Audible, an anchor in Newark, invites startups with game-changing ideas and a passion for innovation to be a part of this unique opportunity. Audible, the leading provider of premium digital spoken audio content, is excited to announce the launch of its groundbreaking startup attraction program, aimed at fostering innovation and economic growth within the state of New Jersey. This initiative, known as the Audible Startup Attraction Program, is designed to attract promising startups to the state by offering a substantial grant of $250,000 to selected startups that choose to establish or expand their operations in New Jersey.

“We’re proud to be creating economic opportunities for the growing innovation sector, local businesses, workers, and residents to thrive. Our startup attraction efforts are leading the way in this resurgence by thoughtfully and equitably growing the tech and innovation ecosystem, empowering diverse founders and supporting the local economy.” said Aisha Glover, Vice President of Urban Innovation for Audible’s Global Center for Urban Development.

1. $250,000 Grant: Startups selected for this program will receive a grant of $250,000, which can be used to fuel growth, develop innovative products or services, and enhance their operations.
2. Access to Expertise: Participating startups will gain access to a network of experienced professionals, mentors, and advisors from Audible and its partner organizations like  Newark Venture Partners (NVP). This access to expertise will provide invaluable guidance and insights for startups to scale their ventures effectively.
3. The Program targets startups with at least 10 employees, at the seed or Series A stage, and which are looking to expand or relocate to Newark. 
4. Aims to support companies in Tech, Innovation, Entertainment and Hospitality.
5. The business attraction efforts will also facilitate leasing opportunities at buildings in Newark’s Harriet Tubman Square, such as 33 Washington Street, 550 Broad Street, 494 Broad Street, 540 Broad Street and 536 Broad Street.

“This innovative pilot program is another scalable model that can be adopted by other companies seeking to make an impact in the cities they call home,” said Audible Founder Don Katz. “It is gratifying that since moving our US headquarters to Newark and the launch of many efforts to impact and accelerate positive change, that so many Audible employees are drawn to work at Audible because of our People Principles, which includes our stated commitment to the people and city of Newark.”

This is beyond exciting, with six companies in the tech innovation, hospitality, and entertainment sectors already participating in the program, and will be expanding in Newark. Four new tech startups have leased office space in 550 Broad Street, while Newark Culture Club is opening at 12 Halsey Street, and Harlem’s BLVD Bistro will open a second location in the mixed-use space at 33 Washington Street – all located in Newark’s newly created burgeoning arts and innovation district adjacent to Harriet Tubman Square and home to Audible’s headquarters.

Hear it all in Audibles own words Audible.com – Audible’s New Business Attraction Program Fuels Newark’s Innovation Economy

Some of the companies already taking advantage of the program:

ABF Creative is a multicultural kids and family podcast network and production company, founded by Newark native Anthony Frasier, that joins Audible in the audio and podcast industry. ABF Creative leverages its unique production framework to deliver award-winning IP that builds emotional and cultural connections through loveable characters and compelling narrative storytelling.  

Gymble (pronounced gym-bull) is a fitness app, founded by three athletes from Charlotte, NC, that connects communities to facility rentals, personal training and fitness experiences. The all-in-one platform helps fitness facilities and entrepreneurs market to their customers and manage their bookings more effectively.

co:census is a collaborative, cloud-based workspace for urban planning and design teams to learn, plan, create, analyze, and work together as they conduct research projects and community engagement. The company’s enterprise solution is used by Ford Mobility, MIG, and Habitat for Humanity’s teams to plan community engagement, create projects to collect feedback and analyze text and voice data with their patent-pending AI. 

Fitnescity is a consumer health startup that gives consumers easy access to wellness tests, along with personal analytics, while allowing local clinics to reach more consumers. Designed to make health and wellness testing convenient and accessible, Fitnescity partners with local clinics, labs and leading healthcare providers across the country to provide wellness tests. It also enables consumers to track their wellness goals and outcomes over time with a user-friendly personal analytics platform that can not only make test results easier to understand, but also, in the long term, develop predictive models to inform wellness decisions.

If you are considering this program EqualSpace has space for your startup to choose Newark, we have an entire campus at 550 Broad Street that will be the perfect base of operations as you plant roots in this amazing city! So contact us to learn more about the program and how we can support you!  Email us iamequal@equalspace

Check out more press via: 

·        TapInto – Audible Launches Business Attraction Effort to Boost Newark Economy

·        Patch – Audible Tries To Lure More Companies To Newark With $1M Program

·        NJ Business Magazine – Audible’s New Business Attraction Initiative to Grow Newark’s Innovation Economy

·        ROI-NJ – Audible giving $250,000 grants to help bring startups to Newark

·        NJBIZ – Audible’s incentive effort aims to help businesses grow with Newark

·        RE-NJ – Audible launches program to boost leasing, business growth around Newark’s Tubman Square

In the ever-changing world of creative industries, a game-changing phenomenon is reshaping the design landscape, and its name is Artificial Intelligence (AI). AI’s ability to incorporate emotional intelligence into design is the key to unlocking a new era of creativity. 

The numbers don’t lie – Adobe records that 83% of designers already embrace AI tools to enhance their work, finding new ways to push the boundaries of imagination. Moreover, an astonishing 91% of consumers have expressed a strong preference for brands that can authentically evoke emotions through their designs. 

This article delves into the exciting prospects of AI’s integration with emotional intelligence, examining its transformative impact on creative industries.

Understanding Emotional Intelligence in Design

Emotional Intelligence (EI) involves acknowledging, comprehending, and handling emotions within ourselves and others. In the design context, EI goes beyond technical skills and aesthetics, encompassing the capacity to create emotionally resonant experiences. 

A key aspect of EI is empathy, which allows designers to connect with their audience on a deeper level, leading to more impactful and memorable designs.

Importance of EI in Design and Creativity

Statistics show that 63% of consumers are more likely to purchase brands that evoke emotional connections, highlighting the significance of EI in design (Survey by Harvard Business Review). EI is pivotal in design and creativity, empowering designers to craft experiences that evoke genuine emotional responses. By understanding their target audience’s emotional needs and desires, designers can create products and services that leave a lasting impression. 

For instance, companies like Apple have integrated emotional intelligence into their design philosophy, resulting in products that forge strong emotional connections with consumers, leading to brand loyalty and advocacy.

The Role of Human Emotions in the Design Process:

Human emotions are the driving force behind the successful design. By tapping into emotions such as joy, nostalgia, or empathy, designers can create products that resonate deeply with users. Take the example of Coca-Cola’s iconic holiday campaigns. 

By infusing their designs with warmth and nostalgia, they evoke a sense of tradition and joy, establishing an emotional bond with their consumers beyond the product itself.

Challenges of Incorporating Emotional Intelligence into AI Design

Integrating emotional intelligence into AI design poses several challenges. A significant challenge lies in guaranteeing that AI systems can effectively interpret and respond to human emotions. Although advancements have been achieved in emotion recognition technology, there is still ample space for further refinement to achieve greater nuance and accuracy. 

Moreover, maintaining the authenticity and emotional richness of the creative process demands a delicate equilibrium between human input and AI-generated designs.

AI’s Current Role in Creative Industries

AI in Graphic Design and Visual Arts

AI has already made significant inroads in graphic design and visual arts. Designers can now leverage AI-powered tools to automate repetitive tasks like layout design, color palette selection, and image enhancement, streamlining their workflow and saving time. 

For instance, Adobe’s Sensei AI technology enables designers to automatically remove backgrounds from images and generate custom fonts based on a user’s handwriting. This allows designers to focus on the more creative aspects of their work, enhancing productivity and artistic expression.

AI’s Impact on User Experience (UX) Design

AI has revolutionized UX design by enabling personalized and intuitive user experiences. With AI-driven algorithms analyzing user behavior and preferences, designers can create dynamic interfaces that adapt to individual needs. 

For example, e-commerce platforms like Amazon use AI to recommend products based on customer purchases and browsing history, enhancing user engagement and conversion rates.

AI-Generated Music and Creative Writing

AI has ventured into the realm of music composition and creative writing, paving the way for the future of creative innovation. AI algorithms can analyze vast datasets of music and literature to generate original compositions and written content. 

While some purists argue that AI-generated art lacks human emotion and creativity, there have been impressive examples of AI-produced music that resonates with audiences. 

For instance, OpenAI’s GPT-3 language model can generate coherent and creative stories, showing the potential of AI to augment human creativity.

The Pros and Cons of AI-Driven Creativity

The integration of AI in creative industries has its share of advantages and challenges. On one hand, AI can boost efficiency, democratize access to design tools, and inspire new ideas through its ability to process massive amounts of data. 

On the other hand, there are concerns about AI’s potential to replace human creativity and perpetuate biased outcomes. Striking a balance between human ingenuity and AI assistance is crucial to ensure that AI-driven creativity remains a tool for human expression rather than a replacement.

The Emergence of Emotional AI in Design

Advancements in Emotional AI Technology

Emotional AI is rapidly advancing, driven by natural language processing, sentiment analysis, and affective computing innovations. AI algorithms can now detect and interpret human emotions through voice tone, facial expressions, and text analysis, leading to more sophisticated emotional understanding. 

For example, AI-powered chatbots can assess customer sentiment during interactions, enabling personalized and empathetic responses.

How Emotional AI Differs from Traditional AI in Design

While traditional generative AI focuses on data analysis and problem-solving, emotional AI goes beyond cognitive capabilities. Emotional AI seeks to comprehend and respond to human emotions, facilitating emotionally resonant interactions between humans and technology. 

It enables AI systems to adapt and cater to individual emotional needs, leading to more human-like and compassionate interactions. For instance, emotion-aware virtual assistants can comfort and support users in distress.

Case Studies of Emotional AI Implementation in Creative Projects:

WARC reveals that 65% of consumers believe brands lacking emotional engagement will become obsolete in the next five years. One notable case study of emotional AI implementation is the Replika app, an AI chatbot designed to be a user’s emotional companion. Through continuous conversations, Replika learns about the user’s personality and emotions, providing a supportive and empathetic presence. 

Final Thought 

The future of design is unfolding, and the integration of AI’s emotional intelligence stands at the heart of this transformative journey. As designers harness the power of emotional AI, they unlock new dimensions of creativity and establish deeper connections with their audiences. 

Embracing AI as a collaborative partner rather than a replacement, designers have the potential to craft emotionally compelling designs that transcend boundaries and ignite the human spirit. 

However, with great power comes great responsibility, and ethical considerations surrounding data privacy, AI manipulation, and human-AI balance must guide our path forward. As we navigate this uncharted terrain, let us remember that AI’s true potential lies not in isolating human emotion but elevating it to unprecedented heights. 

Due to the advancements in technology, it’s now possible for many employees to work remotely. Technological advancements such as instant messaging, video conferencing, internet access, and secure information systems have facilitated remote work for employees. Many employees benefit from this setup, primarily due to the flexibility it offers in their work.

However, working remotely has its challenges. Many employees lack accountability and structure in a remote working environment. Without proper tools and policies, remote workers may experience isolation, decreased productivity, and lack of motivation.

This is why employees need to know how to properly embrace the future of flexible employment. In this article, we’ll talk more about how employees can foster an environment of remote work that promotes accountability and success.

Flexibility: Empowering Employees and Boosting Creativity

One key aspect of remote work is providing employees with flexibility. They are free to choose their own schedule and working environment. Whether they want to work from their home, a coffee shop, or a sharespace, it enables them to establish a balance between their work and personal life.

Flexible and remote work also gives birth to creativity. Many employees are able to find inspiration when they’re in different settings. Confinement in an office can cause stagnant performance. With remote work, employees can change their work environments, leading to more productive and creative performance.

Accountability: The Backbone of Remote Work

Despite the various benefits of remote work, employees must always take accountability. Accountability remains the backbone of remote work. Without it, the benefits can quickly turn into drawbacks. A strong sense of responsibility and communication is essential for a remote working environment to thrive.

How to Establish Flexibility and Accountability in Remote Work

We now know that flexibility and accountability should go hand-in-hand for remote work to thrive. Here are some tips to ensure both elements are embraced in a remote working environment:

1. Establish Clear Goals and Objectives

Managing a remote team means establishing clear goals and objectives for each member. Before anything else, employees must know what is expected of them. They should know what goals they’re working towards to achieve. This helps guide them in their work so that they don’t end up doing work that doesn’t benefit the team.

When you’ve established your goals and objectives, remember to track them. Seeing where you’re at with certain goals makes it easier to plan your next steps. For instance, if you’re falling behind, you can adjust your goals so everyone can accomplish what’s on their plate.

2. Embrace Open Communication

Every team member in a remote team must know how to properly communicate. They should also maintain open lines of communication with each other. These will help them accomplish different goals and objectives without going back and forth.

To ensure good communication, utilize different communication channels. For example, the team must agree on which instant messaging platform they should use. This helps consolidate all important information in one place. They don’t have to guess or figure out where they can reach certain team members.

3. Utilize Project Management Tools

With remote employees working from different areas, keeping track of what everyone is doing can be difficult. This is where project management tools come in useful. A project management tool shows what everyone is doing or working on.

This can be extremely helpful for managers since you don’t have to check in with each employee individually. Instead, you can refer to the tool and see their progress. If the manager sees something erratic on the tool, that’s the only time they reach out to the said employee. Project management tools save a lot of time, making the team’s workflow more productive and efficient.

4. Practice Empathy

Another important factor in remote work is empathy. Many remote teams have people working from different cultures and backgrounds. Without empathy, your team may have a difficult time working together. Messages and tasks may get lost in translation, affecting your team’s productivity.

One way to overcome this challenge is to invest in emotional intelligence training. This can show that team members understand each other’s perspectives. A team that considers each other’s background will work more harmoniously towards their goals.

5. Encourage Continuous Learning

Lastly, a successful remote team encourages continuous learning. Accountable work environments, whether in-office or remote, have team members looking forward to improving their skillset. Successful remote teams continuously think of ways to improve their workflows and processes.

Continuous learning is essential in a remote working environment. It helps develop team members to become more productive and efficient. This, in turn, leads to better accountability and may even lead to better results from the team overall.

The Bottom Line

A successful remote working environment should balance flexibility and accountability well. With the right guidelines, remote teams can become more productive and efficient.

We’ve talked about different ways to promote accountability in a remote team. By following these tips, you can ensure that your remote team stays on track and achieves its goals.

It is common in this field for people to want to be “the next big thing” or “the outlier”. Our true aspirations are supporting women ventures, Black & Brown startups, the people that work the hardest and receive the least.We offer office and communal space for entrepreneurs, freelancers, startups, thought leaders, and anyone who may simply need a change of pace. We have served the community of Newark for 7 years, and we look forward to continuously providing resources to our thriving community. As =SPACE grew and connected more with the people who used our space, we learned more about the pain points that our Space(r)s [=SPACE community members] deal with on a daily basis, both in their career, and within their own minds. With those things in sight, we curate events and experiences like Newark Tech Week, Small Business Week, and Woman In-Novation. These events allow us to collaborate with Mayor Ras J. Baraka, mayor of the largest city in New Jersey, powerhouses like Nathalie Molina Nino [Founder of Brava Investments], Senator Sandra Cunningham, Marley Dias [#1000BlackGirlBooks], and other prolific influencers from all over the U.S. Our partners list is exponentially growing and allows us to format an experience for Space(r)s that is noteworthy and fitting for their personal businesses.

There are 5 ways we provide better opportunities than any coworking space:

1. Inclusive Culture: Our community is rich not only in cultural diversity, but also in industry diversity. We have freelance photographers, fitness trainers, lawyers, tech writers, content developers, real-estate specialists, social media influencers, coders, and more – these are the people who make =SPACE what it is.
2. Community Support:Although, we are still amidst a pandemic, =SPACE managed to develop its second city-wide week-long conference, Small Business Week. We hosted everything from courses to luncheons, helping 80+ local small businesses build up hard and soft skills to grow their business. We curate events and experiences like Newark Tech Week, Woman In-Novation, and Civic Influencers. These events allow us to collaborate with Mayor Ras J. Baraka, mayor of the largest city in New Jersey, powerhouses like Nathalie Molina Nino [Founder of Brava Investments], Senator Sandra Cunningham, Marley Dias [#1000BlackGirlBooks], and other prolific influencers from all over the U.S.
   
3. Social Network: Last year we hosted over 25 events, with over 1.8K attendees, during a tough time for so many small businesses we were able to create free programming that empowered, educated and provided access to much needed support. Our proof is in our actions. We collaborate with organizations and businesses like NJII, Panasonic, Verizon, NJEDA, LISC and more to build our social capital; and provide our members with access to high-level information on grants, startup funding, and more!
   
4. 1:1 Mentorship: We actively practice cultural equity and diversity through our business policies and practices, including our Ambassadors Program. Our Ambassadors are Newark-based individuals who have demonstrated a commitment to the entrepreneurial and/or creative landscape of our city. Ambassadors represent =SPACE through assisting us with marketing & promotion, hosting events and being a part of SPACE(r) culture. Ambassadors also receive free membership and business mentorship, as a result, choosing ambassadors is in line with our mission. We work with local talents including visual artists, graphic designers, photographers and entrepreneurs in tech, fashion, marketing and more.
5. Endless Resources: =SPACE has expanded its facility, with over 19,000 sq.ft. of space. We have formatted our space to host more suites to encourage safe workplace distance while encouraging connection with our common space amenities. We have dedicated ourselves to provide more amenities to our Spacers like FitSPACE, a gym with a personal trainer to help address the increased mental/physical health concerns for the entrepreneurial community at large.

Click here to schedule a tour today! And Grab your free day pass!

 

If you’re reading this article, then chances are you’re interested in web development. After all, web development is one of the most in-demand skills today. So if you’re just learning about web development or already have some experience with it, here are some things you should know before diving into your next project.

1. Kinds of Web Developers

Before learning more about web development, you should know that there are different kinds of web developers. Frontend developers build the look and feel of a website using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. On the other hand, backend developers work on the code behind the scenes, including database management and server settings.

There are also full-stack developers who can handle both frontend and backend coding. In addition, mobile app developers specialize in creating apps for smartphones and tablets. Knowing the different kinds of web developers can help you decide what kind of position you’d be best suited for.

2. Technical Skills of Web Developers

Web developers need the necessary technical skills to succeed in their fields. Since web development is a very broad field, you’ll want to make sure you know the basics of different areas of technology. Here’s a quick rundown of what you’ll need:

• HTML and CSS

The first thing you need to do when starting out with a new project is to learn how to write good code. This includes both HTML and CSS. HTML stands for hypertext markup language, which is just a way of structuring data on a webpage. On the other hand, CSS (cascading style sheets) is used to make sure that everything looks nice on a page.

• Basic Programming Languages

Once you’ve mastered HTML and CSS, you’ll want to start learning a programming language as well. There are many different languages available for use on the web, but the most common ones include PHP, C++, C#, Ruby, Python, and Java. You should know that learning one language can lead to a basic understanding of other programming languages as well. or instance, some kids are learning Python at a young age so they can later move on to more advanced languages.

• Software and Developer Tools

Aside from knowing how to write code, you’ll also need knowledge of software and developer tools. When it comes to web development, software and developer tools can help you build websites faster, easier, and with better results. They also enable allow you to check code during the process of building a site, which helps catch errors early on. 

• User Interface and User Experience

Web development isn’t limited to just the actual website; it involves user interface design too. If you’re creating a website for someone else, you’ll want to consider their needs and preferences as much as possible. This is where the importance of user experience comes in. With basic knowledge of UX/UI and graphic design, you can create a website that fits its users’ needs while still looking aesthetically pleasing. 

3. Soft Skills of Web Developers

In addition to technical skills, you’ll also need soft skills to become a successful web developer. Remember that web development encompasses so many different facets of the industry. As such, it requires a wide range of expertise. To become a successful web developer, some of the soft skills you need include:

• Problem-Solving

You’ll need to have an analytical mind to solve problems and come up with solutions. Web developers usually find themselves spending a lot of time thinking about the functionality needed for a particular website or application. While this may not seem like a challenging task at first, it will quickly turn into something difficult if you aren’t able to think through problems effectively.

• Perseverance 

Web development isn’t always easy. You need to take time to work on your projects even though they don’t always go according to plan. A web developer who has been working in the field for a long period of time knows what it takes to stay motivated and focused while working on his or her projects.

• Communication

Whether you work in person or online, you’ll need to communicate clearly with others. In web development, working with different clients and other team members is inevitable. You need to have strong communication skills to ensure everyone understands what they’re supposed to be doing and why.

• Project Management

Having project management skills is essential for any kind of job. It’s especially important when you’re dealing with multiple people or tasks at a time. Without the knowledge of how to manage your time or resources efficiently, you won’t be able to meet deadlines and deliver high-quality products.

• Creativity

Lastly, you need to have creative ideas and innovative solutions to problems as well. Creativity doesn’t only apply to art; it applies to everything, especially in web development. There are times when web developers need to come up with unique ways of tackling problems or finding new approaches. With some creative skills in your alley, you’ll be able to develop more effective applications and websites.

Final Words

As you can see, web development involves a variety of skills and disciplines. Learning how to write lines of code can only take you so far. It takes the right combination of both hard and soft skills to become a highly-skilled web developer to be successful in the industry.  

Navigation is essential to human life, whether for choosing the best route from your house to your workplace or for deciding the most efficient shipping route for goods. Fortunately, our method of navigation has developed through time, giving rise to amazing tech tools that help determine the most ideal navigation routes by land, sea, or air. 

This article will discuss the best general tools for navigation, as well as a few of the best navigation technologies for maritime transportation.

Best tech-based navigation tools 

Navigation tools in the modern-day are primarily concerned with fuel consumption, safety, and speed. Other tools for navigating streets can even provide specific and detailed information such as the best route to avoid traffic or the quickest way to hit several stops. 

Navigation technology for general purposes

Magnetic Compass

In the 13th century, the magnetic compass was a huge advance in navigation technology because it allowed travelers to find their way even when their usual astronomical cues (e.g., the North Star) were obscured. The compass uses the Earth’s magnetic field to point to the north pole. Though it isn’t as new as the other technologies on this list, it is still vital to fleet management.

Global Positioning System

The Global Positioning System (GPS) is a global navigation system that uses satellites to provide and synchronize data on location, velocity, and time. GPS receivers have been used for tracking vessels and monitoring their positions at sea. But it is also found in your car, your watch, and even your smartphone.

GPS works by receiving signals from multiple satellites orbiting the Earth. Nowadays, this navigation tool can be equipped with features like autopilot or collision avoidance. More commonly, GPS is used to plot courses to specific destinations.

Radar

Radio Detection and Ranging (Radar) detects objects and their positions relative to your current location. Radar works by sending out a radio signal, which gets reflected back to the radar when it hits an object. Maritime radars are especially useful for detecting other ships and land obstacles and avoiding collisions as a result. Originally developed for military purposes, radar is still most widely used for military applications on land, in the air, and at sea. Military uses of radar include missile guidance and air navigation.

Navigation apps

Route optimization apps combine information from various sources as well as relevant technologies in order to determine the safest and fastest route for all kinds of vehicles. For land navigation, applications such as Waze and Google Maps are two of the most widely used. Waze is most loved for providing accurate, up-to-date traffic data and good rerouting to get you around severe traffic jams. Google Maps, on the other hand, provides cycling and walking routes as well as a top-notch search function and offline map option. Meanwhile, reliable maritime navigation apps include Wayfinder for plotting shipping routes and Navi-Planner for safe, rookie-friendly voyage planning. 

Navigation technology for maritime travel

Maritime transportation may not be a daily activity for most of us, but it fuels the global economy through the shipping and receiving of goods and raw materials from different countries. Hence, finding safe and efficient routes at sea is a significant goal of modern navigation.

Electronic Chart Display and Information System (ECDIS)

An electronic chart display and information system (ECDIS) is used for determining a vessel’s course and speed. It displays your coordinates, time, and date on a map screen. It is frequently used in navigation apps because it allows voyagers to plan and monitor routes and calculate ETAs automatically.

Automatic Identification Systems

Automatic identification systems (AIS) allow vessels to broadcast their location information to passing ships with radio waves. They automatically transmit information to nearby ships to avoid collisions. AIS can also be used to calculate the shortest route, making it an indispensable tool for shipping companies.

Voyage Data Recorder

A voyage data recorder (VDR) is a tiny electronic device that records data about a ship’s voyage, much like an airplane’s black box. It is usually used in commercial vessels and oil tankers. VDRs contain multiple sensors such as pressure transducers, gyroscopes, altimeters, and accelerometers. In case of accidents, investigators can use data recorded by VDRs to uncover the cause of the incident.

Drifting weather buoys

Maritime navigation apps often integrate weather data which are collected through traditional weather buoys or, more recently, smart buoys. These innovative drifting weather buoys are free-moving devices that collect weather and ocean data, specifically currents, water, air, and sea surface temperatures, salinity, air pressure, and wave direction, among others.

Final words

Because navigation plays an important role in our lives, whether individually or as a nation, it is natural for innovation in navigation to be prioritized and celebrated. For general purposes, we have compasses, GPS, radar, and navigation apps at our disposal. Meanwhile, maritime navigators have ECDIS, AIS, VDR, and smart buoys. As startups and researchers continue to thrive through technology events and grants, we will enjoy easier and safer navigation in the years to come.

The World Health Organization (2020) defines burnout as a syndrome that transpired from chronic workplace stress which has not been successfully managed. It is usually manifested by experiencing feelings of energy exhaustion or depletion, increased mental distance from the job or negative outlook towards one’s career, and reduced professional productivity. 

Burnout is not a new terminology for employees since many of them, in different demographic backgrounds, experience stress, fatigue, and mental health challenges from time to time. However, it has gotten worse in these trying times of the COVID-19 pandemic. Burnout not only affected employees but also organizations in terms of employee retention. Worth noting, eighty-four percent of millennials mentioned that they have experienced some type of burnout at their current job and nearly half of them had to leave their jobs for good, (Deloitte, 2021). 

Moreover, based on pre-pandemic data as cited by Threlkeld (2021), 52% of all workers feel burned out from work — a percentage that increased by 9% from a previous study with more than two-thirds (or 67%) believing that the pandemic aggravated or worsened their burnout. While one may think that burnout is only common to regular team members, managers or leaders are just as likely to suffer frequent or constant burnout, (Gallup, 2019). And just like any other employee, employee burnout may lead to lower levels of self-confidence, motivation, and productivity which can threaten their job satisfaction, retention, relationships, and overall contribution to business success. Many leaders have resolved such issues by acknowledging the situation first and then accept that they need to leverage their efforts for self-care and mental health. Never ever let the time pass and think it would go away like a bad flu, it is not a strategy that works and this may only lead to stress accumulation. The best way to do it start today with these tips:

• Improve your communication channels.

You need a reliable tool or system for communicating with your colleagues as this is the simplest way to boost employee engagement which can both be beneficial to you and them. Allot 30 minutes of your daily work time for check-ins or vibe checking. This presents an ideal way to practice positive speech and make everyone, including yourself, heard and listened to. Find out what everyone else is feeling at the time they clock in for work and you can share your own thoughts too. It does not have to be all negative, perhaps everyone can share what also keeps them busy these days and learn from one another. In the context of work, you can try implementing asynchronous communication. This can help leaders strategize at their own pace and relieve the pressure of responding immediately.

• Add flair to your normal work routine.

Doing regular engaging virtual events can aid the whole team to connect and lessen the daily work pressure. To boost employee engagement including your own, you can arrange and host events via a teleconferencing app. These events include:

• A virtual hangout – online coffee, tea, or wine party where everyone can talk, gossip, and share experiences as they would in the physical office
• A virtual awards night – recognizing small wins is one way to uplift everyone’s spirit especially during these times. This can be done by dishing out certificates or electronic badges.
• A wellness program – directed at prevailing issues and their solutions in the workplace like healthy habits, risks to productivity, or maintaining work-and-life balance.
• Try a different workspace.

Coworking spaces are effective. They are essentially shared spaces offered at affordable rates for those looking to escape the isolation of a home or physical office. Independent contractors and freelancers can use a coworking space to develop flexibility and diversity. To get a breath of fresh air and renew your energy and motivation levels, go somewhere different.

• Create a flexible schedule for everyone.

Be the change you want to see in the world, they say. If you long for something that might work for you, it can also be the thing that might work for everyone. Knowing when you and other people work best can pay off in their productivity and efficiency. This can increase your chance of having satisfied employees. Schedule flexibility can provide for the work-life balance your company encourages. 

• Revisit your mental health and wellness benefits.

Take advantage of your PTOs and use them based on your needs. When you feel like you need to take your hands off from your laptop and disconnect for a while, you may feel free to do so on account that you make pre-leave arrangements to ensure everyone still works despite your being away. With this, you are modeling a behavior that responds to what your mental health needs so that you can encourage others to do the same and this can free everyone from the risks of burnout. 

Sure that as a leader you are morally obligated to ensure that all your team members are happy, motivated, and satisfied with their jobs but do not forget yourself in this process. You are also an employee. You also get tired, exhausted, and demotivated, just like everyone else. Luckily, you have this list with you to make sure you will never have to deal with burnout in the same old way again.