The revolution has begun – and it's right on your wrist.

It began with the Apple Watch and its gentle “taps” for reminders. Now, a whole new wave of digital technology known as "haptics" lets you literally feel what you’re working with. Imagine an employee skillfully maneuvering a precision machine in a distant factory. Or a surgical resident actually feeling what it's like to operate on a patient's brain – with no real patient in danger. Lechal, for instance, makes footwear that works with a smartphone app to help with navigation. Set your destination and your left or right shoe vibrates when it's time to turn in that direction – especially useful for the visually impaired. And this is just the beginning . . .

-Inc. magazine

Avoiding the "Bad Apple" has the greatest payoff.

An apple a day . . . You know what Grandma always said, and now scientists agree. A recent working paper from Harvard Business School revealed that simply avoiding a "toxic worker" doubled returns compared to hiring someone in the top 1% of productivity. The estimated cost of hiring a "rotten apple" added up to $12,489 in worker turnover. And that doesn't even include potential litigation, regulatory penalties and reduced employee morale. The benefit of hiring a superstar? Just $5,303 . . . One bad hire could simply prompt an early fire and rehire… Yet, at the other extreme, it can cost a company billions of dollars, as in the case of JPMorgan's London Whale. When hiring, best you listen to Grandma's advice about apples.

-Harvard Business Review

Missing either of these two key ingredients could make your marketing fall flat in 2016.

Want to make your marketing irresistible to your target audience? Make sure it includes content on platforms besides your blog. Nowadays, everyone’s got a blog. Stand out by adding a YouTube channel, or live streaming. No fancy gear needed – smart firms use smartphones to capture content. You'll also need "mobile-first" focus. Now that more adults access the net on a smartphone than on a desktop device, content and calls-to-action must be clear and actionable on a mobile screen. If you're running pay-per-click ads, consider a Google AdWords call-only campaign to drive calls with buyer intent. For best results, blend well and implement often.

-Entrepreneur

A healthy workforce starts – or stops – at the top.

Some programs foster real worker wellness. But going too far can backfire on you. For instance, a weight-loss contest can create a host of problems. First, not all workers need to lose weight. Plus, some already suffer from eating disorders. And weight loss doesn't do anything to address high blood pressure, cholesterol or overall nutrition. Instead, replace candy, chips and soft drinks with healthy snacks and beverages. People will tend to eat what’s there, and you can make it easy for them to make healthy choices. Also, make it easier to exercise: install showers and offer standup desks. Just a few key changes could put a healthier, more productive team in your court.

-US News


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