Google has been constantly updating Workspace apps with tools, like Docs, Sheets, and Slides, to facilitate a better productivity experience. In the latest development, the company has announced that it is adding an annotation feature to its Slides presentation software. “With the new pen tool, you can circle, underline, draw connections or make quick notes directly on your presentation,” Google said. The tool will allow users to highlight or emphasise key content while they are presenting inGoogle Slides. “Whether in a board meeting or a brainstorming session, annotations can help make your presentations more engaging, interactive and impactful,” it added.The feature is similar to Microsoft PowerPoint which has long enabled users to doodle on their decks. How to access the toolGoogle says that users can access the tool from the three-dot menu available on the bottom left of the screen while presenting. Open ‘slideshow mode’ by clicking the ‘Slideshow’ button in the app bar Mouse over the bottom-left side of the viewer and open the three-dot menu by clicking on the ellipsis icon Select “Turn on the pen”. There are four pen colours to choose from: blue, red, green, and black. To erase annotations, use the eraser tool in the bottom left viewer menu. AvailabilityThe feature will be rolling out to most Google Slides users (Scheduled Release domains) in the two weeks starting August 23. For rapid release domains, the rollout has already started. Annotations will be available to all Google Slides users. Earlier this year, Google brought its AI prowess to Slides. It added a Help me visualise panel on the right side of the screen that lets users enter prompts and get image responses. Users can then add a “Style,” with choices including Photography, Illustration, Flat lay, Background, and Clipart.
Google’S Bard: 5 ways Google wants you to use its ChatGPT rival
Ever since ChatGPT arrived on the tech scene in November 2022, there has been no going back from generative AI. A lot of observers felt Google was caught on the back foot but the tech giant launched Bard in March 2023. Google’s answer to ChatGPT has seen a lot of new feature since its launch. In a blog post, Google has listed out ways how you can use Bard and here are five things you can do: Make Bard writeAccording to Google, Bard can help you write content like emails, cover letters, blog posts and business plans. Start with a simple prompt — like “Write a cover letter for a social media manager role” — and Bard will provide three distinct drafts to choose from. You can code with BardGoogle says that a lot of people use Bard to get help with coding tasks. “This is particularly helpful if you’re learning about programming for the first time, or you need more support to understand what a block of code might output,” said Google in the blog post. Simply chat with BardOne can ask Bard to tell a joke or chatting about hobbies and interests. You can even ask Bard to act as your favourite character and have a conversation with them.Get travel helpYou can ask for information about a specific destination or ask it to create an entire itinerary with all the activities and attractions you want to experience. You can customise your itinerary even further by sharing more details, like: “Start a trip planning doc for me and my friends — we’re visiting Ireland for a week in the spring and want to go on a road trip.”Get analysis of images and contentYou can try sharing a photo of handwritten notes you took during a meeting and asking Bard to write a recap email using them. “Or upload a photo from your last vacation and ask Bard to generate a caption for it,” suggests Google. Things to keep in mindGoogle says that to get the most out of Bard, don’t be afraid to ask follow-up questions. “Creating a back-and-forth dialogue can help you better understand Bard’s responses, learn more about a topic and have a more productive conversation,” as per Google.
CEO’s Leadership Role in Managing Transitions
Change is inevitable in the dynamic landscape of the business world, and CEOs stand as the guiding pillars during these transformative periods. The role of CEOs in effectively navigating organizational transitions cannot be overstated. Their leadership prowess and strategic acumen are essential for steering the ship of change through uncertain waters. In this comprehensive exploration, we delve deeper into the critical role CEOs play in leading their teams through various types of organizational transitions. 1. Setting the Vision for Change At the heart of successful change management lies a compelling vision. CEOs, as visionary leaders, shoulder the responsibility of articulating a clear and inspiring vision for the impending change. Beyond simply introducing the transformation, they weave a narrative that elucidates the purpose and benefits of the change. Through their words, they cultivate a sense of shared destiny, aligning every member of the organization toward a common goal. 2. Open Communication Effective communication is the lifeblood of any organizational transformation. CEOs, cognizant of this fact, take center stage as communication conduits. They establish and maintain open lines of dialogue with their teams, fostering an environment where concerns are addressed, updates are provided, and questions are answered. By keeping the workforce well-informed and engaged, CEOs create a culture of transparency that quells uncertainty and enhances collaboration. 3. Leading by Example The age-old adage “actions speak louder than words” rings especially true during times of change. CEOs, as the vanguards of transformation, lead by example. Their behaviors and decisions serve as beacons of the expected attitudes and adaptations required during the transition. By embodying the change they advocate, CEOs not only inspire but also set the tone for the entire organization to follow suit. 4. Empowering Change Champions Within the intricate fabric of an organization, change champions emerge as catalysts for progress. CEOs adeptly identify these individuals and empower them to become advocates for change. By entrusting them with the responsibility of guiding and motivating their peers, CEOs create a network of support that permeates every level of the organization. This grassroots approach is pivotal in ensuring the organic acceptance of change. 5. Monitoring Progress Navigating through change requires a vigilant eye on progress. CEOs adopt the role of vigilant overseers, closely monitoring key performance indicators that gauge the success of the transition. Their involvement in the evaluation process provides valuable insights that enable timely course corrections and adjustments to the implementation strategy. 6. Anticipating and Addressing Resistance Change often meets resistance, a natural response rooted in human psychology. CEOs, equipped with foresight, anticipate potential challenges and proactively address concerns. By acknowledging resistance and empathetically addressing apprehensions, CEOs minimize friction and pave the way for a smoother transition journey. 7. Making Tough Decisions In the landscape of change, CEOs bear the weight of making tough decisions that might spell short-term discomfort for long-term gains. These decisions demand a comprehensive understanding of the organization’s trajectory and the courage to prioritize the greater good over immediate challenges. CEOs, as steadfast decision-makers, keep the ship steady amid turbulent waters. 8. Providing Resources and Support For a transition to flourish, it requires the nurturing embrace of resources and support. CEOs, recognizing this, allocate the necessary tools, training, and guidance to facilitate the journey. By enabling employees with the means to navigate the change, CEOs empower them to confidently embrace the transformation. 9. Celebrating Milestones Amidst the rigors of change, celebrating milestones becomes a testament to progress. CEOs understand the importance of recognizing achievements, both big and small. Such celebrations boost morale, reaffirming the positive impact of the change and serving as a reminder of the collective accomplishments. 10. Learning and Improvement In the tapestry of change, CEOs are adept weavers of wisdom. Every transition is an opportunity for learning and improvement. CEOs actively seek feedback, meticulously analyze outcomes, and derive valuable lessons that serve as blueprints for future change initiatives. This iterative approach enhances their leadership prowess and the organization’s adaptability. Conclusion CEOs don many hats, but during periods of transition, their leadership shines brightest. Their ability to articulate a vision, communicate transparently, and lead by example sets the tone for successful change management. Empowering change champions, monitoring progress, and addressing resistance form the bedrock of a seamless transition. With the fortitude to make tough decisions, the provision of resources, and the acknowledgment of achievements, CEOs navigate the labyrinth of change with finesse, steering their organizations toward a future brimming with prosperity and growth.
Net Profit Rises 8% YoY To INR 5.4 Cr
Nykaa’s profit jumped 138% from INR 2.3 Cr in the preceding March quarter on the back of a strong growth in beauty and online vertical platforms Operating revenue jumped to INR 1,421.8 Cr in Q1 FY24 from INR 1,148.4 Cr in the corresponding quarter of last fiscal Nykaa said its overall gross merchandise value (GMV) grew 24% YoY to INR 2,667.8 Cr in Q1 FY24 Beauty and fashion ecommerce major Nykaa’s net profit jumped 8.2% year-on-year (YoY) to INR 5.4 Cr in the first quarter of the financial year 2023-2024 (FY24), helped by strong growth in beauty vertical online platforms and physical stores. The startup posted a net profit of INR 5 Cr in the year-ago quarter. Meanwhile, profit jumped 138% from INR 2.3 Cr in the preceding quarter – Q4 FY23. The Falguni Nayar-led startup’s operating revenue jumped to INR 1,421.8 Cr in Q1 FY24 from INR 1,148.4 Cr in the corresponding quarter of last fiscal. On a quarter-on-quarter (QoQ) basis, it grew 9.2% from INR 1,301.7 Cr. Nykaa said its overall gross merchandise value (GMV) grew 24% YoY to INR 2,667.8 Cr in Q1 FY24. This was also a jump from INR 2,445.4 Cr GMV the startup reported in Q4 FY23. Beauty vertical’s GMV grew 24% YoY to INR 1,850.8 Cr in the quarter under review. It also rose 13.6% on a QoQ basis. Meanwhile, the fashion vertical, which was seeing a slow down for the last few quarters, also seems to have regained some of its mojo. GMV of Nykaa’s fashion vertical rose 12% YoY to INR 653.7 Cr in Q1 FY24. However, on a QoQ basis, it declined from INR 664.1 Cr. “Our beauty vertical continues to shape into an ecosystem of its own – with steady and balanced growth across our online platforms, physical footprint as well as our consumer brands,” said Falguni Nayar, Nykaa’s executive chairperson, MD, and CEO. Nayar said that the fashion vertical’s consumer brands also experienced steady growth, with the company’s own labels now spanning across categories – western wear, Indian wear, lingerie, menswear, accessories and much more. “Nykaa Fashion’s growth in the quarter was much ahead than the industry growth but below its long-term trajectory. The Nykaa ethos to grow businesses and brands with passion, but also with discipline, is again visible in the way Superstore By Nykaa and our beauty brand Dot & Key have seen significant scale quickly – all while improving the underlying unit economics,” she said. (The story will be updated soon.)
Google to bring air quality mini card to its app, here’s how it looks
Google app already has a couple of mini cards that appear under the search bar in the Discover tab to provide quick information. Google is now adding a new mini card widget to the list. This one will show you the current air quality in your area. Currently, Google has three mini cards: Sports: Show live updates for teams you follow Weather: Keeps you updated with current weather conditions Finance: Tracks stock prices and market trends from industries you follow AQI will join these mini cards. 9to5Google has noticed a new black card in the Google app beta on Android version 14.32. Tapping on that runs an air quality search. This indicates that the new blank mini card is aimed at offering details about air quality in the surrounding area. The iOS version, on the other hand, displays the complete AQI mini card and gives us a sneak peek at what it will look like. It is currently a small card with little to do, but it does show the AQI level and distance below it. Additionally, there is an indicator for the air quality condition, which we believe will change colours based on the air quality.Weather card is changing tooAccording to the report, Google is also making changes to the weather card in Discover. The weather card now has full width. Nothing has changed in terms of design, except it now includes conditions and chances of precipitation.Also, note that the feature is in beta right now and it may take some time to roll out officially.Meanwhile, Google has recently updated Gmail to include a translation feature. This will allow users to quickly translate a received email into the language of their choice. The feature will come in handy for people communicating abroad or with people who speak different languages.
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Phones Banned In Delhi Schools: Read the advisory on mobile phones being banned in New Delhi private, government schools
The Directorate of Education (DoE) has issued a new advisory banning the use of smartphones in Delhi schools. The advisory will apply to both private and government schools of Delhi. Along with this, the Directorate has also asked the teachers and other school staff to refrain from using mobile phones in classrooms, libraries, school labs and playgrounds. “Hence, the use of Mobile Phones definitely needs to be regulated in school premises and therefore all stakeholders connected with school education such as students, parents, teachers and the heads of schools need to arrive at a consensus on the minimum use of mobile phones in their school so that a more meaningful learning atmosphere can be maintained in the classroom,” mentions the advisory issued by DoE.The Directorate of Education has also requested the parents to make sure that their children do not carry mobile phones on the school premises. And in case if students carry mobile phones to school, then the school will have to make adequate arrangements for the safe custody of the device. Read the complete order hereMobile phone is one of the most commonly used gadgets in today’s life irrespective of whether they are students, teachers, professionals or others. Hence, it is imperative for us to reflect on this over dependence on technological interventions which can have both positive and negative repercussion as an overuse of smártphone can result in higher levels on depression, anxiety, social isolation, hyper-activity, hyper-tension, sleep loss and poor eyesight. It can cause distractions in the learning process and can negatively impact academic performance, life satisfaction, face-to-face conversation quality, connection and closeness. Further, the incidents of bullying and harassment, transmission of explicit images photographing, recording or uploading inappropriate contents are also likely negatives that are detrimental to the social fabric as well as future of a child.Hence, the use of Mobile Phones definitely needs to be regulated in school premises and therefore all stakeholders connected with school education such as students, parents, teachers and the heads of schools need to arrive at a consensus on the minimum use of mobile phones in their school so that a more meaningful learning atmosphere can be maintained in the classroom which makes for a better ambience and school environment for the students. Accordingly, the parents are requested to ensure that their wards do not carry mobile phones in the school premises. In case, students bring mobile phones to the school, then the school authorities shall make adequate and appropriate arrangements for safe custody using lockers/ others system etc. where the mobile phones can be deposited and returned to the students while leaving the schools. Mobile phones should strictly not be allowed in the classrooms. Further, teachers and other staff are refrained from using mobiles during the teaching learning activities i.e. in classrooms, playgrounds, laboratories and Library etc.The school authorities may provide sufficient dedicated helpline numbers to the parents/students from where the students can receive and make calls, in emergency.Accordingly, HoS of all Govt. Schools & all the HoS/Manager of Private Unaided /Aided Recognized Schools of Do are hereby advised to disseminate the above information to all the students & parents as well as all the teaching/non-teaching staff working in their schools and take necessary action.
Decrypting The Current State Of Indian Unicorns
Startups that came into existence after 2015 are becoming unicorns in just 3.5 years, according to Inc42 The ecommerce sector boasts 25 unicorns, with Flipkart (now acquired by Walmart) being the most-valued unicorn at $37.3 Bn. Close on the heels are fintech and enterprise tech sectors, which foster 23 and 22 unicorns, respectively 83% of Indian unicorns that are headquartered outside India are from the enterprise tech sector. Overall, 18% of Indian unicorns are headquartered outside India, with the US being their most preferred destination The world’s third-largest startup economy is going through some of the most precarious times and any respite from the ongoing funding winter seems to be only on the cards. As a result, not even a single startup has emerged to claim the unicorn title so far this year. The state of the funding in the ecosystem is such that in the first seven months of 2023, Indian startups could only raise $5.9 Bn against $19.7 Bn and $21.2 Bn during the same period in 2022 and 2021, respectively. According to data compiled by Inc42, late stage startups raised $3 Bn across 52 deals between January and July 2023, down a staggering 75% from approximately $12 Bn raised in the same period a year ago, and 82% from $16.6 Bn raised between January and July in 2021. Adding to this are the ongoing market corrections and roiling global economies that have only made investors embrace more caution. Companies are now grappling with increased scrutiny of their business models and are being pressed to showcase profitability over pursuing rapid strides. Consequently, once-promising ventures that were destined to become unicorns are today facing limited investment opportunities, while existing unicorns are struggling to sustain their current valuations. Recently, renowned Indian startup names such as OYO, BYJU’S, Swiggy, PharmEasy, PineLabs, Meesho, and Ola saw substantial valuation markdowns on the books of their investors due to their never-ending tryst with losses and cash burn. BYJU’S, which has not reported its FY22 financials, witnessed a nearly 20X YoY increase in its consolidated FY21 loss to INR 4,588 Cr. Similarly, Swiggy’s FY22 consolidated net loss doubled to INR 3,628.9 Cr, and PharmEasy incurred losses to the tune of INR 2,731 Cr in FY22 compared to INR 641 Cr in FY21. Download The Report Nevertheless, India’s position as the ecosystem with the third-highest number of unicorns globally, after the US and China, remains undisputed. The collective valuation of the 110 startups exceeding $1 Bn valuation stands at over $347 Bn+, backed by total funding of $99 Bn. Further, as of April 11, 2023, the homegrown unicorn ecosystem employed more than 4.5 Lakh individuals, according to Inc42’s ‘Decoding India’s Unicorn Club Report 2023’. Now, before we dive deeper into the findings, let’s quickly look at some unique facts from our latest report. Time Taken To Become A Unicorn Has Reduced Significantly: Unlike companies like Fractal, Pine Labs, MapmyIndia and IndiaMART, which took more than 20 years to become unicorns, names like Mensa Brands, GlobalBees and 5ire ended up cherishing the coveted tag within just one year of their inception. Startups Founded Post-2015 Are Becoming Unicorns Faster: Startups that came into existence after 2015 ended up with the fancy unicorn tag in just 3.5 years. Names like Ola Electric, CRED, MPL, and Zetwerk took not more than 3 years to become unicorns. Sectors With The Highest Number Of Unicorns: The country’s ecommerce sector boasts 25 unicorns, with Flipkart (now acquired by Walmart) being the most-valued unicorn at $37.3 Bn. Close on the heels are fintech and enterprise tech sectors, which foster 23 and 22 unicorns, respectively. US Is The Most Preferred Destination For Indian Unicorns: According to the report, 83% of Indian unicorns that are headquartered outside India are from the enterprise tech sector. Overall, 18% of Indian unicorns are headquartered outside India, with the US being their most preferred destination. Most Unicorns Lack Gender Diversity At The Board: Of the 110 unicorns in the country, only two unicorns, Open Bank and Good Glamm Group, have more than one woman cofounders. Investors Are Now Looking Beyond IIT And IIMs: 51.8% of unicorn founders are non-IITians. Download The Report Profitability Still A Distant Dream For Most Unicorns Out of the total 89 unicorns that disclosed their financials in FY22, only 23 were profitable. This number is slightly lower compared to FY21 when 29 unicorns boasted healthy profits. Over the years, a combination of factors inherent to the startup ecosystem and specific market conditions have propelled unicorns towards aggressive growth strategies, often resulting in cash burn and financial losses. An ever-intensifying competition and rapidly evolving technologies have pushed company founders to prioritise rapid expansion over achieving positive unit economics. Concurrently, the inflow of continuous funding from the investor ecosystem, driven by inflated valuations based on exaggerated total addressable market (TAM) estimates, led founders to bloat their fixed costs, including human resources, manufacturing facilities, and office spaces. Consequently, when the funding stream dwindled, many of these startups found themselves in precarious situations. According to Inc42’s Layoff Tracker, more than 100 startups have laid off 28,000-plus individuals in the past 20 months. Prominent unicorns like BYJU’S, Ola, Unacademy, and Blinkit have been among those resorting to significant workforce reductions. This period has also been marked by controversies, impacting unicorns like PharmEasy, Swiggy, BYJU’S, and BharatPe. It is due to these setbacks, including amplified market volatility, that many startups are deferring their plans to go public. Further, what has cornered Indian startups, including unicorns, on all fronts has been desperate attempts to cut costs by laying off employees and their tryst gone wrong with Indian regulators on multiple occasions, throwing them off the growth path and subjecting them to uncertainties. Is There Light At The End Of The Tunnel? Even though the prevailing funding dry spells pose a severe challenge to Indian startups, these are also acting as a crucible to forge resilience and innovation among companies. In the absence of any major funding support, these startups are expected to
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Karnataka HC Directs Social Media Platform To Deposit INR 25 Lakh Penalty
In an interim order, the Karnataka HC said that the June order to pay INR 50 Lakh fine could be stayed till further orders if X (formerly Twitter) deposits INR 25 Lakh with the court In June, a single-judge bench of the HC had quashed the social media platform’s plea challenging a slew of blocking orders issued by the IT Ministry The HC slated the matter for next hearing on August 24 and also allowed the union government to file its objection in the matter A divisional bench of the Karnataka High Court (HC) on Thursday (June 10) reportedly directed X (formerly Twitter) to deposit INR 25 Lakh within a week to stay the earlier INR 50 Lakh penalty imposed on the microblogging platform in June. In June, a single-judge bench of the HC had quashed the social media platform’s plea challenging a slew of blocking orders issued by the IT Ministry. The court also slapped a fine of INR 50 Lakh on X and directed the company to pay the fine within 45 days, failure to do which would incur an additional fine of INR 5,000 per day. As the deadline loomed, the Elon Musk-led platform approached the divisional bench against the June order. A bench comprising Chief Justice Prasanna Varale and Justice MGS Kamal heard preliminary submissions in the case and passed an interim order, just a week ahead of the deadline for the submission of the fine. During the proceedings, Twitter’s counsel sought more time to make the deposit but the court refused to entertain the request. Meanwhile, the HC slated the matter for next hearing on August 24. It also allowed the union government to file its objection in the matter. The HC also permitted the Centre to apply for a vacation of the interim order passed on Thursday if necessary. In its observation, the divisional bench also noted that the reduced penalty ought not be treated as court’s acceptance that ‘some equity lies in favour of X Corp’. “We further make it clear that permission to deposit part of costs to the tune of INR 25 Lakh may not be treated as acceptance by this court that some equity lies in favour of the appellant (Twitter/ X Corp). This is only on statement made by appellant that to show bonafides, that appellant would deposit a part of costs,” said the order as per Bar and Bench. The saga pertains to the period before Elon Musk took over the reins of the company. In July 2022, Twitter dragged the central government to the Karnataka HC, seeking to dismiss a volley of content takedown orders issued by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) under Section 69A of the IT Act. In its plea, Twitter then alleged that many of the blocking orders related to content posted by political parties’ Twitter handles. During the course of arguments, the union government challenged the locus standi of Twitter’s plea citing the foreign credentials of the latter. The government also contended that only Indian citizens possess the right to challenge fundamental rights to freedom. Eventually, the HC sided with the government and imposed a penalty of INR 50 Lakh on the microblogging platform.