Business jargon has reached a whole new level.  You have probably noticed a few phrases popping up in emails and meetings that are simply bizarre.

When we hear the word “voice” in the news, our ears perk up. And with the prevalence of cyber attacks these days, when we hear the word “voice” and “security”, our ears doubly perk up.  As such, the news that voice biometrics could reduce UK fraud by making it more difficult for criminals to do their groundwork via contact centres had us listening, albeit not surprised. Contact centres are often a security weak spot, with fraudsters able to glean personal information through social engineering techniques.

Whether you go to the EU for holiday or business, your trips are about to get cheaper. Roaming charges are finally being abolished after the EU forced phone companies to remove the high tariffs and surcharges travellers have been forced to pay for using their mobile. The best news?  The high roaming charges end tomorrow - June 15th. It means that if you are going on holiday to France this weekend, you can take your mobile phone and use it on your normal contract, with your included free calls, texts and data at no additional cost.  

This  year the largest technology show on earth unveiled some remarkable new gadgets. The CES 2017 (Consumer Electronics Show), which takes place in Las Vegas every January, showcased everything from a bluetooth headset that muffles your voice for privacy to a "smart" whistle that is capable of emailing your contacts. 

It is a gadget that is useful for almost anyone, and affordable at that. Better yet, it is a gadget that can be used by those who have no interest in technology and technology fanatics alike.

You have probably noticed that your social media updates quickly get buried under other updates. In fact, it would seem they are only at the top of the news feed for a millisecond before being trumped by the latest cat video or restaurant-booking app. Worse yet, your followers and connections most likely check their accounts randomly, not every time you happen to post an update.  It is a miracle that your updates are seen by anyone at all.

There are some challenges that Managing Directors and CEOs face constantly—increasing profits, retaining talent and keeping overheads down.  But what are the new challenges MDs are facing in 2016? 

In the not too distant future, you are likely to live in a world underpinned by blockchain—the technology behind the cryptocurrency, Bitcoin. The technology has instigated a new generation of young companies looking to invent applications, and we are already beginning to see the results. Imagine being able to vote in the upcoming Brexit referendum on your phone, or make an offer, complete an exchange on a new flat in an afternoon? As unpractical as this sounds, it is where we are headed.

Recently you may have been reminded how difficult it can be to get through to friends and loved ones when a major event is occurring.  Whether it be the World Cup or a terrorist attack, messages of sadness or cheer, mobile networks seem to just stop working.

Some people are incredibly persuasive.  They have a gift. Other people are learned persuaders—marketers for example, who know things like the 5 most persuasive words in the English language. Or why removing ‘is’ from your vocabulary is going to make you a more powerful communicator.

Luckily we can all be taught.