EDITION 1038
23 SEPTEMBER 2024

On this day in 1846, astronomer Johann Gottfried Galle became the first person ever to observe the planet Neptune, the existence of which had been mathematically predicted years earlier by Urbain-Jean-Joseph Le Verrier and John Couch Adams.

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.

Just before you dive in, remember our POTENTIAL workbook [see below] is on offer for only £99. This unique workbook will help guide your organisation to its highest potential. Contact us today to start your transformation.

William Montgomery
Editor and CEO of TEN

1. How to cultivate ethical behaviour. So often we hear about unethical and egregious behaviour of organisations and their leaders that seem intent on screwing their customers, lying and cheating, and perhaps laughing all the way to the bank. It is demoralising to so frequently learn that so many organisations and leaders just can’t be trusted. Yet, there are many ways that organisations can create a culture that supports and nurtures ethics. READ MORE

2. UK debt hits 100% of GDP. The scale of the challenge facing Rachel Reeves ahead of the autumn budget has been laid bare by a rise in Britain’s national debt to the highest levels since the 1960s and a collapse in consumer confidence. Figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) showed the government’s outstanding debt pile reached 100% of gross domestic product in August, the highest level since 1961, as monthly borrowing rose by more than expected. Labour has warned repeatedly that the economic inheritance from the Conservatives will require “painful” decisions ahead of the 30 October budget, including tax rises and cuts to welfare benefits and other spending. The Guardian

3. Should workers elect their leaders. Could companies see more effective CEOs if employees had a vote in the selection process? This question, posed by The Wall Street Journal, explores whether such a practice might improve company culture and lead to better leadership. Yet some executives argue that employees are not well-informed enough to make a judgment. They also say that employee loyalty has declined. On the flip side, however, experts say that failing to listen to employees undermines their loyalty. Furthermore, many workers gain “critical insight” into the challenges companies face, seeing trends firsthand and dealing with customers and products. Should employees elect their CEO? Share your views in our latest poll. VOTE HERE

4. Young men missing from workforce. The UK is facing a growing challenge with young men neither in work nor education, reaching a 10-year high. Almost 460,000 men aged 18-24 were classified as NEET (not in education, employment or training) in the first half of 2024, surpassing the rate for women. Factors contributing to this problem include mental health concerns, poor school performance and limited job opportunities. The situation was exacerbated by the end of the previous government’s trainee program in 2023, with this trend posing a significant obstacle to the new government’s ambitions for economic growth. Bloomberg

5. New iPhone launches without AI. Apple's iPhone 16 hit stores around the world last Friday, but the delayed launch of ballyhooed Apple Intelligence features may be curbing enthusiasm. The new device won’t come loaded with highly anticipated AI software due to arrive in future software updates, prompting The Verge to call the iPhone 16 Pro "one of the most unfinished products that Apple has ever shipped." Some features were released Thursday in public beta, but they'll officially debut later. One analyst estimates Apple has sold about 37 million new iPhones since preorders began, a drop of nearly 13% from last year's release. I have a perfectly functional iPhone X and am wondering if now is the right time to upgrade. Editor

6. UK is the sick note leader of Europe. Economic inactivity due to sickness in the UK could reach 4.3 million by 2029. The Institute for Public Policy Research-led report emphasises that enhancing public health is vital for tackling economic challenges like stagnant growth and low productivity. Since 2020, researchers have observed a marked rise in long-term workplace absences due to illness, with 900,000 more workers off sick than pre-pandemic projections suggested. This figure may continue to climb dramatically. While EU countries have seen economic inactivity fall by 2.3 percentage points on average since 2020, the UK's has risen by 1.1 percentage points. CityAM

7. Stopping the small boats. The Home Office said 707 people crossed the English Channel in small boats on Saturday, the fourth highest daily total so far this year. The total number of arrivals for 2024 now stands at 24,335. The highest number of people who have made the crossing in a single day was 882 on 18 June. More than 10,000 people have made the journey across the Channel since Labour won the election in July. The government said it is making progress in its bid to stop the crossings, having recruited a former police chief as its new Border Security Commander. Daily Mail

8. How to overcome autumn fatigue. Decreasing daylight, colder weather and more time spent indoors: autumn is a challenging time for many and can affect productivity, especially for remote workers who struggle with getting out. To boost one's wellbeing and energy levels, consistently schedule 'me time' and socialise with people who lift you up, experts recommend. Become comfortable with saying "no" to some tasks and master the art of JOMO ("joy of missing out"). Micro-breaks and mindfulness practices, for example through breathing exercises, can also help to lift one's spirit. Endorphin-enhancing exercise, structuring one's days with breaks and outdoor time as well as creating a relaxing environment – for example with a sunrise alarm clock or light-therapy box – are among the strategies recommended. Forbes

9. Time travel has always been possible. Did you know the International Date Line is like a time-travel gateway? Crossing it can literally take you from today to tomorrow—or back to today - depending on which way you go. Stretching between the North and South Poles, this invisible line in the Pacific Ocean is the boundary between one calendar day and the next. Sail from Hawaii to Antarctica, and you'll cross this magical line seven times. That means you'll hop between today and tomorrow (and back again) multiple times on your journey. Editor

10. The bottom line. The Office of Public Responsibility projects a near tripling of the national debt from just under 100% of GDP now (and 30% only 20 years ago) to 274% by the mid-2070s. Public spending is set to jump from 45% to 60% of GDP, as health costs double and pensions rise sharply, while government revenues get stuck at around 40%. The Guardian