New Year = New Job? Pursue a New Job or Pursue Happiness?
It’s a new year and a new decade with continued signs of economic and employment recovery. As we start the first week of Twenty-Ten, there is an air of renewed optimism and hope all around us. I believe we are on the cusp of seeing the job market open back up and the return of jobs beginning to “churn” again. Not only have we seen a reduction of jobs, but for nearly the past two years, people with jobs that seemed secure, stayed in them and didn’t take the chance of looking at the grass on the other side. This was wise since it wasn’t about the grass being greener on the other side; it was about not even knowing what color the grass was. This stopped the normal “churn” that has always been there. But now, things are starting to change and there is a real pent-up churn waiting to happen and when it does, it will come on strong. So now, would be the time to start thinking about what you want to do next! Sure, you have a dream job (or at least you should have one), but what about the other attributes of the next job? What’s at the top of your list? One of the outcomes of these last couple of years is that I hear more people talking about just wanting to find something and someplace where they can be “happy”.Well, there is good news, a new study by Marshall and Kelly Goldsmith says that we can get both and the job we do is more of a contributing factor than we might have thought. They are quoted in saying:“Our findings were in many cases unexpected but clear-cut. There is an increasingly high correlation between people’s happiness and meaning at work and at home. In other words, those who experience happiness and meaning at work tend also to experience them outside of work. Those who are miserable on the job are usually miserable at home.”So, what is the perfect job to increase your happiness? The Goldsmith’s findings point at some interesting facts that is it not always about the obvious. For one example, it’s not about how many hours you work. I’ve always said to anyone who complains about the number of hours they work, that that’s not the problem; it’s about what they get out of the hours that they spend at work. The study says the same. It’s not about the number of hours; it’s about the amount of time spent on meaningful work. If we work on things that have long-term purposeful results then we are more likely to be happy overall.So, as you think about making the next job move, making the meaning of the work personally important to you should be the number one attribute on your list. The good news, and the bad news on this; no one else but you can know what is personally meaningful. Now, before you put your head up to make a change, is the time to define the meaning of meaningful…for you!
When Asking For A Raise, Don’t Lean To The Left
Upright truly is right, it turns out.A study to be published in the forthcoming Psychological Science is demonstrating that those who lean to the left are more likely to underestimate numerical figures. And because the research only held up when respondents were assessing an unknown number, it was accepted to be applicable for gauging expected and desired salaries, according to a report by the Association for Psychological Science.“Be careful to stand upright next time your boss asks you how much you should be paid. If you are leaning to the left you will be putting a lower value on your worth,” the APS said in a report. “Researchers found that covertly manipulating the tilt of the body influences people’s estimates of sizes, numbers and percentages.”The study was conducted through an investigation of 33 people’s responses to a host of questions, touching on a broad range of metrics including height and amount. The survey participants were asked, for instance, the height of the Eiffel Tower, the percentage of alcohol in whiskey and how many number one records Michael Jackson had during his musical career.As they were responding, the participants were asked to stand on a Wii board, which could track left and right body tilt. Unlike leftward tilt, a respondent leaning to the right showed no impact on assessment. In trying to make sense of the connection between underestimation and leftward leaning, one of the researchers said the phenomenon must be appreciated in the context of the host of factors that go into human decision-making.“Decision-making is an integration of multiple sources of information – memory, visual imagery, and bodily information, like posture,” said Anita Eerland, a psychologist at Erasmus University Rotterdam in the Netherlands, which is where the study was conducted. Eerland was quoted in The Express.While the source of the left leaning and underestimation may be wrapped up in individual confidence, the effect of physical appearance on your bosses is also receiving a closer look as of late, thanks to two recent studies. As was covered on AOL Jobs in August, economist Daniel Hamermesh, of the University of Texas, Austin, and sociologist Catherine Hakim, of the London School of Economics, both completed reports in which they underscore the potency of physical attractiveness as a weapon in the workplace.In her book, “Honey Money: The Power of Erotic Capital,” Hakim says her title phrase, erotic capital, is as vital in the office as actual job bona fides. Therefore, women should use their erotice powers for their career, especially because they are still operating in a non-egalitarian corporate environment.For his part, Hamermesh, in his book, “Beauty Pays,” says that ugliness is a final front of workplace discrimination.“One study showed that an American worker who was among the bottom one-seventh in looks, as assessed by randomly chosen observers, earned 10 to 15 percent less per year than a similar worker whose looks were assessed in the top one-third — a lifetime difference, in a typical case, of about $230,000,” he wrote in the New York Times in promoting his book.And so judicial remedies are needed, he contends.“With all the gains to being good-looking, you would think that more people would get plastic surgery or makeovers to improve their looks,” he also wrote. “A more radical solution may be needed: Why not offer legal protections to the ugly, as we do with racial, ethnic and religious minorities, women and handicapped individuals?” – Originally posted on Aol Jobs by Dan Fastenberg
Caroline Garcia upsets Petra Kvitova as France draw level in Fed Cup final
Caroline Garcia stunned Petra Kvitova 7-6(6) 6-3 to pull France level at 1-1 with champions Czech Republic in the Fed Cup final after Karolina Pliskova won an epic first singles earlier on Saturday.Garcia produced an aggressive performance to down Kvitova and the Czech threatened a comeback in the second set but the Frenchwoman was too hot and closed it out on her second match point.World number six Pliskova had overcome Kristina Mladenovic’s stubborn resistance to put the visitors ahead with a thrilling 6-3 4-6 16-14 win. (Petra Kvitova powers past Elina Svitolina to claim WTA Elite title)Mladenovic will take on double Wimbledon champion Kvitova while world number 23 Garcia will play Pliskova in Sunday’s reverse singles as the Czech look to claim a fifth title in six years.After surrendering the first set in a tiebreak, world number 11 Kvitova fell further behind as she trailed 4-1 in the second set.She did close the gap to 4-3 before Garcia held her nerve to break again and wrap up victory with a forehand winner.The highlight of the show, however, was earlier. (Kvitova beat Cibulkova to win Wuhan Open)In one of the competition’s finest rubbers, U.S. Open finalist Pliskova wore down Mladenovic in a nail-biting third set which was the longest ever played in a Fed Cup final.Pliskova appeared to be cruising towards victory after breezing through the first set but then lost her focus in the second to allow Mladenovic back in the contest.The Czech served for the match at 5-3 in the decider but lost her composure, Mladenovic breaking back with a forehand winner before levelling for 5-5.advertisementThe world number six earned two match points on Mladenovic’s serve while leading 9-8, but the Frenchwoman served an ace on the first while Pliskova’s forehand flew wide on the second.Play was interrupted as the Frenchwoman had her left thigh strapped by the trainer before captain Amelie Mauresmo took over the massaging duties at each change of ends.Pliskova saved a break point at 10-10 but sent a backhand long to concede what had appeared a decisive break in the 23rd game. Yet she broke back immediately with Mladenovic serving for the match.With the Frenchwoman struggling physically, Pliskova proved she had the stamina to get over the finishing line and she finally wore down her opponent in three hours 48 minutes.”It’s the longest match I have ever played,” said Pliskova. “She was serving so well in the third set. Unbelievable match from both of us.”
Bolts 100m record will be easier to break than 200m: Asafa
New Delhi, Nov 18 (PTI) Out of the two world records held by track superstar Usain Bolt, his 100m dash timing of 9.58 seconds stands more likely to be broken than the 200m mark of 19.19secs, his fellow Jamaican sprinter Asafa Powell said today. Former 100m world record holder Powell, who is here as brand ambassador of Delhi Half Marathon to be run on Sunday, said that it would be very tough to break Bolts two individual world records. “It will be very difficult to break these two records. I feel breaking the 9.58secs (in 100m) could be more likely to be broken, if at all it happens. 19.19secs in 200m is ridiculous,” Powell said, when asked which one of the two sprint records could be easier to be broken. Both the existing 100m and 200m world records were set by Bolt while winning gold medals during the 2009 World Athletics Championships in Berlin. Powell himself held the world record of 9.72 secs between 2005 and 2008 before Bolt took it over. 33-year-old Powell is known as Sub-10 King for running 100m dash below 10 seconds for 98 times, the maximum by any sprinter and he said he would like to notch up his century of sub-10sec in Jamaica. “It is difficult to say specifically when I will run my 100th sub-10 sec but I hope it comes sooner than later and I would like to do that in my home country of Jamaica,” he said. Surprisingly for a celebrated sprinter like him, Powell has never won an individual medal in the Olympics though he has two gold medals in the 4x100m relay (n 2008 and 2016). In the Championships, he has won two 100m individual bronze medals (2007 and 2007) besides two gold in 4x100m (2009 and 2015). Asked if he thinks he will run for Jamaica in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, he said, “It is difficult to say now that I will run in 2020 Olympics. I have not thought that far. As of now I feel I can plan to run till 2018.” Powell said with the advancement in technology and better coaching techniques, more records will tumble and athletes will run faster in future. But, he said that the most important factor for breaking of records was the raw talent of the athlete. “Coaching play a big role, so does technology. But, ultimately the raw talent is what matters. 100m dash is a very technical race and you need to be perfect if you want to break records. But an athlete having better raw talent are more likely to break records.” He said Jamaica is considered the nursery of sprint races and athletics is big in his country because of its better nurturing of the sport at the grassroot level. “The atmosphere at the Junior National Championships is just like that in the Olympic Games. It is big in Jamaica. I think we groom athletes at the grassroot level better,” he said. MORE PTI PDS ATK PDSadvertisement
Pellegrini: Carroll can earn new deal
West Ham boss Manuel Pellegrini says he’s fully aware of what Andy Carroll can offer his side and has urged the striker to earn himself a new contract.Carroll, who turns 30 in January, has been sidelined for four months with an ankle injury but returned in the Hammers’ defeat to Manchester City last month.The powerful forward is set to enter the final six months of his £90,000 a week deal with the London club but there is an option to extend it by a further two years. Article continues below Editors’ Picks Man Utd ready to spend big on Sancho and Haaland in January Who is Marcus Thuram? Lilian’s son who is top of the Bundesliga with Borussia Monchengladbach Brazil, beware! Messi and Argentina out for revenge after Copa controversy Best player in MLS? Zlatan wasn’t even the best player in LA! An injury to tallisman Marko Arnautovic may see Carroll given opportunities to impress in the coming weeks and Pellegrini says he hopes the England forward can prove himself between now and the end of the season.“When you need to renew your contract, you must demonstrate why they are renewing your contract,” Pellegrini said on Thursday.“We know what Andy can give to our team and now he must demonstrate he is able to do it week by week. He has now the last six months and I hope he will be able to do it.”When pressed on whether he sees Carroll as a potential starting option for his side, the Chilean added:“If he can work in the normal way, of course he can be an option to start in our XI.“Not only Andy Carroll but every player can be a starter when they work the whole week and week by week. For the moment, I think he can be a very important substitute.“We know what he can give to our team. Near the box, he is dangerous. All the other defenders must be worried when they see Andy near their box.”Carroll has managed 33 goals in 130 appearances since his arrival at West Ham in 2012 and one more strike will take him above his total tally for boyhood club Newcastle United.The target man has nine England caps and featured for the Three Lions at Euro 2012.He was once earmarked as one of the country’s most promising young footballers, but his physical style of play has seen his career plagued by various injury issues.Next up for Pellegrini’s side is a home clash with Crystal Palace, with the likes of Carroll, Lucas Perez and Javier Hernandez all vying for a starting spot in Arnautovic’s absence.
Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 Vs Lenovo P2: It’s all about value for money
Xiaomi’s Redmi Note 4 and Lenovo’s P2 are pretty neat looking phones with emphasis on good battery life. It’s safe to say that both the Redmi Note 4 and the P2 live up to their name (and claim) and offer good all-round performance in real world usage. In fact, if you were to consider their price to performance ratio, it wouldn’t be wrong to say that it (truly) doesn’t get more value for money than this.But while Xiaomi’s Redmi Note 4 can be purchased for as little as Rs 9,999 Lenovo’s P2 starts at Rs 16,999. That’s a huge difference – and also quite possibly a deal breaker — especially for someone on a tight budget. Does Lenovo’s P2 phone really justify its loftier price tag, or would you be better off saving some cash sticking with the Redmi Note 4? That, ladies and gentlemen, is the million-dollar question.Also Read: Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 review: Raising the bar1. Metal is the new polycarbonate for phones under Rs 20,000 now. A majority of phones in this category is experimenting with different shades of metal. But, a majority of them isn’t all-metal. Xiaomi’s Redmi Note 4 and Lenovo’s P2, similarly, boast of an almost full-metal unibody with top and bottom ends being plastic with brushed metal finish. This is to enhance mobile reception without having to spend extra on fancy tech. Xiaomi’s phone does a slightly better job at hiding the plastic ends. Also, polished antenna lines on-board the Redmi Note 4 ensure Xiaomi’s phone looks slightly more up-market than Lenovo’s P2. Don’t mind me, the P2 still looks very smart and sophisticated (especially in black) just that the Redmi Note 4 with its all-round cleaner design and rear-facing fingerprint scanner looks more premium in comparison.advertisement2. Both the Redmi Note 4 and the P2 come with curved 2.5D glass on the front. The fingerprint scanner in the case of the P2 lies on the front, and like most recent Moto phones, it (only) helps in unlocking the phone. For everything else, the phone comes with on-screen navigation buttons. Xiaomi’s phone in comparison comes with physical capacitive keys which are also backlit. The Redmi Note 4, as a result, also offers slightly more real estate to work upon than Lenovo’s P2. It is available in more colour options as well.3. Both the phones come with a 5.5-inch 1080p screen. But while the Redmi Note 4 has a standard IPS LCD panel, the P2 has a Super AMOLED display. The display on-board the Redmi Note 4 does well most of the time unless you’re out and about in direct sunlight. Its (above) average brightness levels feel lacking when you’re out and about. Also, the screen is prone to reflection which adds up, hampering the phone’s outdoor legibility further. But, the screen of the Redmi Note 4 has one ace up its sleeve. It handles — and reproduces — colours very well. The P2, however, holds the edge in terms of overall brightness and outdoor legibility. It is just so much better. The screen, because it is AMOLED, metes out oversaturated colours with deep blacks, while also being kind to battery life.4. Both the Redmi Note 4 and the P2 are powered by a 2GHz octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 processor clubbed with Adreno 506 GPU. The Snapdragon 625 is notably the first 600-series chipset to be built on a power-efficient 14nm process. The focus therefore lies on improved thermal efficiency and power-saving and both the phones offer performance on (very) similar lines.Also Read: Lenovo P2 Review: Battery in this one lasts long, and then lasts some more5. Xiaomi is offering three RAM variants for the Redmi Note 4: 2, 3 and 4GB. While the Redmi Note 4 with 2GB and 3GB RAM will come with 32GB memory, the version with 4 gigs of RAM will come with 64GB memory. All the versions of the Redmi Note 4 support expandable storage of up to 128GB via a hybrid microSD card slot. The P2, on the other hand, is available in 3GB/4GB RAM versions with 32GB of internal memory which is expandable via a hybrid microSD card slot.6. Both the phones run Android Marshmallow-based custom ROMs. While in the case of the Redmi Note 4 you get Xiaomi’s MIUI 8, the P2 gives you Lenovo’s custom skin which is closer to stock Android (in comparison to MIUI). Both the respective custom UIs have fancy animation (cartoonish) schemes and in-your-face colours. Lenovo’s phone gives you an app drawer, Xiaomi’s phone doesn’t. Xiaomi’s MIUI 8 holds the edge in terms of overall polish. MIUI 8 offers all the bells and whistles that you’d want from a fully-functional operating system, including customisation themes. Some of its features like scrollable screenshots, second space and dual apps are worth mentioning. Additionally, the Redmi Note 4 comes with an IR-blaster that can be used (in tandem with the Mi Remote app or even some third-party solutions) to control smart home appliances.advertisement7. Both the phones are dualSIM and support 4G LTE (VoLTE-ready) and USB OTG. The P2, in addition, also supports NFC. Both the phones have bottom-firing speaker. The bottom-firing mono speaker on-board the Redmi Note 4 gets very loud, but there is some distortion at peak volume. It is, however, better (louder) than the one on the P2.8. Both the phones sport a 13-megapixel camera on the rear with f/2.0 aperture, Phase-Detection Autofocus along with a dual-LED (dual-tone) flash. On the front, both of them come with a 5-megapixel snapper. The Redmi Note 4 captures some good-looking photos — with occasional softness — in good light with good amount of detail and mostly spot-on (if a little oversaturated) colours. Dynamic range could have been better but then none of the camera phones at under Rs 15,000 (save one or two like the Moto G4 Plus) have dynamic range to really brag about. They are just about average. The Redmi Note 4 is a tad better. Also, the Redmi Note 4, surprisingly, does well in macro photography scenarios which means close-up shots come out well (enough) when the light is adequate. Xiaomi’s new phone is also able to capture well to-do photos — with occasional softness — in tricky light situations with good detail. Low light photos are prone to noise.Also Read: Redmi Note 3, best phone Xiaomi launched in India, is dead9. The P2 is also capable of clicking some fantastic photos (for its price), but the camera performance is inconsistent. In good light, the rear camera in the P2 can click some really nice photos. The key is to get the focus right. In good and even light, the camera also gets the exposure right. When all of it comes together, you get images that have lots of detail. But more often than not, it also underexposes images, especially when the light is uneven. The P2 camera is a tad slower than the one on-board the Redmi Note 4.10. The Redmi Note 4 packs a 4,100mAh battery inside, which is non-removable. Moderate to extreme usage saw us cross the one whole day barrier with ease, while toning down further should get most users one and a half to two days out of the phone. Extreme usage scenarios got us close to 15 hours on the Redmi Note 4, which is phenomenal. Sadly, the Redmi Note 4, supports only 5V/2A charging and not Qualcomm’s Quick Charge. The P2, in comparison, comes with a massive 5,100mAh battery that is capable of lasting for at least two days on the go even on extreme usage. Not only is the battery life of the P2 phenomenal, the rate at which this battery charges with the supplied charger is also fantastic. The phone’s battery can be fully charged in around 1 hour 45 minutes with the supplied 24W charger.advertisementSo, which one is more value for money?Ideally, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 4. It is not perfect, but even the top-end variant (with 4GB RAM and 64GB memory) costs just Rs 12,999. That’s frankly a lot of smartphone. You get fantastic build quality, good (if a little dim) screen, good all-round performance, a polished user interface, good set of cameras and good battery life. Lenovo’s P2 is also a great phone, by the way, with a battery life to die for. But, in all other areas (except the screen) it feels lacking in the longer run. Also, it is a lot more expensive.
Arsenal’s Mesut Ozil highly focused for Bayern game, says Arsene Wenger
Arsenal’s Mesut Ozil may be struggling for form but his manager Arsene Wenger would not be drawn into speculation that the Germany midfielder could be dropped for Wednesday’s Champions League last 16, first leg at Bayern Munich.Hours before the London team’s arrival in Munich on Tuesday, British media had reported that Ozil could be left on the bench for the game due to his recent poor performances. (Champions League: Bayern Munich, Arsenal desperate to lift gloom with European glory)But when asked about Ozil, Wenger merely told reporters the German was fully focused on the match.”It is not the best moment to give you the first eleven. I will pick the team tomorrow (Wednesday) morning,” he said.”We are playing in Germany and Ozil is highly focused to have a good performance tomorrow.” (Arsene Wenger urges misfiring Mesut Ozil to become more ruthless)Ozil has been in the spotlight after anonymous displays in recent Premier League defeats by Watford and Chelsea and he did little to quell the criticism after missing a host of chances in Arsenal’s 2-0 Premier League win over Hull City on Saturday.However, Wenger was more forthcoming about who would play in goal with David Ospina starting ahead of Petr Cech because of the Colombian’s performances in the competition this season. (Arsenal face Chelsea showdown after Watford shock)”Nothing to hide, it will be Ospina,” the Frenchman said. “Because of the quality of his performances, if we are today in the last 16….we are where we are basically down to his great performances.”advertisementArsenal have lost to Bayern at this stage of the Champions League three times since 2005 but Wenger stressed that his side have the advantage of a home second leg and the quality to leave Munich with a good result. (Ruthless Chelsea overpower Arsenal to stretch lead in Premier League)”We know we play against Bayern who, basically, listening to you (reporters) are favourites. We have to be very positive on the fighting front and playing front,” he said.”I feel we have the experience to play against Bayern. When you look at their record they are always in the last four. It is a massive challenge but we are capable of dealing with it.”
LG K10 2017 quick review: Rings a bell
As per a Department of Telecommunications office memorandum, “It has been decided by the competent authority that the import of mobile phone handsets without Panic Button/Emergency call button feature prescribed as per ‘Panic Button and Global Positioning System Facility in all mobile phone handsets Rules 2016 shall be allowed till 28th February 2017 wef 01.01.2017.”Also Read: LG launches made in India K10 2017 phone with panic button for Rs 13,990 To recall, the Government of India had mandated — in April 2016 — that all mobile phones in the country from January 1, 2017, will be sold with panic button feature. The directive — to ensure that a mobile phone handset can become an effective tool for self protection, especially for women — further notes that “pressing panic button will make a call to single emergency number 112. The helpline 112, for your reference, will be India’s equivalent to 911 of the US’s all-in-one emergency services.A majority of OEMs, across the board, are now pushing out SOS services via software updates in line with the mandate. Amid all this, LG, a company that has been making its handsets in India since last year has launched a new phone, the K10 2017, that ships with panic button feature out-of-the-box. The K10 2017 is, in fact, one among the first few smartphones in the country that falls in line with the Government’s mandate. It works by simply short pressing the power on or off button thrice in quick succession. Like clockwork.But because the K10 2017 comes with it out-of-the-box, LG has made sure its implementation is a little more seamless.advertisement”We’ve gone ahead and made (112) panic button feature a little more simple. The method which was coined by the Government of India involves three times quick press of the power button. The speed with which anybody types varies from person to person which is why we have simplified things by adding two more solutions on the K10 2017,” LG India CMO, Amit Gujral explained to me.The K10 2017 is “made in India by Indians for Indians,” according to LG “One is that, a long press of the power button initiates the 112 emergency calling and also we have given you a main menu for single click to generate emergency calls.”Moreover, the LG K10 2017 is “made in India by Indians for Indians,” according to Gujral.To accentuate its Indian roots further, LG will be shipping a live active cover designed with Indian patterns in the box. The live active cover gives you quick access to all your notifications, all your SMSs, all your alarms, all your music controls without even opening your phone.But nothing speaks more Indian about the K10 2017 than the fact that it is fully made in India at LG’s Noida facility. In fact, all of LG’s smartphones — including the flagship G5 and the V20 — are made one hundred per cent in India, according to Gujral.”Making in India gives us the benefit of the Government-led subsidies which is beneficial to our consumers. Indirectly it also helps increase employment in the country. Now we don’t have to go outside the country to get the job done. As the overall infrastructure of manufacturing is getting enhanced in the country, it also saves time with quick and easy availability of desired resources.”Outside all the hype, though, the LG K10 2017 is a regular smartphone with regular specs that wouldn’t probably excite consumers charmed by the likes of Xiaomi, Lenovo, and Nubia.The LG K10 2017 comes with a 5.3-inch 720p IPS screen that isn’t as bright and/or crisp as some of the other 1080p toting rival phones in and around its price point. It is powered by an octa-core MediaTek MT6750 processor that isn’t as fast and/or thermal efficient as some of the other Qualcomm Snapdragon 625-based rival phones in and around its price point. It comes with just 2GB of RAM and only 16GB of internal memory, which is expandable by up to 2TB via a microSD card slot though.The phone sports a 13-megapixel rear camera with f/2.2 aperture, autofocus and LED flash, alongside a 5-megapixel front-facing camera that is also capable of shooting 120 degree wide-angle selfies.The Android Nougat-based K10 2017 supports 4G LTE (VoLTE) and USB OTG connectivity options. It is backed by a 2,800mAh battery — with no fast charging — which is also removable.The LG K10 2017 also does not exactly dazzle from a design point of view. The phone comes with an all-plastic body with a brushed metal finish at a time when all-metal phones have increasingly become the norm at under Rs 10,000. The phone also comes with a rear-mounted fingerprint scanner.Also Read: LG V20 Review: Android Nougat supercharged advertisementAt Rs 13,990 the LG K10 2017 is a little expensive for what it has to offer. Then again, even last year’s K10 — which was also made in India, by the way — was launched at Rs 13,500. Come to think of it, LG seems lost in time. Rivals, however, have grown only stronger with time. You can argue that LG is a legacy brand, and as such a certain bit of premium is worth paying for. But, then so is Lenovo (and Motorola). Its phones are so much better and so much more value for money at the end of the day.
The freakonomics of fundraising
As you know by now, one of my mantras is, lead with emotion, follow with facts. Facts always should come second if you want to engage someone.The Freakonomics team recently put this concept to the test in fundraising. They did what they said was an emotion vs. fact appeal to donors to Freedom from Hunger. Small prior donors reduced giving when presented with scientific evidence by 0.9 percentage points (statistically significant at 90%). Interesting, large prior donors increased giving when presented with scientific evidence by 3.54 percentage points (significant at 99%). So the results were mixed, and the team noted there are some biases. For example, the charity in question, Freedom from Hunger, is known for being focused on evidence and research.I’d add that both appeals actually had emotion AND fact elements, and since Freedom from Hunger donors are emotional about results, I’m not sure it’s clear what any of this means. Most studies show statistics lower giving, and when I worked at CARE years ago, we did a similar test and the emotional appeal beat the pants off the facts appeal.So what do we conclude from Freakonomics? Or do we conclude anything at all?I decided to call someone smarter than me with that question. Mark Rovner of Sea Change Strategies is a buddy and also a certified trainer in the principles of Switch, one of my favorite books on motivation and decision making. Even though he was on a diving trip in the Caymans, he agreed to dive into this issue.So what’s your conclusion, Mark?Mark: The introduction of “scientific evidence” into the test appeals basically underscores the fundamentally emotional basis for giving. That’s not a bad thing: by emotion, we refer to the part of our minds that houses intuition, moral values, empathy, compassion, and the motivation to help.So we shouldn’t think that large donors want a bunch of stats?Mark: There’s a myth, at best partially right, that higher dollar donors are more rational and analytical in their thinking. For the most part there is scant evidence to support that. The relatively trivial positive swing in giving by the $100+ group in the Freakonomics is not much to write home about. What can be said about higher dollar donors in general is that (a) they have more money to begin with and (b) they may have a higher level of affinity toward the cause.Really good point on the affinity. The big donors may have given more to ANY appeal, because they are biggest, most committed supporters of the organization. So at the end of the day, where do you come down on the role of emotion and facts?Mark: There is a tendency in our culture to be ashamed of decisions made by our intuitive/emotional minds. To compensate, and often without much conscious thought, we therefore create rationalizations to clothe emotional choices in the garb of logic. We see that in our conversations with donors every day.Amen to that. Enjoy your dive.
Millennials lukewarm on the environment? Don’t despair.
Sharp-eyed blog reader Megan sent me an article this week that says young Americans are less interested in the environment than previous generations. The statistics aren’t what you want to hear if you work for an environmental organization. According to the article detailing the study:[There has been a] decline over the past four decades in young people’s trust in others, their interest in government and the time they said they spent thinking about social problems. Steepest of all was a steady decline in concern about the environment and in taking personal action to save it. Researchers found that, when surveyed decades ago, about a third of young baby boomers said it was important to become personally involved in programs to clean up the environment. In comparison, only about a quarter of young Generation X members — and 21 percent of Millennials — said the same. Meanwhile, 15 percent of Millennials said they had made no effort to help the environment, compared with 8 percent of young Generation X members and 5 percent of young baby boomers.So how worried should you be?Not very.Don’t take my word for it – listen to Mark Rovner and Alia McKee of Sea Change Strategies. I asked them for their opinion since this is their bailiwick as the principals of a world-class research and online fundraising consulting firm that specializes in deeply understanding audiences and developing creative and effective fundraising and engagement campaigns. (Was that promotion? Yes. But they are the real deal.)Here’s what they say.Alia: “The decline in trust of organizations comes from a lack of honest, open relationships. Most environmental groups have been having one-way conversations for way too long. They are the hero of the story. They need the money. They will save the day…until they don’t. We learned a long time ago that the Sun does not revolve around the Earth. We still haven’t learned that our constituents do not revolve around us. We need to revolve around them.”Well said.Adds Mark: “The macro doesn’t matter – engaging the passionate core does.”When you read headlines like these, don’t despair. You aren’t trying to engage with all youth or convert the unconverted. Your job is to focus on the significant number of people who do care, and then show how they can play a real role in change. That means doing more than sounding alarm bells or talking at people. It means building a relationship and putting those supporters at the center of your story, your efforts and your progress. People always care when you take those steps.
The Top 10 Blog Posts of 2018
The end of the year makes us all a bit reflective. It’s the perfect time to review accomplishments and lessons learned. It’s also a great time to plan for the year to come.Looking back on 2018, we covered a wide array of stories here on the Network for Good blog, ranging from fundraising plans and donor relations to events and storytelling. In addition to evergreen topics, we addressed current affairs and thought leadership ranging from the impact of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) to how to initiate and manage change in your nonprofit.So, without further ado, here are our Top 10 blog posts of 2018. Click on the image below to read them again…or enjoy them for the first time!
Cowdenbeath vs Rangers: TV, stream, & preview
Rangers will go to Central Park, Cowdenbeath for a second time on Wednesday in an attempt to get their Scottish Cup fourth-round tie played.Since the original fixture was frozen off, Steven Gerrard’s men have lost at home to Kilmarnock but bounced back on Sunday by winning 3-1 away to Livingston.Meanwhile, their opponents have fallen behind Stirling Albion and Elgin to seventh in League Two following a 1-0 loss to Clyde at the weekend. Article continues below Editors’ Picks Man Utd ready to spend big on Sancho and Haaland in January Who is Marcus Thuram? Lilian’s son who is top of the Bundesliga with Borussia Monchengladbach Brazil, beware! Messi and Argentina out for revenge after Copa controversy Best player in MLS? Zlatan wasn’t even the best player in LA! The winners will go to Kilmarnock a week on Saturday for a fifth-round tie. Game Cowdenbeath vs Rangers Date Wednesday, January 30 Time 7:45pm GMT / 2:45pm ET TV Channel, Live Stream & How To Watch In the United States (US), the game can be streamed via ESPN+. US TV channel Online stream N/A ESPN+ In the UK, the game will be shown on Premier Sports 1 and can be streamed via Premier Player. UK TV channel Online stream Premier Sports 1 Premier Player Squads & Team News Position Cowdenbeath squad Goalkeepers McGurn, Goodfellow Defenders Pyper, Marsh, Deas, Talbot, Swann, Mullen Midfielders Fraser, Fotheringham, Scott, Miller, Sneddon, Kay, Malcolm Forwards Cox, Buchanan, Renton, Sheerin, Muirhead, Allan, Henvey Cowdenbeath are set to have a fully-fit squad to pick from in midweek, with the exception being long-term absentee Ryan Connolly.Possible Cowdenbeath starting XI: McGurn; Mullen, Pyper, Deas, Talbot; Buchanan, Fraser, Miller; Cox, Renton, Allan Position Rangers squad Goalkeepers McGregor, Foderingham, Robby McCrorie Defenders Tavernier, Flanagan, Ross McCrorie, Katic, Bradley, Barisic, Worrall, McAuley Midfielders Jack, Halliday, Coulibaly, Arfield, Kelly, Grezda, Davis Forwards Candeias, Morelos, Lafferty, Middleton, Defoe Rangers boss Steven Gerrard has a familiar list of complaints to handle ahead of this encounter. Connor Goldson, Jamie Murphy, Graham Dorrans and Eros Grezda all remain sidelined.If any rotation takes place, it is not expected to be widespread.Possible Rangers starting XI: Foderingham; Tavernier, Katic, McAuley, Halliday; Arfield, Jack, McCrorie; Candeias, Morelos, KentBetting & Match Odds Rangers are priced as 1/12 favourites to win this game by bet365 . Cowdenbeath are considered a 20/1 bet to win, while a draw is 10/1.Click here to see more offers for the game, including goalscoring markets, correct score predictions and more. Match Preview 
Freezing weather conditions saw Rangers’ initial fixture with Cowdenbeath postponed nearly a fortnight ago, although the home side argued that their pitch was in a playable condition.This time around, there should be no problems, despite overnight temperatures dipping below zero as the Glasgow giants have helped to fund pitch protection that will ensure the game goes ahead as planned.The initial tie was due to be the Gers’ return to action after the winter break and promised to be an awkward affair at an unusual venue and on a difficult surface. Although these have not improved any, Steven Gerrard’s side are at least back into the swing of competitive football, albeit not as convincingly as the manager might have hoped.A 2-1 loss to Kilmarnock damaged the club’s title hopes, although they did get back on track somewhat by beating Livingston 3-0 at the weekend.Gerrard branded that display “ruthless” and he will be eager for more of the same on Wednesday against opponents who are to be found at the opposite end of Scottish football’s spectrum, struggling to stay in the playoff hunt in League Two.Cowdenbeath suffered a 1-0 loss to Clyde on Saturday and have been in indifferent form of late.If they were to even draw on Wednesday, it would go down as perhaps the greatest Scottish Cup shock of all time.The prize that the teams are playing for is a trip to Kilmarnock on February 9, where Rangers would hope to exact revenge upon their hosts.
‘Madness to rule Tottenham out of title race’
Ruling Tottenham out of the Premier League title race would be “madness”, says Peter Crouch, with Mauricio Pochettino’s side very much in the mix despite Liverpool and Manchester City leading the charge.Spurs continue to sail under the radar as attention is focused on others.They are, however, just five points off the pace as things stand and have key men to welcome back into the fold. Article continues below Editors’ Picks Man Utd ready to spend big on Sancho and Haaland in January Who is Marcus Thuram? Lilian’s son who is top of the Bundesliga with Borussia Monchengladbach Brazil, beware! Messi and Argentina out for revenge after Copa controversy Best player in MLS? Zlatan wasn’t even the best player in LA! A challenge for the top-flight crown has been sustained while Harry Kane and Dele Alli are sidelined, with there little to suggest that the north London outfit cannot keep themselves in contention.That is an opinion shared by former Spurs striker Crouch, with the ex-England international telling the Daily Mail: “It’s madness, given there is so much football to play.“It is also madness to rule out Tottenham, who are right in there as well.”Crouch added on a Tottenham side which has won 19 of its 25 games so far: “I know bookmakers have them as third favourites but, for the points they have racked up, you simply cannot take them out of the discussion.“There is a trait about modern football that I don’t particularly like – the need to make instant and definitive predictions.“I say I don’t like it, but I also have to admit it’s something of which I have been guilty.”
Plenty more twists and turns are expected in a title battle tipped by many to go down to the wire, with Liverpool and City having suffered untimely wobbles over recent weeks.Crouch said: “The title race is the subject that is prompting everyone to put their necks on the line and the past fortnight has been especially revealing for rash judgments.“Manchester City lost at Newcastle and the title was Liverpool’s to lose. Then Liverpool drew at home to Leicester, City beat Arsenal and West Ham took points off Liverpool.“Now we are in the position, following City’s win at Goodison Park, when everyone is saying it is over to Pep Guardiola’s side again.“The Premier League is the best league in the world because anyone can beat anyone and you have to keep this in mind.”Tottenham are back in action on Sunday when they take on Leicester at Wembley Stadium. Check out Goal’s Premier League 2019-20 fantasy football podcast for game tips, debate and rivalries.
Ronaldo had a good game – Allegri
Juventus head coach Massimiliano Allegri defended Cristiano Ronaldo after the forward’s subdued display in a 2-0 loss to Atletico Madrid on Wednesday.Late goals from Jose Gimenez and Diego Godin gave Atletico a deserved win in the first leg of the Champions League last-16 tie at the Wanda Metropolitano.Ronaldo had just one shot on target – of Juve’s three – and Godin’s goal deflected in off him in the 83rd minute. Article continues below Editors’ Picks Man Utd ready to spend big on Sancho and Haaland in January Who is Marcus Thuram? Lilian’s son who is top of the Bundesliga with Borussia Monchengladbach Brazil, beware! Messi and Argentina out for revenge after Copa controversy Best player in MLS? Zlatan wasn’t even the best player in LA! But Allegri backed the 34-year-old’s performance and said the clash would be beneficial heading into the second leg in Turin on March 12.”Ronaldo played a good game,” he told a news conference.”He is confident with these kinds of matches. He was not bad at all.”We missed all the second half as a team. And this match will be useful looking forward to the second leg.”Ronaldo failed to cover himself in grace following the match either, taunting the Atletico faithful despite being beaten. Walking through the mixed zone after the game he barked: “I have five Champions Leagues, you [Atletico] have none.”The 34-year-old won the Europe’s top competition with Manchester United in 2008 before scooping it four times with Los Blancos – including twice at the expense of city rivals Atletico in the 2014 and 2016 finals.FT: Still 90′ to be fought to continue our journey #FinoAllaFine #AtletiJuve #ForzaJuve pic.twitter.com/4I2oCari4z — JuventusFC (@juventusfcen) February 20, 2019 Ronaldo also took the time out during the match to hold up five fingers in view of the Los Colchoneros support, to further emphasise his superiority in Europe’s premier club competition. Juve are 13 points clear at the top of Serie A and will be looking to turn around the tie with Atletico on March 12 when the return leg takes place in Turin. The Italian giants have failed to win any the last five Champions League knockout ties in which they have lost the first match. But Allegri has called on his side to keep the faith and believes they can turn things around next month on their home ground. The club will return to action Sunday with a league clash against Bologna.
‘Man Utd could easily go and win the Champions League’
Manchester United have been told “don’t spoil it” by handing Ole Gunner Solskjaer a permanent contract at this stage, with Phil Neville of the opinion that an interim boss can deliver Champions League glory.Calls for a Treble-winning hero from the Red Devils’ past to be tied down on a full-time deal have been mounting in intensity over recent weeks.Solskjaer has overseen 14 wins in 17 games at the helm, with impressive progress being made at home and abroad by a side that had looked lost under the guidance of Jose Mourinho. Article continues below Editors’ Picks Man Utd ready to spend big on Sancho and Haaland in January Who is Marcus Thuram? Lilian’s son who is top of the Bundesliga with Borussia Monchengladbach Brazil, beware! Messi and Argentina out for revenge after Copa controversy Best player in MLS? Zlatan wasn’t even the best player in LA! It appears to be only a matter of time before the Norwegian’s efforts are rewarded, but Neville says there is no rush to talk terms as the current order of things at Old Trafford is delivering the required results and keeping everybody on their toes.The former United defender told talkSPORT: “As a supporter, it feels like we’ve got our Manchester United back.“Ole’s done an unbelievable job. He’s embraced everything and let the players play with a smile on their face.“United’s not about the results, United is about seeing a team fight and seeing a team play right up to the very last minute, with a togetherness and a spirit.“Everything that he’s done has been right. He’s getting every ounce of ability and effort out of these players.“Management isn’t all about tactics; it’s about managing a set of players to get the best out of them.“Part of me says don’t give [the permanent job] to him yet. Everything’s going really well, don’t spoil it. Just let the players keep fighting for him.“I think it’s impossible not to give him the job. That’s my opinion. But why not just keep this momentum going and keep this bandwagon going?”
Solskjaer’s most recent success saw him piece together the master plan for a stunning 3-1 victory over Paris Saint-Germain which has carried United into the Champions League quarter-finals.History was made in overturning a two-goal first leg deficit, with the Red Devils now being tipped to emulate the success enjoyed by a former striker in his playing days – with the FA Cup also still up for grabs.Neville added: “United have real momentum now they could easily go and win the Champions League.“I’d run through a brick wall for him. People questioned whether he’d be good enough. He’s rammed that down everyone’s throat!”United, who have returned to the the Premier League’s top four as a result of their recent run, will be back in domestic action on Sunday when they take in a trip to Arsenal. Check out Goal’s Premier League 2019-20 fantasy football podcast for game tips, debate and rivalries.
7 Staggering facts about your coffee cup
Good to Go on FastCoExist.Freelancers, how do you get your environmentally friendly coffee fix? Brick-on Brick mug from Think GeekDrink coffee at home, in your jammies. Coffee + Jammies = Productivity! Or out of mugs at the coffee shop (jammies optional).Share cups with other likeminded Earth enthusiasts through cup sharing programs like this one! It’s no surprise that we humans LOVE coffee. What’s not to love? Coffee is the sweet elixir of the gods that fuels our entrepreneurial endeavors, or at least makes many of us far more pleasant to be around.A good and easy way to make a change and love your coffee even more is by ditching the paper coffee cup.While Earth Day may be over, that doesn’t mean we should give up trying to be responsible inhabitants of this lovely little planet. The little changes and choices that we make are going to make the biggest positive impact.Some staggering facts about disposable paper coffee cups:1. 58 billion paper cups are tossed out annually in the United States ALONE.2. Every four paper cups manufactured equals one pound of C02 emissions (if one pound doesn’t seem like that big of a deal, here’s why you should worry about it).3. 20 million trees are cut down to make paper cups every year.**4.**12 billion gallons of water are used in the making of paper cups annually.5. If you were to save a cup a day for 40 years you would save 24 trees.6. 53,000 homes could be powered every year by energy that’s used to make and dispose of paper cups.7. Many paper cups are coated with plastic and therefore cannot be recycled.The moral of the story is that paper cups use an unbelievable amount of resources to manufacture and create an unnecessary amount of waste.What are the alternatives?So what is an environmentally responsible person to do? Well the obvious answer is to switch to a reusable option.A travel mug! There are a plethora of models to choose from and even some on the more innovative side.
Freelancers make business better, together: RSVP for July 1 Spark
Whether you’re a graphic designer, copywriter, or filmmaker, you’ve surely also got something to say about marketing, tax-filing, time-keeping, goal-setting, and coffee shop-hanging.That’s why we decided to make July 1 Spark a “Peer-to-Peer Business Workshop.”Freelancers see the 360° of business unlike anyone else. So what better way to answer your most pressing business-related questions than by crowdsourcing targeted feedback from experienced peers?At this Spark event, attendees will:Brainstorm actionable steps to help hold yourself accountable to your goalsPresent your most pressing questions to freelance experts for feedback and adviceShare best practices for growing a successful businessInterested in giving attendees advice on how to grow and run a successful freelance business? Apply here to be an expert speaker in your city.Help get the conversation going early by sharing your expert tips in our National Spark Hive.RSVP to the Spark closest to youDon’t see a Spark in your city? Apply to be an organizer! Even in cities with a Spark, organizers love to collaborate and are always looking for new helping hands. Apply here today!AtlantaAustinBrooklynChicagoCulver CityJersey CityLos AngelesMadisonManhattanMemphisMinneapolisPhiladelphiaPhoenixPortlandSan AntonioSan DiegoSan FranciscoSeattleSpark is sponsored by FreshbooksFreshBooks is the #1 cloud accounting software designed exclusively for service-based small business owners. Freelancers Union members receive a 30 day trial and a 10% discount on any paid FreshBooks package. Access the discount here.
Dont go to the ill with a glum face: Choreographer
By Anand MishraMumbai, Sep 3 (PTI) “Dont come to meet me with your gloomy faces and words of sympathy. Come smiling, bring me some cheer.”This was was the plea noted choreographer Ananda Shankar Jayant made to those who wished to meet her when she underwent treatment for a bout of cancer a few years back.A senior Indian Railway officer, Ananda, who battled cancer successfully, is not only back in her office but has been actively pursuing her passion for dancing.Besides, she also engages herself as a motivational speaker and social worker.”Light up the passion to achieve the goal and fulfil it by redefining your skills,” is the mantra of 54-year-old Ananda, who also runs a dance institute, Shankarananda Kalakshetra, in Hyderabad.The centre has groomed scores of dancers and organised several cultural festivals.It was in 2008, shortly after she was awarded with Padma Shri, that the 1987-batch IRTS (Indian Railway Traffic Service) officer was diagnosed with breast cancer.The initial shock lasted only for a while. She resolved to fight it out by pulling all her inner strength.Ananda recalls how she used to tell those who came to see her when she was under treatment that they should cheer her instead of simply sympathising with anxiety writ large on their faces.”Whenever someone would come to see me, I cautioned them to meet me with a smiling face with no sympathetic words. Usually, when someone or your relatives come to meet you in such situations, they first come with a dejected face as if it is a pre-requisite condition,” Ananda, who was in Mumbai recently to perform at a dance event, told PTI.advertisementAnanda is not just a bureaucrat and choreographer, specialising in Bharatnatyam and Kuchipudi, two major Indian classical dance forms. Of late, she has also been giving a lot of motivational speeches.An alumnus of the famed Kalakshetra in Chennai, she started taking lessons in dancing at a tender age, and believes in the dictum, catch them young.With this aim, she has launched a dance-practice app called “Natyarambha”, to make learning Bharatnatyam easier.A TED speaker, her talk is ranked as one of the 50 Amazingly Motivational talks on YouTube as well as one of the 12 Incredible TED talks on cancer.A few months back, she addressed an India Conference at the Harvard University in the US.Emphasising the role of challenges in life, the Sangeet Natak Akademi awardee said such crises could be overcome by pulling the inner strength.”Challenges may come in many forms like financial, physical and health. They work like a mirror or say a prism that reflects the real colour of the life and describe what kind of mettle we are made of. If you take it sportingly, it gives you the chance to rise and shine,” she said.A doctorate holder in tourism, she has an appeal to people to help patients battling cancer by setting aside a portion of the money lavished during festive occasions.”Rather than spending lavishly on festivals like Diwali or Ganeshotsav, or gifting designer sarees to your family members, gift her with a mammogram test,” she added. PTI APM NM RSY
BCCI plans to have FTP for women: Shetty
Thiruvananthapuram, Oct 2 (PTI) The Board of Control for Cricket in India has planned a Future Tours Programme for the women cricketers, BCCI General Manager Ratnakar Shetty said here today.”We are now planning to have a FTP at the international level like the mens team for ODIs and T20s and that is working out well. Dont go by the quantity of matches but go by the fact that we will be playing better teams in the next two years and our girls will get a chance to compete at that level,” said Shetty.He was speaking at a panel discussion on womens cricket here as part of the 40th National Convention of the Sports Journalists Federation of India.”Womens cricket came under BCCI in 2006 and the last 11 years has seen a lot of progress in terms of facilities that are available for girls, even at the state level and the BCCI level,” he said.”There is a common question that there are not enough matches for women. What is important to understand is that, and this was at the ICC forum I attended, countries like England and Australia are not keen on Test matches. Every country and ICC is first interested in creating a base for womens cricket for promotion of the game in all the nations which play cricket,” said Shetty.”Therefore the focus is only on limited overs cricket, the ODIs and T20s. In the ODI World Cup in England recently, the girls played some outstanding cricket and suddenly there was a lot of enthusiasm among the journalist fraternity which was not seen earlier. And because of the matches being shown on television, girls like Mithali (Raj) became a household name, and someone like Harmanpreet (Kaur) is equivalent to a mens cricketer and that gives us great joy,” he added.advertisementShetty, who has taken up the additional responsibility of in-charge of the womens game, said the structure of the game in India has been altered.”We have restructured the womens cricket at the junior level and we will have an U-16 tournament at the zonal level because I can tell you from my experience that it is not easy to get 15 players in every state association.”So this year we will have zonal tournament for U-16. We already have a U-19 tournament and we have U-23 where they play One-day games and this year onwards they will play T20. We have a senior womens tournament where we have one-day games, three-day games and T20s. The U-19 girls also play two day games, so this is the structure we have decided for womens cricket under BCCI,” he added.Former India womens captain, Shubangi Kulkarni, also took part in the discussion. PTI SSR PDS PDS