The Influence Institute brings you 10 jam-packed-hours of selling and sales leadership masterclasses. Learn from six top industry experts. Premium event, limited to 200 seats. Ticket prices increase next week.

THE INFLUENCE BREAKTHROUGH SALES SUMMIT

If youre tired of accepting that the economys bad, and want to know the new strategies, tools and approaches you can start putting into action immediately to end your 2019 stronger than ever, then this is the most important event youll attend all year!

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Expect a jam-packed 10 hours of high-performance, transformational and instantly-practical sales training for entrepreneurs, business owners and salespeople looking to take their sales game to the next level!

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When you buy your tickets to the live summit youll receive over R10,000 worth of bonus online sales training!

(TICKET PRICES INCREASING MONDAY 14 OCT)

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Your last chance to attend the most anticipated sales summit, for an exceptional end to your 2019 - Gilan Gork - Bizcommunity.com

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In an area of skills shortages is it better to hire qualified candidates or upskill your own? Billy MacInnes reports

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Read More: Cisco Datapac Fujitsu longform Renaissance skills gap Tech Data Academy training

Skills and training are huge issues for channel partners and their customers. Its not an exaggeration to say that the IT industry has suffered from an enduring skills gap for many years. So how do Irish channel partners ensure they have the requisite skills and training to support their sales and support activities in a market where many complain it is hard to find the right people? And if they have them, how do they retain staff that are in demand elsewhere?

Compounding the stresses of skills shortages for Irish companies is the presence of larger multinationals that can offer bigger salaries to potential recruits that have the requisite skills. How can channel partners compete with them for staff and how can fend off advances from multinationals for those they already have? Would it make sense for channel partners to devote more time to training staff straight from college via apprenticeships and graduate programmes?

The skills gap is a major issue across the IT industry, Whitson acknowledges, citing research from Cybersecurity Ventures which estimated there would be a global shortage of 3.5 million cyber security experts by 2021. Future growth and success for Irish channel partners is going to be dependent on coming at the problem from a different angle, he argues. Youll need to be smart and canny if you want to compete.

As a distributor, Tech Data provides training and skills development at a number of levels. It offers vendor-certified technical and sales training that enables partners to keep their key skills sharp. Whitson claims this is especially important in emerging areas of technology, such as IoT, analytics, and machine learning. With these next-gen solutions, you are all selling into the line of business and need people who can sit down with the board and translate how the technology helps them to transform. For this, you need individuals with a highly valued skill set, he says.

The companys Practice Builder Programme is designed to help channel businesses transform themselves around the latest technologies and high-growth markets. For example, Tech Data might help a traditional reseller to make the shift to becoming services-led. We aim to help the partner develop a unique value proposition that fits with where they want to take their business, he states. The distributors accelerator programmes are designed to plug partners into channel programmes and develop specialisation around a particular vendor technology.

Channel partners can also use Tech Datas professional services expertise and resources to plug their skills gaps. Whitson claims partners can use Tech Datas extensive resources and contract in our experts and tools for projects as and when they need them. That means they can keep overheads down, while staying nimble and flexible.

They can contract in Tech Datas portfolio of services across a number of different technology areas. Partners just need to sell the service, Tech Data will manage the implementation. This gives them the opportunity to test the waters in a new area, grow business and build revenue, until such time that they can justify bringing their own resources on-board. We also have fully formed solutions that partners can sell. For instance, our IoT team has developed its own solutions catalogue, and we also have cybersecurity and audio-visual solutions ready to go.

But what about retaining staff? Its simple, Whitson remarks. Provide them with an enjoyable, rewarding environment where they not only can be successful, but also see their success celebrated. This of course requires great leadership from those at the top. The big question then becomes, how do you create an environment that nurtures great leadership? That is a whole separate subject.

The increasing need for talent and high-quality skills development has important implications for the Irish labour market supply, OMalley warns. Improved and industry-specific skillsets are key to engender a more efficient workforce, which supplies businesses demands. Businesses are also under pressure to try to attract and retain talent with core technology skills, such as AI, cloud and Blockchain.

He argues it is fundamental that people who were not previously able to enter the workforce can now participate and upskill. Fujitsu places a big emphasis on building the skills pipeline by encouraging students to get involved at an early age through our involvement with local schools and in an advisory capacity on education and training, OMalley reveals.

It is also important to look beyond the traditional education sector and make people aware of the possibility that conversion and reskilling programmes and continuing professional development are pathways into ICT that must be explored.

The vendor has a strong network of channel partners in Ireland and it works closely with them so the company is well-placed to discuss how industry and employees can stay relevant and equipped in todays world of radical change. OMalley says that one of the things we are currently sharing with our partners is the importance of trust in terms of attracting and retaining talent. Fujitsu recently published a report entitled Driving a Trusted Future in a Radically Changing World, which found that people are less trusting of organisations than they were five years ago. If companies dont remedy this trend, they will fail in attracting and retaining skilled workers, he warns.

The gap in skills and the shortage in availability of skills are ever present throughout the IT industry, Conway admits, adding the issue is particularly challenging when it comes to cyber skills. The main challenges concern the availability of relevant and current skills, the ability to recruit skilled people and the ability to retain skilled people when recruited.

When it comes to availability of skills, Conway believes this is partly because the relevant skills are difficult to teach and without significant work experience, the individuals who come out of the training processes are inexperienced and unable to deliver the service levels to the necessary extent. He recounts presenting to a group of post graduate cyber students outlining the industry and how it was structured, covering users, channel, distribution, vendors and consultants. When I asked what sector most of these soon to be graduates and specialists in cyber wanted to get into, the overwhelming majority wanted to be consultants, he recalls. So the channel still has some way to go in persuading students that it provides a good career path for them.

One way to do this, Conway suggests, is to take on paid interns as part of their college courses, as Renaissance has done, because it gives them a huge opportunity to develop their experience so that they are employable. Our focus when taking on interns is that when they finish with us their CV and experience has built up to a degree where they are employable. To achieve this aim, the distributor ensures they get actual real brand accreditations and experience, so they work on live and relative technologies deployed out in the field.

This is something that colleges will need to look at, he believes, by changing their focus from some of the more theoretical elements to actual practical real life elements in order to turn out more rounded graduates better equipped for the market. This can be done through intern programmes or else changing the curriculum.As for recruiting skilled people, Conway says the challenge needs to be addressed by making the channel more sexy if that is possible and perhaps by the channel reaching out to the colleges to be part of the programmes. He wonders whether the industry needs a body to focus on delivering these skills or if vendors should deliver appropriate, and free, training and accreditations. The obstacle of having to pay significant sums for these accreditations is challenging. The vendors who embrace education and training are, for the most part, the most successful. Sadly, everything is now done by spreadsheet and sometimes all that reveals is the cost, not the value, of training and education.

Kavanagh makes the significant point that competition for talent is something everyone is experiencing, not just in the IT industry but far beyond, with companies in all sectors becoming increasingly digitalised and in need of specialist skills. And when it comes to Ireland, success can bring its own problems. In many ways Irelands economic success is a driving factor behind this due to current high levels of employment, he observes.

From Ciscos perspective, in terms of attracting and retaining staff, the focus is on making the company an inclusive and diverse place to work, where people are excited by the work they are doing, being flexible to the demands of modern life and making people feel like they are contributing to society. This makes us a better company, a better global competitor and a better corporate citizen.

Like a number of other respondents, he makes the point that an obvious solution to the challenge of skills shortages is to expand the existing talent pool by upskilling those who are willing to learn, regardless of their background. Cisco has done this by extending its Networking Academy programme to make digital skills training accessible to everyone in Ireland by offering entry level courses through Irelands libraries. Since 1999, more than 21,600 students in Ireland have completed Networking Academy courses through 26 academies, and 89% of them have obtained jobs or gone on to further opportunities as a result.

Kavanagh adds that Cisco places a big emphasis on recent graduates too, giving them opportunities through our long-standing partnerships between our Galway R&D centre and local universities.

The problem with a lot of recruitment strategies in the Irish tech sector, including the channel, is the emphasis on recycling talent in the existing pool, OConnor argues. If we are to sustain a successful indigenous technology industry long term and remain competitive for the global technology organisations that Ireland seeks to attract and retain, the focus needs to be on widening the talent pool. This can happen in a number of ways, she adds, such as collaborating more closely with the education sector, encouraging more women into technology roles and enabling skills conversion programmes for people who have trained and/or worked in other areas.

She describes technology as a great enabler that allows people to work from any location. Opening up the regions to more technology employment will help to alleviate the skills gap and provide more opportunities for businesses to grow and regions to thrive, OConnor suggests. Datapacs Network Operations Centre, for example, is based in Enniscorthy. This gives our team the opportunity to achieve world-class accreditations, work on highly innovative projects and provide the highest levels of client support, while still enjoying the many benefits of living in the South East, she says.

Datapac also places a huge focus on collaboration with local schools and third level institutions. The company has employed more than 160 third level students on its work placement programme to considerable success for both parties. Students gain practical, hands-on experience working across the business and many have gone on to Datapacs graduate programme and ultimately built successful careers with the company.

Most recently, we have hired 10 graduating students from Carlow IT on our graduate programme, she reveals. To make this a success, weve worked very closely with the graduates and colleges to ensure they are developing the right skills and are able to make a positive impact. Datapac has made a considerable investment in consistent, structured mentoring and two-way feedback with the students and relevant contacts within the colleges. This collaborative approach ensures the investment is worthwhile for the students and graduates, the colleges, and for Datapac, she claims.

The company also works closely with local schools, particularly Transition Year students, to provide taster sessions of what it is like to work in a technology company, including career talks with various team members and senior engineers.

While the primary goal of our work with schools is to encourage students from all backgrounds to tick technology related courses on their CAO applications, OConnor remarks, were also finding some students are choosing to join the workforce after school to work with a company like Datapac to gain real experience and find an alternative path to a successful career should they choose it.

Encouraging diversity and inclusion is also crucial. She says that Datapac has developed policies which have allowed us to take a lead in this area. We have a programme that enables senior leaders in the company, including myself, to mentor female business colleagues, providing them with strong role models and empowering them to succeed at Datapac. The company continually hones its approach, looking at all aspects of the business. Even our job descriptions are carefully worded to encourage a diversity of applications for each position, she states. Our policies are working. A significant proportion of our workforce is female and this increases further at management level.

Read More: Cisco Datapac Fujitsu longform Renaissance skills gap Tech Data Academy training

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Finding the right fit - TechCentral.ie

No gas to buy. No engine noise because, well, theres no engine. And hardly any maintenance.

Those are just some of the advantages to owning an electric vehicle, a choice that more people are making.

Sales of electric vehicles and of hybrids, which run on gas and battery, are expected to comprise more than 20 percent of annual vehicle sales in 2030, according to the Edison Electric Institute, an association that represents electric companies.

If youre in the market for an electric or hybrid vehicle, heres a run-down of questions and answers that could weigh into your decision:

1. What are the cost benefits of driving an electric vehicle?

In Florida, it costs about half as much to drive an electric vehicle as one that runs on gas, according to an online tool by Energy.gov. In a recent check, regular gasoline cost $2.35 a gallon in the state while an e-gallon cost $1.09. An e-gallon measures what it costs to drive an electric vehicle the same distance as a similar vehicle that runs on gasoline.

Electric vehicles also have fewer moving parts so maintenance costs tend to be lower, according to a report by the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy, an organization in Knoxville, Tenn., that promotes responsible energy choices. The electric vehicles primary part is the shaft, which requires little or no maintenance. The batteries are sealed and are maintenance free, although life of the batteries is limited and they require periodic replacement.

2. What are consumers concerns about buying electric vehicles?

Affordability is the biggest issue, but some say thats a misconception.

Electric vehicles start at about $37,000, including cars such as the Hyundai Kona Electric, the Chevy Bolt and Kia Soul Electric. The Teslas latest Model 3, which include autopilot, enabling your car to steer, accelerate and brake automatically, costs $39,500, according to a Tesla blog post in April.

In comparison, the average cost of a new gas-powered car in the U.S. was $37,400 as of August 2019, up 2 percent from a year ago, according to Kelley Blue Book.

But concerns over the cost of electric vehicles compared with traditional vehicles, their driving range and lack of readily available charging stations were the biggest obstacles named by about 1,600 car shoppers in August survey by Autolist.com, a vehicle sale and research site.

Some consumers have range anxiety, the concern the vehicle will run out of juice before it can be recharged. But an increasing number of charging stations is expected to ease that concern.

Were on the very tip of the disruption curve. Were going to see very rapid growth in this technology as more people get comfortable with it, said Stephen Smith, executive director of the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy, which advocates for electric vehicles and offers test drives at special events.

Florida Power & Light Co. recently announced its planned installation of more than 1,000 electric vehicle charging stations at parks, tourist destinations and large workplaces in its service territory, which is half the state. And in July, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis announced plans to increase charging stations along major roads and highways in the state.

In Florida and nationwide, charging stations can be found online at ChargePoint.com or Greenlots.com.

3. What do drivers say about their electric vehicle experience?

Citrix Systems, a technology company, has had electric vehicle charging stations at its Fort Lauderdale, Fla., headquarters since 2013.

The company has four stations with plans to add more because the number of employees who drive electric vehicles continues to grow, said Chris Fleck, vice president and technical fellow at Citrix, who drives a Tesla Model 3.

What I like about (my Tesla) is the safety, convenience, and acceleration. The overall experience is just incredibly good, Fleck said. But what really impresses this technologist is that his Tesla receives software updates every month.

Tesla added Sentry Mode, for example, to help protect against break-ins and theft. Cameras used for the autopilot feature record activity around the car when it is parked. Lights flash, the stereo goes full blast, and a screen message lets the intruder know hes being recorded.

Rafael Santoni, marketing systems analyst at Citrix, is so enthusiastic about the Tesla that he founded the Tesla Club of South Florida, which holds educational events on electric vehicles.

Santoni, who has owned many cars and motorcycles, said his Model 3 is the best vehicle for long-distance driving. He uses the autopilot feature most of the time on a trip. I can pay attention to the details because the car is doing a lot of hard work, he said.

He has driven his Tesla to California, to Philadelphia and to Toronto, and he says he has had no problem finding Tesla charging stations along the way.

Santoni, who saved for two years to buy his Tesla, said his only cost beyond purchase has been $3 to occasionally refill the windshield wiper fluid.

Fleck notes with his Model 3 that you dont even have to bring it in for regular service. When he was having a problem with the cars electronic glove box, Teslas repair team came out and fixed it while I was in the office.

4. How does a hybrid compare with an electric vehicle?

Some consumers prefer hybrid vehicles, which are powered by battery some with plug-in options, and a gas-fueled engine.

Toyota has been banking on that customer preference and has been rolling out hybrid versions of its popular models including the Camry, Rav 4 and Corolla. The latest hybrid models are the 2019 Rav 4 EV and the 2020 Corolla EV.

Toyotas plan is to put our effort into hybrid and plug-in hybrid. It negates range anxiety, said Pete Friedland, manager of sales training for Southeast Toyota Distributors, part of Deerfield Beach-based JM Family Enterprises.

The company said its hybrid sales in South Florida have increased 6 percent over a year ago.

Friedland said car shoppers usually ask questions about charging a hybrid, not understanding that the hybrid charges itself as it is driven. Toyota hybrids have regenerative braking. When you use the brakes, the motors turn into (electrical) generators, using the forward motion of vehicle to charge the battery, he explained.

Consumers also are often concerned about how long the hybrid cars battery will last. Friedland noted that Toyota recently announced it will be offering a 10-year or 150,000-mile warranty on its hybrid batteries, which could help allay that concern.

Friedland said price of a hybrid is becoming less of an obstacle for car shoppers as the option has become less.

The 2020 Corolla EVs price begins at $23,100 while the gas-fueled Toyota Corolla LE prices start at $20,050.

5. How does driving an electric vehicle help the environment?

The Southern Alliance for Clean Energy sees electrification of the transportation sector as a very large piece of the puzzle to protecting the environment, said Smith, the groups longtime executive director.

Transportation is the largest source of carbon dioxide pollution in the U.S., according to the Environmental Protection Agency. Electric cars also could reduce the nations dependence on foreign oil and petroleum.

Coastal states such as Florida, with beaches to protect, should be particularly concerned, Smith said. If youre opposed to offshore drilling, you should be driving electric, he said.

He said driving an electric vehicle is like a triple play: It protects the environment, helps solve the energy crisis and ultimately lowers the cost of vehicle ownership and maintenance. Smith said more consumers are now able to find used electric vehicles or hybrids, which typically cost less than new.

While theres still a long way to go before electric cars are dominant enough on roads to alleviate harmful emissions, Smith says individual actions matter.

Every time you drive an electric car when its not burning a gallon of gas, it makes a difference, Smith said.

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Electric cars: 5 things to know before you buy - Dayton Daily News

Neuroscience recently revealed that listening to relaxing music can relieve anxiety by up to 65 percent. From the mellow-suave of jazz to the vast toll of ambient drums music has the power to transport you to acompletely different time and place, and that sounds damn near a superpower to me.

Hellenistic philosopher Epicurus believed that being relaxed was the ideal state of human nature. We constantly strive for the blissful nothingness of relaxation as anything beyond that would be a form of dissatisfaction or pain. This is alternatively why the Epicurean school of thought derived that we should not fear death as it is the ultimate state of nothingness and therefore peace.

While Im certainly not encouraging anyone to die, these five masterpieces of relaxing music will have you floating through the interstellar and beyond. Close your eyes and behold the power of peace.

Undoubtedly crowned the godfather of ambient music, rarely has a single genre been so specifically accredited to one person. Brian Eno is a musical pioneer and Ambient 1: Music For Airports is his crowning jewel. Eno himself came up with the term ambient to distance himself from the Muzak Coporation in 1978 and thus is synonymous with relaxation.

When Brian Eno was recovering from being hit by a car, a friend visiting him put on a 19th Century harp record and left the room. The speakers were at such a low setting so as to blend with the outside world and Eno was too weak to get up and change the volume; thus ambient music was born.

Easily to be confused for background music, Eno creates remarkably interesting tones and timing so as to create a complete sense of placid tranquility.

Arguably the most famous jazz record of all time, Miles DavisKind Of Bluenot only embodies the lucid nirvana of truly good jazz, but the epitome of improvisation. Davis at the time was at odds with the chordal complexity and increasingly convoluted state of jazz. Thus he desired to write an album that was a complete return to form and melody.

Scribbling out sheet music one hour before the session, Davis assembled the sextet of saxophonists John Coltrane and Cannonball Adderley, bassist Paul Chambers, drummer Jimmy Cobb, and pianist Bill Evans. They cut two takes of each track and that was that.

Its smoky miasma and late night ambience are the exact expression of elegance. It is 46 minutes of pure improvisation and sophistication and remains to this day a true example of musical heaven and some of the most relaxing music ever recorded.

While this has mostly been selected for the third act, Clair de Lune, suite bergamasquefrom Claude Debussy is a masterpiece through and through. Debussy was a French composer from the turn of the 20th Century and is one of the most influential songwriters of the time. He is often seen as the first Impressionist composers although he fervently rejected the term.

In 1902, at the age of 40 Debussy achieved international fame with his only completed opera, Pellas et Mlisande. The suite bergamasque was Debussys most famous piano suite.Undoubtedly a mature piece of composition it is one of the most fascinating, entrancing piano works Ive ever had the pleasure of hearing and is inspired by a Paul Verlaine poem of the same name.

The post-rock giant that isSigur Ros has made some the most undeniably beautiful music of our time. Once described by a befuddled critic as sounding like god weeping tears of gold in heaven, like a glacier sweeping through the harsh icelandic landscape, their second album gtis byrjun shocked the world upon release due to its sheer originality.

Liminal Sleep is an endless Sigur Ros playlist created by Jnsi, Alex Somers and Paul Corley, reaching through their entire works to create a sensory collection of turntable crackles, ghostly choirs and transcendent strings.

We like the fact that sleep remains defiantly mysterious; something we all do all need to do but cant ever get fully inside. explains Jnsi. This playlist is a modest attempt to mirror the journey of a sleep cycle, with its curves, steady states and natural transitions.

One of the most beautiful folk-rock records of all time. The Grateful DeadsAmerican Beautyis a landmark album for song craft and aural beauty.

While it would be easy to create this entire list derived of ambient albums, American Beautyhas earned its spot due to the sheer poetic vehemence of Robert Hunter, the beautiful simplicity of Jerry Garcias musical arrangement and its enduring legacy.

The simple poignancy ofAmerican Beautyis to take life as it comes and appreciate change. These songs will cast a spell about the listener luring, them to spin about the room with a smile and embrace the day.

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Kick back to the most relaxing music that has ever been made - Happy Mag

Question: I love dinner traditions around the holidays. Do you have suggestions for how our family can make ordinary meals feel special?

Answer: While nothing quite matches a holiday dinner, we can look at what makes them special and apply the take-aways to any meal.

First, think about ambience. Invite the children to make place cards for each family member and to pick some greenery, flowers or branches from outside if possible. Play some quiet and relaxing music. Use cloth napkins, candles, and fancy glasses and real plates (not plastic).

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When my children were small and I was afraid of breakage, I purchased fancy tumblers made of real glass and mismatched china at thrift stores for a very low cost. Using real dishes, according to the Montessori approach, encourages children to treat their surroundings with care and respect. This care and respect is what we are hoping to capture in our ordinary family dinners.

Next, consider the conversation. At special dinners, we involve the entire family. The conversation is not about mom and dad catching up on their day or discussing the details of the weeks schedule. Start a tradition in your family of a question or series of questions. Some great ideas: What are you grateful for? What did you do today that was kind? What do you appreciate about each person in the family? You can Google 50 Questions To Ask Instead of How Was Your Day? These questions are an invitation. No one is forced to participate.

This brings me to attitude. At holiday meals, we are focused on warm connection with our families. With some effort, we can carry this over into our ordinary family meals. To keep dinners pleasant for everyone, try these suggestions: Keep corrections to a minimum. If you really need to remind someone to finish chewing before speaking, a gentle Ahem and a tap on your own cheek is a good-enough reminder. As children grow, their motor skills improve and eating neatly becomes easier. Children learn what is modelled for them. Gentle reminders and modelling proper table manners are more effective than nagging and keep the mood at the table positive. If you really feel they need lessons to learn, make it fun. Pretend you are dining with the Queen or at a fancy restaurant. Kids playing with their food? Dont worry! Research shows this makes them more adventurous eaters and can help their brain development.

Remember to avoid power struggles over food. I recommend that parents follow Ellyn Satters Division of Responsibility in Feeding. The parents decide what and when the children eat, the children decide if and how much they eat. Offer a variety of healthy foods you want your children to eat, including one thing you know they will eat so no one goes hungry. Enjoy your own food and take the pressure off of them to try it. Pressuring kids can actually make them more picky! If youre worried your child wont be able to sleep if theyre hungry, build the bedtime snack into your routine. Offer leftover dinner or another healthy option.

Finally, save your energy for everything above. If we are stressed at dinner, we wont be able to enjoy the meal or our children. That means, keep your dinner preparations to a minimum. Make a pot of stew on Sunday and have the leftovers for a night or two. Have breakfast for dinner and serve eggs and fruit. Use jarred pasta sauce (or make and freeze your own) and cut up some veggies. Using these suggestions, we can recreate the ambience and the warm feelings of a holiday dinner every day.

And ultimately, remember this: Be together. Try to eat as a family as much as possible. If the kids cant wait until your partner is home? Serve them dinner early or tide them over with a veggie-and-fruit platter (watch how much they eat when they are hungry!). If they have eaten the majority of their meal before you can be together, make them a fruit smoothie and have them join you for dessert.

Sarah Rosensweet is a parenting coach who lives in Toronto with her husband and three kids, aged 12, 15 and 18.

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Do you have a parenting question? Send your dilemmas to srosensweet@globeandmail.com. Please keep your submissions to 150 words and include a daytime contact number so we can follow up with any queries.

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How to make ordinary family meals feel special every time - The Globe and Mail

From high-intensity techno to get you motivated, to smoothing classical to keep you focused, we've got together the best beats to battle the business planning.

With the recent release of YouTube Music in the Middle East, there has never been a better time to put the AirPods on during your time in the office and really get into the zone. Whether you need to perk yourself up, drown out the annoying murmurs of office chit-chat, or you need to get in the zone for hours, music can act as a fabulous work companion.

Known as the 'Mozart Effect', lyric-less music like that of Mozart has shown the ability to increase short-term productivity in the brain. With this in mind, we've got together our top playlists to get those creative juices flowing at work.

No, just because you need to focus doesn't mean you need to listen to slow violins, piano masterpieces, or brass backings, sometimes what you need to get you going at work is something a bit more fun. The Pychedelic Ambient Techno playlist is exactly that, using more unconvential music choices to get you in the zone. With its greater focus on electro beats, this is the perfect playlist to get you motivated and get the creative in you raring to go. The playlist luls you into a trance with long synths and then kicks you back into action with some sharp techno.

On to more conventional work playlists, this is probably the kind of line-up you already have lurking on your phone somewhere. Full of pianos and long, relaxing jazz pieces, this playlist is the 'Mozart Effect' in full swing. When you need to relax yourself on the massive task in front of you, the soothing piano can be a trusty companion. With its soft tones, never giving you any nasty surprises like a bass drop, this playlist is perfect for when you need uninterupted focus.

With YouTube Middle East offering a wide selection of Arab-exclusive music, why not make the most of it. Full of relaxing tunes using the Arab instrument; the Oud, this playlist offers a kind of relaxation not often heard in mainstream media. Think of it as simple acoustic listening with a hint of Arab charm. The simple and soft tones are perfect for deep relaxation.

Designed to make reading those massive documents a little easier, this playlist is as uplifting as it is relaxing. Full of soul and passion, this playlist will have you unknowingly tap your foot while still being able to focus in on the work at hand. Full of old-school ballads, brass and pianos, this playlist has a bit more personality than other more classic playlists, making it a perfect choice to make the most boring of jobs a bit easier.

Full of Hans Zimmer, this playlist is a bit more epic than the rest, think back to Inception and Interstellar. With this playlist, you can take the edge of work and for a moment imagine what it would be like to be in those films. With cinematic scores comes music which is a bit more intense, perfect to add a bit of pressure to yourself if you're really crunched for time.

Now get back to work!

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The best playlists to help you focus at work and get things done - EsquireMe

Nara Colaba

Nara Colaba takes the concept of Sunday brunches to the next level with delectable Thai cuisine and a chance to unwind in its karaoke rooms. Sing your heart out (bathroom singers are welcome too), and round it off with flavoursome dishes such as spicy raw papaya salad, crispy betel leaves, and coconut and kaffir lime bar.

Where: Nara, Amarchand Mansion, 16 Madame Cama Road, Colaba

When: Every Sunday, 12pm to 2 pm and 2 pm to 4 pm

Price: INR 1850 (plus taxes, approx for one)

Call: 022 61378080

Studio Renn by Rahul Jhaveri

Studio Renn, founded by Rahul Jhaveri, is bringing an immersive artistic showcase to the city that will delight jewellery lovers and creative souls alike. Featuring unique jewellery creations, the show will also host a plethora of experiences for its audience. Musical sessions, movement art, video installations and a conceptualised photostory are just some of the highlights that are bound to captivate you.

Where: The Stands (previously Bungalow 8), Wankhede Stadium

When: October 10-13

Call: 080700 09200

Mizu Sunday brunch

Forever relying on sushi to get your Japanese cuisine fix? Mizus revamped menu, packed with alternative divine Japanese dishes, gives you the chance to explore mouth-watering hot pots and prawn tempura hotdogs. Authentic flavours paired with a relaxing ambience, while live music performances will keep you entertained while you wine and dine.

Where: Ground level, Mizu, Atria The Millennium Mall, Dr. Annie Besant Road, Worli

When: Sunday, 13th October, 12pm

Price: INR 4000 (approx for two)

Call: 022 24913388

Neon East Fest

Move over Sunburn, theres a new homegrown festival about to take over the entertainment scene. Neon East Fest is bringing your Spotify playlist to life this weekend by hosting popular contemporary artists in town. The two-day festival has an exciting line up which includes vocal powerhouse Fatima, Australian duo KLLO (R&B), and Phum Viphurit who is Asias neo-soul singing sensation.

Where: JioGarden, Bandra Kurla Complex

When: October 12-13

Entry: Early bird tickets INR 1500, Phase One tickets- INR 3000

Call: 09810359721

Pernias Pop-Up Show Festive 19

The festive season calls for a much needed wardrobe update and an excuse to let your inner shopaholic let loose. Pernias Pop-Up Show is all set to host your favourite luxury brands from around the country under one roof. Browse through and shop from ace designer collections including Masaba, Rohit Bal, Gala Brothers Fine Jewels and more. Fashion and beauty enthusiasts can also indulge in interactive workshops to hear from industry experts like designer Pranay Baidya and beauty expert Leena Mukhi.

Where: Dome at NSCI, Worli.

When: October 12, 12:30 pm to 8 pm

Entry: Free

Excerpt from:

The best things to do in Mumbai this weekend - ELLE India

First-ever festival at Pamplin Park draws raves from attendees, vendors; some cannot wait until next year

DINWIDDIE - For those attending a new outdoor festival spotlighting the brewing and wine industries, the only liquid came from bottles and not from the sky.

Ideal weather conditions welcomed the first-ever Breakthrough Brew & Wine Festival last weekend at Pamplin Historical Park. Festival director Jerry Desmond was especially glad to see the sunshine and comfortable temperatures.

Last year, I picked a hurricane date, so I let the staff select the day for this year, he joked.

And judging by attendee reactions, the staff picked a good date.

It was relaxing, said Becky Tilson, a McKenney resident. Its a great place to come. I wish more people would come out and enjoy it.

Butch Bales came from his home in Disputanta. While he called the food selection a little shaky, he said he was glad he attended.

It is very nice, Bales said. The weather is unbeatable, music is great, beer selection is good, and facility is marvelous.

Colin Romanick, Pamplins director of marketing and development, said first-time events are always a learning experience for future improvements.

This is a first event like this for Pamplin Historical Park and like our other new events, were seeking to bring newer and younger families to experience the park in different ways, Romanick said.

The bands Joes Day Off and the Rhythm Kings played a mix of country, folk, and Top-40 selections.

Food, drink and craft vendors were available for ticket holders to satisfy their hunger and take home a variety of locally made products, and each ticket provided five beer samples and five wine samples.

We always like to support communities with local events, said Edwin Gommers, representing Shoe Crazy Wine at the event. Well be moving to a warehouse in Petersburg soon, and were excited about it.

Little Bird Jams & Jellies vendor Marcia Williams of Dinwiddie stated, Its nice being here. Great music. Hurricane Florence made them cancel the event last year and no rain date had been scheduled.

People have been visiting my booth, but I think next year attendance will grow, added Williams.

I think todays event was a really great opportunity for Dinwiddie residents to stay local for this type of event. It offers people a chance to experience a very relaxing atmosphere, said Dinwiddie Chamber of Commerce President Meagan Wall.

Karen and Emmett Partain parted the event toting three bottles of wine and their collectible beer cups and wine glasses.

We bought a bottle of chocolate raspberry wine, mango peach prosecco, and dry red table wine. When the peach prosecco was uncorked, the aroma smelled of fresh peaches, and it was very tasty, said Karen Partain.

They had quite an array of beer on tap, also, added Emmett Partain. Were looking forward to attending again next year.

Kristi K. Higgins can be reached at khiggins@progress-index.com or 804-722-5162.

Originally posted here:

A good day for brew and wine - Jackson County Newspapers

Theres really no reason to visit Bergamo, my Italian classmates back in high school told me.

I spent my senior year in the northern Italian city of Brescia, and my friends and host family there seemed offended at my suggestion of taking a day trip to the neighboring city. I explained that I wanted to visit the hill town of the Citt Alta, the medieval high city of Bergamo, since Lombardia only had a handful of hill towns.

Whats wrong with Brescia? We have a castle and Roman ruins was the inevitable response as my loyalty was called into question. It didnt help that Brescias soccer club is mortal enemies with the Atalanta team from Bergamo.

I suggested visiting Lake Como near Bergamo, but my Bresciani friends snapped back, We have Lago di Garda, the biggest and most beautiful lake in Italy. Who needs Como?

Now, years later, a group of graduate students from St. Paul wanted me to lead them to Italy. I refused the usual itinerary of Florence, Venice and Rome. Instead, we followed my dream itinerary. Finally I had my chance to tour Bergamo without need to tell my friends and host family in Brescia that I was being a traitor.

The students and I planned a five-night stay in a beautiful hotel near the Bergamo train station to facilitate tours around the region. The first day, we went up, up, up and under the Porta SantAgostino emblazoned with a plaque of the Venetian winged lion holding an open book. This is a symbol of peace, our guide Bruno, a native Bergamasco, told us. Never mind that Venice then fortified the city with impenetrable walls that were recently declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

In front of La Marianna Pasticceria, Bruno declared, This is where gelato alla stracciatella was invented! The confused students shrugged, so Bruno elbowed me to translate so he could get the reaction he wanted. Chocolate chip ice cream, I said and Bruno was pleased with the requisite oows and awws. We had no time to stop, however, since the old square, the Piazza Vecchia of the Citt Alta, was calling.

Unfortunately, the Civic Museum is closed on Mondays, the day we could have visited, so we couldnt see the early Ojibwe artifacts that Bergamos native son Giacomo Beltrami gathered on his trip through Minnesota in 1823 in his search for the source of the Mississippi.

We passed a store that displayed a wide range of Italian playing cards. These colorful cards a sort of 40-card tarot deck look-alike vary from city to city across Italy. Conspicuously missing from the collection, however, were cards from neighboring Brescia. Do they have their own cards? Bruno wondered. I havent really been there. He looked at me uncertainly when he found out I had lived in Brescia.

The stunning center of Bergamo was quiet, pristine, fascinating. A long sundial stretches under the arcades of the Palazzo della Ragione, marking the seasons and astrological phases. Across the cobblestones stands the Colleoni Chapel with an ornate trompe loeil facade from the 1500s. Inside, Bruno pointed out the coat of arms of Bartolomeo Colleoni: Notice the three testicles? The students suddenly paid attention. Yes, he was a man of three coglioni and so proud of his virility that he put it on his shield. Indeed, Colleoni likely had a condition of polyorchidism and boasted more than the usual two testes. His deformity became a war cry to scare off less manly neighbors.

Next door to the chapel is Bergamos giant duomo, but strangely Bruno was not impressed with his towns cathedral. Without a hint of irony, he said, Our duomo could have been a beautiful church, but they used marble from Brescia, so its really not so nice.

Aperitivo in Milano

On Day Two, we took the commuter train into Milan. The Bergamaschi refer to their big-city neighbors as ciuccia nebbia, or fog suckers, because of the dense fog during the humid winters. Most of my friends from Milan couldnt care less what their insignificant neighbor thinks of them.

Leonardo da Vinci designed the Bergamo-Milan bridge over the river Adda, but modern engineers have closed it to prevent a collapse. Instead, we clicked smoothly along on a different route into the Lambrate station of Milan. From there, we hopped on a classic tram from the 1930s that residents have insisted their city preserve.

A transportation pass allowed us to hop on and off the confusing network of trams and subways all day. Milan is a working city and not a place to relax, but still my friends Anna and Giovanni took time to show us their city. Pushing into the subway, my friend Anna from Milan pointed out, At least in New York, theyll let you get out sometimes!

The stifling heat topped 100 degrees, and the tepid Italian air conditioning couldnt compete. For the first time, I saw Italian men in shorts. Most, however, managed to wear sleek suits without a trace of perspiration. How do they do that? a student asked admiringly. Were dripping with sweat and they stay so cool?

My students looked in vain for water fountains or other springs to fill up their water bottles. My Italian friends are confused by Americans lugging around giant canteens, so I asked Anna how she stays hydrated in the heat. I really dont drink much water, she replied. Her brother, Giovanni, added, Why drink water when you can have a negroni?

We couldnt handle the heat, so we abandoned our plans to visit the Sforzesco castle and took Giovannis advice. We retreated early for the Milanese tradition of the aperitivo, or pre-dinner drink, that has become so overblown with appetizers that it has combined with dinner (or cena) for a new Italian word: apericena. Just buying a beverage entitles the drinker to a full buffet of Italian treats.

There were 13 of us for apericena and my Italian friends said, Someone will have to wait outside since this is bad luck. Instead, we just pulled up an extra chair to calm the superstitious.

We sat down next to the da Vinci-designed Navigli and these canals have small boat tours next to charming pedestrian-only streets with colorful stucco apartments. This was not the Milan I knew when I lived here in the 90s when it was a thoroughfare of exhaust-spewing cars and kids shooting up heroin in the alleys next to the sewage-filled waterways. One of my charmed students remarked, Who needs Venice when you have Milan?

The perfect ending to an apericena is a stroll through the streets with gelato. Milan has no shortage of artisanal ice cream parlors trying to outdo each other with the most natural and artistic cones. Giovanni is obsessed with his quest for the best gelato in Milano, but cant stand the pretentious lengths these gelaterie go to with their philosophy to maximize the culinary experience.

We sampled cones from a new store, Gelateria Gusto 17, near the castle and noticed the crema flavor contained signed eggs from Paolo Parisi. The thrilled ice cream scooper showed us a half-dozen eggs costing one euro each that are all personally signed by the chicken owner. She explained that If designers can put their signature on clothes, why cant farmers? Ill never understand Milan.

Into the pre-Alps

To escape the scorching heat and commercialism of the big city, we planned a mountain hike led by Chiara, a teacher from Vilminore di Scalve who has taught in Minnesota. She gave the bus driver the route as we wove up valleys by steep cliffs. I was impressed by these enormous mountains, but Chiara corrected me: Those arent mountains, theyre just pre-Alps. As the bus slowed to a crawl around treacherous switchbacks with the ends of the bus stretching out perilously over thousand-foot cliffs, Chiara finally conceded that Now these are montagnette [baby mountains]. For Minnesotans used to Buck Hill, the pre-Alps around Vilminore delle Scalve are astounding.

Chiaras friend, our mountaineering guide Maurilio, led us out of the little Alpine town through narrow stone alleyways, past chicken coops and by steep pastures into the forest. Maurilio was older than everyone in the group, but clearly in the best shape. This is the hardest thing Ive ever done, said one of the students who was used to the baby mountains of Michigans Upper Peninsula.

Once above the tree line, Maurilio pointed to the peaks in the east: Bergamo and Brescia have fought over that range for 600 years. Bergamo took it, so the people in Brescia burned down a town, kidnapped people and tortured them. We looked at the serene slopes and couldnt imagine why. Now the line is right down the middle and no one really knows exactly where.

Our goal was a three-hour tour up to the Gleno Dam, the site of another loss of life when the dam burst in 1923, sending a wall of water through the valley that killed 356 people. Now its just a ruin with giant arches that resemble an abandoned Roman aqueduct.

Despite the strenuous trek far up into the mountains a distance that is a blip on the map we found a remote little food booth at the top along a mountain stream serving fresh fontina panini with local salami, sausages and cold beer. Maurilio talked to the owner in Bergamasco dialect, and I couldnt understand a word. Chiara translated into Italian that a helicopter regularly drops off fresh supplies and solar panels provide power to this Alpine outpost. Only in Italy can you hike in remote mountains and then indulge in the best sandwich ever.

San Pellegrino Terme

The day after our mountain hike, the students were ready to relax, so we drove to the famous springs at San Pellegrino. Everyone was familiar with the beverages, but the towns fame spread originally because of the terme, or spa, where visitors from around the world relax in the waters. I mostly wanted to see the fantastic Liberty-style, art nouveau buildings.

Once in my bathrobe and flip-flops, I expected just hot tubs and pools. Instead, I pulled out my notebook to jot down all the overblown descriptions for your quest to meet your wellness. It began with the Olfactory Path of little squirt bottles of essential oils in which Each scent awakens memories, suggestions and unexpected emotions.

The fragrances continued in the Thermal Course with the Zen Bath, the Chinotto steam room, and the Linden Sauna that boasted, peppermint, lemons of Sicily, grapefruit of the Mediterranean, and elderflower in this champagne of mineral baths! I was intrigued by the Hortus Salt Room that smelled like bergamot and cedar with orange salt bricks and stacks of sticks with dripping water forming moist salt icicles. More confusing was the Hay Sauna with a bushel of hay in a rack, perhaps to cure or exacerbate hay fever.

To cool down, I stopped in the Ice Room inspired by cryotherapy principles with old wooden skis and snowshoes hung on the wall. This struck me as a Minnesotan garage, or essentially a large cooler and not even as cold as the average American grocery store.

After all these hot-cold baths and saunas, some of the students peeked into the Relaxing Wool Lounge where Fiber after fiber intertwine your wellness because of the great textile tradition of Bergamo. New Age music and French piano sonatas were piped in as visitors dozed and cuddled on wool cots and chairs. Whats with the spooning? one of the students asked. Did you see those couples half naked and those others under the blanket?

When in Rome another student shrugged.

The spa had no clocks, so we lost track of time. As I was finally wrangling the overly relaxed students out the door and onto the bus, the receptionist asked, Wait! Arent you staying for the aperitivo? She explained that the entrance fee to the spa included an aperitivo in bathrobe. I thought the terme was supposed to cure from alcohol and overindulgence, but she replied, Is that really so decadent? Why not?

We piled onto the bus anyway. Back in Bergamo when the cool evening arrived, we took the funicular up the steep train tracks back to the Citt Alta for an outdoor festival along the castle walls overlooking the entire valley. The smell of jasmine flowers filled the air and mixed in with the two-stroke exhaust of Vespas. After orange Aperol spritz drinks to beat the heat, we perused the food vendors selling local gelato alla stracciatella and casoncelli, a stuffed fresh pasta topped with butter, sage and speck.

I asked my students where theyll visit if they come back to Italy. Definitely Bergamo, John replied. I feel like we just scratched the surface.

Eric Dregni is a professor at Concordia University, St. Paul, dean of the Italian Concordia Language Village, and author of Never Trust a Thin Cook and Youre Sending Me Where? Dispatches From Summer Camp.

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After a return to Italy, finding the beauty of Bergamo - Minneapolis Star Tribune

Irecently returned from a whirlwind week in Europe visitingcosmopolitan London, the Dolomite region of Italy, and San Remo onthe Italian Riviera. I traveled with a group of colleagues and ourtrip was focused on learning more about the destinations, the hotelswe visited, and the enriching experiences we could offer our clients.

London,England

Londonwas the first stop. Music and London go hand in hand think rockbands, symphony, theatre, opera the list goes on. This visitdefinitely had a focus on music.

TheRoyal Garden Hotel, located in fashionable Kensington adjacent toHyde Park, has hosted many in the music industry, includingcelebrities such as Sonny & Cher, Michael Jackson, Abba, TheMonkees, and Justin Bieber. Its just a few minutes walk toKensington Palace and and the Royal Albert Hall. We were thereduring PROMS (music festival) and watched a rehearsal for hip hopmusic with break dancers strutting their stuff.

Westopped at a lovely neighborhood pub, The Queens Arms, for a drinkbefore heading to see the musical, Come From Away (how Gander,Newfoundland came together on 9/11 to house and feed the airplanepassengers diverted to their city). There was not a dry eye in thehouse during this amazing performance.

Thenext day, we took the Kensington Rock Tour, taking us to the homes ofrock-n-roll legends and the opportunity to have our own photo opcrossing Abbey Road.

TheDolomites Corvara, Italy

Thefamily owned La Perla hotel in Corvara, Italy snuggled in DolomiteMountains was the next stop. If youve never been to this region,you might think that the Sound of Music was filmed here!

Thisis the perfect destination for hikers, skiers and serious cyclists.During winter in Alta Badia, skiers can enjoy 130 kilometers ofslopes with 53 lifts. When the snow is gone, its a paradise forhikers and especially for serious mountain cyclists. The July bikemarathon receives over 30,000 applicants and can accept only 9,000riders. If youre a serious cyclist, this should be on your list.

Wehiked in the mountains in the crisp mountain air to a family farm tosee how they live simply yet create delicious Ladin (localstyle of food) cuisine in their small hut (restaurant/home).

Imso delighted that I was able to visit this lesser known area of Italyand meet our gracious hosts, the Costa Family at La Perla. Thislovely property offers a tremendous value to its guests with itsfive-star accommodations, Michelin star restaurant with focus on farmto table cuisine, and a proud history in this beautiful town.

ItalianRiviera San Remo, Italy

Thelast stop was the Royal Hotel San Remo which has hosted a marquee ofroyalty and celebrity guests sincethe late 1800s. This 5-star resort is a relaxing beach retreatand wonderful base for exploring the Italian and French Rivieras.

Iloved this citys serenity. We explored the pedestrian streetswith lovely shops, including Princess Graces favorite, and spenttime in the Medieval section where locals have lived their entirelife. San Remo is great value and authentic and relaxing way to seethe Riviera.

Ifyouve been to England and Italy before and want to return, Irecommend you see them in new ways and visit less traveled regionsand tap into new and enriching experiences.

HelenJordan is the owner of Jordan Luxury Travel, an independent affiliateof Brownell Travel, a member of Virtuoso. She can be reached athelen@jordanluxurytravel.com.

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London, Dolomites, and Riviera - Sonoran News