And still ...

 A teen's passing, sudden and stark,

A soul gone, the body left in the dark.

Though not close, the pain runs deep,

A melancholic wound that still seeps.

Unexpectedly, at odd times it stings,

A sharp pain that lingers, I guess my heart still clings.

Abyss

The heart hurts, in so much pain,
Anguish and sorrow, unable to contain.

Lost in a void, so dark and bleak,
Misery takes hold, as hope grows weak.

Lonely and mournful, a time without light,
Death by a thousand cuts, toxic people in sight.

Their words and actions, a poison that seeps,
Leaving behind wounds and scars that cut so deep.

Barren and grey, the soul forlorn,
A dark night that never sees dawn.

Empty and bereft, agony that does not abate,
Perpetual torment  the final fate.

Day by day, trapped with no way out,
A prisoner of the void, with no voice to shout.

Hopelessness consumes, an endless despair,
The black abyss is home now, desolation the only air.

Book Review - How Boards Work by Dambisa Moyo

The typical perception of boards and board meetings is of a group of privileged individuals who lounge at exotic locations and golf courses and only occasionally discuss the company's strategic direction while enjoying extravagant treats.

But this book is an eye-opener !!!

It highlights and gives a critical context to the difficulties faced by corporate boards and the ever-changing winds of change a board must navigate and maneuver through while facing these challenges.

Below are some of the topics covered in the book -

• Globalization and protectionism, including the always-prevalent risk of confiscation of company assets.
• The importance of diversity on the board.
• Regional, political and legal considerations that may augur the need of local boards in the future.
• Responsibility to society and the environment.
• The impact of high-frequency trading on stocks and the possibility of a share-price collapse.
• Threats from activist shareholders.
• The CEO's role and the heated debate surrounding their pay.
• Technology-based threats such as security and data breaches.
• Role of Innovation in the company strategy.

This list is by no means exhaustive.

However, if you believe in the idea that;

"It is a truth universally acknowledged that anyone seeking a successful and fulfilling career must strive to become a member of a well-functioning board of directors",

then this book provides an insight into the demands a board faces and a crucial understanding of the complex skills required to get that coveted seat on a board.

It almost makes one wonder, "Hmmm, do they still find time to indulge in bonbons?"

Ref :

Pride and Prejudice - Jane Austen

First line of the book -

"It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife." 

Business at the Speed of AI

Today, Artificial Intelligence(AI) plays a crucial role in shaping our online experiences, often driving them.

• When we publish posts on LinkedIn, share blog articles, or tweet, AI algorithms review them along with the hashtags and may reshare, retweet, or add them to relevant newsfeeds.

• Financial trading bots may act on news published by reputable financial outlets regarding a company's results.

• Perhaps the financial article may have been written, assisted by a language model like ChatGPT, just like business proposals, formal and informal emails.

• AI algorithms generate product recommendations, AI-powered recruitment bots screen job applications, and advertising bots target our social media usage.

• Chatbots offer AI-based customer support, Dall-E creates product images, and AI is winning art competitions.

The reality of an AI-based neuralink is already here, and it is conceivably not incorrect to say; business is conducted at the speed of AI, not speed of human interactions.