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1

Software Engineering / What to Highlight in a Smart CV for a Software Engineering Career

« on: April 16, 2025, 11:08:08 PM »

In the competitive world of software engineering, a smart CV is more than just a list of skills and job titles it’s your personal pitch to potential employers. It’s a reflection of not only what you’ve done, but how well you understand the evolving demands of the tech industry. Crafting a CV that stands out in a sea of applicants means being intentional about what you highlight, how you present it, and why it matters.

One of the most important areas to emphasize in a software engineering CV is your technical skill set. This includes your proficiency in programming languages, frameworks, databases, and tools. Instead of simply listing everything you’ve ever touched, focus on the technologies you’re truly confident in those you’ve used in real projects, whether professional or personal. Recruiters often skim CVs, so placing this information in a clear, readable format near the top of the page helps ensure it’s seen quickly. It also signals that you understand the current stack demands and are ready to contribute from day one.

Equally essential is your project experience. Recruiters and hiring managers don’t just want to know what you know they want to see how you’ve applied it. Whether it’s a capstone project from university, a freelance job, or a feature you built at a previous company, your ability to describe the project’s purpose, your role, and the outcome adds immense value. Go beyond naming the technologies used; talk about what problem you solved, how you solved it, and what the impact was. For instance, if you optimized a feature that improved performance or collaborated in a team that delivered a scalable microservice, that tells more about your real-world readiness than listing "Node.js" ever could.

Work experience still plays a key role, especially if it shows growth, responsibility, or leadership. Even internships or part-time roles can be impactful if they demonstrate how you contributed to a product or navigated real software development cycles. Including context such as agile methodology exposure, CI/CD environments, or client communication responsibilities can also give your CV a practical edge.

Another area that gives you an advantage is showcasing your contributions beyond the job description. If you've taken part in open-source communities, led developer meetups, written technical blogs, or completed certifications, these are strong indicators of passion and proactiveness two qualities every great engineer shares. In 2025’s tech industry, being a constant learner is no longer optional, and your CV should reflect your willingness to evolve.

Finally, don’t overlook the importance of soft skills and personal strengths. Communication, teamwork, adaptability, and problem-solving are vital in collaborative engineering environments. While these don’t need to be listed in isolation, they should be woven into your project and work experience descriptions to show how you function in a team, how you approach challenges, and how you contribute to a product’s lifecycle.

A smart software engineering CV is ultimately a story—your story. It’s not about fitting everything in, but about highlighting the right things: the skills you master, the problems you’ve solved, and the passion you bring to building great software. When crafted thoughtfully, your CV won’t just land interviews—it will open doors to opportunities that align with who you are as a developer.

2

Software Engineering / 💻 A Day in the Life of a Software Engineer: Code, Coffee & Continuous Learning

« on: April 16, 2025, 10:47:06 PM »

The life of a software engineer is far more than just typing out lines of code on a dark screen. It’s a blend of creativity, focus, collaboration, and constant problem-solving. As the world becomes more software-driven, the role of a developer continues to evolve—and with that, so does the rhythm of their day.

The day usually begins around 8:30 in the morning. After a warm cup of coffee or tea, engineers typically check their emails and team chat platforms to catch up on any updates or issues from the previous night. If the team is spread across time zones, there’s often new information or code reviews waiting. This early morning quiet time is also perfect for reviewing the project task board—figuring out what’s on the agenda and prioritizing tasks before the meetings begin.

Around 10:00 AM, it's time for the daily stand-up meeting. This is a brief sync where each team member shares what they’ve worked on, what they plan to do next, and if anything is blocking their progress. While it may seem routine, these short discussions play a crucial role in keeping the team aligned and projects on track. Whether it's through Zoom, Google Meet, or face-to-face in an office, this moment sets the tone for the rest of the day.

Once the stand-up wraps up, most developers enter their deep work zone. This is where the real magic happens—writing new features, debugging tricky issues, reviewing pull requests, and optimizing the codebase. With headphones on and the editor open, this uninterrupted window is where engineers get into “flow,” solving problems and building software that powers businesses, apps, and digital experiences around the world.

Lunchtime is often a chance to step away from the screen, recharge, and reset. Some prefer a quick break alone, while others grab lunch with teammates, either virtually or in person. It’s also the time when random memes, tech jokes, or discussions about the latest framework updates might light up the group chat.

The afternoon often shifts gears toward collaboration. This could involve pair programming sessions where two engineers team up to tackle a complex problem, or meetings with designers and product managers to finalize the details of an upcoming feature. Engineers might also spend time researching a new library, learning a tool, or tweaking performance issues based on feedback from QA or customers.

As the day winds down around 5:30 or 6:00 PM, engineers begin wrapping up. Code is committed and pushed, tasks are updated on the project board, and notes are jotted down for the next day. It's also the time to monitor build statuses, check for deployment issues, or respond to any last-minute code reviews.

While the rhythm may seem predictable, no two days are truly alike. One day might be all about launching a new feature. Another might involve investigating a sudden system crash or helping a junior developer solve a challenging bug. Some days are filled with meetings and brainstorming, others with focused solo work. That’s the beauty of the role—it balances logic and creativity, solitude and teamwork.

Being a software engineer means constantly learning, adapting, and growing. New technologies emerge, coding practices evolve, and every day offers a chance to build something meaningful. It's not just a job—it’s a craft. And for many engineers, it’s also a passion that keeps them pushing boundaries, one line of code at a time.

3

Software Engineering / Software Development Trends and Predictions for 2025

« on: April 16, 2025, 10:31:38 PM »

The software development landscape is evolving faster than ever, fueled by AI, edge computing, cloud-native development, and shifting user expectations. As we step into 2025, it's clear that developers, teams, and organizations must adapt quickly to stay ahead.

Let’s dive into the top trends and predictions shaping software development in 2025.

⚙️ AI-Powered Development Will Be Mainstream
AI is no longer a novelty—it’s the new coding co-pilot. Tools like GitHub Copilot, CodeWhisperer, and ChatGPT are reshaping how developers write, test, and optimize code. In 2025, expect:

• Wider adoption of AI-assisted pair programming.
• AI-driven debugging and security patching.
• Integration of AI into IDEs for real-time code insights.

☁️ Cloud-Native Everything
The shift to cloud-native architectures is accelerating. Kubernetes, serverless computing, and containerization are becoming the standard.

• DevOps and GitOps will continue driving automated deployments.
• Multi-cloud strategies will dominate to reduce vendor lock-in.
• Tools like Terraform, Docker, and Helm will see wider usage.

🛡️ Cybersecurity by Design
With cyberattacks becoming more sophisticated, developers must build with security first.

🤝 Focus on Developer Experience (DevEx)
With talent shortages and burnout concerns, 2025 will emphasize developer happiness and productivity.

The future of software development in 2025 is intelligent, cloud-first, collaborative, and deeply integrated with AI. Developers who embrace these changes while keeping ethics, security, and user value at the core—will shape the next generation of digital transformation.

4

Software Engineering / Life of a Software Engineer with AI: Embracing the Future, One Line of Code at a

« on: April 16, 2025, 09:15:59 PM »

In the ever-evolving world of technology, Artificial Intelligence (AI) isn’t just a buzzword anymore—it’s a daily companion for software engineers. From streamlining code to building intelligent applications, AI is shaping how developers think, work, and innovate.

So, what does a day in the life of a modern software engineer look like with AI in the mix? Let’s take a closer look.

🧠 Coding with an AI Pair Programmer
Remember the days when you’d stare at the screen for hours, trying to find that one missing semicolon? Thanks to tools like GitHub Copilot, Tabnine, and Amazon CodeWhisperer, software engineers now have an AI coding buddy at their side. These tools auto-suggest lines of code, complete functions, and even help you debug.

🔍 Debugging Smarter, Not Harder
AI tools like Sentry, DeepCode, and CodeGuru analyze codebases to find bugs and vulnerabilities long before they reach production. This proactive approach means engineers can focus more on innovation and less on firefighting.

It’s like having a senior engineer with you 24/7—one who never sleeps or needs coffee.

🏗️ Accelerated Development Cycles
Agile isn’t just about daily standups anymore. With AI automating test cases, analyzing user feedback, and generating documentation, sprint cycles are getting shorter and more efficient. Continuous integration/continuous deployment (CI/CD) pipelines are becoming more intelligent, predicting which updates might break the build before they do.

💬 Better Communication with NLP
AI isn’t just changing how code is written—it’s improving how teams collaborate. Natural Language Processing (NLP) tools can now summarize meeting notes, translate documentation, and even generate user stories from simple descriptions.

🤖 From Developer to AI Innovator
The role of a software engineer is expanding. Many now find themselves building AI models, fine-tuning datasets, or integrating machine learning APIs into everyday applications.

Whether it’s creating smarter chatbots, personalized recommendation engines, or fraud detection systems, AI is becoming part of the product, not just the process.

🌱 Continuous Learning is the New Norm
AI is evolving fast—and staying relevant means constantly learning. Engineers are diving into MLOps, data science, and AI ethics to keep up. Online platforms like Coursera, edX, and Udemy offer AI-focused tracks tailored for developers.

The life of a software engineer has always been dynamic, but with AI, it’s also more empowered, efficient, and exciting. Rather than replacing developers, AI is amplifying their abilities—automating the repetitive, enhancing creativity, and opening doors to innovative solutions.

In this AI-augmented reality, software engineers aren’t just coding the future they’re co-creating it with machines.

5

Artificial Intelligence / How AI is Making Our Lives Smoother: The Bright Side of Artificial Intelligence

« on: April 16, 2025, 09:07:32 PM »

In recent years, Artificial Intelligence (AI) has evolved from a futuristic concept into a real-world solution transforming how we live, work, and interact. While debates around privacy and job displacement persist, there’s no denying that AI has made our lives smoother in countless ways. From smart assistants to healthcare, here’s a look at the positive impact AI has on our daily lives—backed by recent studies and innovations.

1. Personal Assistants that Understand You
Voice-activated AI tools like Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple’s Siri have become household staples. They streamline tasks such as setting reminders, checking the weather, and managing calendars. According to a report by Statista (2023), over 142 million people in the U.S. alone use voice assistants, highlighting how embedded they are in our routines.

2. Smarter Healthcare for All
AI has revolutionized healthcare by improving diagnosis accuracy, predicting diseases, and personalizing treatment plans. Platforms like IBM Watson Health use AI to assist doctors in analyzing complex medical data. A study published in Nature Medicine (2019) found that an AI model outperformed radiologists in detecting breast cancer from mammograms.

3. AI in Education: Personalized Learning Paths
AI-powered platforms such as Khan Academy, Duolingo, and Coursera use adaptive learning algorithms to tailor content to each learner’s pace and style. This not only boosts engagement but also improves retention. According to EdTech Magazine (2022), AI in education is enabling more inclusive and accessible learning environments.

4. Revolutionizing Transportation
From Google Maps optimizing routes with real-time traffic data to Tesla’s Autopilot system, AI is improving the way we travel. AI helps reduce traffic congestion, fuel consumption, and even enhances safety through predictive maintenance in vehicles.

5. Financial Simplicity Through AI
AI is powering chatbots and robo-advisors in banking that offer 24/7 customer support, fraud detection, and investment guidance. Companies like Betterment and Wealthfront use AI to help users make informed financial decisions with little to no manual input.

6. Better Customer Experience Across Industries
Retail giants like Amazon and Netflix use AI to recommend products and content based on user behavior. This makes the customer experience more personalized and efficient, which boosts satisfaction and loyalty.

AI is no longer just about machines taking over jobs—it’s about making everyday life easier, more efficient, and more personalized. From smart assistants to life-saving medical tech, the positive impacts of AI are felt in nearly every aspect of our lives.

As long as we use it responsibly and ethically, AI holds the promise of a future where humans and machines work hand in hand for a better tomorrow.

6

Software Engineering / YouTube promises to stop promoting misleading videos

« on: April 16, 2019, 07:55:08 PM »

If you believe the world is flat, don’t count on YouTube recommending videos supporting your theory.

That’s because YouTube is promising to stop promoting so many sensationalistic clips that revolve around scientifically proven falsehoods and other suspect information, such as conspiracy theories revolving around the US government’s involvement in the 9/11 attacks that destroyed the World Trade Center in New York.

to read more:
https://www.thedailystar.net/star-tech/news/youtube-promises-stop-promoting-misleading-videos-1693939

7

Robotics and Embedded Systems / Researchers develop an origami-inspired robot hand with a gentle touch

« on: March 20, 2019, 06:19:49 PM »

Researchers at MIT Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (CSAIL) and Harvard have found a novel solution to the problem of building a robot that's strong enough to lift an object several times its own weight, but gentle enough not to crush something fragile.

The result is a robot 'hand' with a folding structure that collapses around an object to hold it securely (like a Venus flytrap trapping an insect).

This flexible design and gentle grip let it grasp a wide range of objects without damaging them, and it's strong enough to keep a firm hold on objects 100 times its own weight.

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Many multi-purpose grippers use fingers made from a flexible material like rubber. These can cope with objects of different sizes and shapes, but are unable to hold onto bulky or heavy objects.

Read more:
https://www.techradar.com/news/researchers-develop-an-origami-inspired-robot-hand-with-a-gentle-touch

8

Robotics and Embedded Systems / This robot brain can teach other machines to pick up unknown objects

« on: March 20, 2019, 06:18:31 PM »

With all the progress we've seen in artificial intelligence over the last few years, you could say that machines are getting smarter all the time.

Even so, most of the robots in our factories still require a fair amount of preprogramming for them to recognize the objects they handle.

That could soon be a thing of the past as researchers at MIT's Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (CSAIL) have developed a system that allows robots to identify, pick up, and handle objects they haven't encountered before.

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According to The Robot Report, "the team’s major insight was to look at objects as collections of 3D keypoints that double as a sort of “visual roadmap.”

to read more:

https://www.techradar.com/news/this-robot-brain-can-teach-other-machines-to-pick-up-unknown-objects

9

Internet of Things / What is the IoT? Everything you need to know

« on: March 20, 2019, 06:17:01 PM »

What is the IoT?
The world around us is getting smarter and more connected as technology becomes a common sight in many areas.

Digital devices are not just in our pockets or our offices, but increasingly in our homes, buildings, and many places and cities. Helping collect, analyse and monitor data and information about their surroundings, these devices are able to communicate with each other through the ‘Internet of Things’.

Often shortened to the IoT, this worldwide, interconnected network allows devices to talk to each other and to us, delivering reams of data through smarter processes that will greatly increase the quality of life around the world.

The Internet of Things is predicted to revolutionise the way in which we live our lives, with many industry experts tipping it to have the biggest technological impact since cloud computing, as more data than ever before can be collected, stored and analysed.

To read more, Visit:
https://www.techradar.com/news/what-is-the-iot-everything-you-need-to-know

10

Department of Innovation & Entrepreneurship / Why Companies Fail—and How Their Founders Can Bounce Back

« on: March 20, 2019, 05:56:29 PM »

Most companies fail. It's an unsettling fact for bright-eyed entrepreneurs, but old news to start-up veterans.

But here's the good news: Experienced entrepreneurs know that running a company that eventually fails can actually help a career, but only if the executives are willing to view failure as a potential for improvement.

The statistics are disheartening no matter how an entrepreneur defines failure. If failure means liquidating all assets, with investors losing most or all the money they put into the company, then the failure rate for start-ups is 30 to 40 percent, according to Shikhar Ghosh, a senior lecturer at Harvard Business School who has held top executive positions at some eight technology-based start-ups. If failure refers to failing to see the projected return on investment, then the failure rate is 70 to 80 percent. And if failure is defined as declaring a projection and then falling short of meeting it, then the failure rate is a whopping 90 to 95 percent.

"Very few companies achieve their initial projections," says Ghosh. "Failure is the norm."

Why Start-ups Fail
Start-ups often fail because founders and investors neglect to look before they leap, surging forward with plans without taking the time to realize that the base assumption of the business plan is wrong. They believe they can predict the future, rather than try to create a future with their customers. Entrepreneurs tend to be single-minded with their strategies—wanting the venture to be all about the technology or all about the sales, without taking time to form a balanced plan.

“IN SILICON VALLEY, THE FACT THAT YOUR ENTERPRISE HAS FAILED IS ACTUALLY A BADGE OF HONOR.”
And all too often, they do not give themselves wiggle room to pivot midstream if the initial idea doesn't jibe with customer demand.

"Instead of going into the venture with a broad hypothesis, they commit in ways that don't allow them to change," Ghosh says. He cites as an example the failed dot-com-era grocer Webvan, which bought warehouses all over the United States before realizing that there was not enough customer demand for its grocery delivery service.

Next, there's the matter of timing, a huge issue that can determine whether a company gets funding and whether it achieves the start-up's elusive measure of success: an exit that involves going public or getting bought.

During the Internet boom, companies armed with nothing more than a PowerPoint presentation of a lousy idea could secure tens of millions of dollars—which sometimes gave them enough time to figure out a viable business plan through trial and error. Eventually successful companies such as Netscape and Open Market went through several business models before finding one that worked. But the opposite was true after the boom; a company could have a great idea and a great team, but still fail to achieve traction due to lack of funding and, consequently, lack of time to let a good model mature. (These days, Ghosh says, if start-ups often manage to secure a good team and good financing, they face dozens of lower-cost competitors and fragmented customer demand.)

Funding has the potential to turn a little failure into an enormous one.

"The predominant cause of big failures versus small failures is too much funding," Ghosh says. "What funding does is cover up all the problems that a company has. It covers up all the mistakes, it enables the company and management to focus on things that aren't important to the company's success and ignore the things that are important. This lets management rationalize away the proverbial problem of the dogs not eating the dog food. When you don't have money you reformulate the dog food so that the dogs will eat it. When you have a lot of money you can afford to argue that the dogs should like the dog food because it is nutritious."

Enterprise Failure Can Be An Asset, But Personal Failure Is Ruinous
Still, stubborn entrepreneurs continue to found companies, in spite of the failure rates, which raises the question of why. It's not as if any of them harbored childhood dreams of launching a search engine optimization software firm.

Sometimes this is due to naïveté and hubris—the notion that their idea simply cannot fail. But savvy entrepreneurs know that running a company that eventually fails can actually help a career. Even failed businesses yield future networking opportunities with venture capitalists and relationships with other entrepreneurs whose companies are succeeding. Ghosh says boards of successful companies often seek out the founders and CEOs of failed companies because they value experience over a clean slate. After all, Henry Ford, Steve Jobs, and Desh Deshpande experienced multiple failures before achieving success.


To read more, Please visit the link:
https://hbswk.hbs.edu/item/why-companies-failand-how-their-founders-can-bounce-back

11

Software Engineering / 7 Technology Trends That Will Dominate 2018

« on: February 12, 2019, 06:05:08 PM »

Regardless of whether you’re a diehard tech fanatic, always after the latest devices, or a laid-back “average” consumer, if you’re like me, you can’t help but look forward to the tech developments and trends that lie ahead. After a year with surprisingly high sales for smart speakers and virtual reality, as well as the debut of several new phones and tablets, I’ve spent the last several weeks looking ahead to the possible trends that will unfold in 2018.

As a marketer, my perspective often turns to how we can use these new technologies and trends to better communicate and connect with our audiences, but general tech trends hold much more potential than that—they have the capacity to change how we live and interact with each other.

So what will the biggest tech trends of 2018 be, and how will our lives change, accordingly?

1. AI permeation. Artificial intelligence (AI), largely manifesting through machine learning algorithms, isn’t just getting better. It isn’t just getting more funding. It’s being incorporated into a more diverse range of applications. Rather than focusing on one goal, like mastering a game or communicating with humans, AI is starting to make an appearance in almost every new platform, app, or device, and that trend is only going to accelerate in 2018. We’re not at techno-pocalypse levels (and AI may never be sophisticated enough for us to reach that point), but by the end of 2018, AI will become even more of a mainstay in all forms of technology.


2. Digital centralization. Over the past decade, we’ve seen the debut of many different types of devices, including smartphones, tablets, smart TVs, and dozens of other “smart” appliances. We’ve also come to rely on lots of individual apps in our daily lives, including those for navigation to even changing the temperature of our house. Consumers are craving centralization; a convenient way to manage everything from as few devices and central locations as possible. Smart speakers are a good step in the right direction, but 2018 may influence the rise of something even better.

3. 5G preparation. Though tech timelines rarely play out the way we think, it’s possible that we could have a 5G network in place—with 5G phones—by the end of 2019. 5G internet has the potential to be almost 10 times faster than 4G, making it even better than most home internet services. Accordingly, it has the potential to revolutionize how consumers use internet and how developers think about apps and streaming content. 2018, then, is going to be a year of massive preparation for engineers, developers, and consumers, as they gear up for a new generation of internet.

4. Data overload. By now, every company in the world has realized the awesome power and commoditization of consumer data, and in 2018, data collection is going to become an even higher priority. With consumers talking to smart speakers throughout their day, and relying on digital devices for most of their daily tasks, companies will soon have access to—and start using—practically unlimited amounts of personal data. This has many implications, including reduced privacy, more personalized ads, and possibly more positive outcomes, such as better predictive algorithms in healthcare.

5. White collar automation. Is your job likely to be replaced by a machine? How certain are you of that answer? AI has been advancing enough to replace at least some white collar jobs for years; even back in 2013, we had algorithms that could write basic news articles, given sufficient inputs of data. Is 2018 going to be the year all humans are finally replaced by their new robot overlords? Almost certainly not, but I do think we’ll see the fledgling beginnings of radical job transformations throughout the United States. I think it’s naïve to think that jobs will be fully replaced, but they will be more heavily automated, and we’ll have to adapt our careers accordingly.

6. Seamless conversation. A few years ago, voice search was decent, but unreliable. Today, voice search might as well be flawless; Microsoft’s latest test gives its voice recognition software a 5.1 percent error rate, making it better at recognizing speech than human transcribers. Similarly, robotic speech and chatbots are growing more sophisticated. In 2018, with these improvement cycles continuing, I imagine we’ll see the manifestation or solidification of seamless conversation. We’ll be able to communicate with our devices, both ways, without any major hiccups or mistakes.

7. UI overhauls. I also think 2018 is going to be a major year for UI; we’re going to have to rethink how we interact with our apps and devices. The onset of smart speakers and better voice search has made it so it’s no longer necessary to look at a screen to input data. Desktop devices are becoming less and less used as well, with mobile continuing to take over. New types of visuals and more audible clues will likely be included in next-generation UI, and consumers will adapt to them quickly, so long as they serve their core needs.

It’s hard to say how fast these trends will manifest, or what types of devices and upgrades will dictate their development, but I’m confident we’ll see increased exposure on all these fronts as 2018 develops.

Regardless of how you feel about technology, or your primary motivations for using it, I think we can all be excited about the new gadgets and infrastructure that await us next year.

12

Software Engineering / What are the latest technologies in IT industry?

« on: February 12, 2019, 06:03:17 PM »

1. Artificial Intelligence and Advanced Machine Learning

Applied AI and machine learning are composed of many technologies and techniques (such as deep learning, neural networks and natural-language processing [NLP]). These technologies, which are different from traditional algorithms and programs, make the machines intelligent. Gartner predicts that the applied AI advanced machine learning will inspire applications like robots, autonomous vehicles, consumer electronics, virtual personal assistants, and smart advisors. The smart machines are context & event driven. They will be able to deal with complexities, understand, learn, predict, adapt and act anonymously.

2. Intelligent Apps

Organizations are applying AI and machine-learning techniques to create new apps. Intelligent applications like personal assistants are making our lives easier. Gartner expects that future assistants will be more specialized and equipped with potential to transform the workplaces and homes. Virtual Personal Assistants (VPAs) make tasks easier and users effective by highlighting important information and interactions, virtual customer assistants (VCAs) help in specialized areas like sales and customer service. Packaged app and service providers are increasingly using AI and machine-learning techniques to deliver more robust systems. Over the course of next 10 years, every application, and service will make use of some kind of AI. Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning is used in intelligent sensors, smart appliances, operational & security applications, smart enterprise apps etc.

3. Intelligent Things

Intelligent things are the machines that use applied machine learning to interact with the surroundings and people more naturally. Gartner expects that intelligent things like drones, autonomous vehicles and smart appliances will work together in an intelligent and collaborative environment. The autonomous vehicles is used in controlled settings like farming, mining and warehousing etc. Autonomous drones and robots will undergo significant technical evolution powered by new AI and machine-learning models and algorithms. They will be used in defined scenarios and controlled environments. AI and machine learning will increasingly be embedded into everyday things, such as appliances, speakers and hospital equipment etc.

4. Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality

Presently VR and AR technologies are in nascent phase. They are new wave of computing devices that will transform the way individuals interact with one another and with software systems. Gartner expects that the landscape of immersive consumer applications will evolve at a rapid pace through 2021. They will form a digital network by collaborating with apps, mobile, wearables, and IoT devices and will extend immersive applications beyond isolated and single-person experiences.

5. Digital Twins

Digital twin refers to a dynamic software model that uses sensor data to understand its state. It responds to the changes accordingly and improves its operations. They include a combination of metadata, state, event data, and analytics. Gartner predicts that within 3-5 years, hundreds of millions of things will be represented by digital twins. They will be used for planning and repairing equipment services, predict equipment failure or increase operational efficiency, planning manufacturing processes for operating factories. They will replace the combination of skilled human resources, traditional monitoring devices and will perform enhanced product development.

6. Blockchains and Distributed Ledgers

Blockchain and distributed-ledger concepts are becoming popular as the industry thinks that they hold the power to transform the operating models. Apart from the financial industry, they have future applications in identity verifications, title registry, supply chain, healthcare, music distribution etc. Bitcoin is the only proven blockchain. Its architecture not only supports bitcoin transactions, but also enables authoritative recording of events, immutable snippets of data and simple programmable scripts. They lack scalability, complete transparency, have limitations concerning consumption of resources, Operational risk from unintended centralization of resources (mining) etc. They also bring adoption challenges like lack of standards, robust platforms, scalable distributed consensus systems, interoperability mechanisms. While they have immense potential, Gartner says that they are still in their early alpha or beta testing stage.

7. Conversational Systems

In future, in the conversation interface arena, the focus will shift from chatbots and microphone-enabled devices to the digital meshes that will encompass a wide range of endpoints. According to Gartner, Dynamic natural-language ontologies or knowledge graphs at multiple levels of specificity will be needed to support NLP capabilities, such as disambiguation, concept identification and relationship extraction. Apps will target an orchestrated collection of devices being used together, rather than an individual device used in isolation. This will preserve continuity of user experience across traditional boundaries of devices, time and space. There will be greater cooperative interaction between devices, creating a path for a new ambient digital experience.

8. Mesh App and Service Architecture

The mesh app and service architecture (MASA) is a multichannel solution architecture that supports multiple users in multiple roles using multiple devices and communicating over multiple networks to access application functions. In MASA, mesh app and service architecture, mobile, desktop, and IoT apps are connected to a mesh of back-end service to create an application for the end user. This architecture exposes APIs at different levels balancing the demand for agility and scalability of services. It allows the users to have an optimized solution for endpoints in the digital mesh as well as a continuous experience as they shift across these different channels.

9. Digital Technology Platforms

They act as a basic building block for a digital business. Gartner has specified 5 major focal points that enable new capabilities and model businesses. These points are

Information system platform — Supports the back office, operations such as ERP, core systems, and associated middleware and development capabilities to deliver solutions.

Customer experience platform — Contains the main customer-facing elements, such as customer and citizen portals, multichannel commerce, and customer apps.

Analytics and intelligence platform — Contains information management and analytical capabilities. Data management programs and analytical applications fuel data-driven decision making, and algorithms automate discovery and action.

IoT platform — Connects physical assets for monitoring, optimization, control and monetization. Capabilities include connectivity, analytics, and integration with core and operational technology systems.

Business ecosystem platform — Supports the creation of, and connection to, external ecosystems, marketplaces and communities. API management, control and security are the main elements.

Gartner says that every organization must have a mix of these five factors.

10 Adaptive Security Architecture

The intelligent digital mesh and related digital technology platforms and applications are creating complex world for security. The technology companies will be focusing more on the security applications due to a complex world of interconnected platforms and applications. Organizations will need security-aware application design, application self-protection, user and entity behavior analytics, API protection, and specific tools and techniques to address IoT and intelligent app related vulnerabilities. With the addition of the IoT frontier, slowly, we are observing newer security implications. Security providers will have to factor new remediation tools and processes.

13

Employability 360 / Leadership Characteristics that CEOs are Looking For

« on: January 23, 2019, 06:38:42 PM »

Effective leadership is one of the single most important drivers behind performance. Successful companies employ skilled leaders in every key position. CEOs know this and are in constant search of people who embody great leadership qualities and character.

But just what are the qualities of a good leader? What characteristics do CEOs look for in their leaders? Many studies have been done to decode the nature of leadership, and in these studies several recurrent findings emerge. Here are the top five leadership characteristics CEOs value most highly.

1. Effective Problem-Solving Skills
Leaders are constantly faced with the challenge of making decisions and solving problems. Good leaders can ask the right questions, compile information, process options, and apply analytical rigor to address the problems they face. Demonstrating your ability to make sound decisions, while working under pressure, will speak volumes in the eyes of a CEO.

2. Results-Driven
Good leaders develop a vision. Great leaders, on the other hand, take this vision, bring it to life, and follow through on it - leading to real results and outcomes. It's one thing to be visionary, it's another thing to turn vision into results. Staying focused on outcomes, taking time to engage in priority setting, and getting to the roots of efficiency are all qualities of a leader that CEOs look for.

3. Supportive of Others
In the eyes of a CEO, an exemplary leader is one who is supports and cares about others. While this may seem simple, it is critical to the success of a company. A supportive leader will ensure that staff is engaged, happy, productive, and focused on achieving good results rather than preoccupied with worries, fears, or negative emotions.

4. Encourages a Variety of Perspectives
If you can put aside your ego and genuinely listen to the perspectives and opinions of others, chances are you embody great leadership qualities. While leaders have to weed out the good ideas from bad, and ultimately make the final call, this decision-making process should include an honest assessment of a variety of paths and options. You never know who will come up with the next revolutionary idea.

5. Champions Change
Finally, you've no doubt heard the expression 'walk the talk'. This is critical for a good leader. To make an impression on a CEO, you need to genuinely believe in your work and carry the vision with you everywhere you go. It's fine to disagree and present divergent opinions, but unless you are truly excited about your company, chances are you're not the right fit for its next leader.

A skilled CEO always has their eyes and ears open when it comes to seeking out leaders. If you embody these five characteristics of a great leader, chances are you'll be noticed.

Source: https://goo.gl/HxeCDk

14

Etiquette & Personal Behavior / What We Do and What We Don't Do at Workplace

« on: January 13, 2019, 01:51:51 PM »

What We Do
The responsibilities of the UN Ethics Office include:

1.Providing confidential advice and guidance to staff on ethical issues, questions, and dilemmas

2. Developing standards, training and education on ethical issues, in coordination with OHRM and other offices

3. Conducting outreach to UN staff everywhere to explain the services of our office and to understand staff members'ethical concerns
Administering the financial disclosure program

4. Ensuring the protection of staff against retaliation for reporting misconduct or cooperation with duly authorized audits or investigations

5. Promoting coherence and cooperation among the standing Ethics Offices within the UN Funds and Programmes and throughout the UN System

4. Chairing the Ethics Committee

The terms of reference of the Ethics Office may be found in Secretary-General’s bulletin (ST/SGB/2005/22) PDF

What We Don't Do

1. We do not receive reports of misconduct. Staff members have a duty to report suspected misconduct to the designated offices (e.g. Head of Department, OIOS, or the focal point on sexual harassment and abuse).

2. We do not resolve grievances. Staff members are encouraged to seek the impartial and independent advice of theOmbudsman which may include mediation services or assistance from the Office of Staff Legal Assistance.

3.We do not deal with administrative decisions regarding employment. Staff members wishing to contest an administrative decision must file a request with the Management Evaluation Unit in the Office of Under-Secretary-General for Management.

15

Etiquette & Personal Behavior / How can employers develop better work etiquette in the office?

« on: January 13, 2019, 01:47:59 PM »

Practice what you preach

Leaders should practice work ethics themselves before urging their employees to follow suit. Do it first and your workers will definitely follow.

Acknowledge and reward those who practice them

Reward employees who practice good work ethics. It need not be much, it could be an email that is copied to the rest of the company or a small token of appreciation presented to the employees. This will serve as a reminder to the rest of the organisation of the importance you place on ethics and etiquette.

Reprimand those who go against work ethics

If a worker is caught going against work ethics, that person should be reprimanded, no matter how small the fault is. This shows that you are a leader with principle and sends out a strong warning to all the other employees.