Monday is the first day of Apples annual Worldwide Developers Conference, an event many of us have been eagerly anticipating. And while were waiting to see what will be announced at WWDC 2020, we decided to look around for some deals. What weve found is a plethora of bargains, ranging from earbuds to the mighty MacBook Pro.

Theres a lot were hoping to see from Apple at WWDC, and chances are well get new platforms to power all the devices: iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS and tvOS. We have high hopes for iOS 14 and iPadOS 14, as well as macOS 10.16.

In the meantime, were gathering loads of deals on tech to pair with your devices, as well as Apple products. Check out what weve found so far.

Theres little better than breaking out a fresh, sleek MacBook Pro and diving right in. And that doesnt have to be a fantasy, since a new 16-inch Apple MacBook Pro is on sale on Amazon ($2,099, originally $2,399; amazon.com). This laptop features a sharp Retina display, along with True Tone to adjust the screens color depending on your environments light conditions. Inside the device is a ninth gen Intel Core i7 Processor as well as 16GB of RAM to power through big tasks with ease. Storage-wise, a 512GB SSD has you covered. And wed be remiss not to mention the Magic Keyboard, which provides a unique, punchy typing experience. Theres also a Touch Bar and Touch ID for even more functionality.

The Apple Watch Series 5 is the latest and greatest in Apples line of time-telling wearables. If youve always wanted to strap one on, B&H is running a sale on a number of configurations (starting at $384, originally starting at $399; bhphotovideo.com). The Series 5 features a 30% larger display size over its predecessors. With it, you can send messages, use Siri, check the weather and much more. You can also keep track of your fitness with the Activity app, which can be used to track calories burned, distance traveled and more. Plus, theres a ton of awesome and functional watch faces you can use to customize its look.

There are also some models that throw Nike into the mix (starting at $414, originally starting at $429; bhphotovideo.com). The Apple Watch Nike+ Series 5 features a number of Nike watch faces, some stylish straps, and some great apps like the Nike Run Club and Nike Training Club. The Nike Training Club app alone contains over 180 free workouts to take your personal fitness into your own hands or, in this case, your wrist.

What better way to jam out before WWDC than with Apple AirPods? Right now, AirPods with the wired charging case are on sale on Amazon ($139, originally $159; amazon.com). These AirPods are totally wireless (aside from the charging case), letting you listen to tunes without tangled cords. And, of course, theyre capable of terrific sound quality and easy pairing with your iOS device of choice. The AirPods themselves can provide up to five hours of listening, but when you pair them with the charging case, youll enjoy over 24 hours of total battery life.

And if youre looking for an upgrade, theres the Apple AirPods Pro ($229.99, originally $249.99; amazon.com). Theyre like AirPods, but with some extra features that really put them over the top. In fact, we consider them the best true wireless earbuds out there. These features include active noise cancellation to tune out distractions, as well as transparency mode. Plus, they come with three silicone tip sizes to find the perfect fit. And like the AirPods, the AirPods Pro come with a charging case to provide over 24 hours of listening.

If you love the AirPods Pro and want to keep them safe, why not throw in an AppleCare Protection Plan? Over at B&H, you can pick up a pair of AirPods Pro (with the charging case) bundled with two years of AppleCare ($248.98, originally $277.98; bhphotovideo.com). Services include quick repairs of your AirPods Pro and even replacements its a no-brainer.

AirPods arent the only buds designed for Apple lovers. The Powerbeats Pro Wireless Earphones are currently $50 off on Amazon ($199.95, originally $249.95; amazon.com). We love these earbuds. Even after a year of using them, they held up like champs, and put out clear and punchy sound with nine hours of battery on one charge. Like AirPods and AirPods Pro, they come with a charging case that extends the battery life greatly (up to 24 hours). They also contain the same H1 chip, making them pair rapidly with a variety of iOS devices. Where they differ is the hook, which goes over your ear to prevent the buds from falling out. They come in some awesome colors too: black, blue, pink, red, yellow, ivory, moss and navy.

If youre in the market for something more affordable, the Powerbeats Wireless Earphones bring a ton of value to the table ($129.95, originally $149.95; amazon.com). These buds pack awesome sound, though they are not true wireless (a cable connects them together). However, they feature up to 15 hours of listening, which is more than the Powerbeats Pro can do on their own. These are also running the H1 chip to make them compatible with iOS devices for quick and easy pairing. Your color options are black, white and red.

Theres truly never been a better time to pop on a pair of Beats Solo Pros. As we approach WWDC, theyre at an all-time low price ($229.95, originally $299.95; amazon.com). These headphones are spectacular in fact, when we compared noise-canceling headphones head-to-head, they came out on top. The Solo Pros feature great audio, putting out both a great range of sound as well as an excellent soundstage. Plus, they rapidly pair with iOS devices for a streamlined Bluetooth experience. The Solo Pros come in six stylish and vibrant color options: black, gray, red, dark blue, ivory and light blue.

For something on the opposite end of the price spectrum, theres the Soundcore Life Q10 Bluetooth Headphones (starting at $29.99, originally starting at $39.99; amazon.com). These affordable over-ear cans provide quality sound and intense bass. The latter is thanks to Soundcores BassUp tech to increase the intensity of those deeper notes. With up to 60 hours of battery, you wont have to worry about charging these up for quite a while. And when you do, youll enjoy a fast-charge that provides five hours of listening from just five minutes of charging. Your color options are black/red and blue, both of which show off a dual-colored design.

Anker is a company weve come to rely on for power delivery. And why not go all out with the PowerPort Atom PD 4 ($79.99, originally $99.99; amazon.com)? This unassuming brick contains two USB Type A ports and two USB Type C ports to juice up just about anything. Its powerful enough to charge two laptops and two smartphones all at once, and its fast, thanks to Ankers PowerIQ technology. A cable extends out the back to plug into any nearby AC outlet.

If youre looking for the same power in a smaller package, the PowerPort PD 2 is the way to go ($18.64, originally $21.94; amazon.com). It features half the ports of the PowerPort Atom PD 4 (one USB Type A and one USB Type C) at a quarter of the price. These ports are still powered by Ankers PowerIQ technology for a fast and reliable charge. However, the brick is way more compact, easily taken along in case a charge is needed on the go. Its made even more portable given that it can plug directly into the wall.

Anker doesnt just deliver power, it delivers external accessibility too, in the form of the PowerExpand+ 7-in-1 USB-C Hub ($35.99, originally $39.99; amazon.com). To pick one up for 10% off, make sure to tick the coupon box below the price. This Hub is invaluable, turning a USB Type C port into a 4K HDMI port, SD and Micro SD Card reader and USB data ports. Of course, Anker couldnt resist throwing in a USB Type C port for fast charging. Its perfect to plug into your MacBooks USB Type C port to expand its functionality in a major way.

To keep things connected on the go, it doesnt get much better than a USB-C Travel Dock ($54.99, originally $69.95; eshop.macsales.com). Though it fits in the palm of your hand, this dock contains five ports: a USB Type C, two USB Type A, an HDMI and an SD Card reader. With this dock, you can keep your phone charged, transfer data, hook up an external display and more. Along with the dock, youll receive a USB Type C cable to connect it to your device of choice. You can also download Dock Ejector software, which will safely disconnect the dock to ensure no data transfers are interrupted.

If theres one thing we take seriously here at Underscored, its our Wi-Fi connection. With a three-pack of the Amazon Eero mesh Wi-Fi system ($199, originally $298.99; amazon.com), you can cover your whole house with ease. These devices replace your router to create a sort of mesh that covers a huge amount of space 5,000 square feet per device, to be exact. With all three Eero mesh Wi-Fi routers running, you can kiss that poor connection goodbye. Even better, the Eero mesh Wi-Fi system is Apple HomeKit-enabled. Control it via the Home app from your iOS or macOS device of choice. Oh, and did we mention this bundle comes with a free Echo Dot? You can use it to call upon Alexa to control your Wi-Fi too, as well as play music, check the weather, order from Amazon and much more.

Note: The prices above reflect the retailers listed prices at the time of publication.

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These are the best sales to shop during WWDC 2020 - CNN

The recent report on the globalSales Training marketpublished by theMarket Data Analyticsincludes the impact of COVID-19 on the Sales Training market. Severe economic crisis are being faced by each and every country of the world. This has affected each and every market in the world and it will take a good amount of time to recover. The Sales Training market study includes the current market scenario on the global platform and also forecasts the market development during the forecast period.

Click Here To Access The Free Sample PDF Report (including COVID19 Impact Analysis, full TOC, Tables and Figures)@https://www.marketdataanalytics.biz/india-sales-training-market-industry-trends-and-forecast-to-30889.html#request-sample

{To get higher priority use company email ID}

Major industry players operating in the Sales Training market includeAction Selling, Aslan Training and Development, The Brooks Group, BTS, Carew International, DoubleDigit Sales, Imparta, IMPAX, Integrity Solutions, Janek Performance Group, Kurlan & Associates, Mercuri International, Miller Heiman Group, RAIN Group, Revenue Storm, Richardson, SALES PERFORMANCE INTERNATIONAL, Sales Readiness Group, ValueSelling Associates. Each market player is well profiled within the global Sales Training market report. Competitive analysis of the market players along with SWOT analysis of the organizations is included in the dossier.

The market data that is included in the report includes historical data from 2015 to 2019 and forecast from 2020 to 2026. The research study includes more than 30 tables and over 20 figures to comprehend the information about the Sales Training market. COVID-19 has created monetary fluctuations; it has also affected trade relations and future scopes of the market development.

Read Detailed Index of full Research Study at::https://www.marketdataanalytics.biz/india-sales-training-market-industry-trends-and-forecast-to-30889.html

The market conditions has changed drastically owing to the outbreak of coronavirus thus transparency about the market conditions are maintained so that the clients become aware of the current market position and the further developments that are expected for the Sales Training market.The research analysts have analyzed the market in-depth and have penned down their observations in this study. Thus the report data will enable the market players to develop their decision-making skills. Experts opinions and observations for the Sales Training market are included to plan out the futuristic market strategies in order to recover from the current crisis.

The contents that are included for the Sales Training market are the overview of the market, market drivers and restraints, opportunities and challenges, and the research methodologies that were integrated for market analysis. The market is segmented into{Sales Skills Training, CRM Training, Sales Channel Management Training, Sales Team Building Training}; {BFSI, Medical, Real Estate, Others}and all the detailed information about the Sales Training market segments are included. The geographical presence of the market is also included which is sectioned region wise and country wise.

For Any Query Regarding the Sales Training Market Report? Contact Us at:https://www.marketdataanalytics.biz/india-sales-training-market-industry-trends-and-forecast-to-30889.html#inquiry-for-buying

Main market perceptions consist of the following:

1. The survey of Sales Training delivers market size and growth rate for the forecast period 2020-2026.

2. It presents detailed understandings into ongoing industry trends, trend prediction, and growth drivers about the Sales Training .

3. It offers an independent review of market sectors and the regional outlook of Sales Training .

4. The report provides a detailed overview of the supplier landscape, combative analysis, and key market strategies to gain an advantage on competing companies.

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Global Sales Training Market with Coronavirus (COVID-19) Impact Analysis | likewise Industry is Booming Globaly with Top Key Players | Action Selling,...

June 23, 2020 09:00 ET | Source: Propel

SANTA CLARA, Calif., June 23, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Propel, the only product success platform built on the cloud, today announced the launch of Training Records, its latest product innovation designed to save time, streamline regulatory compliance and keep employees safe. Companies can now assign and audit employees completion of training programs on the latest processes, documentation, product updates, work instructions and standard operating procedures (SOPs).

Propel ensures employees are quickly trained on critical, time-sensitive updates. Employees can easily access and complete training from any browser, allowing companies to assign training plans to teams across the globe. Companies can also assign site-specific and role-specific requirements, ensuring compliance with all local regulations and safety policies.

Early adopters are already using Training Records for employees returning to work as shelter-in-place orders are lifted all before setting foot on the manufacturing floor, using Propels cloud-native solution remotely. Michael Farr, Vice President of Operations at Sierra Monitor, an MSA Safety Company, has been using Propel to shorten his timeline of meeting those requirements.

Like many organizations, COVID-19 presented new challenges for our company and our employees, said Farr. With Propel Training Records, we were able to develop comprehensive employee training plans to meet county and city requirements in order for our workforce to safely return to work. Propel enables us to stay efficient and flexible as we navigate the current climate.

Manufacturers like Sierra Monitor easily integrate Training Records across their value chain to maintain regulatory compliance as updates are needed, eliminating time spent on manually distributing and auditing training assignments using email or shared files. Companies can also improve employee safety by immediately issuing training for new safety regulations as conditions change.

Managing employee certification is critical for manufacturers looking to maintain compliance and eliminate risk using a simple process thats fully integrated with their existing product platform, said Ray Hein, CEO of Propel. Training Records help organizations ensure employees are certified and trained on the latest changes and processes, allowing them to save time while remaining compliant for future audits.

About Propel Propel helps companies achieve product success by connecting the people, systems and processes needed to deliver products from concept to customer. Propels flexible and easy-to-use platform deploys quickly to serve as the single source of product truth for an entire value chain, including sales, service and partners. Get products to market faster while maximizing customer satisfaction and meeting local requirements needed to compete globally using secure and transparent collaboration.

Propel is built on Salesforce, the industry's top-rated cloud SaaS platform, and integrates all the capabilities of its modern cloud infrastructure. Salesforce's multi-tenant architecture is future-proof, ensuring Propel will always be the next generation product success platform. For more information, visit http://www.propelplm.com.

For more information, contact: Mel Bolton, 510.847.8781, mel.bolton@lyon-share.com

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Propel Announces Training Records to Maintain Regulatory Compliance and Manage Return-to-Work Safety Regulations - GlobeNewswire

Nearly 75 NIUsalesstudents from theDepartment of Marketingfound themselves competing in aRNMKRSDell Technology Virtual Sales Competition in the spring 2020 semester, just as life turned itself upside down around the world. Bryant University hosted the event, drawing 1,600 students from more than 40 universities from New England to Florida to Illinois to Texas toCalifornia.

This first-ever virtual, mobile selling skills competition was developed by the RNMKRS Faculty Alliance of leading educators, Dell Technologies training executives and developers from 3 countries. RNMKRS originally launched theeventin Fall 2019. Itwas so well receivedit now runs in both the fall and spring semesters.

The competition is as far removed from a typical TEAMS meeting as you can get. Instead of interacting virtually with others, the students engaged in the sales process with a client made up entirely of 0s and 1s.And whileartificial intelligencethe likes ofBB8 in Star Wars is cute without question, the majority of the sales students had no idea what they would encounter when they communicated with a piece of interactive code. They had no idea what, if any, language barriers might pop up, how many loops of reasoning might be unspooled, or what other issues might arise.

The students had first-hand exposure to virtual selling and to thinking on their feet, saidthe NIUDeans Distinguished Professor of SalesRob Peterson. They were forced to adapt on the spot in order to engage in problem solving with artificial intelligence.And they did great!It was a fun day forNIU.Fourof our students placed in the top 25.

ThefourNIU studentsareSean Duffywhoplaced 4th, Paulina Ramirezwhoplaced 15th, Jorie Pelafas who placed23rdand ChristophKoeningerwhoplaced 25th.Along with their major programs, all fourstudentswere in the process of earning their sales certificate from the NIU Professional Sales Center.

The RNMKR sales competition platform is an outstanding outlet to develop and test your sales skills, Duffy said. Each competitor is instructed to study the Dell Rugged Laptop line and uncover the specific features that the customer is looking for. This competition really emphasizes your ability to listen, respond, and empathize.

Students use the voice technology on their phones to have fully contextual conversations with the customer bot as they try to win his trust and educate him on their product line of laptop computers. The customer bot listens, adapts and responds as the students go through the sales call.

During these difficult times, RNMKRS came through with an exciting and challenging experience that Im glad I was part of, Ramirez added. Participating in the professionalselling program at Northern Illinois University helped me develop the needed sales skills and mentality to make this an experience I could learn from.

RNMKRS is an industry group that focuses on improving sales and communications by leveraging technology. The overall goal of theirVirtualSalesCompetition is to help students learn how to communicate more effectively particularly in the face of the unknown. RNMKRS founders believeeffective communication requires practicea contention Peterson wholeheartedly agrees with.

Along withthe distinction of holding anamedprofessorship in the NIU College of Business, Peterson was among the group of original advisors to RNMKRS when they developed this event. Hehasalsowona number of awards fromavariety ofindustry associations, among them outstanding teaching awards from the American Marketing Association, the Marketing Management Association, and the University Sales Center Alliance to name a few.

TheNIU Professional Sales Centerin the Department of Marketing in theCollege of Businesscontinues to earn top accolades on a national level for its activities in and out of the classroom. Some of these include the programs Sales on Wheels initiativewhichbrings students face to face with C-suite executives in their corporate headquarters, the programs Sales Advisory Board with membershipthat includestop sales professionals from a number of industriesand companiesaround the country,as well asthe many conferences and competitions like the RNMKRS Virtual Sales Competition whereNIU salesprofessors and studentscontinue tomake an impact, virtually and in reality.

Originally posted here:
NIU Sales, RNMKRS and something like BB8 - NIU Today

By Lin Chia-nan / Staff reporter

A training system for badminton players utilizing artificial intelligence (AI) that was developed by university researchers and Victor Rackets Industrial Corp is being tested at a Tainan high school, researchers told a news conference at the Ministry of Science and Technology in Taipei yesterday.

Designed to give customized training to athletes, the system combines image recognition, racket motion trajectory, biosignal analysis and a cloud platform for data analysis, they said.

The system is comprised of a badminton racket with a built-in sensor for recording motion, a smart watch, a brainwave sensor and a camera attached to goggles to record biosignals, said Tsai Chia-liang (), director of National Cheng Kung Universitys (NCKU) Institute of Physical Education.

The sensor in the racket initally weighed 9.5g, but Victor Rackets was able to optimize the design of the racket handle to keep the weight to within 6g, Tsai said.

The system has been tested by badminton players at National Hsin-Feng Senior High School in Tainan, home to badminton teams that have won several national competitions, he said.

The research team created an experimental field at the school equipped with cameras to capture players movements, said Wang Jeen-shing (), a professor in NCKUs department of electrical engineering.

Reading collected signals through machine learning and integrating all the functions to yield precise analyses were the main goals for developing the system, Wang said, adding that the researchers hope the system will be used by professional players.

To protect players personal data, each smart racket has an identification code, but Victor Rackets might later include encrypted information protection services for different levels of players, he added.

Hsin-Feng badminton coach Lee Yi-hsun () said the system allows her to better understand her players physical condition, and the students have been inspired by the devices to work harder to improve their performance.

Victor Taiwan marketing and sales division deputy director Elvis Ke () presented the high school with 45 smart rackets during the news conference.

The companys main competitors in developing smart rackets are Chinese brands, but it is confident that it will gain the upper hand, Ke said.

Comments will be moderated. Keep comments relevant to the article. Remarks containing abusive and obscene language, personal attacks of any kind or promotion will be removed and the user banned. Final decision will be at the discretion of the Taipei Times.

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Researchers seek to score with smart racket -

World Yoga Day is being celebrated across the world today. A lot of people have turned to fitness apps in these circumstances and rely on them to stay fit by doing activities, including yoga. On the occasion of World Yoga Day, Apple has curated a list of apps that can help you stay fit and keep your mind refreshed. The apps can be used on the Apple Watch or any other Apple device. Some of them work with third-party fitness trackers as well. Breathe

Those who use an Apple Watch will be extremely familiar with this app as it is native on the smart device. The app guides you through a series of deep breaths and reminds you to take time to breathe every day. At the end of each session, you can also see how many times you've used the Breathe app that day.

Down Dog

A useful app that gives you new yoga practice every time you use it. There are no pre-recorded videos and the app helps you break the monotony of doing the same workout again and again. There are over 60,000 configurations in the app and you can use it in multiple languages. YogiFi

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These are the apps Apple wants you to use on Yoga Day - Gadgets Now

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Prime Minister Narendra Modis government has taken full credit for transforming yoga into a global movement. While there is no doubt that Modi and the BJP government have taken great efforts popularise yoga and galvanise yoga research, it is important to acknowledge that many of their initiatives and programmes can be traced back to the efforts of Indias first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru.

Since 2014, Modi has astutely promoted yoga as Indias gift to the world through the International Day of Yoga initiative, while tacitly expunging the contributions of leaders such as Nehru.

From demonstrating asanas on television on Yoga Day, to the Yoga with Modi YouTube channel, to his governments Fit India campaign Modi has used every platform at his disposal to brandish his saffron yogi credentials. Modi has become the face of yoga, while his government has heavily invested in promoting and researching the ancient Indian discipline. Hundreds of crores are spent on the Ministry of External Affairs annual International Day of Yoga celebrations and the Ministry of AYUSHs yoga research projects.

However, ahead of the 6th International Day of Yoga, we must remember Nehru for his contributions towards popularising yoga and framing Indias first yoga policy.

Also read: Think you can prove yoga, meditation ward off Covid-19? Modi govt has an offer for you

It is a well-known fact that Nehru regularly practiced yoga. His tryst with yoga began in 1929 when he met Swami Kuvalayananda, a medical doctor-turned-yoga guru. By 1931, Nehru had seriously begun practicing yoga.

In an interview with the American journalist Edgar Snow, he spoke about how yoga had made him more tolerant of lifes vagaries, and how it had helped him during his imprisonment from 1931 to 1935. Nehru had once publicly demonstrated sirsasana (headstand), and on one occasion, presented pranayama (breathing exercises) to Ian Stephens, the editor of then British-owned publication Statesmen.

Nehru was perhaps the first political leader of independent India to recognise yogas potential in improving physical and mental wellbeing. In Discovery of India, he wrote that yoga was a system of disciplining the body and mind. In this book, he indicated his preference for yoga over other forms of exercise this old and typical Indian method of preserving bodily fitness is rather remarkable when one compares with more usual methods [of exercise]. He further noted that it was suited to India because it fit in with the spirit of her philosophy.

In 1952, it was Nehru who moved a resolution in the Rajya Sabha stating that yoga should be a part of Indias health education. In 1953, he ensured that yoga exercises were included in the National Plan of Physical Education and Recreation, which was prepared by the Central Advisory Board of Physical Education.

Also read: International Yoga Day 2020 to be celebrated on digital media platforms

Nehru also played a critical role in promoting the scientific study of yoga. In 1958, he visited the Kaivalyadhama Health and Research Center at Lonavala, where Swami Kuvalayananda was pioneering research that looked into the scientific foundations of yoga. In his meeting with Kuvalayananda, Nehru applauded Swamis work, and said Yoga could not progress unless it was examined in light of the advances in modern science.

Despite yogas religious historical context, Nehru, like Swami Vivekananda before him, argued that the practice of yoga was self-experimental and grounded in reason. He promoted it as a secular practice that would benefit anyone who practiced it. He suggested that the disciple of modern psychology could benefit from studying yoga decades before contemporary psychologists and scientists became interested in it.

Similar to how Modi pursued international outreach that led to the UN declaring 21 June as the International Day of Yoga, Nehru, too, had promoted yoga internationally. In 1956, he felicitated Swami Yogananda during a state visit to the United States, and encouraged the famous yogi bodybuilders Buddha Bose and Bishnu Ghosh to promote yoga internationally. While Yoganandas Autobiography of a Yogi became a spiritual classic inspiring thousands to pursue yoga, Bishnu Ghosh and his students spread the practice in Japan and Thailand.

Also read: Modis foreign policy puts Modi first, India second

There is no doubt that Prime Minister Modi has contributed much towards reviving yogas popularity. But it is unfortunate that he and his government have failed to recognise Nehrus role in popularising the ancient form.

Nehrus early initiatives really laid the groundwork for Modis present yoga policy. Be it the Fit India campaign or the Science and Technology of Yoga and Meditation (SATYAM) programme, government yoga initiatives were first envisioned by Nehru 70 years ago. As author Jerome Armstrong notes in his book Calcutta Yoga: Prime Minister Modi has led a national push towards popularising yoga practice within India. However, before this, the role which Nehru played in the fifties was pivotal for the adoption of modern yoga practice within India.

The author is a graduate student studying religion at McGill University. Views are personal.

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Modi isnt the first to use yoga as govt policy. Its a Nehru legacy - ThePrint

By: Trends Desk | New Delhi | Published: June 22, 2020 1:44:33 pm The viral video impressed many on social media. (Picture credit: Twitter/ANI)

A video of people practising aqua yoga in the Palk Strait in Rameswaram on the occasion of International Yoga Day is making the rounds of the internet.

The video tweeted out by news agency ANI on June 21 shows two men floating in the water and performing various yoga asanas.

Watch the video here:

The viral video impressed many on social media. Take a look at some of the reactions here:

Due to the coronavirus, the sixth International Day of Yoga was marked on digital media platforms without mass gatherings with the theme Yoga at Home and Yoga with Family.

The Indian Express is now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel (@indianexpress) and stay updated with the latest headlines

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Watch: Men perform asanas in the sea as part of International Yoga Day - The Indian Express

Neha Kirpal

This International Day of Yoga, well-known yoga expert and bestselling author Ira Trivedi cannot emphasise enough the benefits of practising regular yoga for both adults and children, especially during the coronavirus lockdown.

Its really amazing during the lockdown because one doesnt need much space. All you need is a yoga mat. For most other activities, you usually need a ground, ball, field, gym or treadmill. Its very important to strengthen our immune system and respiratory system at this time, and yoga can help achieve both of these for both kids and adults, says the yoga acharya who won the Devi Award in 2015 for dynamism and innovation, and, the same year, led the first international yoga day celebrations in New Delhi that created the Guinness Book of World Records for the largest yoga class in the world.

Named by BBC among its list of the 100 most influential women in the world, Ira is also the founder of Namami Yoga, a not-for-profit organisation that supports underprivileged children and women in India. Namami Yoga does a lot of free yoga classes in the mornings in various public parks. They started in the Lodi Garden and Nehru Park in Delhi, and have also done some in Gurgaon. According to Ira, the response has been great. When you do yoga in a public space, even people around you get inspired, she says.

Recently, Ira also curated and launched Indias first online wellness festival called Being Yoga, which had some of Indias best speakers on wellness and health come together and inspire people. The festival also raised money for Covid-19. Ira plans to continue Being Yoga, while choosing various charities and bringing together well-known speakers to come and curate more online festivals around health, wellness, yoga and spirituality.

Apart from this, Ira also has her own yoga app called Ira Yoga meant for people who spend a lot of time on their desk. The app consists of short five-minute yoga asanas for the neck, back, shoulders and eyes easy for anyone to do anytime. Apart from that, the app also has meditation and breathing modules.

Before her metamorphosis into a yoga guru, Ira authored books such as What Would You Do to Save the World? (Penguin Books, 2006) and Theres No Love on Wall Street (Penguin Books, 2011) and even won the UK Media Award for the best investigative article dealing with bride trafficking in India.

Iras landmark book India in Love: Marriage and Sexuality in the 21st Century (Aleph Book Company, 2014) explored how the nation that gave the world the Kama sutra has now become a closed, repressed society with a shockingly high incidence of rape and violence against women. Her biggest finding in this regard was that there has been a huge sexual revolution in India in the recent past, and that sexual relationships and marriage in India have changed more in the past two decades than in the past several centuries.

The act of sex always remains the same. What changes is how we connect sex to our own individuality. That has changed a lot in the past 20 years in India, she says.

In 2018, Ira also shared her #MeToo stories about Suhel Seth and Chetan Bhagat (against whom she also filed a defamation case). She says she was compelled to speak up in order to support all the women who had spoken up.

I knew personally many women who had suffered under their hands, and as a public figure, I felt it was my duty to step up and say that yes, these men are like this, and this is a movement where women are coming up and speaking about their issues. And if women like me who are public voices do not speak up, then I am doing a disgrace to women around me. Because this is a movement, and if women dont support each other, then who will? she reasons.

Ira is now bringing together her love for writing and yoga with her new book Om the Yoga Dog: Fun and Easy Asanas for Happy Kids (Puffin, 2020). The idea behind the book came about when Ira was experimenting with interesting ways to teach underprivileged children yoga with her NGO. It was at that point that she observed her own dog doing yoga. So, she decided to teach the kids yoga using a fun dog character called the Yoga Dog.

We named the dog Om, because its a beautiful sound energy. I also thought it would be a nice way to constantly keep repeating Om through the day, which is a sacred energy, she explains.

Moneycontrol Ready Reckoner

Now that payment deadlines have been relaxed due to COVID-19, the Moneycontrol Ready Reckoner will help keep your date with insurance premiums, tax-saving investments and EMIs, among others.

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Author and yoga guru Ira Trivedi on lockdown yoga, her #MeToo stories, and a dog named Om - Moneycontrol.com

Heres something to think about: When theres no consequence for poor work ethic and no reward for good work ethic, theres no motivation for your self-storage staff. An employee-performance review is a formal assessment of work performance. It fosters open communication between supervisors and team members and, hopefully, improves employees work going forward.

The fact is, hourly workers are the backbone of our self-storage organizations, but theyre often the most neglected staffers on the payroll and often overlooked when it comes to training and professional development. I once heard an owner say that giving performance reviews to hourly employees is a colossal waste of time and resources. In reality, every member of your team is valuable and does his part to enhance the company.

Whats your current practice? Do you review all employees, hourly and salaried alike? Do you evaluate employees after 90 days and never again? Maybe once per year? Its important to engage all workers who are at the front line of your customer experience. A good way to do this is with consistent performance evaluations.

Hourly workers typically represent the highest turnover in any company, and turnover is costly. The Center for American Progress, a public policy research and advocacy organization, puts the cost of replacing an employee who earns less than $30,000 per year at 16 percent of his annual earnings. In other words, to replace a $10-per-hour worker will cost you more than $3,000.

Workplace policies that address the concerns of hourly employees can help reduce turnover. Some states have mandated predictive scheduling laws for these staffers, while other states (and some companies) are increasing their minimum wage. In addition to financial security, these employees want to be valued in the workplace and know their employer is aware of the contributions they make in maintaining market share and customer satisfaction.

Performance evaluations can be key to retention and engagement for staff, particularly those with lower financial incentive. Employees want to know how theyre doing, and reviewing performance is a way to keep an open line of communication, which is key not only when things are going poorly, but when the site is achieving great success.

If an employee is taken by surprise at something revealed to him in a review, his supervisor isnt doing his job effectively. Reviews don't just clarify goals and reinforce positive behaviors, they help adjust behaviors that arent so positive. They assist in building the employee-manager relationship. They also serve as the foundation for career development. That recognition can turn into engagement and retention.

Skipping a performance review, or being late with one, sends a negative message, even if that wasnt the supervisors intention. The time a supervisor spends with each employee is meaningful and could make the difference between the team member staying and thriving with an organization or becoming dissatisfied and perhaps even walking away.

According to analytics and advisory firm Gallup, companies that implement regular employee feedback have turnover rates of up to 15 percent lower than those that dont. Productive employees who do good work want their work to be evaluated, so they can be recognized. In addition to raising engagement and customer satisfaction, what begins with simple recognition can develop into savings and positive outcomes for the employee and the company in the short- and long-term.

Performance reviews serve many purposes. The top ones are:

The first step in conducting a successful employee review is preparation. You should establish a system and process and follow it consistently. It might include things like:

Note: Performance reviews should be separate from any discussion about promotions or pay increases. When employees think the conversation will affect their pay, they may speak more cautiously and avoid sharing information to protect themselves. Consider a performance review a place to encourage professional development, and create a separate review for promotions and raises, even if the latter is held just a few days later.

During each review, use thoughtful communication thatll build the employee up, not tear him down. Performance evaluations shouldnt be all negative or all positive. Being overcritical will likely demotivate the employee, and yet theres almost always something that could be improved. Tactfully sharing positive attributes alongside the items that need work will help the conversation feel more balanced and ensure employees dont feel attacked.

Its also helpful to provide concrete examples for both achievements and areas of improvement. Share them throughout the review. Being able to cite specific instances of behavior to employees proves youve truly done your homework as a supervisor. This type of communication is much more effective than simply saying what your team member has done right or wrong. It shows youve been paying attention and gives your feedback more credibility.

Your company handbook should be clear about how your employee-review program works and whats expected of each team member regarding performance, attitude, attendance, sales and so on. It should explain:

Its important to lay out your entire program in the handbook and go over it with each new hire. Making this clear reduces fear and dread. It also helps protect you legally, which is why you should work with your legal counsel when developing policies relating to employee termination.

Look back on the goals you established for your employee-performance reviews. Ask yourself:

If your evaluations leave things worse than when you started, its time to change your process.

Employee-performance reviews arent there to weed out bad employees. Instead, theyre critical to determining wage increases, promotions, corrections and an overall sense of whats happening in your workforce. By providing regular reviews, youll treat your employees as what they really areyour most valuable assetand encourage and engage all of them.

Susan Haviland is the owner of Haviland Storage Services, which specializes in auditing, manager training, market studies and operational reviews. She has more than 32 years of industry experience, from serving as a site manager to acting as vice president of operations at Extra Space Storage Inc. and Price Self Storage. She's a frequent speaker at industry conferences and tradeshows. For more information, call 760.401.0297; visit http://www.havilandstorageservices.com.

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Performing Successful Staff Evaluations in Self-Storage: Why and How - Inside Self-Storage