Latest news with #Headstart
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Federal budget cuts threaten essential programs in Rockford, mayor says
ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — Rockford Mayor Tom McNamara emphasized concerns regarding how federal budget cuts will affect the city at Monday's 'State of the City' address. The annual address was given in City Council chambers, where McNamara said, 'Federal funding pauses, shifts in priorities, and changes in grant programs will not only impact our local government, but it will impact our nonprofits, our businesses, and many, many residents who rely on those funds.' 'So let me be clear. If the federal government does cut programs such as Headstart, LIHEAP and housing programs, the city simply cannot cover. The costs in our community will suffer. our residents, Rockfordians will suffer,' he added. McNamara said the city continues to see growth in several areas, including population, housing, and property values. 'Property values have grown by more than 50%, and they are at our city's highest point in our history. And at the same time, property values are up. Our property tax rate is the lowest it's been since 1984. We are actually we are the only major taxing body in Winnebago County that has actually reduced its property tax levy over the last ten years. Heck, even the is taking note of our work,' said McNamara. Violent crime is , he said. 'Violent crime is down. And, 're making tremendous progress in our juvenile crime. In just the last two years, we've reduced the number of juveniles being arrested by 21%,' McNamara said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Straits Times
2 days ago
- Politics
- Straits Times
Young Singaporeans must think beyond our shores
The future will be determined by those who can think globally and act locally, contributing to the global movement for change. PHOTO: ST FILE In his recent S. Rajaratnam Lecture, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong spoke of an increasingly turbulent world. 'The once-rising tide of global cooperation that defined the past decades is giving way to one of growing competition and distrust. As a result, the world is becoming more fragmented and disorderly,' he said. Check out the Headstart chatbot for answers to your questions on careers and work trends.
Straits Times
3 days ago
- Business
- Straits Times
Headstart On Record Podcast: How to prepare to inherit a family business
Gaining exposure, cultural conflictions and intergenerational discussions are all part of the road to inheriting a family business. ST GRAPHICS: NATASHA LIEW Headstart On Record Podcast How to prepare to inherit a family business Synopsis: Every first and third Monday of the month, get a headstart in your personal finance and career with The Straits Times. Family businesses have been in the spotlight, after the CDL saga that saw father and son in a tussle for control over one of Singapore's largest companies. But whether it is about inheriting family businesses or family wealth, the process is not a straightforward one. Banks and financial organisations prepare young people to take over family wealth, through programmes and even boot camps. So how does wealth planning work, and how do youths take over their family businesses? In this episode, ST business correspondent Sue-Ann Tan looks at what wealthy kids do to prepare to inherit wealth and companies. Her guests are Darren Hui, who will one day lead his family's property management business, and former national athlete Kendrick Lee who co-founded Raffles Family Office. Highlights (click/tap above): 5:35 What is family legacy planning and governance? 7:30 The challenges the next generation faces 9:00 Generational differences between father and son 10:49 What difficulties has the family office seen in dealing with multiple generations? 18:02 When did you first realise you were going to inherit the business? 21:00 Will Kendrick let his children take over the business? 22:36 Going from national athlete to family office Read Sue-Ann Tan's articles: Follow Sue-Ann Tan on LinkedIn: Host: Sue-Ann Tan (suetan@ Produced & edited by: Amirul Karim Executive producers: Ernest Luis, Lynda Hong & Joanna Seow Follow Headstart On Record Podcast channel here: Channel: Apple Podcasts: Spotify: Feedback to: podcast@ Get business/career tips in ST's Headstart newsletter: --- Follow more podcast channels: All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: ST Podcast website: ST Podcasts YouTube: --- Get The Straits Times' app, which has a dedicated podcast player section: The App Store: Google Play: Check out the Headstart chatbot for answers to your questions on careers and work trends.
Straits Times
3 days ago
- General
- Straits Times
askST Jobs: How can you avoid procrastinating at work?
Research indicates that most procrastinate because the thought of doing an important task makes them feel anxious, bored or overwhelmed. ST ILLUSTRATION: LEE YU HUI askST Jobs: How can you avoid procrastinating at work? In this series, manpower correspondent Tay Hong Yi offers practical answers to questions on navigating workplace challenges and getting ahead in your career. Get more tips by signing up for The Straits Times' Headstart newsletter. Q: How can I stop procrastinating at work? A: While it is a common perception that procrastinators are just lazy, procrastination is actually a complex motivational issue, says organisational psychologist Brandon Koh, a senior lecturer at the Singapore University of Social Sciences' S R Nathan School of Human Development. Fellow organisational psychologist Ruchi Sinha, an associate professor (practice) at Nanyang Technological University's Nanyang Business School, says procrastination arises when your brain is trying to protect you from uncomfortable feelings, at the cost of creating bigger problems later. Understanding the root causes of your procrastination, which differs from person to person, is key to lasting change. Many procrastinators are neither lazy, unmotivated nor poor planners, says Prof Sinha. Instead, research indicates that most procrastinate because the thought of doing an important task makes them feel anxious, bored or overwhelmed. Prof Sinha outlines four broad types of procrastinators: those who do not believe they can complete the task; perfectionists who are holding out for what they deem a better time; those who are overly optimistic about how easy a task is; and those who believe they perform best under tight deadlines. She adds: 'Procrastination isn't about managing your time, it's about managing your emotions. 'Until you deal with the feelings that make you want to avoid the task, better planning won't help much.' This entails asking yourself what feelings arise towards the work you are procrastinating on, why these feelings have arisen, and challenging these reasons. 'Ask yourself: 'Why am I avoiding this? Is it because I am scared of failing or because I am anxious about my skills and the complexity of the task?' 'When you truthfully answer, challenge that answer with: 'What's the worst that could realistically happen?'' Then, reframe this situation as an opportunity to learn something new, Prof Sinha adds. As for general strategies, Dr Koh suggests breaking goals down to smaller, manageable parts, which can build confidence by allowing you to feel a sense of accomplishment more often. Prof Sinha suggests workers adopt a 'two-minute rule'. 'If something takes less than two minutes, do it now. For bigger tasks, commit to just two minutes of work. Often, starting is the hardest part.' Once you have started with the first two minutes, spend shorter chunks of time to chip away at the rest of the work, she says. Consider giving yourself small rewards for each small goal you have completed, she adds. Procrastinators can remove distractions they would otherwise latch on to , such as by clearing their desk and timetable. Dr Koh says it helps to focus on the process – how work is done, why it matters, and the satisfaction of engaging in the process – rather than the final outcome or achievement standards of a task. This approach tends to yield more intrinsic motivation compared with focusing on the outcome, which can feel far out of reach. Other strategies include attacking perfectionism head-on by setting a 'good enough' standard for first drafts to improve on later; practising self-compassion by speaking to yourself like you would a good friend; planning out work and taking short breaks in short intervals; and ruthlessly identifying priorities each day. 'If everything is urgent or important, then nothing will ever get done,' Prof Sinha quips. Sometimes, procrastination can be a symptom of bigger problems that need more help, both experts say. For instance, procrastination can be caused by burnout as well as workplace dissatisfaction, says Dr Koh. 'In such cases, it can be important to review if an individual's values still align with their work, their team, and their organisation overall.' Prof Sinha says a lack of discernible meaning or impact in the work we do and micromanagement from bosses can contribute too. Dr Koh says employers and bosses have a role to play as well, by providing the necessary tools, training and support to boost workers' capability and confidence. 'Managers may also demonstrate leadership by communicating clear strategic directions and goals for employees, as well as emphasising the value and impact the team manifests through their work. 'This can help employees foster more purpose and intrinsic motivation for their work.' Prof Sinha also encourages bosses to avoid micromanaging employees. 'When employees have autonomy over how they approach their work, they're more likely to dive in rather than avoid it.' Have a question? Send it to askst@ Check out the Headstart chatbot for answers to your questions on careers and work trends.
Scoop
4 days ago
- Business
- Scoop
Money In Transaction Accounts Costing New Zealanders Billions
Article – RNZ New Zealanders could be leaving their share of more than $1b a year on the table by keeping their cash in transaction accounts. , Money Correspondent New Zealanders may be leaving money on the table by keeping their cash in transaction accounts. David Cunningham, chief executive of mortgage broking firm Squirrel, said there was significantly more money in transaction accounts now than before Covid. Most banks do not pay interest on transaction accounts. Cunningham said transaction account balances had peaked at $53 billion when interest rates were close to zero, and people could see little reason to change. It had fallen to a recent low of $37b but had now lifted again to $39b. 'Almost all of this earns 0 percent [interest].' If that money was shifted into an account paying 3 percent, it would give savers just under $1.2 billion in interest a year. Cunningham said before Covid hit, there was about $28 billion in transaction accounts. 'You're always going to need some float in your transaction accounts but a lot of this is lazy money.' He said it was customer inertia that also delivered higher profits to the banks, because they could make money from the cash sitting in the accounts. But he said banks should be encouraging customers to check that they had their money in the right accounts. 'Every time you log in they could remind you that you've got say $20,000 in a transaction account earning nothing and if you moved it to savings you could earn x… that would be a way to make sure people were better off,' Cunningham said. Claire Matthews, a banking expert from Massey University, said some people kept their money in transaction accounts because of the ease of access. 'They may have concerns about fees to access it if it's in a savings account. Partly I think it's because they don't think the interest will be worth it – but they may not have actually looked at the numbers, because depending on the amount it may be very worthwhile over time. Partly, however, it is probably just not getting around to doing it.' Banks have been cutting rates for term deposits and some savings this week, after the official cash rate reduction. Westpac said on Thursday it was cutting the rate offered on a number of term deposits by 10 basis points. ASB said it was cutting the rate offered on its Savings On Call, ASB Cash Fund, Savings Plus and Headstart accounts by 20 basis points. That took the Headstart rate to 2.7 percent.
