Wharton Marketing professor Stefano Puntoni and his co-author say, “Consumers prefer the unique qualities that human labor gives to certain products and services….” “The findings suggest companies automating for supply-side reasons may want to keep their employees because of the value they bring to the demand side.”

When industiral revolution began, workers in England threw “Sabots” (wooden shoes) into the grinding gears of industiral machines. Thus the word “sabotage” came to be used. Industrial revolution brought many new jobs, lost some old artisan jobs. Similarly, when computers became common, workers and unions feared job losses. Instead, IT boom created many more jobs than were lost.
SO FEAR NOT. Human touch will become more important. AI will make this world a better place, if and when we use it wisely.

Pradeep Ganguly

An organization where employees FEEL that they are:
heard,
they are a part of the team,
they are appreciated,
AND that they are are vital to the mission and goals of the organization.
Let’s listen up. ALL ideas are important/valuable (however ridiculous they may first appear to be).

Pradeep Ganguly

https://www.linkedin.com/feed/hashtag/?keywords=organizationalculture&highlightedUpdateUrns=urn%3Ali%3Aactivity%3A7097643604415766528

In his book, “The Future of the Office: Work from Home, Remote Work, and the Hard Choices We All Face,” Professor Peter Cappelli says “the choices employees and employers must make about the future of work could be among the most important they face.” 

(Source: What’s the Future of the Office? – Knowledge@Wharton (upenn.edu)  

Cappelli correctly states, “we don’t know how well things worked during the pandemic’s WFH phase.”

Professor Cappelli is right.  It is time for us to ponder the “Future of Work.”

While many employees and businesses felt that WFH was great, others were not so enthusiastic.  For one, many businesses were not prepared to set up their employees for WFH protocols – equipment, security, reporting and directions.  It took time for businesses to figure these important variables.  May employees also were not fully prepared to work from home, did not always have the right work environment at home, did not have clear mandates and directions, and were unable to juggle work with home responsibilities and leisure time.

I also see many EMPTY office buildings and office parks.  What does it mean for the future of commercial real estate?  How can we incentivize businesses to expand, re-start and fill these vacant office buildings? What will it take to fill empty office and commercial buildings?

There are many questions to consider as we enter the post-pandemic phase: the future of commercial real estate, telework and WFH protocols, the need for employee interactions, the role of the manager/leader, and customer service.  Not all industries can embrace WFH, and others cannot allow remote work for various reasons.  

Business is important; businesses are the foundation of our economy.  Work-life balance is also important – it is important for employee health and morale.  Let us consider a few options: 1). 1-day WFH (rest in the office). 2). Ten-hour work days with a day off each week. 3). A. 28-day holiday plan for employees, with the requirement that no more than 14 days can be taken at a time. 4). Lower commercial lease rates, since facilities will require less maintenance and upkeep. Perhaps a government rent-subsidy can facilitate this.  

There are other options, and I would like to see your suggestions and comments.

Respectfully, 

Pradeep Ganguly, Ph.D.

According to Marcel Schwantes (INC. Contributing Editor and Founder, Leadership from the Core), there are SIX key phrases – if you use them a lot, you are a better leader than you think.

·      We could not have done it without your hard effort.

·      I could use your advice on what direction to take

·      How can I help?

·      I trust you.

·      Honestly, I don’t know.

·      What do you need from me?

Read the full article here:  If You Use These 6 Phrases a Lot, You’re a Better Leader Than You Think | Inc.com

Pradeep Ganguly

The Continents States University

Yahoo Finance reports that “Google has developed a quantum computer that instantly makes calculations that would take the best existing supercomputers 47 years….  Proponents of quantum computers say the technology, which relies on the peculiar states of quantum physics, can create hugely powerful machines able to battle climate change and create breakthrough drugs.  However, they also threaten to undermine today’s encryption systems, making them a national security priority.”  Supercomputer makes calculations in blink of an eye that take rivals 47 years (yahoo.com)

Question1:  Do you think this is the wave of the future for technology?

Question 2:  What good can Quantum Computing Do?  What can we do to protect us from harm?

Pradeep Ganguly

Knowledge@Wharton has a great article/podcast: “Learning to Be a Better Leader.” Learning to Be a Better Leader – Knowledge@Wharton (upenn.edu)

As Wharton professor Michael Useem says, ““There’s no medication to make you a leader, no pill you can take, no simple solution for it.”  

The Covid-19 pandemic has changed our business world for-ever.  We have had to learn new skills and new management styles to lead our teams.  The business world and management requirements will change again in a few years – with or without an external shock.  Leaders will have to evolve and learn as well.  Like professor Useem says, “It is a lifelong process.”

Respectfully, Pradeep Ganguly

The Continents States University has announced that Dr. Pradeep Ganguly will be the Dean of the College of Business and Entrepreneurship. Dr. Ganguly is a reputed economic development advisor and strategic management professor with many years of experience in these domains.

“We are happy to announce the appointment of Dr. Pradeep Ganguly as the new Dean of the College of Business and Entrepreneurship, ” says The Continents States University spokesperson. “Dr. Ganguly has a Ph.D. in Applied Economics, has many years of graduate-level teaching experience in strategic management, and is a renowned economic development advisor. He received the Economic Development “Hall of Fame” award in 2019. 

Dr. Ganguly earned his PhD from Clemson University in the United States and also completed his further education in Leading Economic Growth from Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.

His appointment will help The Continents States University manage the College of Business and Entrepreneurship more efficiently as he brings his many years of experience to the institution.”

The College of Business and Entrepreneurship offers a multi-faceted degree that helps students gain expertise in making financial decisions. The program’s key objective is to help students develop and design an efficient method for handling mutable skills. Students can

• Develop skills and the ability to make sound financial and management decisions.
• Design and apply methodological ways of executing organizational change and achieve sustainable growth.
• Develop motivated leadership and support management leaders.

The degree program also assists students in managing complex agendas based on sound ethics and help organizations comply with corporate social responsibility. The course helps them enhance their skills in managing and resolving difficult and ever-changing business issues.

The appointment of Dr. Pradeep Ganguly as the Dean of the College of Business and Entrepreneurship is a move in the right direction for the institution, which is rapidly gaining popularity for its quality online degree courses.

Dr. Ganguly brings the institution a wealth of experience and unmatched expertise in strategic management, skill enhancement, economic development, technology applications, and international business. He is a member of the Economic Development Hall of Fame and a Member Client Advisory Board at WRPS.

The Continents States University is an American online university based in St. Louis, Missouri. The University offers high-quality degree programs in Business Administration, Organizational Leadership, and Healthcare Administration.

Every program offered by the University has something of value for the students. The learning journey is not only exciting but highly informative as well. All the degrees are structured for academic achievement.

The University’s mission is to empower future professionals with the best tools and skills so they can explore opportunities in the job market. The affordable and competency-based education provided by The Continents States University enables students to land their dream job quickly across the globe.

The Continents States University adheres to competency-based learning strategies. This type of learning structure allows students to pursue a personalized learning structure where they don’t have to follow a fixed timetable.

Competency-based learning is a flexible learning system that allows students to set a convenient pace of learning based on their needs and commitments. It leads to better student engagement and better outcomes.

Read more:  https://www.digitaljournal.com/pr/news/the-continents-states-university-announces-the-appointment-of-dr-pradeep-ganguly-as-dean-of-the-college-of-business-and-entrepreneurship#ixzz7umoiNvad

TO THE “ASPIRING” LEADER

Harvard Business Review continually highlights emerging ideas in business and management. It is making the world of business a better place!

One such review is “The 6 Fundamental Skills Every Leader Should Practice” by Ron Ashkenas and Brook Manville. So, here is to you – the aspiring leader who is willing to learn and lead. In my view, old-style “managers” are mostly implanted as leaders. Generally, they are entrenched in “that’s the way you will do it” style, or are too “dinosaurite” to entertain new ideas. (PS: another book, also reviewed by HBR, describes them: “Why Do So Many Incompetent Men Become Leaders (And How to Fix It) by Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic). 

As Ashkenas and Manville state, “… the best way to develop proficiency is leadership is not just through reading books and going to training courses, but even more through real experience and continual practice.” So, I paraphrase Ashkenas and Manville below: 

1.     Shape a vision that is exciting and challenging.

2.     Translate that vision into a clear strategy.

3.     Recruit, develop, and reward you team.

4.     Focus on measurable results.

5.     Foster innovation and learning.

6.     Lead yourself, and lead by example.”  

I like “measurable” results, or outcomes that you and eh team have a direct impact on. I also like leading by example – the leader (and the “aspiring” leader) bust never stop to learn! So, learn and practice; practice and learn. You will get noticed for the positive energy you bring to your team and to your organization. Success be to you!

As Dr. Libby Sander says in his recent article “The physical environment of the workplace has a significant effect on the way that we work. When our space is a mess, so are we.” (“The Case for Finally Cleaning Your Desk”). Right on, Dr. Sander! This applies to your WORKPLACE – the office, as well as your workspace at home!

When I work on several concurrent projects, my desk becomes a mess. It would be difficult for me to find the most updated file on the most important project. I would end up spending time recreating or re-writing parts of the report – what a waste of time and the creator of my stress. In my view, the more open tasks you have, the more stress you will have!

Each one of us works concurrently on several projects and tasks – both at work and at home. Therefore, we cannot always avoid clutter. The strategy that works for me is to clean my desk at the end of each week. What also works for me is a system of filing documents and reports – physical files as well as electronic files, AND knowing where to find them. It has saved me time (and money). Each week may not work for you; but, once a month could do the trick.

So, don’t let clutter bury you (while you enjoy “March Madness”). Get organized and tackle your clutter (and enjoy watching your favorite player “bury” the three-point jumper from mid-court).