Curating the Internet: Business, leadership, and management micro-summaries for October 8, 2019

remlaps-lite (76)in #rsslog • 5 years ago

GE Freezes worker pensions; Microsoft CEO says blocking research with China would hurt more than help; Accenture's chief software engineer gives tips for companies that are moving to cloud; A futures market where trader's can bet on Libra's launch date; and a Steem essay arguing that the GM strike is a modern Luddite moment.

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GE freezes worker pensions — what to do if your employer changes the terms of your retirement plan - The move effects 20,000 salaried workers, along with supplementary pension benefits for another 700. When a pension is frozen, it means that no new benefits accrue, but the existing benefits are still insured. Existing retirees are not impacted by the move. Analysts indicate that workers with defined benefit plans have typically sacrificed years worth of raises, in exchange for the security of the defined benefit. When confronted with a situation like this, workers are advised to examine their retirement goals, and see if they need to make any changes, such as increasing contributions to a 401K plan.

Blocking research with China would 'hurt', Microsoft boss says - In an interveiw with BBC, Microsoft CEO, Satya Nadella, argued that a lot of research happens in the open, and putting up barriers will slow the pace of innovation. Critics, however, argue that China could use Microsoft's research towards human rights abuses and for other oppressive purposes. Nadella acknowledged the risk, saying that any technology can be used as a tool, or repurposed as a weapon. Nadella also said that Microsoft retains control over its research, and has declined to participate in research where it had concerns about potential uses. h/t Business Insider

Accenture's chief software engineer shared a 4-step checklist for companies just starting their journey to the cloud — like which projects to pick and how to measure success - (i) Don't over analyze. Just get started.; (ii) Find 'no regret' moves to begin with, then move to bigger projects.; (iii) Take the opportunity to review your application portfolio; and (iv) Measure what matters, not just the economic results.

Now Traders Can Make Bets on When Facebook’s Libra Will Launch - The CoinFLEX crypto futures exchange has launched an Initial Futures Offering (IFO) which enables investors to bet whether Libra will launch before the settlement date, which is December 30, 2020. The project's initial launch date was slated for early 2020, but it now looks like it won't happen until late in the year, or even later. The futures contract is currently set at $0.30, which indicates a 30% chance of launching by the settlement date.

The GM Strike Is All About Technology - In this post, @taskmaster4450 argues that the ongoing 4 week strike at GM is a modern Luddite moment. In this view, the advent of the electric car is reshaping the automotive landscape, because it is easier to manufacture - by virtue of having fewer parts. The strike, then, is because GM and its workers are two sides of the same coin resisting its own unavoidable displacement. (A 10% beneficiary setting has been applied to this post for @taskmaster4450)

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