Latest news with #Pivotal
Irish Times
a day ago
- Politics
- Irish Times
Stormont is slow, afraid of new thinking and costly, says report
Reading the latest report by the Belfast-based Pivotal think tank into the operations of the Stormont Executive, Assembly and Northern Ireland Civil Service (NICS) is like watching an episode of the much-loved 1980s TV series Yes, Minister, but minus the jokes. Throughout, the fruits of months of conversations with 30 former ministers, senior civil servants, special advisers and some of those who deal frequently with Stormont on policy questions reveals a litany of failures, blockages and short-sightedness. As always in organisations, the principal issues centre on culture. 'Civil servants are broadly committed and enthusiastic, but they are held back by a burdensome system. Risk aversion acts as a brake on progress at every stage,' the report says. 'This seems to have got worse in recent years. Innovation is not always encouraged, and change is often resisted. While delivery is a priority in principle, it doesn't always translate into practice.' READ MORE Too often, Pivotal says, officials make decisions out of fear of a subsequent Northern Ireland Audit Office report, or a grilling before Stormont's Public Accounts Committee (PAC), or being the subject of a judicial review. The PAC uses its time and profile to go through departments' 'bad holiday snaps' in search of a 'gotcha' moment that will dominate the evening TV headlines, it says. Even here, it frequently falls short of the mark as a spending watchdog, with one retired civil servant witheringly saying officials 'wouldn't be afraid' of appearing before it given its 'poor questioning and scrutiny skills'. While they are not afraid of audits, or the PAC, they are afraid of the press, something that has got worse since news reporting exposed the 'cash for ash' scandal, which has cost NI taxpayers £500 million that they know about, but probably more. [ Cash for ash scandal: Everybody is to blame, nobody is to blame Opens in new window ] In an effort to avoid taking responsibility, officials are overly willing to hire consultants and, as a consequence, fail to build up the skills of their staff, the report says. The sums being spent are now causing 'alarm' among those interviewed. A business leader, speaking anonymously, as every interviewee does in the report, believes Stormont is 'creating middle-class industries'. Consultants have become 'an ordinary part of working' in Stormont's hard wiring, according to most of those who contributed. Too often, however, as one retired senior official put it acidly, they 'borrow your watch and tell you the time'. Inside the bureaucracy, things move at 'a glacial pace', according to a former minister, with officials unwilling to quickly change their ways of working or move into new roles. 'Pace is not what civil servants do well. They do process well,' said a business leader. If it does process well, Stormont does not do outcomes. Interviewees were, Pivotal reports, shocked at the lack of attention given to whether a programme's aims are achieved, with the focus instead on ensuring all the money allocated is spent. 'The system needs to be turned on its head and see the reason for doing this is not just the pound notes, it's actually about changing the place,' said one business representative experienced in Stormont's ways. Bureaucracy 'can thwart change easily', said one former minister, while a former special adviser believed the system often thought more about 'finding their people something to do' than having them do something productive. Too often, life inside the Stormont bureaucracy is about management rather than change. 'Every day a business will ask 'How do I make my business better – quicker, stronger, better?' There is very little of this in the NICS,' said one business leader. If officials like talking to consultants, they do not like talking to anyone else, the Pivotal report states. They are 'not inclined to engage in difficult conversation' with outsiders, said a former minister. The voluntary sector was scathing of the way it feels it is treated by Stormont. Often, according to the report, the sector gets little more than 'lip service', while consultations that do take place are regarded as box-ticking exercises rather than meetings where they are listened to. Stormont departments operate in silos, the report notes, unwilling to co-operate with colleagues in other departments. Jayne Brady, the head of the Northern Ireland Civil Service, enjoys no formal authority over departmental permanent secretaries, the report notes, who are instead accountable only to their ministers for policy, to the NI Department of Finance for spending, and to the Stormont Assembly. Ministers are said to get bogged down in day-to-day matters rather than the bigger issues, and they are seen as having a preference for making announcements rather than the drudgery of reaching long-term goals. Their behaviour can delay or even halt delivery, particularly when matters political, or local, get in the way. One former official delivered a backhanded compliment, saying: 'I have never worked with anybody who didn't really care'. Stormont's political structures – where the Executive does not operate by collective responsibility and where ministers are appointed by their parties – does not help, the report finds. 'Many interviewees pointed to political disagreements that slowed down delivery of important policies, whether those disagreements were about policy design, who would benefit, or local impacts.'
Fast Company
a day ago
- Health
- Fast Company
The hidden cost of unpaid care work
Caregiving is the invisible cornerstone of our economy—and it's in crisis. Recent data from Pivotal, an organization founded by Melinda French Gates to advance social progress, reveals staggering statistics: 67% of caregivers face personal financial strain due to caregiving responsibilities, often accruing credit card debt. 82% of voters agree that policymakers should prioritize investments to ease caregiving for families. 65% of caregivers report that caregiving benefits would influence their job decisions. Unpaid caregivers—those who leave paid work or drastically reduce their hours to care for loved ones—often shoulder immense responsibilities with little to no institutional support. Recent data suggests that 44.58 million caregivers in the U.S. perform the equivalent of an estimated $873.5 billion worth of labor each year. With that much money at stake, this is far more than a personal issue; it's a structural challenge impacting our economy, workforce, and well-being. At Catapult Design, we see caregiving as more than a policy challenge; it's an opportunity for design innovation. By centering on caregivers' lived experiences, we can design inclusive solutions that ease their burdens and restore dignity to this vital, yet often-invisible labor force. Unpaid care work, including childcare, elder care, and household management, contributes an estimated $10 trillion annually to the global economy. However, that staggering number isn't reflected in GDP calculations. Many caregivers, predominantly women, often give up paid employment, career advancement, and financial independence, creating cascading impacts on their mental and physical health—particularly when caregiving responsibilities include supporting individuals with significant health challenges. This isn't just a policy issue. It's a systemic challenge with far-reaching implications for economic stability, workforce resilience, and social equity. Caregivers need human-centered solutions At Catapult Design, we believe caregiving requires not only policy reform, but also innovative, systemic solutions. Human-centered design (HCD) offers a way to reimagine caregiving by centering the real needs of caregivers. HCD is a collaborative, empathetic approach to problem-solving. It prioritizes listening to and learning from the people most impacted—in this case, caregivers. By understanding their lived experiences, we can create practical, inclusive, and scalable solutions that not only address immediate challenges, but also support long-term equity and dignity. In a recent project, Catapult Design addressed two issues caregiver often face—burnout and financial instability. Through deep engagement and co-creation, we identified solutions ranging from improved operational tools to peer-support networks. Small changes like these had a significant impact, reducing stress and increasing retention. The findings of this project underscore a key principle: Caregivers must be active participants in designing a world that works for them. Their insights are essential to creating systems and tools that reflect their realities and aspirations. 3 ways to address the caregiving crisis For employers, policymakers, and community leaders, recognizing and supporting caregivers is both an ethical and economic imperative. Insights from our work at Catapult Design highlight three ways HCD can address the caregiving crisis: Make caregiving visible. In our projects, we've seen how platforms that share caregivers' stories can help elevate their contributions and shift societal perceptions. Amplifying these voices encourages recognition and investment in support systems. Reduce barriers. Our work has shown that even small interventions—like improved scheduling tools or accessible financial support systems—can reduce stress and make caregiving more manageable. Foster collaboration. By involving caregivers directly in design processes, we ensure that solutions are tailored to their real needs and have community buy-in, which leads to more sustainable and impactful outcomes. Moving Forward Caregiving isn't just a personal challenge—it's a societal one, deeply tied to economic stability and equity. By focusing on the real needs of caregivers, HCD can help create innovative, inclusive, and dignified solutions that alleviate burdens and recognize caregiving as a critical component of our economy and society.
The South African
a day ago
- Business
- The South African
RWC 1995 anniversary: What is Joel Stransky doing now?
The Springboks unforgettably won the Rugby World Cup for the first time in 1995, and as we celebrate the 30-year anniversary of the iconic final, we take a look back at some of the famed heroes of the day, starting with none other than Joel Stransky. Or course, that title decider will be remembered for a host of different reasons, but one of the most iconic moments was the famous match-winning drop goal in the 1995 Rugby World Cup final against the All Blacks at Ellis Park. Stransky also wrote his name in the history books in the opening match of the 1995 World Cup when he became the first Springbok to score all four possible ways in a Test as he scored a try, a conversion, four penalties and a drop goal to guide South Africa to a 27-18 win over defending champions, Australia. His heroics at the 1995 World Cup – and particularly in the final – is undoubtedly the central highlight of a special career that saw Stransky rack up 240 points in 22 Tests. After briefly dabbling in some coaching after he retired, Stransky successfully moved into the corporate world, which included roles with Altech Netstar, Hertz SA and the Pivotal Group. He is also currently an owner at Paperlogic Hygiene, a company focused on the manufacturing and distribution of paper products and cleaning/hygiene solutions. Besides having held executive positions in the technology, finance, and corporate sectors, he is also well known as a regular analyst and commentator on SuperSport. The former flyhalf also occasionally serves as a motivational speaker on leadership, performance, and mental resilience. According to LinkedIn : 'Joel Stransky is a successful entrepreneur with firm roots in marketing. With over 10 years' experience in senior management in the corporate world, he co-founded Pivotal in 2012. Joel spearheaded growth strategies for the Pivotal group of companies, a sustainable group of synergistic businesses that are game changers in their respective fields.'After a successful rugby career, Joel's business acumen and natural leadership ability led him into the corporate sports marketing world, where he became an Executive Director at Megapro, South Africa's leading sports marketing company. Joel looked after the commercial affairs of the South African Rugby Union, headed up hospitality at the 2003 Cricket World Cup and consulted to the Bid Book that won the rights to the 2010 FIFA Football World Cup.'He quickly gained a strong reputation and joined Altech Netstar as Director of Sales and Marketing, which saw the company grow significantly, promoting Joel to the role of Altech Netstar Group Managing Director. This results-driven initiative piqued the interest of the Steinhoff Group, where he took up a management position and then became responsible for the turnaround strategy for Hertz Rent-a-Car group. 'Joel's entrepreneurial nature and drive prompted his departure from the corporate world. As a Director at Pivotal Capital/Group, he has played a major role in the successfully growing of the group which now includes seven companies that are leaders in their respective fields.'
Bloomberg
4 days ago
- Automotive
- Bloomberg
Trump's Executive Order to Make Flying Cars a Reality
On the heels of President Trump's recent executive order, we explore the fast-emerging world of flying cars, or eVTOLs, as companies like Joby Aviation and Pivotal race to bring personal air travel to life. Joby is working toward FAA certification for air-taxi services in cities, with plans to launch in 2026, while Pivotal is focused on lightweight, personal aircraft for consumers, public safety, and defense. Despite regulatory and technological hurdles—especially around batteries and infrastructure — the hope is to make flying as accessible as and more efficient than driving. (Source: Bloomberg)
Yahoo
02-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Head-turning footage captures next-gen flying machine as it takes to the skies: 'The first step toward 'The Jetsons''
A company named Pivotal demonstrated its electric flying car during Special Operations Forces Week in Tampa, Florida. As Fox 13 Tampa Bay reported, Pivotal created an electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft. The eVTOL has a one-person capacity, lifts off like a helicopter, and cruises like an airplane. Interestingly, you don't need a pilot's license to operate the eVTOL because it falls into the ultralight aircraft category. After 13 years of development and numerous testing phases, the eVTOL design operates smoothly, efficiently, and quietly in the air. "It really is the first step toward 'The Jetsons,'" said Pivotal CEO Ken Karklin. This electric flying vehicle is a significant development because it provides a new option for clean energy transportation. Meanwhile, other innovative companies are creating next-gen airplanes that are powered by hydrogen and solar energy to reduce pollution in our skies. Futuristic aircraft designs are changing the way we think about air travel, and flying cars are a significant part of this sustainability shift. Although widespread public adoption of eVTOLs is likely still a ways off, it could offer many of the same benefits as electric vehicles on our roads. Compared to a traditional aircraft, an eVTOL could help owners save money on routine maintenance and low power costs while operating a quiet vehicle with no tailpipe pollution. Karklin said the civilian version of the eVTOL costs about $190,000. Meanwhile, the company is pursuing opportunities in the defense and public safety sectors to address security concerns and emergency rescue needs. Future eVTOL owners could potentially save even more money by installing solar panels to charge their flying vehicles. Charging vehicles at home is cheaper than using public charging stations and more sustainable than relying on the grid. Flying vehicle owners can compare solar quotes through EnergySage to find the best installation deals from trusted local professionals. Pivotal is launching a production version of the eVTOL in December and plans to be operational in two sites by the end of the year. Would you trust a self-driving car to take you to work every day? For sure Maybe someday I'm not sure Never in a million years Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Join our free newsletter for weekly updates on the latest innovations improving our lives and shaping our future, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
