5 must reads for your weekend

We keep our ear to the ground for the interesting stats, insights and discussion points you need to feel in the know.

1. Green skills?

In today’s rapidly changing world, organizations of all kinds, from corporations to educational institutions to governments, all have a responsibility to help prepare the next-generation workforce for the future of sustainability and related jobs. But as the next generations enter the workforce, it’s Gen Z and Gen Alpha that will be spearheading conversations around sustainability, driving initiatives and taking decisive actions. According to the EY Generational Sustainability Survey 2023, only 56% of Gen Alpha and 45% of Gen Z were satisfied with the sustainability education they received in school and in focus groups many said the curriculum was superficial, outdated and not inspiring. Whilst Gen Z and Gen Alpha have a deeper knowledge of sustainability issues, many were still eager for more sustainability-related information and content. It's clear – education is key. So, what can businesses do to help? To supplement the teachings received in formal education, organizations should focus on expanding the ways in which education can help activate more sustainable choices. This foundational knowledge will be critical as the next-generation workforce looks to fill the need for green skills.??

Empowering next generations for a sustainable future

2. The doctor will see you now?

In the ongoing debate of in-person versus virtual doctor consultations, the latest findings from the latest EY Consumer Health survey 2023 show that face-to-face consultations were generally viewed more positively than virtual ones, especially when it came to the ability to show the health condition to professionals (84%) - but that’s not all. For many consumers, the confidence that their health concerns are being addressed takes center stage with 67% stating they’re being given the confidence that their health concerns can be taken care of when they speak to someone in person. Despite this, virtual consultations still have a major role to play. In a world of convenience culture, 34% of consumers stated they’re not always willing to wait for an appointment. Across the six countries surveyed, over two in five (44%) are willing to consider a virtual consultation, but for what reasons? Aloha McBride, EY Global Health Leader takes a deeper dive into the report to find out more.??

EY Health Consumer Survey

3. Building a resilient mindset??

These days, uncertainty is unavoidable. So how do top entrepreneurs lead with confidence during uncertain times? One way is with a resilient mindset. “Building a resilient mindset, team and culture is a three-step process, and it starts with the leader,” says Heidi Grant, EY Americas Director of Research and Development in Learning. “Cultivating a resilient mindset is possible if you use the right tools.” So, how can we build resilience? The first step is to find your ‘why’. Grant emphasizes it’s vital for leaders to analyze their sense of purpose — understanding why they show up to work. When a leader is connected to a strong sense of purpose, opportunities and threats become more manageable. But leaders must also think about the wider organization. When leaders embrace a growth mindset, it ripples throughout the business. “You can build a resilient culture in an organization by laying foundations for psychological safety and encouraging a ‘culture of growth’ mindset, where people feel the company believes in their ability to develop and grow,” she states. But it doesn’t end there…?

How to build a resilient mindset?

4. Smart glasses in healthcare??

Can a pair of smart glasses change the view of Swedish healthcare? EY teams teamed up with Microsoft and leading Swedish healthcare provider, Region Sk?ne, to find out. The HoloLens 2 smart glasses are a "mixed reality" holographic device, that combines what you see with a projected image of what you want to share with connected users. To study it’s potential, the team developed test scenarios based on real care cases in simulated environments. For example, the digital visualization of a checklist by a doctor for the treatment of an urgent, life-threatening, and rare condition. And facilitating meetings between professionals and patients via Teams in a patient's home environment, for a neurological examination. Already, healthcare professionals have seen benefits like improved efficiency in ward rounds, reduced training time and decreased annual personal protective equipment (PPE) costs. So, can a pair of smart glasses change the view of healthcare? Microsoft's HoloLens smart glasses prove that answer is a resounding “yes.”?

How a collaboration unleashed areas of impact for Hololens 2 in healthcare

5. Renewables: a race to the top

No one said the path to net zero would be a smooth one. Decarbonizing our world is - undoubtedly - the biggest challenge of the century. But the good thing, is that the commitment to energy security has never been stronger. Sparked by new game-changing policy, there is now a race to the top among international markets, eager to boost the competitiveness of their renewables sectors. Who is winning? Right now, the United States remains in top position and is the most attractive market for renewable energy investment according to EY research. And interestingly, the same research revealed that for the first time in a decade, Germany has overtaken China Mainland, taking second place. India is another one to watch; according to the International Energy Agency (IEA), India has the fastest rate of renewable electricity growth of any major economy. India's export advantage could be boosted by new and upcoming technologies, such as green hydrogen, which are making their way into the domestic renewable energy mix. This increased competition should speed up development of nascent green technologies and accelerate the energy transition. But there is concern some markets could be left further behind.?

Will local ambition fast-track or frustrate the global energy transition?

If you do one thing:?

Trust your instincts.

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