To address the complexity of today's global challenges requires new ways of thinking. The idea that technology is always the best, maybe only, approach worth taking needs to be reconsidered. Sustainable approaches must also draw from non technological areas. To that end, this book introduces the idea of just technology by rephrasing the idea of just war in order to include concepts of sustainability in future engineering design. The book begins by defining justice and relating these definitions to technology. This is followed by illustrating several notions of sustainability and the awareness that needs to be focused on societal challenges due to the finite resources available in the natural world. Four questions are enumerated to be addressed in order to qualify as a just use of technology: (1) Is the harm being inflicted by the problem on the community, the environment, or humanity, in general lasting, serious, and certain? (2) Have all alternative solutions been investigated first, including non-technology-based solutions? Technology is the last choice, not the first! (3) Do we have confidence in the successful implementation of this technological solution? and (4) Is the potential harm from the technological solution potentially worse than the issue being addressed? Have all unintended consequences been considered that could arise from the technological solution? The book ends with a description for implementing these questions into the traditional engineering design process. Examples are included for reflection and help to understand how the design process proceeds.

The world of communication has literally been tipped on its head over the last few years. The reason, quite simply, is one word – digitalisation. People’s reading habits have drastically changed, and now consist of flipping from web page to web page, Facebook post to news site, spending an average of around six seconds at each destination. This means that if your communication, including emails, doesn’t grab them immediately, the chances of them reading it all the way through are very small. In addition, visuals are becoming increasingly important, whether infographic, video, animation or whatever means you can use to grab someone’s attention for a minute or two. Conquering Communications in Organisations offers insights and ideas on just how to look at today’s world of internal and external communications, using examples and case studies to illustrate crucial topics such as: Social Media: Using social media for internal comms and the importance of social media security; Email: Styles of email communication, etiquette and format; Internal newsletters: Why you should keep sweet and short, get your staff to give you news and incorporate humour!; Marketing documents: What to consider when drafting marketing proposals, agreements, strategies and your content schedule; How to deal with customers’ enquiries and complaints; Writing general and annual reports, and more! In addition, Conquering Communications in Organisations, will help you hone your writing for a digital age. You’ll learn how to do away with pompous, cliched and complicated writing, to present your thoughts in a clear and concise manner that engages the modern reader. Includes practical case studies from Nokia, Vodacom, Barclays Africa, Ford and more!

In the current economic environment, retention is one of the foremost concerns of all organisations. Leading organisations are citing retention as a key challenge and central objective; and no organisation can expect to survive if its retention game is not on point. A sound retention strategy results in lower staff turnover rates, which means: Reduced costs to the company, higher revenues and profitability, more productive staff and increased work morale. Retention is, in fact, a win-win deal for both parties – the employer and the employee. Retention Strategies is a complete how-to book to help you implement a sound retention strategy for today’s workplace. This book unpacks: The business case for retention strategies and the cost implications of high staff turnover; The role of rewards and remuneration: Remuneration only accounts for 25% of the stay decision, nevertheless it is a ticket to the retention game – it just has to be fair; Retention and engagement: Whilst engagement does not necessarily cause retention, there is some relationship; Remuneration options for retention and how each is typically used in organisations. This assumes that we have ticked all the other retention boxes like interesting work and great leadership; The Employee Value Proposition (EVP) and its link to retention and remuneration; Retention strategies for different generations. Retention Strategies is essential reading for anyone who manages or leads people currently or will lead them in the future. It will give you the tools to ensure people will want to work for you, follow you and stay with you. Retention Strategies is also intended for HR and reward executives, who are often responsible for crafting policy involving employment. This book may provide you with some ideas on what to include and exclude in your policies.