“Graphene camera” images the electric field of a beating heart | New Atlas

July 15, 2021July 13, 2021 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

Scientists at the University of California, Berkeley, (UC Berkeley) have demonstrated yet another use for the ever-versatile wonder material graphene, using it as the basis for an advanced sensor that can image electrical signals from living cells and tissue in real time. The team’s “graphene camera” was used to record electrical activity of a beating heart in action, and could also open up new sensing capabilities when it comes to the brain.

Graphene is a two-dimensional sheet of carbon measuring just a single atom in thickness, and its incredible list of properties have captured the imagination of scientists from a wide range of research areas. These characteristics include a remarkable thinness, a high thermal and electrical conductivity and a status as the strongest man-made material.

Why companies are offering employees early access to their paychecks | CNN

July 15, 2021July 13, 2021 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

Ethel Lawrence normally doesn’t have a hard time covering her expenses. But when her husband was prescribed a new medication that cost almost $400 a month, she was in shock.

“I was smacked in the face and low on cash. It wasn’t payday yet,” said the 72-year-old Oklahoma resident. “It’s not like it’s optional. It’s not a luxury item you can choose to buy or not. You have to buy it.”

To cover the unexpected expense, Lawrence was able to request a portion of her pay early, enabling her to avoid taking out a loan.

For many workers, two weeks is a long time to wait for a paycheck. And unexpected events — whether it’s an unplanned medical expense or car repair — can be financially devastating.

But a growing number of companies have started offering employees early access to their earned pay.

How to Manage and Improve Poor Employee Performance | businessnewsdaily.com

July 14, 2021July 12, 2021 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

Learn how to identify and improve poor employee performance.

Evaluate employees’ performance by comparing their output and behaviors to the agreed-upon expectations.
Have an in-person discussion with an underperforming employee to identify the reasons for poor performance and create an improvement plan.
Document the employee’s performance and improvement plan to evaluate their future performance and protect your business.
This article is for small business owners, HR professionals and managers who have underperforming employees.

What Is the Most Important Step in Prioritizing Goals? | Life Hack

July 14, 2021July 12, 2021 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

If you’ve ever had the pleasure of attending one of Tony Robbins’ seminars, you have likely heard him say, “successful people ask better questions, and as a result, they get better answers.” I’ve found that he was spot-on—questions reflect how we see the world. As a productivity consultant, one of the most important questions I ask my clients is, “what is the most important step in prioritizing goals?”

Every CEO, executive, manager, and entrepreneur knows the importance of setting goals, but not everyone understands how to set them properly. In fact, many people make the mistake of confusing goals with dreams.

There’s nothing wrong with dreaming. It’s often a great place to visit from time to time, but as Napoleon Hill said, “a goal is a dream with a deadline.” It gets the point across, but there’s a little more to it.

How to Produce a Podcast: Fundamentals | AllBusiness.com

July 13, 2021July 11, 2021 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

Do you have expert knowledge in marketing, finance, or another topic that you would love to share with the world? Hosting your own podcast is a fantastic way to establish your position as a thought leader and share your expertise with a potentially large audience. Podcasts have exploded in popularity in recent years and have become the preferred entertainment medium for countless consumers all over the world.

If you are ready to produce a podcast, it is important that you follow some key fundamental steps.

Biden Could Extend Student Loan Relief Beyond September 30, Even If Unemployment Benefits And The Eviction Moratorium End | Forbes

July 13, 2021July 11, 2021 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

Student loan payments may be delayed beyond September 30, even if unemployment benefits and the eviction moratorium are ending.

Here’s what you need to know.

Student Loans

Student loan borrowers, Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and now some members of the U.S. Department of Education are all lobbying President Joe Biden to extend student loan relief beyond September 30, 2021. Currently, the following student loan relief is set to expire on that date:

Cut water use by 15% this summer, California governor says | Fast Company

July 12, 2021July 11, 2021 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

California Governor Gavin Newsom has asked residents and businesses statewide to cut their water usage by 15% this summer, as low precipitation and low snowpack threaten reservoir levels and raise the specter of another deadly wildfire season.

While some California counties have already instituted mandatory water restrictions, Newsom’s request to reduce usage is voluntary.

“We’re hopeful that people will take that mindset they brought into the last drought and extend that forward,” he said at a Thursday press conference, according to the Los Angeles Times.

16 Tips for a Successful Lunch Meeting | Small Business Trends

July 12, 2021July 11, 2021 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

As more and more business meetings move out of conference rooms and to more casual settings like lunch meetings, there are a few important things to keep in mind. Having a successful lunch meeting can yield a lot of benefits, since it can be a bit more relaxed and informal, and you can have more candid conversations.

To help you maximize your chances of success, we’ve put together the ultimate guide to lunch meetings filled with helpful tips and tricks.

What is a Working Lunch Meeting?

A working lunch meeting is a straightforward part of working life and can take several forms. You can have working meetings outside of the office by going to a nearby restaurant.

Or if you’re meeting a prospective client, taking them out to lunch can help you get to know them better in a more casual way, and you can conduct the meeting on neutral territory. Alternatively, you might invite attendees to a lunch meeting in the office, such as hosting a luncheon in a conference room.

Source: Read More

New Windows 11 Build Improves the Start Menu | Digital Trends

July 9, 2021July 8, 2021 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

A little over a week after Microsoft launched Windows 11 in an early preview with the Windows Insider program, the new operating system is already seeing some big updates.

Microsoft just announced a new Dev Channel build of Windows 11, improving the Start Menu and adding fixes that “make the Windows 11 experience even better.

The big improvement in this build of Windows 11 is a new search box in the Start Menu, making it easier to find what you’re looking for, without the need to open the dedicated search app. Other changes include the return of the Power Mode settings in the Power and Battery page, as well as the ability to right-click on the volume icon in the taskbar to troubleshoot sound problems.

How startups with brand purpose can thrive | The Startup Magazine

July 9, 2021July 8, 2021 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

Establishing a start-up business can be daunting, especially with so much competition around. However, one way that is emerging to ensure success is to focus on brand purpose and how your company can connect with customers on a deeper level.

A recent report published by Feefo found that 74% of customers always consider a brand’s values before purchasing from them. But to allow your business to succeed, we must first try to understand brand purpose is so powerful.

Feefo’s Marketing Director, Keith Povey, says: “It’s been an incredibly volatile 12 months for businesses, which has seen a seismic shift in consumer behaviour, some aspects of which will have a long-lasting effect on how buyers think, act and spend. That said, our research shows that for those businesses that are agile and realign their marketing strategies, there are many opportunities to improve brand awareness, perception and loyalty. Those that respond and act with the medium to long term in mind will see greater returns over the next few years than those that see this period as nothing more than a dip, due to external circumstances.”