Commentary – Page 3

Younos: Water management in the era of cybersecurity and artificial intelligence – Roanoke Times

Water management is an industry that makes use of various technologies such as drones and wireless internet technologies to evaluate water resources. These innovations help transfer data surrounding the water’s quantity and quality. This data often helps in dangerous situations such as floods and other natural disasters by transferring the necessary information to government officials before it’s too late. There is also new technology that detects pipeline leaks to avoid drinking water becoming contaminated or hydrants bursting open.

Key Takeaways:

Smart technology that makes use of sensors, drones and wireless internet, has inherent capabilities that make it useful for enhancing water security.
Such technology can, for example, transfer real-time information to government agencies in the event of a water emergency.
Plans of action in the event of disasters, such as chemical spills, can be initiated that much more speedily with such technology in place to catch the event as soon as possible.

“The impact is very dramatic on water security and water management, which significantly affects human life and ecosystems.”

Drain Cleaning Equipment Market 2019 – Expert Survey, Analysis And Market Professional Inspection Report – Rapid News Network

When it comes to the maintenance of water and sewer utilities, having the proper drain cleaning equipment is an absolute necessity. This equipment includes both hand tools and power tools. Since the American Society of Civil Engineers has determined that water and sewer maintenance will rise in the upcoming years, there will be quite an active market for drain cleaning equipment distributors. The first step in marketing this equipment usually entails segmentation, followed by regional outlooks, and then marketing participants.

Key Takeaways:

Drain cleaning systems are the most important element of drainage systems, but are the most overlooked.
Drain cleaning equipment helps eliminate blockages, which can be difficult to access and even harder to identify.
There are many types of drain cleaning tools, such as hand tools or power tools.

“Drain cleaning equipment help to remove the blockage in these locations and clear the drainage system.”

Machine learning can help us predict landslides caused by climate change – Tech Xplore

Christoph Mertz has a position as a project scientist at Carnegie Mellon University, and he spent months gathering photographs of various hillsides. These photos showed that these areas are becoming wetter and wetter as time goes on. Mertz was determined to develop a machine that would detect signs of landslides becoming active such as cracks in the ground or tilting trees. The current model that him and his team have developed allow these risk factors to be identified for necessary policy adjustments and budget allocation.

Key Takeaways:

Although landslides are a natural occurrence, favorable conditions for their occurrence can be manmade.
When human activity alters a natural slope, or reroutes where waterways, or where rain runoff generally goes, the conditions for a landslide may be initiated.
In 2018, the city of Pittsburgh used up the one million in funds allocated to deal with landslide damage in a matter of months.

“Combined with increased rainfall rates related to climate change, landslides in the United States have become more common and more severe.”

The forgotten dams of Table Mountain – Financial Mail

Residents of Cape Town are becoming increasingly concerned with the threat of water scarcity as the levels of local water are becoming lower and lower. This particular region has historically had problems with their water supply, dating all the way back to the 1800’s. During these times, their main source of water was the Disa River, until Thomas Stewart constructed several stone dams that lay on Table Mountain. This mountain has the ability to store several liters of water at once from winter rain.

Key Takeaways:

In the late 1800’s the main source of water for the city of Cape Town was the Disa River, which slowed to a trickle during the summer.
In the 1890’s, Thomas Stewart, a Scottish hydraulic engineer, was hired to build a series of dams on Table Mountain, above Cape Town.
The largest dam on Table Mountain, Woodhead Dam, created a reservoir which holds nearly 1 billion litres of water to supply Cape Town during the summer.

“High above the city, five remarkable stone dams tell the long history of Cape Town’s strained relationship with water”

5 Tips to Help You Craft a LinkedIn Message Sales Reps Will Respond To

While selling products may not be your idea of a walk in the park, business are seeing an increased demand for people with the ability to sell. In her new blog post, Karyn Mullins reviews some of the tactics that sales minded individuals respond to the most often. By being direct, brief and only including information that will be relevant to accepting a second interaction and providing direct contact information for the company, you’ll likely be happier with your improved success.

Key Takeaways:

Recruiting and hiring a top sales professional can be challenging, which is why a focused approached through LinkedIn is essential.
Ensure the note that you send to the candidate gets straight to the point, ensure it is clear, and have something from your hiring manager.
Finally, make sure you provide an easy way to access your website and make them want to approach you for more information.

“Your first point of contact could make or break your potential relationship with a top sales candidate.”

The Long Reel Ahead: What’s In Store for Video Interviewing

Once the 2000’s came upon us, video conferences became more and more popular throughout the workplace. In 2019, team leaders are now utilizing artificial intelligence (AI) during the hiring process. Hiring managers claim that not only are video interviews an efficient way to evaluate potential employees, but it is also a very engaging process. Candidates will have the opportunity to engage with the system and learn the machinery while they are relaying their skills and abilities.

Key Takeaways:

Teleconferencing took hold around the early 2000s, which also led to the use of videos for interviewing.
Machine learning can aid in the interviewing process by finding patterns that emerge over time.
By finding those patterns that underscore the more effective interviews, it is possible to develop predictive models of successful interviews.

“While this innovation took place outside of HR technology, inside the space vendors took note, recognizing video’s ability to revolutionize the traditional interviewing model.”

What if analytics is more of a leadership problem than a technical problem?

For the past five years, companies have had no problem when it comes to collecting data from their customers. Unfortunately, once they’ve collected this data, they have no idea what to do with it. This is where data scientists come in. In order to ensure that you’re hiring a reputable data analyst, it is best to put an extensive amount of effort into the recruitment process so that you’re gaining team members that know what they’re doing.

Key Takeaways:

In order to make effective use of data, an organization’s employees must be free to ask the right questions and use data to answer them.
Poor hiring and management processes can prevent you from recruiting employees able to use data effectively, and stifle any data experts that you do recruit.
You need to be able to communicate using formats and language choices that your target audience will understand and be receptive to.

“Let me explain this as directly as I can: having data means nothing unless there is a way to present it to decision-makers (check-writers) in a way they understand.”

Don’t Let Bad Hiring Managers Get in Your Head

Being on the lookout for a new job can be exhausting, especially when you’re met with one bad hiring manager after another. Hiring managers are not consistently experiencing how hard the job market is at any present time, which is why they may seem as though they lack empathy at times. It is important not to let these negative experiences with hiring managers cloud your perception of the future, as there are several hiring managers out there who will value your effort and validate your performance.

Key Takeaways:

Hiring managers may ask about your age or family status even though they are legally not allowed to.
Even though the news consistently reports low unemployment rates and talent shortages, that message doesn’t always appear to impact hiring managers’ behavior.
Good hiring managers should be honest and straightforward with candidates, ask good questions and provide real answers.

“Job searching is like dating. It’s really tough until you find “the one” — and all you need is one good job to change your current situation.”

Science Says Do These 12 Things to Survive Your Toxic Workplace

When you’re consistently working in a toxic environment, the associated stress can often lead to you feeling burnt out. Burnout can show itself in several ways such as becoming sick, dealing with mental health issues, and a loss of motivation. To avoid burnout, there are ways to deal with your toxic work environment more effectively such as not checking emails before you leave for work that day. Also start your day on positive footing such as exercising before you go in for your shift.

Key Takeaways:

Toxic workplaces are stressful and emotionally taxing, with unrelenting backbiting and interpersonal conflict.
Some of the signs your workplace may be toxic enough to cause burnout include a persistent dread of going to work, high turnover and high levels of mutual distrust.
If your workplace is toxic, try to be positive, make friends and avoid conflict, but also be prepared to document everything, just in case.

“If you’re starting to feel the onset of burnout yourself, it may be time to step back and take a look at your work environment.”

To Find the Perfect Candidate, Ask These 12 Questions in Every Interview

Finding prospective employees that actually show promise with a certain position can be a difficult endeavor, but asking the right questions can help generate responses that help you better evaluate how each interviewee would fit in with your company. You should always ask the interviewee how they define long-term success. This will give you an idea of what their future goals are, and if these particular goals align with the vision that you have for your company’s future.

Key Takeaways:

Bad hires cost companies hundreds of thousands per year, so a company is better off hiring the right people in the first place.
One way to find the right people is by asking enlightening questions that take you to the core of who they really are.
Through these questions, you can shed some light on their personality, their work ethic, their values, and their experiences.

“If you want to elicit thoughtful, authentic responses from candidates, you need to put the same amount of effort into your queries.”