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Yahoo
20 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Here's what the CHRO of IBM says most employers get wrong about implementing AI
Good morning! AI is redefining work as we know it, and implementing it company-wide is one of the major challenges that HR leaders are currently facing. One one hand, the new tech holds the promise of taking rote tasks and generally drudgery out of employees' workflow. But because those tasks are often done by entry-level workers, it has the potential to create another problem: Breaking the talent pipeline for young people entering the workforce. 'I think there's a small, short term, realistic thing that's happening as people are saying, we don't know what these entry-level hires will do, because with our old programs, we don't need them to do those things anymore,' said Nickle LaMoreaux, the CHRO of technology giant IBM at Tech Week 2025 in New York City on June 6. But she urges companies to take a wider-lens approach to how the tech can contour work, not kill it altogether. At IBM, she says that her department now uses an AI bot to assist with basic HR tasks like locating benefit information. While entry-level HR workers might have been tasked with doing that in the past, they now do things like analyze the feedback around AI processes, and troubleshoot ways to improve. Constantly finding new ways for employees to work with the technology will be how companies will find success with AI adoption moving forward, says LaMoreaux, and get the most out of their people. 'What are organizations doing around training? How are they redefining jobs? How are they thinking about not just today, three, five years out?' If you want to be a leading organization, those are the conversations you should be spending time on, not on how many jobs can we get rid of.'' Brit This story was originally featured on Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Focus Malaysia
4 days ago
- Business
- Focus Malaysia
Beyond the recycling bin: Why Gen Z is putting employers' green cred to the test
PUTTING a recycling bin in the pantry doesn't make you a green company anymore. That may have been acceptable a decade ago, but today's workforce―particularly Gen Z—is far more discerning. They are no longer content with symbolic gestures. When it comes to the environment, they expect substance, transparency, and accountability. According to LinkedIn, 74% of Gen Z find it crucial to work at companies that reflect their values, and 87% are willing to switch jobs if the employer's values do not align. They want transparency on environmental policies alongside diversity, equity, and inclusion. And according to a 2024 article, Gen Z looks for employers who provide meaningful sustainability initiatives, such as reducing carbon footprints, committing to net-zero emissions, offering sustainable products, and providing sustainability training. They want these efforts embedded in company culture, not just as PR. For many years, employers have been the ones leading the conversation during job interviews. But that dynamic is shifting. Increasingly, Gen Z candidates are the ones asking the more profound questions: 'What does this organisation stand for?' And for a growing number of them, one of the first filters is a company's environmental stance. Environmental responsibility can no longer be confined to an annual CSR campaign or a glossy page in a sustainability report. This generation is not simply seeking jobs—they are seeking alignment. They want to work in spaces that reflect their values, including a sincere commitment to the planet they hope to protect. And while these questions may not come in the form of a checklist, the audit is real. Gen Z professionals are asking how seriously companies take their environmental footprint. They pay attention to how a business sources its materials, whether hybrid or remote work is genuinely encouraged, and whether any sustainability claims are backed by evidence. They are not looking for perfection, but they are looking for intention. They want to see the work behind the words—the plan behind the promises. What distinguishes this shift is not just the demand for environmental action, but the demand for consistency. To Gen Z, sustainability is not about compliance or marketing. It's cultural. It reflects how decisions are made, who gets involved, and whether those decisions are aligned with long-term thinking rather than short-term image. This is why surface-level efforts—such as replacing plastic cups or holding a one-off 'green day'—often fall flat. Gen Z professionals are informed, connected, and aware of the deeper issues at stake. Performative actions are easily spotted. And once a company loses that trust, it is difficult to regain. In my role working across both industry and academia, I've observed how environmental expectations are quickly becoming part of the employer brand. It's no longer just about salaries, perks, or even work-life balance. Increasingly, it's also about environmental credibility. And companies that don't keep up may find themselves struggling not only to attract talent, but to retain it. The good news is that there is space for progress. You don't need to have all the answers today, but you do need to be asking the right questions. Organisations can begin by understanding their environmental footprint—energy usage, waste patterns, procurement habits—and identifying where change is both needed and possible. Integrating sustainability into operational decisions, enabling more climate-conscious policies such as hybrid work arrangements, and engaging staff in ongoing environmental initiatives are all meaningful steps. Equally important is the culture of inclusion. Young professionals should be given the opportunity to participate in shaping sustainability efforts, rather than simply being expected to follow them. Progress is far more likely when employees feel they are part of the solution. And whatever the starting point, transparency matters. Admitting that there is still work to be done is not a weakness—it is often seen as a strength. At its core, this is not about appeasing a generation. It is about evolving with the times. The environmental expectations of Gen Z reflect a broader shift in how work is perceived. Employment is no longer just a transaction—it is an extension of identity and purpose. And businesses that understand this shift will be better positioned to lead in the future. As we mark World Environment Day 2025, it is worth asking ourselves: What kind of workplace are we building? Is it one that future employees would be proud to join—not just because of what we do, but because of how we choose to do it? In an age where values drive choices, where integrity is visible, and where climate action is no longer optional, the organisations that lead with purpose will also lead in performance. Because in the end, it's not just about attracting talent. It's about earning their belief. ‒ June 6, 2025 The author is CEO and Founder of HESA Healthcare Recruitment Agency and serves on the Industrial Advisory Panel for the Department of Biomedical Engineering, Universiti Malaya. The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Focus Malaysia. Main image: Unsplash/Julio Lopez
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Campbell's says soup sales are soaring—and that's actually a sign the U.S. economy is in a downturn, data shows
Campbell's CEO said there is a 'growing preference for home cooked meals.' That could be a canary in the economic coal mine, as people eating out less could impact the GDP. Two consecutive quarters with a reduced GDP signal a recession. People are opting to eat at home more often these days—and that could be an early warning that a recession is on the horizon. Campbell's CEO Mick Beekhuizen, in an earnings call this week, said the company is seeing more people cook at home now than at the start of the pandemic. 'We started to see consumer sentiment softening in January,' he said. 'This continued throughout [the quarter] with consumers making more deliberate choices with their spending on food. A key outcome is a growing preference for home-cooked meals, leading to the highest levels of meals prepared at home since early 2020.' Consumers are also buying ingredients that stretch tighter food budgets, he added, such as condensed cooking soups, broth, and Italian sauces. (Spending on discretionary items like crackers and chips declined.) The rise in at-home cooking indicates consumers are cutting back at spending on restaurants, a further sign of belt tightening. Reduced consumer spending could shrink the gross domestic product—and two straight quarters of that bellwether declining is the textbook definition of a recession. Demand for staple items like Campbell's soups, sauces, and breads tends to increase during challenging economic times—as they can transform cheaper cuts of meat or vegetables (or leftovers) into new meals. All of this comes as Trump's tariffs are raising fears of an economic downturn. (Tariffs on steel and aluminum doubled on Wednesday.) Ray Dalio, Bridgewater Associates founder, has been sounding the alarm that a recession is likely for months, even as Trump has vacillated on reciprocal tariffs. 'This is not a normal recession kind of situation,' Dalio said in April. 'We are changing the monetary order [with the sharp selloff in the bond market].' This story was originally featured on Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
30-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Bitcoin stumbles as Trump accuses China of violating trade deal
Bitcoin fell 5% from its Thursday high after President Donald Trump accused China of violating the terms of a tariff truce from earlier this month. Trump took to Truth Social on Friday to assert that China was breaking the rules of a deal in which the two nations agreed to roll back most tariffs on each other's goods. Without sharing specifics about how China had allegedly reneged on its end of the bargain, Trump wrote on Truth Social, 'China, perhaps not surprisingly to some, HAS TOTALLY VIOLATED ITS AGREEMENT WITH US.' Trump went on to hint that he would take action in response. 'So much for being Mr. NICE GUY!,' he wrote. The renewed tensions between China and the U.S. put pressure on crypto prices on Friday. Bitcoin has tumbled to a weekly low $103,900, after hitting an all-time high of $111,800 just eight days ago. The rest of the crypto market has tumbled as well. XRP is down 4% in the last 24 hours, Solana is down 6%, and Dogecoin is down 10%. Trump struck a trade deal with China on May 12 in which the U.S. would drop tariffs on Chinese goods, from 145% to just 10%. Meanwhile, China would roll back its retaliatory tariffs on U.S. goods for 90 days while the countries continue to negotiate. Bitcoin whipsawed earlier this week as a trade court ruled that most of Trump's tariffs on U.S. trading partners were unconstitutional. That decision was quickly reversed by an appeals court that issued a stay on the lower court's decision, temporarily reinstating the levies until the government has a chance to argue its case. Trump has made his on-again off-again tariff policy a trademark of his second term. In February, the president introduced 25% tariffs on Mexico and Canada and a 10% tariff on China, accusing the nations of not doing enough to prevent illicit drugs and migrants from entering the U.S. Soon after, Trump paused the tariffs on Mexico and Canada for 30 days, initiating trade negotiations with the two nations. The aggressive policies and rhetoric put pressure on financial markets, leading the S&P 500 to lose 6% within Trump's first few months in office. The tariff saga hit a turning point on April 2 when Trump announced a plan to introduce 'reciprocal' tariffs as high as 49% on nearly all U.S. trading partners and an additional 10% baseline levy. The plan sent investors running from risky assets like equities and crypto, pushing Bitcoin down 11% and the S&P 500 down 14% between April 2 and April 9, when the tariffs were expected to go into effect. However, once again, Trump issued a pause—this time for 90 days—on most tariffs except those on China, which were raised to 145%, and the 10% baseline levy. Since then, financial markets have rebounded significantly with Bitcoin achieving a new all time high and the S&P 500 climbing 14%. The president has struck a deal with the U.K. and other negotiations are ongoing. This story was originally featured on
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Employees are using AI at work but hiding it from their bosses because they think it gives them a ‘secret advantage' over their peers
Companies across the U.S. are struggling to figure out ways to help their employees supercharge their productivity using AI. But some employees who are already using the technology are trying to keep it hidden from their bosses. Nearly one-third of workers keep their AI use a secret from their employer, according to new data from Ivanti, an IT software company. The biggest reason workers choose not to disclose using the tech tool is because they want a 'secret advantage' over their peers (36%), according to the report. Employees also fear that revealing their reliance on this technology will lead to losing their job (30%). And there's also the fact that their workplaces do not have clear cut policies on AI usage. 'Employees are using AI tools without their bosses' knowledge to boost productivity. It is crucial for employers to assume this is happening, regardless of any restrictions, and to assess the use of AI to ensure it complies with their security and governance standards,' Brooke Johnson, chief legal counsel and senior vice president of security and human resources at Ivanti, writes in the report. Instead of turning a blind eye to a legion of secret AI users, the report suggests that companies rethink the ways they integrate AI and automation into their workforce, emphasizing the need for a clear, comprehensive plan that explains how certain tools will support specific roles and objectives. While 44% of professionals surveyed say their companies have invested in AI, they also report lacking the adequate skills and training to use the technology effectively. That could become an even more pressing issue in the future, considering the pitfalls that AI could present when it comes to things like cybersecurity, company contract violations, or IP, according to the report.'To mitigate these risks, organizations should implement clear policies and guidelines for the use of AI tools, along with regular training sessions to educate employees on the potential security and ethical implications,' writes Johnson. 'By fostering an open dialogue, employers can encourage transparency and collaboration, ensuring that the benefits of AI are harnessed safely and effectively.' This story was originally featured on
