Latest news with #artisans
Forbes
a day ago
- Business
- Forbes
AI Is Changing Work. Is Your Talent Strategy Evolving Too?
The Archetype Effect asks why companies know so little about their employees—and offers a path to a ... More more inspired workforce. Why do so many companies know more about their customers than their own employees? This is the central question posed by my colleague James Root in his new book, The Archetype Effect. It is indeed an intriguing mystery. Business today segments customers in all sorts of ways to construct value propositions highly tailored to their needs. Personalized marketing—down to the individual consumer—is now quite commonplace. Not so with employees. Most HR systems are built on the assumption that everyone goes to work for the same reasons. In reality, it's a very different story. Deaveraging employees The book highlights six distinct archetypes of workers, each with unique motivations: These archetypes challenge long-standing management assumptions. The conventional wisdom in many organizations is that people need to be motivated by a vision. In fact, many, including most operators, don't particularly care; they find meaning outside of work. Similarly, it's often assumed that employees naturally want to advance to the next level. In fact, many, including most artisans, are not particularly interested. Just like with customers, we need to 'deaverage' employee motivations. Earlier this month I had lunch with a group of graduate students just starting their summer internship. They all had some degree of work experience already and, through this internship, were trying out the world of management consulting. The conversation focused on their career aspirations, why they were interested in this industry, and what they wanted to get out of the summer. As they told their stories, Root's insights reverberated in my head. Each intern had quite different motivations. One was clearly a striver, interested in climbing the corporate ladder as quickly as possible. Another seemed more of an explorer, wanting exposure to global opportunities and asking questions about mobility and cross-border assignments. The lunch left me convinced that if we treated them all the same, we would not tap into their true motivations or full potential. The business imperative Nearly 10 years ago, Michael Mankins and Eric Garton wrote Time, Talent, Energy about the power of employees who are not only satisfied but truly engaged and even inspired. Their research showed that engaged employees are 44% more productive than satisfied employees, and those who feel inspired at work are nearly 125% more productive. If we think about human capital the way we do financial capital, the returns on building a more inspired workforce become clear. Management must do a better job understanding and motivating people. Of the approximately 3.5 billion people who go to work each day, nearly 1.2 billion feel 'not engaged' and more than 500 million are 'actively disengaged,' according to research in The Archetype Effect. Surely there is a better way to maximize time, talent, and energy. How AI can help build a more effective talent strategy We live in a time of rapid change, in which workers often seem less committed to their firms and firms less committed to their workers. Young people struggle to get started in their careers, not knowing where or how to begin. Older workers are among the more motivated, but many firms don't fully embrace them. Artificial intelligence, already reshaping so many jobs, could help to close this disconnect. A new generation of digital, AI-assisted HR management tools might be able to match people to jobs more effectively, improving our ability to design tailored career journeys instead of having everyone climb one monolithic ladder. As we feed models more data about who we are at work—skills, achievements, qualifications, prior roles, trainings, motivations—they in turn will feed us more insights into performance and potential career pathways. It's possible for gen AI to make HR more human, not less. A recent analysis by John Hazan and Susan Gunn suggests that a typical company can save, on average, up to 20% in HR labor time through AI automation and augmentation. Think how that 20% could be more productively redirected toward identifying and addressing different employee motivations for work. This could elevate HR's role in the organization, from transactional operator to strategic adviser. Many companies are already collecting quantitative and qualitative data about their teams and experimenting with greater personalization for workers. This can include flexible options for where and when work can be done; flexible benefits such as financial planning services, additional personal leave, and wellness programs; flexible career paths with more sophisticated learning and development programs; internal mobility options; and the opportunity to spend work time on projects outside one's job description, something that started at companies like Google but is beginning to be extended to blue-collar workers as well. My lunch with the summer interns sparked deeper engagement with our leadership team on ways to inspire the diverse people in our organization. Armed with quantitative data as well as insights from supplemental interviews and focus groups, we now better understand the different motivations of different workers and are tailoring action plans accordingly. We need a diverse set of skills and backgrounds, and it only stands to reason that everyone won't be looking for the same things. The key to motivating them, as The Archetype Effect eloquently argues, is to deaverage workers as we have consumers. The business case for an engaged—and inspired—workforce is clear. The question is whether leaders will act.
Times of Oman
3 days ago
- General
- Times of Oman
Sea Net-Making: A heritage icon weaving identity of maritime history at Al Ashkharah Festival
Al Ashkharah — Al Ashkharah Festival attracts Omani artisans practicing various traditional crafts, showcasing and promoting them to preserve the legacy of their ancestors. These handcrafted trades represent both a means of adapting to the environment and a source of livelihood. Among the most prominent Omani traditional crafts is sea net-making, locally known as 'ghazl al-leekh'. This craft has been practiced by Omani fishermen for generations and remains prevalent across Oman's coastal regions. Al-leekh is a fundamental tool for traditional fishermen, consisting of multi-mesh nets made from nylon or cotton threads reinforced with a bordering rope. The size of the mesh openings and the thickness of the thread vary depending on the fishing method and the type of fish targeted. Each net measures between 175 to 200 yards in length and takes about 15 days to complete. These nets are widely used across Oman's coastal governorates under different names based on their fishing applications. Crafting these nets requires specific expertise—the maker must be an experienced fisherman with precise knowledge of fish species and the skill to create evenly sized mesh openings. Weights are attached to the bottom of the nets to ensure proper sinking. A key component of al-leekh is cork, which helps the nets float on the water's surface. The cork is called al-karb, named after the tough part of the palm trunk. If the net tears, it must be entirely re-woven.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
As the going gets tough in South Sudan, some artisans offer cheap footwear made from rubber tires
WAU, South Sudan (AP) — From Rwanda to Kenya, fashioning footwear from discarded tires has long been a mark of local ingenuity. In South Sudan, however, the creative work of such artisans is now fueled by an economic crisis that has left the government on the verge of bankruptcy and many people struggling to put food on the table. As South Sudan's oil revenues have dwindled, the government for months has been unable to pay civil servants on time. The cash crisis affects everyone from soldiers to teachers, underscoring the range of economic hardship across the country, and many are looking for ways to keep going. Some want cheap shoes, finding them not in supermarkets but in open markets where flip-flops and sandals are fashioned from worn-out tires usually thrown away as rubbish. Demand rises along with cost of living In Wau, some 650 kilometers (400 miles) from the South Sudanese capital of Juba, shoemaker Emmanuel Achuil works under the shade of a tarpaulin in the town's bustling main market. His hands blackened from grappling with rubber, Achuil uses a blade to carve pieces from discarded tires. Colorful straps are scattered around him like pieces of a puzzle. Achuil, who makes five to 10 pairs a week, told the AP that in recent months he's seen a rise in demand that he and others say is directly related to the rising cost of living here. They say footwear made from scraps of rubber has found a firm place in local markets, confirmed in the ubiquitous displays of such shoes even in open markets in Juba. Two years ago, Achuil was getting five to seven customers a month. Now he expects up to 20 of them, he said. Achuil's shoes can fetch up to 15,000 South Sudanese pounds a pair, or roughly $4, depending on size and quality of finishing. In addition to their affordability, the rough-hewn pairs are praised for their durability. 'Even when things get bad — no food, no jobs — this work doesn't fail me,' Achuil said. 'People always need shoes, especially cheap ones.' Akol Majok Ring, a cattle-keeper from the state of Warrap, said he discovered these sandals in March and immediately bought a pair for himself because 'they are good for cattle grazing.' 'When you're moving with the cattle all day, these sandals are perfect," he said. 'They're durable and well-suited for the job.' Food insecurity and inflation affect millions The South Sudanese pound has been under pressure since 2023, losing much of its value against the dollar as oil exports are sporadically disrupted by civil war in neighboring Sudan. The economy has been in decline for five consecutive years, hampered by violence stemming mostly from the political contest between President Salva Kiir and his deputy Riek Machar, who is currently under house arrest for alleged subversion. Hyperinflation and widespread food insecurity affect nearly 80% of South Sudan's 11 million people, the same number of people living below the poverty line, according to the World Bank. South Sudan depends on oil revenues to meet 90% of the government's annual budget, but damage earlier this year to the oil pipeline through Sudan left South Sudanese authorities briefly unable to export any crude. The government announced earlier in June that exports were due to resume after repairs to the pipeline. Many government workers are effectively without pay, and unemployment is rampant even as the prices of basic goods skyrocket. Leather shoes in the shops can seem a luxury in these circumstances. 'Tire soles last longer,' said Deng Akol Athuai, who has been buying from Achuil for years. 'I buy one pair, and it lasts me a year or more. They're strong, especially for walking on rough roads.' Shoemaker hopes to expand his business and train others Gabriel Bataku, a 26-year-old who is unemployed in Wau, said of artisans that they 'are solving real problems. They just need recognition and support.' Achuil has been making shoes since 1996. He is not formally trained. He got his skills as a grade schooler watching older men in their workshops as they went about their business. In those days discarded tires were much easier to find, scavenged from garages or sourced through people throwing them away. But now, he said, 'more people are doing this work, so the competition for materials is high.' He lamented the lack of formal support, from the government and others, that has left artisans struggling to access the tools of their trade. He wants access to better equipment. Despite the difficulties, he dreams of opening a proper workshop where he would train others. He also hopes to be able to expand his business to other towns in South Sudan. 'If I had better cutting tools, and a way to expand, I could train young people,' he said. 'Many are idle here in Wau. This skill could help them survive.' ___ For more on Africa and development: The Associated Press receives financial support for global health and development coverage in Africa from the Gates Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP's standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at Michael Atit, The Associated Press
The Independent
5 days ago
- Business
- The Independent
As the going gets tough in South Sudan, some artisans offer cheap footwear made from rubber tires
From Rwanda to Kenya, fashioning footwear from discarded tires has long been a mark of local ingenuity. In South Sudan, however, the creative work of such artisans is now fueled by an economic crisis that has left the government on the verge of bankruptcy and many people struggling to put food on the table. As South Sudan's oil revenues have dwindled, the government for months has been unable to pay civil servants on time. The cash crisis affects everyone from soldiers to teachers, underscoring the range of economic hardship across the country, and many are looking for ways to keep going. Some want cheap shoes, finding them not in supermarkets but in open markets where flip-flops and sandals are fashioned from worn-out tires usually thrown away as rubbish. Demand rises along with cost of living In Wau, some 650 kilometers (400 miles) from the South Sudanese capital of Juba, shoemaker Emmanuel Achuil works under the shade of a tarpaulin in the town's bustling main market. His hands blackened from grappling with rubber, Achuil uses a blade to carve pieces from discarded tires. Colorful straps are scattered around him like pieces of a puzzle. Achuil, who makes five to 10 pairs a week, told the AP that in recent months he's seen a rise in demand that he and others say is directly related to the rising cost of living here. They say footwear made from scraps of rubber has found a firm place in local markets, confirmed in the ubiquitous displays of such shoes even in open markets in Juba. Two years ago, Achuil was getting five to seven customers a month. Now he expects up to 20 of them, he said. Achuil's shoes can fetch up to 15,000 South Sudanese pounds a pair, or roughly $4, depending on size and quality of finishing. In addition to their affordability, the rough-hewn pairs are praised for their durability. 'Even when things get bad — no food, no jobs — this work doesn't fail me,' Achuil said. ' People always need shoes, especially cheap ones.' Akol Majok Ring, a cattle-keeper from the state of Warrap, said he discovered these sandals in March and immediately bought a pair for himself because 'they are good for cattle grazing.' 'When you're moving with the cattle all day, these sandals are perfect," he said. 'They're durable and well-suited for the job.' Food insecurity and inflation affect millions The South Sudanese pound has been under pressure since 2023, losing much of its value against the dollar as oil exports are sporadically disrupted by civil war in neighboring Sudan. The economy has been in decline for five consecutive years, hampered by violence stemming mostly from the political contest between President Salva Kiir and his deputy Riek Machar, who is currently under house arrest for alleged subversion. Hyperinflation and widespread food insecurity affect nearly 80% of South Sudan's 11 million people, the same number of people living below the poverty line, according to the World Bank. South Sudan depends on oil revenues to meet 90% of the government's annual budget, but damage earlier this year to the oil pipeline through Sudan left South Sudanese authorities briefly unable to export any crude. The government announced earlier in June that exports were due to resume after repairs to the pipeline. Many government workers are effectively without pay, and unemployment is rampant even as the prices of basic goods skyrocket. Leather shoes in the shops can seem a luxury in these circumstances. 'Tire soles last longer,' said Deng Akol Athuai, who has been buying from Achuil for years. 'I buy one pair, and it lasts me a year or more. They're strong, especially for walking on rough roads.' Shoemaker hopes to expand his business and train others Gabriel Bataku, a 26-year-old who is unemployed in Wau, said of artisans that they 'are solving real problems. They just need recognition and support.' Achuil has been making shoes since 1996. He is not formally trained. He got his skills as a grade schooler watching older men in their workshops as they went about their business. In those days discarded tires were much easier to find, scavenged from garages or sourced through people throwing them away. But now, he said, 'more people are doing this work, so the competition for materials is high.' He lamented the lack of formal support, from the government and others, that has left artisans struggling to access the tools of their trade. He wants access to better equipment. Despite the difficulties, he dreams of opening a proper workshop where he would train others. He also hopes to be able to expand his business to other towns in South Sudan. 'If I had better cutting tools, and a way to expand, I could train young people,' he said. 'Many are idle here in Wau. This skill could help them survive.' ___ For more on Africa and development: The Associated Press receives financial support for global health and development coverage in Africa from the Gates Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP's standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at
Associated Press
5 days ago
- Business
- Associated Press
As the going gets tough in South Sudan, some artisans offer cheap footwear made from rubber tires
WAU, South Sudan (AP) — From Rwanda to Kenya, fashioning footwear from discarded tires has long been a mark of local ingenuity. In South Sudan, however, the creative work of such artisans is now fueled by an economic crisis that has left the government on the verge of bankruptcy and many people struggling to put food on the table. As South Sudan's oil revenues have dwindled, the government for months has been unable to pay civil servants on time. The cash crisis affects everyone from soldiers to teachers, underscoring the range of economic hardship across the country, and many are looking for ways to keep going. Some want cheap shoes, finding them not in supermarkets but in open markets where flip-flops and sandals are fashioned from worn-out tires usually thrown away as rubbish. Demand rises along with cost of living In Wau, some 650 kilometers (400 miles) from the South Sudanese capital of Juba, shoemaker Emmanuel Achuil works under the shade of a tarpaulin in the town's bustling main market. His hands blackened from grappling with rubber, Achuil uses a blade to carve pieces from discarded tires. Colorful straps are scattered around him like pieces of a puzzle. Achuil, who makes five to 10 pairs a week, told the AP that in recent months he's seen a rise in demand that he and others say is directly related to the rising cost of living here. They say footwear made from scraps of rubber has found a firm place in local markets, confirmed in the ubiquitous displays of such shoes even in open markets in Juba. Two years ago, Achuil was getting five to seven customers a month. Now he expects up to 20 of them, he said. Achuil's shoes can fetch up to 15,000 South Sudanese pounds a pair, or roughly $4, depending on size and quality of finishing. In addition to their affordability, the rough-hewn pairs are praised for their durability. 'Even when things get bad — no food, no jobs — this work doesn't fail me,' Achuil said. 'People always need shoes, especially cheap ones.' Akol Majok Ring, a cattle-keeper from the state of Warrap, said he discovered these sandals in March and immediately bought a pair for himself because 'they are good for cattle grazing.' 'When you're moving with the cattle all day, these sandals are perfect,' he said. 'They're durable and well-suited for the job.' Food insecurity and inflation affect millions The South Sudanese pound has been under pressure since 2023, losing much of its value against the dollar as oil exports are sporadically disrupted by civil war in neighboring Sudan. The economy has been in decline for five consecutive years, hampered by violence stemming mostly from the political contest between President Salva Kiir and his deputy Riek Machar, who is currently under house arrest for alleged subversion. Hyperinflation and widespread food insecurity affect nearly 80% of South Sudan's 11 million people, the same number of people living below the poverty line, according to the World Bank. South Sudan depends on oil revenues to meet 90% of the government's annual budget, but damage earlier this year to the oil pipeline through Sudan left South Sudanese authorities briefly unable to export any crude. The government announced earlier in June that exports were due to resume after repairs to the pipeline. Many government workers are effectively without pay, and unemployment is rampant even as the prices of basic goods skyrocket. Leather shoes in the shops can seem a luxury in these circumstances. 'Tire soles last longer,' said Deng Akol Athuai, who has been buying from Achuil for years. 'I buy one pair, and it lasts me a year or more. They're strong, especially for walking on rough roads.' Shoemaker hopes to expand his business and train others Gabriel Bataku, a 26-year-old who is unemployed in Wau, said of artisans that they 'are solving real problems. They just need recognition and support.' Achuil has been making shoes since 1996. He is not formally trained. He got his skills as a grade schooler watching older men in their workshops as they went about their business. In those days discarded tires were much easier to find, scavenged from garages or sourced through people throwing them away. But now, he said, 'more people are doing this work, so the competition for materials is high.' He lamented the lack of formal support, from the government and others, that has left artisans struggling to access the tools of their trade. He wants access to better equipment. Despite the difficulties, he dreams of opening a proper workshop where he would train others. He also hopes to be able to expand his business to other towns in South Sudan. 'If I had better cutting tools, and a way to expand, I could train young people,' he said. 'Many are idle here in Wau. This skill could help them survive.' ___ For more on Africa and development: The Associated Press receives financial support for global health and development coverage in Africa from the Gates Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP's standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at
