the bill which aimed to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act — was pulled from the House floor Friday after it was clear it would not have enough votes to pass, Trump said he was willing to work with Democrats on future health care initiatives "when they all become civilized." DeLay resigned from Congress in 2006 following his deputy chief of staff pleading guilty to conspiracy and corruption charges as a part of the Jack Abramoff scandal. DeLay was earlier indicted on charges of conspiracy and money laundering as a part of a campaign finance investigation, which led him to step down as House majority leader. He was later found guilty but subsequently had the convictions overturned and he was acquitted. NOW WATCH: Watch Trump's budget director explain proposed cuts for after-school programs that feed children See Also:
Business via Business Insider http://ift.tt/eKERsB March 27, 2017 at 09:21AM
http://ift.tt/2nbfce7
POLL: Jeremy Corbyn is as unpopular with Brits as Donald Trump http://ift.tt/2nFIViv REUTERS/Peter Nicholls & Getty Images
LONDON — Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn is as unpopular with the British public as US President Donald Trump, according to a new opinion poll. Just 17% of British people approve of the job Corbyn is doing as leader of the opposition, according to the survey by GfK, while 58% disapproved. These numbers were pretty much identical to Trump's ratings, with 18% of Brits saying they approved of the job he's doing as President, and 60% disapproving. Here's a breakdown of those results. GfK GfK This is the latest in a series of surveys to make sorry reading for Corbyn, whose struggle to appeal to those beyond his fiercely loyal base of supporters continues to undermine his leadership. Worryingly for the Labour leader, the results of the GfK poll indicate that he is disapproved by current Labour voters in net terms. 39% of Labour voters said they approved of how Corbyn was handling his job, while 40% disapproved. His net approval ratings were also negative in every single geographic and demographic crossbreak. The survey gave May's ruling-Conservatives a 13-point lead over Labour. 41% of respondents said they intend to vote Tory at the next election, while 28% said they will vote Labour. Here are the voting intention numbers in full.
The research also found that more Brits approve of the job Theresa May is doing as prime minister than those who disapprove. She was also more popular than the UK government as a whole. GfK found that public opinion remains largely unchanged on whether Britain should leave the European Union. Asked whether they felt Britain was right to back Leave in the June referendum on EU membership, 46% of respondents said that Brexit was the right decision, while 41% said it was wrong. These figures suggest that Brits don't regret voting Brexit, despite numerous warnings of the economic ruin that awaits Britain in the years ahead. However, as GfK Research Director Kieran Pedley points out, May remains under a lot of pressure to deliver the sort of Brexit that will both appease staunch Brexiteers and satisfy the general public. "As the Prime Minister prepares to invoke Article 50 this week there is little sign of mass Brexit regret among British voters. However, given that 13% are undecided and expectations for Brexit are very high among Leave voters, the Prime Minister is under a lot of pressure to deliver the right deal. It will also be interesting to see whether pro-European sentiment among younger voters is lasting or merely a sign of youth that will change over time," Pedley said. A clear generational gap remains among Brits on Brexit however. GfK found that just 32% of those aged 18-24 believed that leaving the EU was the "right decision" compared to 59% of those aged 65 and over who said the same thing. See Also:
Business via Business Insider http://ift.tt/eKERsB March 27, 2017 at 09:15AM How to Build a Volunteer Corps That Outlasts a Surge http://ift.tt/2nb7KPX A deluge of volunteers or donations doesn't always appear when you need them most. In fact, more often than not, well thought out and regular recruitment efforts can go nowhere, while an unexpected news event can trigger a sudden avalanche of volunteers to show up at your doorstep. Many organizations surely witnessed this surge when the election results triggered a rush of donations and volunteering interest for all sort of organizations -- for some at a never before seen pace. While this boon was surely welcome, were the organizations prepared to take advantage? Related: Here's What Brands Can Learn From Hillary's Grassroots 'Differentiator' As we’ve seen in the past, donated funds that sit unused, or volunteers who remain idle, can quickly turn an energized base of helpers into a discouraged group that's hard to win back. The key for any organization is knowing how to leverage these surges and to be ready to leverage them at any time. You want to turn one-time volunteers into lifelong supporters. It’s all about preparation. Here are the five keys to building a corps of volunteers and donors who outlast the occasional surges. 1. Learn the art of newsjacking.Figuring out what people care about the most is key to this trick. Once you know that, it’s all about the timing. Newsjacking is opportunistic, but it shouldn’t seem opportunistic. You want your audience to feel engaged and connected with you, not exploited. This is not ambulance chasing. Newsjacking is nothing new -- someone even wrote a book about it -- but it takes time and consistency. There are no hard and fast rules. Just write about news your audience cares about, have a point of view it to get them excited, and be ready with an ask and an explanation -- if you donate, we will do this; if you volunteer, we will do this. Organizations like the ACLU and the Red Cross are a couple of nonprofits that do this quite well to solicit everything from donated legal services to home goods for disaster victims. But any kind of organization can and should newsjack. 2. Study up on the Wikipedia effect.To find out why people volunteer, a Harvard researcher studied one of the largest volunteer run sites on the web, Wikipedia. Jana Gallus, a postdoctoral fellow for the Behavioral Insights Group at Harvard University conducted the study that examined what motivates Wikipedia volunteers. The answer was not what they thought at first -- that public recognition for their contributions kept them motivated. Rather, the motivation turned out to be that they liked being part of a community. Think about whether your volunteers feel like a part of something bigger when you turn to them. For companies that have corporate-wide charitable programs, does it make sense to also include recognition of volunteer efforts in annual reviews? It makes all the difference in the world when it comes to retaining them. Related: How You Can Identify and Optimize Nonprofit Partnerships 3. Pay attention to intrinsic motivation.What does that mean? Motivation comes from a whole different set of reasons for different people, so how do you know where the motivation comes from for your volunteers? Ask them, and ask them on a regular basis. Variety is the spice of life, and the same is true for volunteers. One size does not fit all, so make an effort to find out what’s key to inspiring them. Asking doesn’t have to be hard or time-consuming with all the easy online survey tools available today. 4. Empower your volunteers.For any volunteer effort to work well, volunteers need to feel a sense of empowerment. Volunteering is a great way to ever so slightly let go of the reins and give others a manageable sense of responsibility. Adam Werbach, founder and CEO of Yerdle, recently spoke about the different ways to empower your volunteer corps. In the workplace, volunteer teams can work together to solve problems and transform organizations. In the public domain, volunteers can lead efforts to impact legislation. Empowering volunteers can have far-reaching effects. Related: 5 Ways Volunteering Helps You Do Well While Doing Good 5. Make it easy with technology.If you do all the above, but don’t make it easy, you’ve failed. While volunteers want to give of their time and money, they don’t want to fight through logistical or technological headaches to make it happen. Community-centric fundraising sites like Kickstarter, IndieGogo and Crowdrise all have excellent platforms. This article from Crowdrux lists the top ten crowdfunding sites for nonprofits. And not a tip so much as hopefully a given -- show appreciation. Your volunteers and donors are choosing you and your organization to donate their hard-earned money and valuable time to. Be sure to recognize them early, and thank them often. Rob WengerRob is a successful entrepreneur and business executive with a 19-year track record in building, growing and leading high-tech companies. He has been developing social networking applications for Associations and Non-profits... Read moreBusiness via Entrepreneur: Latest Articles http://ift.tt/1V7CpeP March 27, 2017 at 09:03AM
http://ift.tt/2noBDgS
Competitive video gaming will be a $1.5 billion industry by 2020, researchers say http://ift.tt/2nZu8iZ You can say "it’s not a sport" all you want, but competitive video gaming — also known as eSports — is a thing, and, as this chart from Statista shows, it’s only expected to get bigger. In its latest eSports market report, market researcher Newzoo thinks eSports at large will make $696 million in revenue in 2017, with its total audience — be it hardcore fans or those who just watch the bigger game championships — reaching 385 million. By 2020, Newzoo projects, those will reach $1.48 billion and 589 million, respectively. (That revenue figure doesn’t include money made from eSports-related gambling, either.) That’d still fall well behind major sports leagues like the NFL and NBA, and the relative inscrutability of, say, “League of Legends” — the most popular competitive video game in the world — still makes it harder for newcomers to get into. Plus, while sports media titans like ESPN has stopped ignoring the trend, some of their forays into gaming haven’t been popular. But eSports’ fans are overwhelmingly young and online, media and tech giants are increasingly dipping their toes in the sport, and more and more game developers are building their titles to have eSports-friendly features. Put it all together, and these sort of expectations may not be unreasonable. Business Insider/Mike Nudelman/Statista NOW WATCH: Hackers and governments can see you through your phone’s camera — here’s how to protect yourself See Also:
SEE ALSO: Some of the biggest tech stocks in the world have been outpaced by… Domino’s Pizza Business via Business Insider http://ift.tt/eKERsB March 27, 2017 at 09:03AM A realtor explains how to set yourself up as a homebuyer long before you ever start shopping3/27/2017
http://ift.tt/2nZlmln
A realtor explains how to set yourself up as a homebuyer long before you ever start shopping http://ift.tt/2noAtBY Francisco Osorio/Flickr There's no doubt buying your first home can be intimidating. Not only is it a commitment to settle down in one place, but it's a huge financial decision. So where do you start? In preparing to buy, you need to make sure you have at least nine months to a year of consistent income in order to qualify for a mortgage, says Dana Bull, a 27-year-old realtor with Sotheby's International in Boston. Bull bought her first home, a condo in Salem, Massachusetts, with her now-husband at just 22 years old, after working for nine months straight out of college. Bull suggests talking to a lender at least two to three months before you're ready to buy, so you can find out what you need to do — or how much longer you'll need to work — to qualify for a mortgage in your price range, or simply to talk about the financial options available to you. "There's no harm in talking to a lender and getting started early and understanding your options and what you need to do," she told Business Insider. "Oftentimes, I'll have a buyer come to me and he's like, 'I just got a new job, I started my own business, I'm going to be a photographer, and I want to buy a house' and it's like, 'Well, you kind of shot yourself in the foot because now you don't have the income proof to back up your loan.'" She says she's noticed more and more millennials favoring low down payment programs, where down payments range from 3.5% to 10% of the purchase price rather than the typical 20%. It helps first-time buyers with lower incomes enter high-priced markets. "I think there's no harm in starting early and just going out and seeing the sights," Bull said. "That way you'll be even more armed by the time you're actually ready to pull the trigger." NOW WATCH: The 15 most expensive ZIP codes in America See Also:
Business via Business Insider http://ift.tt/eKERsB March 27, 2017 at 09:03AM
http://ift.tt/2nZikNL
Business Insider is hiring a video producer to join our growing news team http://ift.tt/2noGu1p Lucian Milasan / Shutterstock.com Business Insider is hiring a video producer. The role includes finding and pitching ideas for videos, as well as researching, writing, and producing scripts. The producer will work closely with video editors, but does not need to have video-editing experience. We're looking for an ambitious reporter who can find and chase great stories, and relay them to our audience in a compelling way. We seek out self-starters and people who are enthusiastic about collaborating with video producers, social media editors, and other team members. Video topics include: strategy, retail, politics, news, transportation, explainers and business stories. Here's a brief look at BI Video's growing catalog and the types of stories you'd be expected to write. Here's why Canyon Barry has a better free-throw percentage than most NBA players The story of Lisa Brennan-Jobs, the daughter Steve Jobs claimed wasn't his Here's why some Hong Kong skyscrapers have gaping holes Animated map reveals the 113,000 miles of cable that power America's internet APPLY HERE with your resume and cover letter telling us why this is your ideal job. Please note that this full time position requires that you work in our Flatiron headquarters in New York City. Business Insider offers competitive compensation packages complete with benefits. NOW WATCH: A Navy SEAL explains why you should end a shower with cold water See Also:
Business via Business Insider http://ift.tt/eKERsB March 27, 2017 at 09:03AM |
Categories
All
Archives
October 2020
|