EDITION 959
6 MARCH 2023

There is no escaping it: too much news is bad for you. It should come with a government health warning: “This intellectual diet is fine taken in small doses, and preferably in weekly instalments, via a well-balanced newsletter, such as 10 things from William Montgomery."

So, as another week slips by, here are 10 things which caught my attention and may have escaped yours. Please feel free to share on social media and forward to your colleagues and friends so they can also subscribe, learn and engage. I would be very grateful if you did.

William Montgomery
Editor and CEO of TEN

1. How to fuel your team’s curiosity. Curiosity plays a part in creative thinking, which in turn helps you solve problems more efficiently and improves workplace productivity levels. Research shows that when organisations encourage curiosity at all levels, it makes the organisation much more adaptable to sudden shifts and economic crises. Fortunately, we can develop and encourage our natural levels of curiosity and become more effective entrepreneurs in the process. READ MORE >>

2. Women on boards reaches record high. The number of women who sit on FTSE 350 boards has hit its target three years early, according to the government-backed FTSE Women Leaders Review. Over 40% of directors at the UK's largest listed companies were women in 2022 – an increase from 9.5% in 2011 – and only 10 of the FTSE 350 companies still have all-male executive teams. The annual report did, however, highlight that leadership opportunities for women below board level was not growing at the same rate, with only 33.5% of women represented. Financial Times

3. Flex work wins war for talent. A "new deal" with workers, which includes flexibility and employee wellbeing, is required to retain talent in the post-pandemic world amid a labour shortage crisis, according to Britain's biggest business group. As firms try new ways to tempt workers back to the office for more than a couple days a week, the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) is urging organisations to drop their opposition to flexible working to win the "war for talent". Research from Timewise, suggests that nine out of 10 people want flexibility, but only three out of 10 job adverts offer it. Recent research also revealed the new office working week runs from Tuesday to Thursday. Bloomberg

4. Rise in “zoomer to boomer” offices. In a labour market that includes five different generations for the first time, offices are often made out to be the front lines of generational warfare. But workers shouldn't believe the tropes, and managers needn't adopt five different communication styles. What's really required: Emotional intelligence, good communication and common sense. 40% of Gen Z and millennials say company culture heavily influences their decision to stay at a job, while less than 30% of baby boomers feel that way. Competitive pay and benefits, flexibility and remote work options are important to all age groups. Forbes

5. What are the secrets for a long and healthy life? Strong social networks and physical activity in midlife can help prevent long-term health conditions further down the line, according to two research papers published in the British Medical Journal. The first study found that satisfying interpersonal relationships with colleagues, friends, parents and relatives were linked to a lower risk of suffering from several conditions in old age. Findings from the second study suggest that regular exercise throughout adulthood was related to preserving mental acuity and memory and could help keep conditions such as dementia at bay. Do you have any tips on making time for maintaining personal relationships and exercising? Please let us know in our latest poll. VOTE HERE  >>

6. Why reverse mentorship is rewarding. Traditionally, mentoring has always been top down: senior leaders would teach and guide younger, less experienced staff. But the tide is turning, and many companies are embracing reverse mentoring schemes, allowing more junior workers to mentor their superiors. If done properly, this bottom-up approach can help businesses attract and retain younger talent, fill knowledge gaps across the entire workforce and drive a substantial cultural change. READ MORE >>

7. Warning on global obesity. The World Obesity Federation has warned that more than half the world’s population will be classed as obese or overweight by 2035 if authorities do not act now. The report says that more than four billion people will be affected, with rates rising fastest among children, and in low or middle-income countries in Africa and Asia. The organisation forecasts that the cost of obesity will rise to more than $4tn (£3.3tn) annually by 2035. It comes as the demand for obesity drugs continues to skyrocket in the Western world. Reuters

8. Passengers not getting value for money. Rail passengers are facing the biggest fare hike in more than a decade, after it was announced that regulated ticket prices are increasing by 5.9%, adding hundreds of pounds to the cost of many annual season tickets. Although it is the highest fare rise since 2012, when prices rose by 6%, the government said this year’s increase is “well below inflation”. Labour described the rise as “savage” and public transport groups claimed passengers are not getting value for money. Metro

9. No ‘protocol bounce’ for Sunak. A survey has found that twice as many voters believe Labour under Keir Starmer has the nation’s best interests at heart than say the Tories do under Rishi Sunak. Despite Sunak agreeing a well-received deal with the EU on the Northern Ireland protocol, Labour still enjoys a hefty 17-point lead and is unchanged compared with a fortnight ago on 44%. The findings “will disappoint Conservatives”. The Observer

10. The bottom line. The FTSE 100 and European stock markets gained ground as the Windsor Framework was outlined. The reaction from business was almost unanimously positive: the British Chambers of Commerce said it would help drive growth for both Northern Ireland and the wider UK, just as the country is “teetering on the cusp of a recession”. The Guardian