MBR_ISSUE 51_MAY_low res-compressed (1)

More documents

Recommendations

Info

Malta Business Review LIFESTYLES Image of Keiko by Michael Buffham Wade The psychological benefits to having a dog in the office are great for your mental health Unless you are highly allergic, it’s no secret that dogs make lots of people feel great. They wag, look cute, and do things that make even your office nemesis go “ahh.” Who doesn’t want a workplace pooch that needs you to rub its belly or throw that ball again and again? According to research, having a dog around the office can improve cardiovascular health, lower cholesterol and even decrease blood pressure. But studies have shown they can boost mental health too by reducing anxiety and stress levels. After all, it’s been said that the only one who loves you more than you, is your dog. But do they have a place in the workplace, and how can they really help to lower anxiety and stress levels? Spending time with dogs reminds us to take pleasure in the smaller things, something that’s important in the cut-throat world of office politics. You might be fighting with Lola from HR, but her Pekinese is entranced by the spiky plant next to the photocopier. Be more like the dog and let office fights float past you. Watching dogs experience every sensation as if it’s the first time they’ve ever witnessed someone opening a can of Pedigree Chum/ reaching for a leash is magical. We could do Norma CREDIT: Lee McGuffie with letting a little bit of every day magic seep into our lives occasionally. Dogs play a vital role in emotional support. They help whoever is looking after them feel needed (after all, a dog can’t open a packet of meat chews alone). Several recent studies show the psychological benefits to having a pet in the office. Confrontation reduced and people raised their voices less. The study found that for the control group with a dog in the workplace, stress levels were reduced by the end of the working day. The same can be said for university support dogs. The University of British Columbia brought therapy dogs during students’ exam season. A study co-author who monitored the students reported that the results were remarkable. “We found that, even 10 hours later, students still reported slightly less negative emotion, feeling more supported, and feeling less stressed, compared to students who did not take part in the therapy dog session,” said Professor Stanley Cohen. Michael Buffham-Wade, director of member experience at Virgin Red, who brings his dog Keiko, a female Shiba Inu, into the office says: “Dogs are just so predictable and happy to see you that it reduces anxiety because you look into their faces and it’s that whole purity - they don’t have ulterior motives. There’s no politics with a dog.” And any employers unsure about a pooch’s benefits should ready themselves for national Bring Your Dog to Work Day on June 21st. Dogs encourage the office to get up and move around, which can reduce back problems we all associate from sitting at our desks for too long. Many offices have introduced foosball tables and dart boards The fabulous Canto, relaxing in a chilled office environment as light relief, but what would break up the interminable task of filling out a spreadsheet more than throwing a squeaky toy? Plus, studies have also shown the simple act of stroking a dog’s fur can reduce stress. It reduces your blood pressure, putting you in a better frame of mind for the day. And it’s not just Virgin that encourages dogs. Ogilvy had a Chief Relaxation Office called Bailey, a cocker spaniel, while Nestle, Google and Amazon also let pet parents bring in their offspring. Tips to make sure your doggo is comfortable include bringing in a dog bed and toys from home. Making sure they have quiet place to chill out in if it all gets too much. And ensuring that everyone around the office is okay with dogs before you bring them in. Some people have dog phobias so it’s important to respect everyone around you. No matter how great your dog is, if someone is having (excuse the pun) kittens because your beast is sprinting up and down the hallway, they’re going to have a miserable and unproductive day at work. Lee McGuffie, Virgin Red’s digital and content strategy director says: “Remember your dog’s wellbeing too. The office needs to be a place they enjoying coming into as well and they are renowned for picking up on the mood and atmosphere. Bear this in mind if your day is going to be hectic and you won’t have much time for them. Bring things in they love at home: their own bed/blanket, a couple of familiar toys and the odd treat or two so you can reward them as you would do at home. Oh, and don’t forgot to take them out for a walk and a toilet break often. Not only do they get a walk and a sniff but you get a break from the desk and computer which ticks all the boxes.” MBR Credit: Virgin Image of Keiko by Michael Buffham Wade 42
DIGITAL LIFE Malta Business Review THE BEST AND WORST COUNTRIES FOR DIGITAL LIFE ABROAD Looking at Europe; Estonia, Finland and Norway are the best countries for digital life – Italy and Germany are the worst. n Estonia, Finland, Norway, Denmark, New Zealand, Israel, Canada, Singapore, the Netherlands, and the USA are the best countries for digital life abroad. n The majority of European countries ranks in the top half of the digital life ranking — Italy (57th) and Germany (53rd) are the worst in the region. n Myanmar, China, Egypt, India, Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, Peru, Turkey, and Uganda are the countries where expats are the least satisfied with their digital life. Digital Life in Europe Munich, 22 May 2019 — Over the last years, it has become impossible to imagine a world without digital communication, especially for globally mobile people: staying in touch with loved ones at home, mastering the administrative challenges in a new country, or working remotely as a digital nomad — the digital needs of expats are extremely diverse. In its first Digital Life Abroad Report, InterNations, the world’s largest expat community, identifies the best and worst countries to live a connected life. The results, which are based on the annual Expat Insider survey, reveal that Estonia, Finland, Norway, Denmark, and New Zealand excel at offering a digital environment. Expats in these countries are very satisfied with their unrestricted access to online services and Best Digital Life Worst Digital Life the possibility to pay without cash almost anywhere. At the other end of the scale, Myanmar, China, Egypt, India, and the Philippines are rated the worst countries for digital life. Expats in these countries struggle with a lack of government services online, difficult access to high-speed internet at home, or even restrictions in their use of online services. With Estonia (1st), Finland (2nd), Norway (3rd), Denmark (4th), and the Netherlands (9th), five out of the top 10 countries for digital life are in Europe. While no European country ranks among the bottom 10 countries in the world, Italy (57th) and Germany (53rd) are the worst within the region. Among other factors, expats in both countries are extremely unhappy with the lack of cashless payment options. MBR ROMANIA 1 Estonia 2 Finland 3 Norway 4 Denmark 5 New Zealand 6 Israel 7 Canada 8 Singapore 9 Netherlands 10 USA 11 Sweden 12 Bahrain 13 Taiwan 14 Australia 15 UK 16 Luxembourg 17 Switzerland 18 Portugal 19 Hong Kong 20 Austria 21 Chile 22 Ireland 23 Spain 24 Romania 25 Russia 26 Mexico 27 South Korea 28 Qatar 29 Czechia 30 Costa Rica 31 Kenya 32 Poland 33 Cyprus 34 Malaysia 35 France 36 Hungary 37 UAE 38 Panama 39 Colombia 40 Ecuador 41 Belgium 42 Malta 43 Bulgaria 44 Serbia 45 Dominican Rep. 46 Oman 47 Thailand 48 Kazakhstan 49 South Africa 50 Brazil 51 Japan 52 Greece 53 Germany 54 Argentina 55 Vietnam 56 Kuwait 57 Italy 58 Morocco 59 Uganda 60 Turkey 61 Peru 62 Indonesia 63 Saudi Arabia 64 Philippines 65 India 66 Egypt 67 China 68 Myanmar www.maltabusinessreview.net 43
Page 1 and 2: COVER STORY ONE-ON-ONE MiGEA 2019 M
Page 3 and 4: Efficiency in business is core. So
Page 5 and 6: MALTA BUSINESS REVIEW Malta Busines
Page 7 and 8: COVER STORY INTERVIEW Malta Busines
Page 9 and 10: TAX CRIMES Malta Business Review Th
Page 11 and 12: BANKING REPORT Malta Business Revie
Page 13 and 14: Malta Business Review www.maltabusi
Page 16 and 17: Malta Business Review ONE-ON-ONE FR
Page 18 and 19: Malta Business Review YACHTING NEW
Page 20: Malta Business Review GOZO EXPO AND
Page 23 and 24: BUDGET RECOMMENDATION Malta Busines
Page 25 and 26: SECTION TITLE SendOn UK WE DELIVER
Page 27 and 28: SECTION TITLE Wazdan - Best Gaming
Page 29 and 30: MiGEA 2019 Malta Business Review MB
Page 31 and 32: GAMING Malta Business Review Lapali
Page 33 and 34: MiGEA 2019 Malta Business Review At
Page 35 and 36: HOSPITALITY INTERVIEW OF THE MONTH
Page 37 and 38: TURNING YOUR EVENT INTO A SUCCESS S
Page 39 and 40: MENTORING Malta Business Review MEN
Page 41: DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION Malta Busine
Page 45 and 46: ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE Malta Busin
Page 47 and 48: WINES Malta Business Review A porta
Page 49 and 50: CITYWEALTH AWARDS Malta Business Re
Page 51 and 52: SECTION TITLE Malta Business Review

MBR_ISSUE 51_MAY_low res-compressed (1)

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?