When people say to me "you are so creative" it gives me a sense of pride that someone has seen I have put thought into my idea, action or work.  So when I was given the opportunity to have the co-author of the book "Cracking The Creativity Code" - Shlomo Maital, as a guest on my show, I jumped at the opportunity.  Shlomo, is Senior Research Fellow at the Samuel Neaman Institute for Advanced Studies, Technion and Professor (Emeritus) at Technion - Israel Institute of Technology. All that being said I was honored that he joined me and Michael Steiner, Executive Director of BEST Robotics, Inc. to discuss this topic of creativity.We discussed whether creativity can be taught or are you born with it, and the answers were very interesting.Shlomo and Michael talk about the situation in todays educational systems and some concerning trends they are seeing.I am hoping that when leaders of industry and key executives listen to this conversation they learn to embrace creativity within the workforce, and educators see the potential in students that demonstrate creativity.

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Embrace Creativity. Don't Suppress It.

Over the past few months, we have been having some disruptive, and thought-provoking conversations with Michael Steiner, Executive Director of BEST Robotics around the training, education and the elements and skills that students and the workforce need today.One part of my last conversation made me stop and think.Michael talked about the importance of communication in today’s business World, and I wanted to have a deeper conversation around this subject, so we arrange the recording of this segment.I have been an enterprise sales professional for the majority of my career, and I chose to use the power of communication to help educate my audience about the things I am passionate about in the process of doing this over the past several years I have created many strong partnerships and had several win-win outcomes where we have benefited from this approach.But communication was a key element of this approach.  And in today’s “instant” reward approach, sometimes communication is diluted and some of the key elements are lost.If you lose key elements in a business communication, it can be the difference between success or failure, a great idea or missed opportunity, and that can cost the individual or the organization millions in revenue.The art of putting together a clear, and concise communication piece is more than having good grammar and punctuation – it is the structure of how you present the information and the data.Many people just jump in and present the idea.But it is essential to put the idea into context, so that the recipient can relate to why you are communicating this.Michael gives some great examples of communication that worked, and enabled the communicator to put their case forward so that the recipient could make an informed decision.About BEST Robotics:Take plywood and a box filled with items such as PVC pipe, screws and other hardware, an irrigation valve cover, piano wire, aluminum paint grid, a bicycle inner tube, a BRAIN (BEST Robotics Advanced Instruction Node programmable platform), and something called a micro-energy chain system and try, within six weeks, to design and build a functioning machine that can perform certain, specific tasks in three minutes. What do you get?You get BEST, a middle and high school robotics competition whose mission is to engage and excite students about engineering, science, and technology as well as inspire them to pursue careers in these fields.Through participation in our project-based STEM program, students learn to analyze and solve problems utilizing the Engineering Design Process, which helps them develop technological literacy skills. It is these skills that industry seeks in its workforce.Each fall, over 850 middle and high schools and over 18,000 students participate in the competition.For More Information Visit Their Website : https://www.bestrobotics.org/About Michael SteinerMichael Steiner came from humble beginnings. He is the son of Polish Holocaust survivors who made it through World War II as orphans because of a great deal of help from others. Over the years, he has become an accomplished and entrepreneurial international executive. Michael has over thirty years of experience in leading companies, organizations, and projects across industries. His proven track record includes team management experience, negotiation skills, and the highest level of due diligence. Michael Steiner is the co-founder of Your Global Strategy (YGS). This innovative consulting agency works with thought leaders and governments across the globe to manage projects and drive creativity toward growth.Throughout the years, Michael Steiner’s clients have included go

Communication is the beginning of Great things

Ryan Weaver is many things -- a U.S. Army Combat Veteran, Two-Time Gold Star Family Member and a Country Music Singer/Songwriter. Ryan’s personal story is like no other artist in country music today.  He’s a former Black Hawk Aviator who lost a brother and brother-in-law in service, making them a two-time Gold Star family. His brother Aaron was killed in Iraq on January 8, 2004 and his borther-in-law Randy was killed in Afghanistan on December 17, 2013. Ryan used his heartache as determination to succeed.  Both of his brothers’ ultimate sacrifices continue to fuel his fire to accomplish his dreams in music. In the music video, 24-Year NYPD Detective & Emergency Service Unit - Rich Miller relays the behind-the-scenes story of how he helped raise the flag amidst the rubble of the downed World Trade Center buildings after 9/11 – an iconic moment and photo in American history.Learn More: www.ryanweaver.net

Music with a Mission - Ryan Weaver on Vets4Vets Nation Talks

Turning Service in to Wine - Vets4Vets Nation Talks

Vets4Vets Nation - GXA- IT

An Individual is an Island. A team player is The WorldOver the next few months Business Class News is going to be having various conversations with Michael Stiener, Executive Director of BEST Robotics Inc.  BEST is an organization that is dedicated to programs that teach students how to work together as teams and give them the experience of the various components of developing a project from design, testing, production, and marketing. A couple of weeks ago Michael spoke with our publisher, Karl Woolfenden and they discussed the topic of training for the future and the importance of getting our students comfortable working as teams and supporting each other to see the best results. It became obvious that this was not a one segment conversation and there are supporting topics that need to be discussed. Training in its traditional sense is developing skills that allow an individual to perform and complete tasks that are essential to a project or job function. Michael wanted to discuss a skill that is quite complex but is something that needs to be learned for today&apos;s work environment, and fits with the project model of Fit, Flat and Fast that organizations are using to advance innovation. In the interview you will hear Michael talking about various organizations that use this model, and how this skill impacts the results of projects and the team members involved. The skill Michael talks about is Cognitive Resilience, which Karl remembered from his military training, and in that context, it was about stress mitigation in extreme circumstances, but Michael explained that in this fast-paced world, workplaces, and job roles need to have individuals understand how to cope with situations they may be placed within to make them effective and healthy. Michael talks about the cognitive resilience grid and he explains about the elements that are involved in this essential skill. Capacity Growth Mapping Ambiguity Compassion and Empathy Optimism Self-Efficacy Greater Good Karl talked about culture and if this needs to be part of the overall corporate culture, and Michael talked about BEST Culture and had an amazing answer. As we continue these conversations, we are going to build a more complete picture of “Training for The Future” and why this is so important as we grow our talent pool. 

Train For Teamwork. Your Future Is Teamwork.

Identify Your Audience, Plan, Create and Communicate

I met with the Executive Director of BEST Robotics, Michael Steiner, and I was extremely impressed with the conversation we had.  We spoke about the talent gap, and it aligned with the conversations I had been having over the past few weeks.  My conversation sets the scene for a series of conversations with Michael where we talk about the current employment situation, the skills our students need to have, and the missing link that we need to address, or industry sectors and entire countries could be placed in a very bad position.About BEST Robotics:Take plywood and a box filled with items such as PVC pipe, screws and other hardware, an irrigation valve cover, piano wire, aluminum paint grid, a bicycle inner tube, a BRAIN (BEST Robotics Advanced Instruction Node programmable platform), and something called a micro-energy chain system and try, within six weeks, to design and build a functioning machine that can perform certain, specific tasks in three minutes. What do you get?You get BEST, a middle and high school robotics competition whose mission is to engage and excite students about engineering, science, and technology as well as inspire them to pursue careers in these fields.Through participation in our project-based STEM program, students learn to analyze and solve problems utilizing the Engineering Design Process, which helps them develop technological literacy skills. It is these skills that industry seeks in its workforce.Each fall, over 850 middle and high schools and over 18,000 students participate in the competition.For More Information Vist Their Website : https://www.bestrobotics.org/ About Michael Steiner Michael Steiner came from humble beginnings. He is the son of Polish Holocaust survivors who made it through World War II as orphans because of a great deal of help from others. Over the years, he has become an accomplished and entrepreneurial international executive. Michael has over thirty years of experience in leading companies, organizations, and projects across industries. His proven track record includes team management experience, negotiation skills, and the highest level of due diligence. Michael Steiner is the co-founder of Your Global Strategy (YGS). This innovative consulting agency works with thought leaders and governments across the globe to manage projects and drive creativity toward growth.  Throughout the years, Michael Steiner’s clients have included governments and government leaders, philanthropists, and global entrepreneurs—all committed to utilizing their diverse talents to impact humanity. Influenced by his passion for education and his family connection to the performing arts, Michael devotes significant time to organizations around the world that plant seeds of creativity in the hearts and minds of children and adults. His work has helped manage and promote such groups—bridging the gap between leadership, audience, investors, and artists of tremendous talent. When asked about his career and experience, Michael Steiner answers: “When you learn, learn from and together with others; there is no limit to what one can achieve. People are Good”

Training for the future, and your Career

TASK FORCE: AI AND CYBER SECURITY TALENT GAPAimed at promoting the development of best practices to address the talent gap within cyber security and AI. The task force will look into particular models, training programs, and innovative ways to promote these job opportunities with diversity and inclusion at the top of mind. As international cyberattacks have grown in sophistication and frequency, companies have had trouble finding qualified applicants and recruiting skilled cybersecurity experts. Tortora Brayda Institute Think Tank sees this talent gap as an issue of national security importance and seeks to help to close the gap.  Jill and Mary Ellen talked about an event they are hosting on the 5/26/2021 that is focusing on Cyber Attacks, you can find more information by clicking on the link below.https://www.linkedin.com/company/tortora-brayda-partnership-excellence/

How to Fix The Talent Gap

TASK FORCE:NATIONAL ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AND CYBERSECURITY ISAO (NAIC – ISAO)AI technology is deficient in cybersecurity controls, regulations, and the policies to govern it. While AI benefits cybersecurity, it also presents new risks and threats. AI is vulnerable to exploitation and weaponization by bad actors & cybercriminals. AI systems require ethical and technical guardrails to ensure integrity. The convergence of artificial intelligence (AI) and cybersecurity requires the framework, policies, laws, and solutions to support it.Our ISAO maintains a technological advantage while defending against threats, it adopts a whole-of-nation approach and operates with cohesion across all sectors.The National Artificial Intelligence and Cybersecurity ISAO (NAIC – ISAO) addresses these challenges and supports National Security, promotes innovation, and cultivates cyber diplomacy with our allies.

Surround Yourself With Experts - Cybersecurity and A.I.

Dean Lindsay is an award winning author (Business Class News Editors&apos; Choice Award) and is a successful entrepreneur, speaker and all round business leader.Karl talks with Dean about his upcoming book, Progress Leadership - Say NO to Change Management.Dean&apos;s insights in to this topic of how executives and leaders should re-think their strategy of the future of their organization, personal lives and ultimately the success track they need to put in place is refreshing.This is an extension from his book Big Phat Goals, and Progress Leadership is an essential read to move you and your organization to the next level

Book Review - Dean Lindsay - Progress Leadership - Say No to Change Management

As part of Business Class News&apos; spotlight to corporations that support education, our Publisher, Karl Woolfenden spoke to Peter Balyta, at Texas Instruments (TI), who is the President of their Education Technology side of their business.TI is committed to providing students opportunities and Peter spoke about the importance of STEM as being part of the educational process:"I [PETER BALYTA] believe STEM skills or survival skills, and the future depends on kids being STEM smart right now. We live in a technology centric world. And this requires a STEM literate population. For our kids, this means that they&apos;ll need to manage in a world that increasingly relies on technology, the current global public health crisis. We need for today&apos;s students to become tomorrow&apos;s problem solvers and leaders. So [that means] scientists, doctors, engineers, we need them to find and implement solutions to our planet&apos;s challenges. So STEM literacy is no longer optional. And coding isn&apos;t just for nerdy kids anymore, it&apos;s a skill that all kids will likely no matter what career they choose, and so I see coding as a third language, or a second language that all students should know."You can listen to the full interview on how TI is impacting the educational space with their commitment here.  You can also listen to it on Apple Podcasts, iHeart Radio and Google Podcasts, just search for Business Class News.About Peter BalytaPeter Balyta, is corporate vice president of academic engagement and president of the Education Technology business at Texas Instruments. He is responsible for leading global teams that focus on the mission of improving the teaching and learning of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) subjects. This includes several groups and programs that span TI, all of which aim to help students develop a strong educational foundation, setting them up for future success in a workforce that increasingly demands STEM skills.Balyta holds a Ph.D. in mathematics and technology education and a B.Ed in mathematics and physical education from McGill University; a master of science in mathematics education from Concordia University; and a master of business administration from the University of Texas at Dallas. Before starting his career at TI in 2000, Balyta was a mathematics educator and district supervisor for mathematics, science, health, and physical education. In 1996, he was recognized as a Teachers Teaching with Technology (T3) national instructor in the U.S. and Canada. In his roles at TI, he has brought his enthusiasm and experience from the classroom to support and drive TI’s education vision of equipping and inspiring future generations of leaders and engineers.Balyta is the recipient of the 2017 UT Dallas Green and Orange Award for his support and service to University of Texas at Dallas where he sits on the university’s Executive Board, a 2020 TI Founders Community Impact Award recipient for his volunteer efforts, a Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas 2020 Honor Pin recipient where he is a member of GSNETX&apos;s Executive Committee, serving as chair of the Strategic Planning Committee. Peter is the proud chair of McGill University’s Faculty of Education Advisory Board and a member of McGill’s Bicentennial Campaign Cabinet.

This technology centric World needs STEM literate students

LUNAR LANDSCAPE EXPERIENCE:EXPERIENCE THE MOON ON EARTHBack to Space is lighting the spark all around the world with a captivating facility designed to fuel innovation and out-of-this-world experiences!The Lunar Landscape Experience will have:The world’s largest explorable map which can be experienced with virtual and augmented reality. This scale model of the moon is a 60,000 square feet, Guinness Book of World Records scale project.Lunar gravity experience challenges at 1/6th gravityStage designed to be one of the most sophisticated in the worldInteractive game room which will be designed and coded by studentsOpen-air dome with the ability to view the beautiful skies and designed to host rocket launches from outside of the building – landing on the moonThe main building will be just under two acres with the map of the moon at its center and a high-tech facility surrounding the moon under the dome. Imagine this, you enter into the facility, and are engulfed in lights, sounds, and virtual reality simulating a rocket landing on the moon. Once you step on the moon, augmented reality enables you to see lunar features, landing sites, rovers, astronauts, and much more to truly understand the lunar topography and historic human touchpoints. Inside the facility, you can explore all the interactive games, gravity simulator, educational components, a one-of-a-kind restaurant, high tech stage, and high-tech adventure. This is just the beginning of the Lunar Landscape Experience. Not only will it be a Guinness record that will constantly have new exhibits and fresh new gaming components, but it will continuously implement updates that will maintain its status as an international destination and inspirational experience for all age groups and world travelers. The Back to Space universe is limitless.Come be a part of the many Lunar Landscape Experience events hosted at our facility:Major ConcertsInternational/National Corporate and Philanthropic EventsModel Rocket CompetitionsAstronomy and Programming CampsHarvest Moon, Blue Moon, and Eclipse FestivalsWeddings and HoneymoonLunar Landscape Experience is located in Jacksboro, Texas which is North-West of Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. It is the intersection of 6 major highways, within 1-2 hours of 8 million+ population, international airports, 3,000+ schools, and 1.7 million+ students. The skies are ideal for star-viewing and rocket launches due to the lack of light pollution and air traffic.Located on the site, you will find:Model rocket launchpadMoon tree parkTrail the size of the circumference of the earth in relation to the moonLake-side lodgingLake-view, best-in-class restaurantThe Lunar Landscape Experience will capture the minds and imagination of every guest who visits this extraordinary facility. Our objective is to inspire every student from the science and physics buffs to lighting a spark in students who had no prior interest in space before their visit. In addition, we are building a “go-to” facility that will launch awareness and focus from decision-makers, taxpayers, and educators. We will create a life-changing experience by engaging all the human senses, as well as re-creating the experience of the Apollo missions, the shuttle missions, and the deep-seated impact of the space program to America’s DNA. Each visitor will imagine themselves and their involvement in the future of science, engineering, virtual reality, and space exploration.  And for those with no inclination for the sciences and engineering, the Lunar Landscape Experience will become a #1 destination for music, arts, corporate and philanthropic events, as well as international and interplanetary festivals.

Back To Space - The Innovation - Part Three

Back To Space - The Vision - Part Two

Back To Space - The Mission - Part One

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