Human Resources

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Management Consulting

The Goldman Sachs 2022 MACROECONOMIC OUTLOOK!

According to Goldman Sachs, "the fastest pace of economic recovery is now behind us". It seems that interest rates will also have an increasing impact on world economies. Even as the latest Omicron variant of COVID-19 forces partial or full lockdowns around the globe. Oh, do not forget climate change with all its economic and planetary survival implications.

"Global economies and markets are facing a more complicated landscape amid rising rates, slowing growth and shifting monetary and fiscal policies." Goldman Sachs

What will follow in 2022, will vaccines and vaccine boosters be deployed in sufficient quantities to inoculate the entire global population as WHO have advocated from the beginning? As of January 2, 2022,  the vast majority of the world's population still remains unvaccinated and the Omicron variant was able to emerge as a result from a poorly vaccinated location. We are left to wonder, what other COVID-19 variants, health, climate change and economic developments will we witness in 2022?

Follow the links below for more details:

Goldman Sachs - Economic Outlook

https://www.goldmansachs.com/insights/pages/outlook-2022-the-long-road-to-higher-rates.html

Goldman Sachs - Economic Insights

https://www.goldmansachs.com/insights/pages/gs-research/gs-macro-outlook-2022/gs-macro-outlook-2022-the-long-road-to-higher-rates.pdf

"Network locally and globally and stay connected with people and ideas that empower young people to be #WORLDREADY." (Global Award Alumni Network)

As they complete their review of 2021, I am humbled and happy to be connected with such an impressive group of Global Award Alumni Network members. 

Follow the links below for more details:

Global Award Alumni Network

https://alumni.intaward.org/

The Duke of Edinburgh's International Award Association

https://intaward.org/

"International humanitarian law is clear: all parties to the conflict have a legal obligation to ensure that military operations are planned and conducted in a way as to ensure the protection of civilians and civilian objects."
(Florence Gillette, head of ICRC delegation in Kyiv on 26-Feb-2022)

I have been shocked, saddened and horrified by the Russian invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022. I was disgusted by the resulting destruction and the mounting human tragedy endured by the Ukrainian People. I have made a donation to the ICRC for the Ukraine Humanitarian Crisis Appeal. I humbly ask that you do the same.

Follow the links below for more details:

Canadian Red Cross/Croix-Rouge canadienne - Ukraine Humanitarian Crisis Appeal
The Government of Canada will match all eligible donations—not exceeding $100,000—made by individual Canadians to the Ukraine Humanitarian Crisis Appeal between February 24, 2022 and March 18, 2022, up to a maximum of $10 million.

https://donate.redcross.ca/page/100227/donate/1?locale=en-CA

The International Red Cross and Red Crescent - Ukraine Humanitarian Crisis Appeal

https://www.icrc.org/en/donate/ukraine

Please read my blog entry for the Whitby Chamber of Commerce for more information on broadband/high-speed access to the Internet. 

Follow the link below for more details:

https://www.whitbychamber.org/a-broadband-update-april-2022/

When you’re walking for families of workplace tragedy, every step counts!

Steps for Life - Walking for Families of Workplace Tragedy is a fun 5 km fundraising walk to help support families affected by life-altering workplace injuries, illnesses and deaths. It’s a unique way to educate your community about the devastating ripple effects of a workplace tragedy and how we can work together to prevent others from being injured or killed on the job. You can make a difference too.

This year the plan was to host an in-person Steps for Life walk in Steps for Life 2022 - Durham Region. The option to walk at home was still available. Each in-person Steps for Life event followed all applicable public health requirements or guidelines including gathering size, mask use, physical distancing, and other health and safety practices. 

I was very glad to be part of the amazing organizing committee for this very successful Durham Region event. We enjoyed a physical group walk in nature after two years of essential COVID-19 related restrictions. Funds were also raised for a very worthwhile cause.

Follow the link below for Durham Region details:

http://events.threadsoflife.ca/site/TR/StepsForLife/TR/StepsForLife/TR/StepsForLife/TR/StepsForLife/General?fr_id=1261&pg=entry

Please follow the links for more details:

EAPM Website
https://www.eapm.org/ihrd/#:~:text=International%20Human%20Resources%20Day%2C%20IHRD%2C%2020%20May%202022

HRPA Website

https://www.hrpa.ca/hr-insights/international-hr-day-2022-4-hr-experts-share-insights-on-the-future-of-hr/

World Federation of People Management Associations - WFPMA

https://wfpma.org/ 

What is World Environment Day?

Led by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and held annually on 5 June since 1973, World Environment Day is the largest global platform for environmental public outreach and is celebrated by millions of people across the world. This year it is hosted by Sweden. (United Nations)

Only one Earth

In the universe are billions of galaxies,

In our galaxy are billions of planets,

But there is #OnlyOneEarth.

Let’s take care of it. (United Nations)

It has been almost seven months since the UK hosted the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26). This was held in Glasgow from October 31 - November 12, 2021. What has the world achieved collectively so far to combat climate change?

Please follow the links below for more details:

United Nations - Website

https://www.un.org/en/observances/environment-day

UN - World Environment Day 2022 - Website

https://www.worldenvironmentday.global/get-involved/practical-guide

United Kingdom - COP26 - Website 

https://ukcop26.org/

It is amazing how the Internet of Things (IoT) has so innocently slipped into everyday use and has become commonplace. I organized my working day on Friday, July 8, to begin at 8:00 am (EST). I started my day booting my computer and then experienced an issue with the Internet. The Internet was not working? I followed the standard steps by unplugging my modem and rebooting my Internet/WIFI system. The first time I did it, nothing happened? So, for good measure, I did it a second time. It was now 8:15 am and I was not able to connect? I then phoned my Internet Service Provider’s (ISP) customer service line to be told that the “person was not taking calls right now and I should try again later?” I was really concerned now because at approximately 8:30 am, I was still unable to start my working day. At around 9:00 am, the Internet Service Provider (ISP) announced that the national network was suffering an outage!!? It was also acknowledged that the Internet outage had started at 4:30 am (EST) that same morning. To add to the intrigue, the ISP was unable to estimate a time for services to be restored!!? I started writing this piece at 5:01 pm on day one. I was still, along with many others, waiting for my Internet services to be reinstated. My Rogers Internet service was finally restored after 53 hours and 41 minutes at 10:11 am (EST) on Sunday, July 10, 2022!!!?

I have thought about it theoretically. However, I have now experienced from a practical viewpoint how the IoT can be so easily restricted. This outage for Rogers was the second one in 15 months and affected almost 11 million Canadian customers. This digital disruption happened in Canada a democratic country by accident and was due to an alleged maintenance failure. It certainly makes you think about countries that use Orwellian methods by design to deny citizens unrestricted access to the digital media realm? Then you ponder the negative affects an Internet outage has on banking, commerce, emergency service communications, transportation, in store shopping (food and essentials) and critical care components that are reliant on the IoT such as in hospitals.

I had no access to emails (work and private), web browsing for work related content, my digital toolkit (website and social media), my professional membership websites, local and global news, weather and of course Zoom or other remote digital meeting platforms. Although clearly essential to me and inconvenient, it does seem somewhat small by comparison with the wider disruption of the IoT.  As a parting thought, do I hear a call for greater competition in the ISP market across Canada to counter this problem?

Please follow the links below for more details:

Rogers Communications

https://uploads.documents.cimpress.io/v1/uploads/a413e42e-a22b-4760-aea9-78166f9d65d6~110/original?tenant=vbu-digital

CBC - Website

https://www.cbc.ca/news/business/rogers-outage-interac-debit-restored-1.6515869

BBC - Website 

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-62102223

What is World Humanitarian Day? 

"On 19 August 2003, a bomb attack on the Canal Hotel in Baghdad, Iraq, killed 22 humanitarian aid workers, including the UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Iraq, Sergio Vieira de Mello. Five years later, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution designating 19 August as World Humanitarian Day (WHD).

Each year, WHD focuses on a theme, bringing together partners from across the humanitarian system to advocate for the survival, well-being and dignity of people affected by crises, and for the safety and security of aid workers. For this year’s WHD, we show the importance, effectiveness and positive impact of humanitarian work. " United Nations

Some points to consider during these very troubled times:

• The continuing Russian invasion of Ukraine causing a refugee and food crisis.
• The resulting restrictions on the supply of basic food commodities (e.g. wheat and vegetable oil) for developing countries and UN humanitarian aid programs. Then also  combine this with soaring costs.
• The demands on a reduced supply of natural energy  (e.g. petroleum and gas) has dramatically increased prices.  
• The famine in parts of Africa and the Middle East.
• The economic collapse in Lebanon and Sri Lanka.

These are all global challenges. However, coordinated local efforts will be necessary to create a ripple effect to resolve them. We must do what we can to understand, support, help and/or donate. Please support UN - World Humanitarian Day on Friday, August 19, 2022.

Please follow the links below for more details:

UN - World Humanitarian Day

https://www.un.org/en/observances/humanitarian-day

BBC - Russia's Food War

https://www.bbc.com/news/av/world-61574412

Whether you are a monarchist, anti-monarchist or indifferent this occasion marks the end of an era.

We can all respect and admire a public servant who served for 70 years. She was the Head of State for the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. She was the Head of State for Canada and 13 other realms and territories. Queen Elizabeth II was also Head of the Commonwealth that includes 54 countries with a combined population of 2.6 billion. During her reign, she appointed 15 UK prime ministers, 12 Canadian prime ministers and met 13 out of 14 US Presidents. She was a diplomat, confidant, servant leader and a symbol of continuity and duty in ever-changing times. Even as she became increasingly frail at the age of 96, she was considered a fixed asset for several more years. Alas this was not the case. From across the globe, a multitude of world leaders have sent their condolences, fond memories and admiration for Queen Elizabeth II. A true testament to this royal, knowledgeable and well travelled diplomat.

The news of her death has surprisingly affected me more than I thought it would. On a personal level, she was the only monarch I had ever known since my birth. I am a proud Queen's Scout Award holder and I received it during a ceremony at Windsor Castle in the United Kingdom. I fondly remember Queen Elizabeth II speaking to me personally at the event. This award sadly and immediately changes to the King's Scout Award. In honour and recognition of His Majesty King Charles III.

So in accordance with the constitutional monarchy's transfer of power protocols: "The Queen is dead. God save the King! "

Please follow the links below for more details:

BBC - Queen Elizabeth II  
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-61605149

CBC - Queen Elizabeth II

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/canada-plan-queen-elizabeth-death-1.6575741

Access to early warning systems and disaster risk information and assessments.

The International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction (IDDRR) is an opportunity to acknowledge the progress being made toward preventing and reducing disaster risk and losses in lives, livelihoods, economies and basic infrastructure in line with the international agreement for reducing global disaster risk and losses.

In 2022, the International Day will focus on Target G of the Sendai Framework: “Substantially increase the availability of and access to multi-hazard early warning systems and disaster risk information and assessments to people by 2030.” The urgency to achieve this target was strengthened in March 2022 by the announcement made by the UN Secretary-General António Guterres that “the United Nations will spearhead new action to ensure every person on Earth is protected by early warning systems within five years.”  United Nations

Please follow the links below for more details:

UN - International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction #IDDRR 2022   

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hK5QaBksWZU

UN -  IDDRR website

https://www.un.org/en/observances/disaster-reduction-day

What is COP27? 

"It is the 2022 United Nations Climate Change Conference

Egypt assumes the incoming Presidency of COP 27 with a clear recognition of the gravity of the global climate challenge and appreciation of the value of multilateral, collective and concerted action as the only means to address this truly global threat.

As we approach COP27, we are committed to support an inclusive, transparent and party-driven process to ensure timely and adequate action." United Nations

Please follow the links below for more details:

COP27 website    

https://cop27.eg/#/

United Nations - Climate Change

https://unfccc.int/