Latest news with #industry
News24
2 hours ago
- Entertainment
- News24
‘I don't need to justify my fluidity' – Nirvana Nokwe on prayer, pace and unapologetic authenticity
In a world obsessed with labels and linear career paths, Nirvana Nokwe stands as a refreshing anomaly. The model, actress and singer possesses an ease that defies convention – an unbothered elegance rooted not in striving but in surrender. Beyond the multi-hyphenate label While industry insiders often describe her as a 'multi-hyphenate,' Nirvana sees herself simply as a woman choosing not to limit herself. 'To me, reinvention isn't about changing who you are,' she explains. 'It's about returning to the fullness of who you've always been. We're meant to evolve. It's human.' This philosophy has guided her through an industry that constantly demands definition. Rather than succumb to external pressures, Nirvana has carved out her own path, refusing to be confined to one title or tempo. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Nirvana Nokwe (@nirvananokwe) The power of fluidity 'It's seamless when you're doing what you want to do,' she says with characteristic directness. 'I don't need to justify my fluidity. I don't force anything. I work with people who get it – especially where it matters.' This approach isn't just professional strategy – it's deeply personal. Grounded and self-aware, Nirvana leans on prayer as both anchor and compass. 'Prayer holds me. It keeps me rooted through every transformation, every shift. It helps me know when to show up and when to step back,' she says. Embracing the pause For someone with such a dynamic, creative presence, she's refreshingly in tune with her need for stillness. The lesson came through experience, often the hard way. 'Burnout teaches me to pause,' she reflects. 'Sometimes it's not about pushing harder, it's about taking care of yourself, letting silence in and remembering you're more than your output.' The art of not over-explaining Perhaps most striking is Nirvana's evolution beyond the need to justify her existence in professional spaces. 'I don't push back anymore. I just live. I let the work speak. I protect my peace by not over-explaining. There's power in that.' This shift has redefined what success means to her. 'It looks like fun. Joy. Presence. Life is short and long at the same time, so I'm choosing to enjoy it.' View this post on Instagram A post shared by NSPCA (@ A message for the next generation When asked what she hopes young women, especially young Black women, take away from her journey, she pauses, then smiles with the wisdom of someone who's learned to trust the process. 'Just be yourself. That's it. It isn't that deep. Being fully you already shifts things in ways you can't even imagine.' It's a deceptively simple message from a woman who embodies its complexity. Nirvana Nokwe is indeed a woman in motion, but she's moving on her terms – with softness, discernment, and a quiet, unwavering fire that lights the way for others brave enough to embrace their own fluidity.
Forbes
6 hours ago
- Business
- Forbes
Barista Training And Coffee Shop Success: The Importance Of Investing In Staff
Sergey Baburov. Founder of HYDE. The global coffee market was valued at $269.27 billion in 2024, and its growth is expected to exceed $369 billion by 2030. In today's competitive coffee industry, a shop's performance hinges on more than premium beans or advanced equipment. Staff expertise plays an equally critical role. Baristas act as frontline representatives who can enhance operational success by delivering consistent experiences and reinforcing brand identity. As the founder of a coffee brand, I've seen firsthand how investing in comprehensive barista training can directly translate to customer loyalty and business growth. My experience has shown me that a well-trained team is not a cost—it's a company's most crucial asset. Baristas, Brand Perception And The Importance Of Training Baristas don't simply prepare beverages. They serve as key touchpoints between coffee shops and their clientele. Their skills can shape customer experiences and perceptions in a market where differentiation is vital. Salesforce's 2022 State of the Connected Customer report, which surveyed a total of roughly 17,000 consumers and business buyers, found that 88% of consumers said "the experience a company provides is as important as its products or services." This further underscores the need for effective training and ongoing staff development. From ensuring drink consistency to fostering welcoming environments, baristas can elevate satisfaction and retention, turning casual visitors into regulars. Their expertise impacts several core areas: • Quality Consistency: Baristas who are trained effectively can consistently provide high-quality drinks. • Customer Engagement: PwC's 2018 consumer study revealed customers will pay up to 16% more for superior services and products, highlighting baristas' role in boosting satisfaction and sales. • Revenue Growth: Trained staff adept at upselling, such as suggesting pastries or premium blends, can increase average check sizes. • Market Edge: Personalized service sets shops apart in saturated markets. Deep barista expertise can be a key differentiator that helps foster a loyal customer base and allows even smaller coffee shops to compete with larger chains. Training could benefit coffee shops from an employee retention standpoint as well. In 2019, Sitel Group found that 37% of employees would consider leaving roles without development opportunities. Learning and development opportunities can also lead to improved employee engagement and help foster "a workforce of motivated, satisfied and productive employees who feel they are in the right place to reach their full potential," per the Society of Human Resource Management. Structuring Effective Barista Training Effective barista training programs should blend technical mastery and interpersonal skills. This means it should cover essentials like espresso extraction (e.g., grind size, dose, timing) and milk steaming (e.g., temperature, texture, latte art) to ensure precision. Educating baristas on alternative methods as well—such as pour-over coffee or cold brew—can expand a shop's offerings. I also recommend incorporating sensory training to sharpen flavor detection (e.g., floral or citrus notes), so they can provide tailored recommendations that can enhance customer satisfaction. Programs should also emphasize active listening to ensure baristas can recall regulars' orders, as well as upselling techniques, like pairing drinks with food. This can help boost revenue. Conflict resolution training is another important element; this equips staff to handle feedback and maintain a positive brand image. For instance, we run role-playing scenarios for handling difficult customer feedback, which empowers the team with confidence and turns a potential negative into a positive, brand-building moment. To make this training truly stick, it must be a continuous cycle, not a one-time event. Beyond a comprehensive initial onboarding for new hires, we find success with quarterly refreshers on core skills and brief, focused pre-shift huddles for daily updates. To keep these sessions engaging, we ditch the slideshows in favor of interactive formats. One of our most effective strategies is a weekly 'taste, calibrate, discuss' session, where the entire team tastes the day's espresso together to align their palates and product descriptions. The Bottom Line Investments in training have the potential to yield quantifiable results, including higher customer satisfaction and retention rates, as skilled baristas help foster trust and comfort; improvements in revenue, thanks to upselling strategies and those improved customer retention rates; and greater efficiency, as optimized workflows can cut wait times and reduce errors. As you can see, barista training represents a strategic investment that can elevate coffee shop performance across quality, revenue and loyalty. In a market that's expected to surpass $300 billion in just a few years, prioritizing human capital and barista training could give coffee shops a competitive advantage. 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Bloomberg
7 hours ago
- Automotive
- Bloomberg
Lithium Miners Sound Alarm as EV Struggles Pile on Pressure
A slew of corporate reports from Australian lithium producers has thrown a fresh spotlight this week on an industry riven by write-downs, cost controls and hard choices as the world's electric-vehicle transition runs into headwinds. IGO Ltd. and Mineral Resources Ltd. flagged potential impairments, Pilbara Minerals Ltd. stressed cost-cutting efforts, and Liontown Resources Ltd. said it had to resell some material originally earmarked as offtake for Ford Motor Co.
Times of Oman
2 days ago
- Business
- Times of Oman
Public-private cooperation ramped up to meet needs of Khareef Dhofar visitors
Salalah: A meeting was held today at the Directorate General of Commerce, Industry, and Investment Promotion in Dhofar Governorate. The meeting, which included representatives from various government entities and the private sector, aimed to follow up on work progress during the Khareef Dhofar (monsoon) season and complement ongoing efforts to serve visitors to the governorate. The meeting was chaired by Dr. Saleh Said Masan, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Commerce, Industry, and Investment Promotion for Commerce and Industry. The Undersecretary emphasized the importance of continued provision of essential goods and products, alongside intensified market and commercial outlet inspections to ensure adherence to pricing and service quality. He also stressed the importance of promoting the use of electronic payment methods across various commercial outlets to facilitate shoppers. Furthermore, the Undersecretary discussed with representatives from authorities concerned with providing temporary work licenses the importance of continuing to offer facilities to companies and establishments operating during the season. This aims to ensure the continuity of economic activities and meet visitors' needs. Regarding fuel stations, he urged petroleum marketing companies to monitor stations' readiness daily and ensure the availability of all services to meet the increasing demand during the Khareef season. He emphasized that the unique nature of the Khareef season necessitates continued joint action and an accelerated pace of work, even outside official working hours, to ensure the comfort of visitors and residents from both within and outside Oman.
CTV News
3 days ago
- General
- CTV News
Wildfires continue to ravage Saskatchewan, effecting cabins and traplines
Watch The damage from the wildfires in Saskatchewan could force some out of the trapline industry and their passions. CTV's Allison Bamford has more.
