When a giant of the APS departs this mortal coil, it gives pause to reflect on just how much lasting impact and influence one life dedicated to service can achieve.
Richard Woolcott was a diplomatic ‘giant’
The late Richard ‘Dick’ Woolcott AC led an illustrious career as a diplomat, mentor and friend, remembered for his sunny disposition and calm influence and for paving the way for Australia’s enduring role at the heart of the Asia-Pacific region.
Woolcott was a giant in diplomatic circles, known for being kind, personable and consistent in his serious commitment to Australia’s national interests, especially during some of the 20th Century’s most pivotal moments.
Vale Richard Woolcott: APS stalwart who forged Australia’s ties with the world
The real cost of shadow work FT
Gender and the Great Resignation Phenomenal World. Worth a read.
Experian Glitch Exposing Credit Files Lasted 47 Days Krebs on Security
Krebs on Security: “On Dec. 23, 2022, KrebsOnSecurity alerted big-three consumer credit reporting bureau Experian thatidentity thieves had iworked out how to bypass its security and access any consumer’s full credit report — armed with nothing more than a person’s name, address, date of birth, and Social Security number. Experian fixed the glitch, but remained silent about the incident for a month. This week, however, Experian acknowledged that the security failure persisted for nearly seven weeks, between Nov. 9, 2022 and Dec. 26, 2022…”
Four Ways Leaders Can Empower People for How Work Gets Done Microsoft: “Fraying supply chains. Economic headwinds. Changing expectations around hybrid work. The rapid transformations of the past few years have fundamentally reshaped work and life as we know them. It’s clear that the agility and resilience of every organization rest on a workforce empowered with tools that enable them to work more efficiently and flexibly than ever before.
We we That shift isn’t about overburdening your teams or deprioritizing innovation. It’s about being more effective, enabling people to do their best work with processes and tools that reduce friction, unlock innovation and creativity, and reduce busywork to help every individual focus on the work that matters most. To take stock of how people feel about the digital productivity tools they use today and those they need to succeed in the future, Microsoft surveyed 2,700 employees and 1,800 business decision makers (BDMs) in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Japan. We asked questions like, Do people feel empowered by the tools they currently have?
Are teams equipped to collaborate effectively in a world of flexible work? Can new technology like AI and low-code and no-code tools help solve their challenges and open up new opportunities?9 out of 10 people want simpler ways to automate daily tasks so they can focus on the work that matters. The survey spanned a range of job functions and industries—from marketing, sales, and customer service to finance, supply chain, and IT. This group included hybrid employees: about two-thirds of those surveyed either work from home or only part time in the office. The results offer a window into how technology is helping—and hindering—people today, along with fresh insights into the tools and processes leaders should adopt to help people be more energized, empowered, and productive…”
How to handle remotely your family’s computer problems Washington Post – Windows and MacOS come with free tools to make assistance a breeze: “Maybe a friend’s printer is on the fritz. Or your parents are wondering why their computer is running slower than usual.
These mundane tech issues happen all the time, and I’d be willing to bet you’ve had to troubleshoot one — or asked someone to help you — at least once. But what happens when the people in your life who need hands-on help live too far away for a drop-in? As it turns out, you may already have access to tools that can help you take control of someone else’s computer and fix those problems from afar.
Even better, they’re free, and a lot easier to use than you might think. But, as a famous fictional uncle once said, “with great power comes great responsibility.” Once the people in your life find out you can fix some of their computer problems from the comfort of your couch, you may soon find yourself up to your eyeballs in tech support requests. Our advice? Use this power wisely, and maybe set some boundaries…”
PCMag / Kim Key – “Learn how to recognize the most common scams and protect your personal data on Facebook and Instagram. I’ve been scaling back my social media presence for a few years, and it’s brought me the peace of mind that comes with keeping nosy acquaintances and curious strangers out of my business.
In addition to the mental and social health benefits of not reading everyone’s thoughts in a public forum, I also get fewer spam emails, texts, and robocalls these days. When I stopped sharing details about my life with strangers and locked down my privacy settings on social media apps, I blocked access for potential scammers. And I encourage you to do the same…”
