BRICS bank could change the money game

"Moscow, Russia - India's proposal to set up a bank of the BRICS nations (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) will top the agenda at the group's summit on March 28.

India believes a joint bank would be in line with the growing economic power of the five-nation group. The bank could firm up the BRICS position as a powerful player in global decision-making."

BRICS bank could change the money game - Features - Al Jazeera English

Top employers reveal the skills they value most -

Top employers reveal the skills they value most - The Globe and Mail

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Careers

Top employers reveal the skills they value most

André McNeil

Investopedia.com

Published Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2012 6:00AM EST

Last updated Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2012 12:12PM EST

The job market has improved, but is still very tight and highly competitive. Because of this, it is imperative that you do all you can to set yourself above and apart from the competition, by honing and highlighting your skills that are in high demand by employers. To help you on this path, we covered the six skills and qualities most desired by employers.
In their Job Outlook 2012 report, the U.S. National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) included the results of a 2011 survey in which it asked employers which of the skills and qualities they value most in candidates. The following are six of the most important, listed in the order of importance based on the results of the survey.
Ability to work in a team structure
More often than not, your job will require you to work with others in order to get tasks and projects completed. This means that potential employers will want to be sure that you take kindly to sharing ideas, that you are open to ideas and input from others and that you are willing to put the team and the company’s interests ahead of your own.
Ability to verbally communicate
In order to get work done, you may need to communicate with multiple departments in the organization. This can come in handy when you need to get something expedited for a customer, or if you need to understand how a function or process works. You will also need to effectively communicate with customers and vendors. An effective communicator is often a good motivator, which means you can get others to do their jobs.
Ability to make decisions and solve problems
Problems will eventually arise in every organization, but how you respond to these problems will determine how much damage they will cause. Making decisions that are in the best interest of the company, and solving problems with the most efficiency and limiting damage are traits of a good candidate.
Ability to obtain and process information
As a new employee, you will have a steep learning curve. How quickly you are able to understand the requirements of your job, will depend on your ability to understand or process the information that you receive. In some case, you will not be left on your own until the company is sure that you can do the job well. Someone who is unable to process information easily may become a liability to the company. In addition, you will need to demonstrate that you can take initiative and obtain information that is necessary to perform your job, instead of waiting for someone else to provide you with that information.
Ability to plan, organize and prioritize work
Employees are often assigned multiple tasks and projects. An effective and efficient employee should be able to categorize these assignments by due dates and level of priority, which is usually based on guidelines established by the company. Completing a task perfectly may mean nothing if it is late, or if it adversely affected another assignment.
Ability to analyze quantitative data
Every company measures its success based on numbers. The numbers that apply to you may depend on the department in which you work. For example, if you are in customer service, you may need to understand why more customers call during a certain period. Your ability to understand the statistics as they relate to the company can help you to implement plans that help improve efficiency and help the company to make more money.
The bottom line
You should never forget that your résumé is what will get you the interview, therefore it is up to you to sell yourself well enough so that when a potential employer sees it, they know right away that you are a good candidate for them. Make sure that your résumé is up to date and showcases all of your skills and qualities.
When applying for a job, do your research so that you know the skills required by that employer. The importance of skills may vary among different employers and will also depend on the job for which you are applying. Be sure to highlight the skills for the job you want on your résumé."

Creative ways around the US sanctions

India seeks way around Iran sanctions - Asia - Al Jazeera English

The Indian businessmen found creative ways around the American and European sanctions. At the same time former Indian diplomats advise the government not just to resist, but reject the American pressure on India.

How to be an effective leader, lessons from Harvard’s Dean of Business

The Dean of Harvard business school, Professor Nitin Nohria, recently shared his insights in an interview on how to be an effective leader.  In the brief video posted below one could see four important lessons. I report the four points in a revised order of importance.

Family matters

While Professor Nohria does not articulate this point, but there are two very important anecdotes in his remarks that illustrate the importance of family for him. The first anecdote is about his father telling him to be himself, and don’t try to imitate others. Listening to elders is a key trait of South Asians, regardless of which continent they end up living on. The other remark is about him living closer to the school that allows him to see his daughters even when he has to attend social events in the evening.

The commitment to family in both generational directions, i.e., parents and children, is key to being a balanced human being.

Be close to the action

Professor Nohria moved in to the Dean’s residence on campus, which had not seen a dean living there in the past three decades. Being near the factory floor (i.e., Harvard Business School) opened many opportunities for the Dean to interact with students and the staff. Efficient managers should always be hands on and accessible, not just online but also accessible in person. Managers need to be felt and seen.

Manage your time well

Dean Nohria every three months evaluates his appointments and determines if he is indeed spending at least 50% of his time in advancing the priorities he has set for his school. It is easy to get bogged down in meetings that are tangential to the core business of the organization. His advice: revaluate how your time has been spent routinely to determine if you are focussed on the core and not on the periphery.

Act now

If you have an agenda, implement it. Don’t wait for the right moment. The moment you act is the right moment. Many have waited for the right moment to implement their agenda, President Barack Obama comes to mind. As the time passes by one realizes the increasing opposition to the very change the manager wants to implement. Dean’s advice: if you have an agenda, don’t wait, implement it now

Will the iPad3 by the World's Greatest Remote Control -- for the Apple TV? - Forbes

"I was struck by that phrase “something truly innovative about how the two can be used together.” You only have to look at the VooMoteZapper, a hardware doo-hicky that you can slot into your iOS device to turn it into a highly interactive universal remote to see the possibilities. Here is a list of the capabilities of an iPad3 TV remote if Apple incorporated VooMote’s current and projected features:"

Will the iPad3 by the World's Greatest Remote Control -- for the Apple TV? - Forbes

Poverty, inequality and redistribution | The Economist

Governments can reduce poverty and inequality through taxes and cash transfers.

Focus: Poverty, inequality and redistribution | The Economist