Tuesday, April 28, 2020

Uncertain Certainties: It takes a village to beat COVID-19

“Suppose you were an idiot and suppose you were a member of executive service … but I repeat myself.” 
-Mark Twain misquoted


Non-contradiction contradiction? — or not


Extinction Rebellion: News Corp and Nine decry Google and Facebook, Government hops to their rescue
Michael West by Quentin Dempster
Regulators expect Google and Facebook to sue the Government over a looming "mates-deal" to protect Rupert Murdoch's News Corp and Nine Entertainment from competition.


Federal Government calls Chinese ambassador about comments on trade boycott over coronavirus inquiry




Once you’ve ended homelessness for one group, nothing seems impossible. How ‘functional zero’ can end homelessness

VICTORIA DRAUDINS Imagine being able to say that your city has effectively ended homelessness. It may sound impossible but Community Solutions aims to do just that.

Satyajit Ray’s ‘Two’ offers a lens on how lockdowns work differently for rich and poor kids Scroll

On 2 April 2020 the Tax Justice Network co-organised together with the Financial Transparency Coalition, Transparency International, Global Witness, Global Financial Integrity, Open Ownership, The B Team and the World Economic Forum’s Partnering Against Corruption Initiative (PACI), the first exploratory virtual call to form a multi-stakeholder advisory group to promote short term pilots on verifying beneficial ownership information.
New group to promote beneficial ownership verification pilots around the world


WSJ CFOCFOs have traditionally emerged from the accounting ranks, with reputations as masters of cost management, corporate finance strategy, accounting standards and reporting requirements. But the role has morphed to the point that accounting expertise is often no longer required.
At the 1,000 largest U.S. public companies, the portion of CFOs who are certified public accountants fell to about 36% last year, according to data from organizational consulting firm Korn Ferry. That is the lowest figure in the six years Korn Ferry has been collecting the data, down from 46% in 2014.
Finance chiefs today often oversee more than just the books. They are increasingly in charge of human resources, information technology and elements of enterprise risk management. As a result, companies increasingly want skilled general managers who possess strategic savvy and a firm grasp of operations in the CFO seat.




CAVAN HOGUE. Kishore Mahbubani on China and the US

In a most interesting article in The Economist, Kishore Mahbubani argues that the post-COVIC-19 world will be characterized by an accelerated shift in power from the West to East Asia. Continue reading 



MIKE SCRAFTON. The dogs of war cry wolf: The post-pandemic China threat

Two senior analysts of the Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI) recently published pieces that put its reputation for sound analysis and practical policy recommendations at risk.

Legal’s Biggest Challenge With Remote Work Isn’t Tech. It’s Mental Health - Law.com: “A new survey conducted by Loeb Leadership found that from an IT stance, the sudden move to working remotely has gone relatively smoothly for many lawyers. But it’s also created new stresses and demands for soft skills crucial to operating virtually…The “Law Firm’s Adaption to Remote Working”report released last week surveyed 136 lawyers, business services staff and leaders in Am Law 100 and Am Law 200 firms. The report explored the shift to working at home and the challenges it brings. However, tech wasn’t a significant hurdle for most respondents. “We did not hear a large volume of complaints about technology,” said Loeb director of strategic partnerships and executive leadership coach David Sarnoff. ”Where [dissatisfaction with the shift] seemed to pick up was when people never worked remotely before.” Despite 98% of respondents saying they had at least a moderate amount of success moving staffers to remotely working, Sarnoff said secretaries were more likely to have challenges setting tech up at home and adjusting their workflow to highlight their contributions…”


Christ-haunted pilgrims always stumble along 


Here are some insights into my reasons for naming this blog Beyond Eastrod

Hazel Motes, the  protagonist in Flannery O’Connor’s first novel, Wise Blood, begins his Christ-haunted pilgrimage by leaving behind his abandoned home in Eastrod. He must go beyond Eastrod. He has no choice. Only at the end of the novel does Motes finally understand and willingly proceed to his ultimate destination. 

As for myself, only at the end of my own pilgrimage will I understand my journey and destination. Yes, each day I stumble along uncertainly, but I do so with Flannery O’Connor as one of my most important guides. 

If I never again write another word here at Beyond Eastrod, please remember these words: 

If you too are stumbling along in your own pilgrimage, whether or not you are Christ-haunted, take the time to read everything written by Flannery O’Connor. You will not regret the experience.

Now, with that having been said, I simply must tell you that this blog has a limited focus: If any further postings appear, and I’m not sure of anything beyond this moment, my exclusive interest will be the life and works of Flannery O’Connor derived from Brett Connor