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Burnout is Biased, and It Needs Addressing

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Burnout is Biased

In workplaces across the world, bias, both conscious and unconscious, is applied on a daily basis. Positive biases, such as people with glasses seen as intelligent, are often not realised as a bias. However negative biases, where the implication for the person involved is negative is harder to manage with and deal with.

So, what biases exist in the workplace, and how can we combat them through action, rather than reaction?

Why is burnout having its ‘moment’?

For many people, life before the pandemic was what we expected, and we were used to it. Then, when restrictions hit and we left offices, workplaces and retreated to our homes, there was fear, uncertainty and no one really knew what was coming the next day.

Now, with restrictions easing in most places across the world, vaccination efforts ramping up and more, people are returning to what was normal life, and realising that they no longer have the energy to maintain that.

The pandemic has made us all slow down, appreciate certain aspects of our life more and make us realise our values. For office workers, where life was hectic and non-stop, homeworking gave us an opportunity to slow down and take time in our days to look after ourselves. Now, returning to offices, these luxuries have gone and made people realise that they were burnt out before, or with the added stress of the ongoing pandemic, are burnt out now.

However, there’s another part to this story. Those in marginalised minorities are experiencing greater rates of burnout and are feeling it more intensely. Whether from external factors such as increased violence against their community, or from being stuck in homes that aren’t affirming of them, all these factors increase minority burnout.

Marginalised community burnout: why are they affected?

For those who don’t conform to the large majority that society expects, life is harder. It’s harder to stand out in a world that doesn’t always accept you than it is to blend in and accept what the world wants.

These minorities don’t always have to be specific groups, for example, those with menopause will struggle in the workplace as they begin a huge hormonal change in their lives.

Marginalised communities and minorities are, across the board, feeling burnout at a greater rate than others. It’s because not only do they have to deal with the change in life, but they also face pressures from external factors, whether it be the news reporting on fatal attacks, biased reporting in other media sources, family pressures as well as feeling like the ‘only one’ in their workplace or friendship group.

How burnout affects minorities

For minorities, there’s many reasons why, and how, burnout affects them, more.

As an example, representation burnout, where someone who identifies as the ‘only one’ in a certain enviroment, whether due to their race, ethnicity, sexuality, gender presentation or identity, or something else, is experienced by the minority in the room. This may be because they feel like they need to hold back in sharing ideas, or speaking up in meetings, as they are unconsciously aware of affinity bias.

Affinity bias is where people highlight people like themselves over others, whether this is addressing them in meetings more, promoting them first, or even hiring them more than others!

Halo or Horns Effect

The halo or horns effect is one that affects individuals, often in the hiring process. The halo effect is when we see an individual as excellent due to one exceptional quality, whether that be a previous employer, an accolade, or a place of education.

This is called the halo effect because one single effect is blinding of all others. This can reaffirm someone who may be mundane at their job, but because of institutional heritage, such as the opportunity to get into a better school or more.

At the other end of the scale, there’s the horns effect, where a single negative attribute blinds any positives. This is often attributed to things like someone’s name, race, sexuality or more and tends to disproportionately affect minorities.

How we can all work to reduce biased burnout

For many companies, diversity is used as a tokenistic effort. It’s the inclusivity that matters, and this doesn’t necessarily have to be large sweeping efforts.

Individual day to day efforts are more appreciated than policies that don’t actually translate into seen changes for employees.

Employers can make change by:

  • Creating inclusivity at every level of employee
  • ‘Blind hire’ by where you anonymise CVs and hire based on experience
  • Encourage employees to share experiences
  • Educate HR employees on anti-racism and other minority issues, so they can be more aware of minority struggles

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Weirdos!- 10 of the most bizarre startups that have ever been launched

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bizarre startups

The world of startups is a constantly evolving one, with new and innovative ideas popping up all the time. But sometimes, these ideas can be a little bit…bizarre.

In this article, we’ll take a look at 10 of the most bizarre startups that have ever been launched. From a company that sells pet rocks to a company that offers human pet services, these startups are sure to make you scratch your head.

So sit back, relax, and enjoy a look at some of the most bizarre startups ever created.

1. The Human Pet

In 2007, a man named Michael Oddo launched a business called Human Pet. The company’s website offered people the chance to pay to have Oddo as their personal pet for a day. Oddo would follow his clients around, do whatever they wanted, and even sleep in their bed. The service was met with mixed reactions, with some people finding it amusing and others finding it creepy.

2. The Smell-o-Vision

In the 1950s, a company called Smell-o-Vision tried to revolutionize the movie-going experience by adding scents to the films. The company released a few films that were equipped with Smell-o-Vision, but the technology never really caught on. One of the biggest problems with Smell-o-Vision was that the scents were often overpowering and could be unpleasant.

3. The Pet Rock

In 1975, Gary Dahl created a novelty product called the Pet Rock. The Pet Rock was a small, smooth rock that came in a cardboard box with a care manual. The manual included instructions on how to feed, groom, and train your Pet Rock. The Pet Rock was an instant success, selling over 1.5 million units in its first year.

4. The Chia Pet

In 1977, Joseph Enterprises released the Chia Pet, a terracotta figurine that could be grown into a Chia plant. The Chia Pet was an instant hit, selling over 6 million units in its first year. The Chia Pet’s popularity can be attributed to its low price, its ease of use, and its novelty factor.

5. The Tickle Me Elmo

In 1996, Tyco Toys released the Tickle Me Elmo, a plush toy that would laugh and wiggle when it was tickled. The Tickle Me Elmo was an instant phenomenon, selling over 30 million units in its first year. The toy’s popularity can be attributed to its cuteness, its interactivity, and its limited availability.

6. The Pet Hamster Bank

In the 1970s, a company called The Original Hamster Bank released a novelty bank in the shape of a hamster cage. The bank came with a hamster that would run on a wheel and deposit coins into a piggy bank. The Pet Hamster Bank was a popular toy for children, but it was also criticized for being cruel to animals.

7. The Cabbage Patch Kids

In 1983, Coleco released the Cabbage Patch Kids, a line of plush dolls that were marketed as “adoptions.” The Cabbage Patch Kids were an instant hit, with parents lining up for hours to buy them. The dolls’ popularity can be attributed to their unique appearance, their adoption storyline, and their limited availability.

8. The Furby

In 1998, Tiger Electronics released the Furby, a robotic toy that could talk, sing, and learn new words. The Furby was an instant hit, selling over 100 million units worldwide. The toy’s popularity can be attributed to its cuteness, its interactivity, and its ability to learn and grow.

9. The Pet Rock 2.0

In 2017, Gary Dahl released a new version of the Pet Rock called the Pet Rock 2.0. The new Pet Rock came with a variety of accessories, including a carrying case, a feeding bowl, and a grooming brush. The Pet Rock 2.0 was not as successful as the original Pet Rock, but it did manage to sell a few thousand units.

10. The Squatty Potty

In 2015, Squatty Potty released a toilet stool that was designed to help people poop more easily. The Squatty Potty quickly became a popular product, selling over 1 million units in its first year. The product’s popularity can be attributed to its simple design, its effectiveness, and its viral marketing campaign.

While some of these bizarre startups have been successful, others have failed miserably. But all of them have one thing in common: they are all unique and memorable.

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Here’s why Gen Z is bound to be the most successful entrepreneurial generation in the history of mankind!

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gen z entrepreneurs

Generation Z, also known as Gen Z or iGen, is the demographic cohort succeeding Millennials and preceding Generation Alpha. Researchers and popular media use the mid-to-late 1990s as starting birth years and the early 2010s as ending birth years.

Gen Z is the most diverse generation in history, with people of color making up a majority of the population in the United States. They are also the most digitally savvy generation, having grown up with the internet and social media.

These factors make Gen Z well-positioned to become one of the most entrepreneurial generations in history. Here are five reasons why:

They are tech-savvy. Gen Z grew up with technology, and they are experts at using it. They are comfortable with online platforms and social media, and they know how to use technology to their advantage. This makes them well-positioned to start and grow businesses in the digital age.

Gen Z entrepreneurs are using social media to reach a global audience and to build communities around their businesses. They are also using technology to create new products and services that meet the needs of their customers.

They are creative. Gen Z is a creative generation. They are not afraid to think outside the box, and they are always coming up with new ideas. This creativity is a valuable asset for entrepreneurs, as it allows them to come up with new products and services that meet the needs of their customers.

Gen Z entrepreneurs are using their creativity to come up with new ways to sell products and services. They are also using their creativity to come up with new ways to market their businesses.

They are connected. Gen Z is the most connected generation in history. They are constantly connected to the internet and to each other, and they use this connectivity to their advantage. They can use social media to reach a global audience, and they can use online platforms to find resources and support. This connectivity makes it easier for Gen Z entrepreneurs to start and grow businesses.

Gen Z entrepreneurs are using social media to connect with potential customers and to build relationships with other entrepreneurs. They are also using online platforms to find funding and to get advice from experts.

They are adaptable. Gen Z is an adaptable generation. They have grown up in a time of rapid change, and they are used to adapting to new situations. This adaptability is a valuable asset for entrepreneurs, as it allows them to pivot when necessary and to take advantage of new opportunities.

Gen Z entrepreneurs are using their adaptability to respond to the changing needs of their customers. They are also using their adaptability to take advantage of new technologies and trends.

They are ambitious. Gen Z is an ambitious generation. They are driven to succeed, and they are not afraid to take risks. This ambition is a key ingredient for success in entrepreneurship, and it is something that Gen Z has in spades.

Gen Z entrepreneurs are setting ambitious goals for their businesses. They are also taking risks in order to achieve their goals.

In conclusion, Gen Z has a lot of the qualities that make for successful entrepreneurs. They are tech-savvy, creative, connected, adaptable, and ambitious. With these qualities, they are poised to become one of the most entrepreneurial generations in history.

Here are some additional reasons why Gen Z is poised to become one of the most entrepreneurial generations in history:

  • They are motivated by purpose. Gen Z is motivated by purpose, and they want to use their businesses to make a difference in the world. They are more likely to start businesses that are focused on social good, such as sustainability, environmentalism, and social justice.
  • They are collaborative. Gen Z is collaborative, and they are more likely to start businesses with friends or family members. They are also more likely to partner with other businesses or organizations to achieve their goals.
  • They are resilient. Gen Z is resilient, and they are not afraid to fail. They are more likely to learn from their mistakes and to keep trying until they succeed.

With these qualities, Gen Z is poised to make a big impact on the world of entrepreneurship. They are the generation that will change the world, and they are the generation that will start the next wave of innovative businesses.

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These are the 5 worst places to do business in the US!

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Top 5 worst places to do business in the US

Starting a business is a big undertaking, and it’s important to choose the right location. Some places are better for business than others, and there are a number of factors to consider when making your decision.

One of the most important factors is the cost of doing business. The cost of rent, labor, and other expenses can vary widely from one place to another. It’s important to factor in these costs when you’re considering where to start your business.

Another important factor is the availability of skilled workers. A good business needs a good workforce, and it’s important to make sure that there are qualified people available in the area where you want to start your business.

The business climate is another important factor to consider. Some places are more business-friendly than others. This means that there are fewer regulations and taxes, and the government is more supportive of businesses.

Finally, you need to consider the overall quality of life in the area. This includes things like the cost of living, the crime rate, and the quality of schools and healthcare.

If you’re considering starting a business, it’s important to do your research and choose the right location. The wrong location can make it difficult to succeed, so it’s important to choose a place that has a favorable business climate and a good quality of life.

Here are some of the worst places to do business in the United States:

  • Detroit, Michigan: Detroit has been struggling economically for decades, and it’s one of the worst places to do business in the United States. The cost of living is high, while wages remain low compared to other cities. Furthermore, Detroit’s crumbling infrastructure and crumbling industrial base make it difficult for businesses to operate in a safe and efficient manner.
  • Cleveland, Ohio: Like Detroit, Cleveland has suffered from decades of economic decline, making it difficult for businesses to find success in the city. The cost of living is high, while wages remain low compared to other cities. Additionally, Cleveland has a high crime rate, which can make it difficult to attract and retain employees.
  • St. Louis, Missouri: St. Louis has a number of problems that make it a difficult place to do business. The city has a high crime rate, a poor public education system, and a struggling economy. Additionally, St. Louis’s high cost of living can make it difficult for businesses to compete.
  • Memphis, Tennessee: Memphis has a number of problems that make it a difficult place to do business. The city has a high crime rate, a poor public education system, and a struggling economy. Additionally, Memphis’s high cost of living can make it difficult for businesses to compete.
  • Baltimore, Maryland: Baltimore has a number of problems that make it a difficult place to do business. The city has a high crime rate, a poor public education system, and a struggling economy. Additionally, Baltimore’s high cost of living can make it difficult for businesses to compete.

These are just a few of the worst places to do business in the United States. If you’re considering starting a business, it’s important to do your research and choose a location that has a favorable business climate and a good quality of life.

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