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Illustration: Suneesh In February this year, 28-year-old Shivam, a computer operator at a government office in Madhya Pradesh, was looking at ways to upskill as he sought a job that paid better than the Rs 10,000 a month he earned. He came across a YouTube advertisement of Relevel, operated by SoftBank-backed edtech unicorn Unacademy. Relevel operates on a unique selling proposition—enable job seekers to take a test and secure a job in under 15 days of clearing the test. Shivam (name changed) immediately applied for an ‘HR & Talent Acquisition Specialist Test’ of Relevel. It was free and guaranteed a package of as much as Rs 10 lakh per annum for successful candidates. The Relevel Test has often been marketed by Unacademy CEO Gaurav Munjal on Twitter as ‘absolutely free and one that guarantees a job if you clear it.’ Your degree doesn’t matter. You could get your dream job irrespective of educational background by clearing this test, Munjal said. Too good to be … [Read more...] about A difficult candidate test, broken job promises and refund dispute: Unacademy’s Relevel comes under fire

One’s environment can affect one’s mental health. Your living space can either make you feel happy, or increase your stress levels. For those who practice mindfulness, they find that it’s very important to live in a home that brings them joy and inspires them to pursue their passions. For 42-year-old mindfulness coach Sunshine Cariño, this place is at SM Development Corporation (SMDC)’s Berkeley Residences. “I feel safe living here because everyone—from the management to the residents—take an active role in making this place a safe haven for everyone to live in. We can see how the security staff works hard to ensure a peaceful and safe community for us.” – Sunshine Excel Carino of Berkeley Residences “Berkeley Residences offers convenience and so much more. I can work outdoors when I want. I can use the student lounge if I need WiFi or study with others. There’s even a function room in case I need to hold an event or talk. Living here encouraged me to connect with … [Read more...] about Self-care is possible at SMDC: Mindfulness coach shares experience living in a healthy environment

Leading life insurer Pru Life UK continues to lead the discussions on the impact of climate change on Filipinos health and financial security, as it brings together experts from health, insurance and the environment during its 2022 Healthscape media briefing. Led by the company’s President and Chief Executive Officer Eng Teng Wong and Prudential Chief Health Officer Andrew Wong along with planetary health expert Dr. Renzo Guinto and Michael Leitschkis, principal for Life Tech Solutions at consulting firm Milliman, the discussion focused on the impact of climate change on the health of Filipinos and how financial resilience through inclusive and climate-smart insurance products and services can help mitigate its effects. “Our goal as the leading life insurance company is to raise awareness on the importance of insurance protection against climate health risks so more Filipinos are educated on the effects of climate change on their health and finances. We are also working … [Read more...] about Pru Life UK gathers experts to help Filipinos mitigate climate change risks

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Friday said he is committed to optimizing the efficiency and productivity of the Social Security System  (SSS) “to improve the welfare” of the Filipino people. He issued the remark during the 65th anniversary of the SSS “Balikat ng Bayan” awards as he lauded the agency for being a “bastion of stability” for Filipinos for over six decades. He encouraged SSS employees to “always embody excellence” and “put the best interests of the Filipino people above everything else.” “As your President, I assure you that I commit myself to every initiative that will improve the efficiency and productivity of the SSS and thereby improve the welfare of our people ,” Marcos said. President Marcos has emphasized the value of the Social Security System in the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak, saying that it is satisfying to watch the SSS’s good effect on the community and its members’ quality of life continue to rise. … [Read more...] about Bongbong Marcos commits to improving SSS services

The gravity-defying jumps, full throttle engine sound, and the intense adrenaline rush of the riders, are some of the best pictures witnessed in the recent inaugural series of the Round 1 Cleanfuel Motocross Invitational Series held in Silang, Cavite. A total of 145 participant riders registered in the 16 category class consisting the 50cc Junior class, 50cc starter shaft drive single speed automatic, 50cc 2-stroke/70cc 4 stroke starter chain drive single speed, 50cc 2-stroke/70cc 4 stroke single speed, Junior MX, 85cc 2-stroke/150cc 4 stroke (production), mx ladies class, beginners KSA class, celebrity ladies class, local open endure, beginners open production, veterans B class, Cleanfuel OAS class, novice open production class, expert veterans, and the electric mini bike—the stacyc class. To kick off the event, Atty. Kevin Anarna, Mayor of Silang Cavite, officially welcomes all the participating riders, executives, guests, and members of the media in the opening … [Read more...] about Here are the winners of the round 1 Cleanfuel motocross invitational series

HONG KONG  – Asian stocks fell on Wednesday as investors failed to find any cheer in strong U.S. economic data and instead considered what it might mean for a hawkish Federal Reserve, with a surging dollar weighing heavily on regional currencies. Tracking Wall Street’s losses, MSCI’s broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan dipped 1.5 percent in early trading and Japan’s benchmark Nikkei average opened down 1.12 percent. Fixed-income markets came under heavy pressure with U.S. 10-year treasuries yields rising to 3.365 percent on Wednesday, the highest since June 16. Data overnight showed the U.S. services industry picking up in August for the second straight month amid stronger order growth and employment. While that reinforced views the economy was not in recession, it also added to expectations the U.S. central bank would not be slowing the pace of interest rate hikes any time soon. “The good news for the real economy has now become bad news for the market – both … [Read more...] about Asian stocks, currencies fall as strong data fans hawkish Fed bets

John Aguilar —Contributed photo John Aguilar is a serial entrepreneur and the founder and host of business reality TV show “The Final Pitch.” He won a Mansmith Innovation Award in the business model category. His new book, “The Art and Science of the Pitch,” cites valuable lessons, tips and techniques picked up from years of producing and hosting the pitching show, and interviewing experts across the globe. Q: In your years of producing “The Final Pitch,” what have you found that makes a pitch most compelling to investors? A: The most compelling pitches come from people who are out to solve a problem that they themselves are intimately involved in and want to solve. This usually comes from a close association with their “why” or perhaps a pain point they themselves want to alleviate and where they see an opportunity. I’d be lying if I said showmanship did not play a factor because the messenger sometimes has as much to do with the success of a pitch as the message. Sincerity … [Read more...] about Make your business pitch compelling

Investors added another cycle of selling on Thursday as the dollar barely eased its stranglehold on currency markets, recession fears sapped stocks and bonds suffered more interest rate pain. After a partial rebound on Wednesday, U.S. stocks fell sharply. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 1.5 percent, the S&P 500 lost 2.1 percent to a new low for 2022, and the Nasdaq Composite dropped 2.8 percent, weighed down by big technology names such as Apple Inc and Amazon.com Inc. European stocks also suffered. The STOXX 600 share index was down 1.67 percent, even as the euro and the pound, hammered over the last week by UK debt concerns, recovered some ground, gaining 0.6 percent and 1.7 percent, respectively. China currency intervention talk was gathering momentum too, while Europe’s government bond markets were braced for the highest German inflation reading since the 1950s. Gilt selling also resumed a day after the Bank of England had dramatically intervened to try and quell … [Read more...] about ‘Pick-your-poison’: Wall Street sell-off resumes

TOKYO  – Japan’s factories ramped up output for a third straight month in August, as the manufacturing sector showed resilience in the face of heightened fears about high material cost and a global economic slowdown. Policymakers in the world’s third-largest economy are worried about recession risks in the United States and other major trading partners, which would make Japan increasingly reliant on domestic consumption for growth. Separate figures showed retail sales rose sharply to expand for a sixth straight month in August, while the latest jobs data pointed to tightening labour market conditions. Factory output gained a seasonally adjusted 2.7 percent in August from a month earlier, official data showed on Friday, extending rises in the prior two months. The increase, which was much stronger than a median market forecast for a 0.2 percent gain expected by economists in a Reuters poll, got a lift from firmer output of production machinery and iron, steel and non-ferrous … [Read more...] about Japan’s factories boost output for third month in August

Madhabi Puri Buch “I love the fintech world”: That’s how Madhabi Puri Buch, chairperson of Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) began her address at the Global Fintech Fest. She said SEBI has been late to the party in the past but is now planning to narrow down the regulatory gap in the startup ecosystem. She explained, “By construct, a regulatory gap will always exist. If startups are building something completely new, then it has not even entered the heads of those in the regulatory body. But, when we finally show up, what is it that fintech innovators should have kept in mind to avoid crackdown?” Here’s a checklist: If anonymity is a key selling proposition, it will not last : “Anonymity in the financial world is an absolute no-no and that should be the first guiding principle for businesses,” she said. Startups need to build on credible data. Transparency is key : The regulator's principal job is to ensure that investors make informed decisions. “If your … [Read more...] about How should fintechs prepare for a crackdown? Sebi chief offers a checklist