BCC launched a new podcast called “Where Business Belongs”.
Episode one aired on Tuesday 30 May.
For the first episode, Baroness Martha Lane Fox CBE is behind the scenes at our Global Annual Conference, chatting with some of our speakers, including Jeremy Hunt MP, Andrew Bailey, and our host Ayesha Hazarika MBE.
The podcast is available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify and episode 1 is supported by Arden Strategies.
You can listen to the first episode here.
A continuation of the popular “IT for Recruiters” training. The aim of the current programme is to provide those involved in Tech Recruitment with a practical understanding of AI in order to implement it in their day to day work. All BBBA Members have a 15% discount of the price!
28, 29 and 30 June
13:00-15:00 online / 17:00-19:00 on-site
“AI for Recruiters” is a natural extension of the popular “IT for Recruiters” training. The aim of the current programme is to provide those involved in Tech Recruitment with a practical understanding of AI in order to implement it in their day-to-day work.
Programme
Module 1
1. How did we get here? – Philosophy of the phenomenon
2. About AI today:
Module 2
1. The role of AI in recruitment processes:
2. ChatGPT in the recruitment process:
3. Robotic Process Automation and AI – Basic Concepts
Module 3
1. AI in employee training and onboarding:
Group 1 /online/:
Module 1: 28 June, from 13:00 to 15:00.
Module 2: 29 June, from 13:00 to 15:00
Module 3: 30 June, from 13:00 to 15:00
Group 2 / Sofia, in person/:
Module 1: 28 June, from 17:00 to 19:00.
Module 2: 29 June, from 17:00 to 19:00
Module 3: 30 June, from 17:00 to 19:00
Mentors
Krasimir Manev – Bulgarian mathematician with interests in discrete mathematics and theoretical computer science. Professor, lecturer at the Faculty of Mathematics and Informatics, Sofia University and New Bulgarian University. Author of numerous textbooks and manuals. Founder of the International Informatics Olympiad, and long-time leader of the national informatics team.
Krasimir Stoev – engineer with a Master’s degree from TU-Sofia, has more than 15 years of professional experience as a software developer and project manager. For the last 9 years he has also been a leading lecturer at IT Talents Training Camp, where he successfully trained over 500 novice developers. He has been involved in the development of a new programming language as well as the development of a framework for creating WEB based software systems. Author of the book “Java for Everyone”.
Valentin Nikolov – software engineer with a master’s degree from the Faculty of Mathematics and Informatics at Sofia University. One of the founders of MNKnowledge. One of the authors of the “IT for Tech Recruiters” program. Long experience in team building as part of Intracol, GBS Europa, Digitall
Reacting to the latest ONS inflation figures, David Bharier, Head of Research at the BCC, said:
“Today’s CPI rate of 8.7% indicates that after several false starts, the peak in inflation looks to have passed. This is further evidenced by a significant slowdown in the producer price input rate to 3.9%. Falls in gas and electricity costs provided the largest downward contribution to CPI. But this does not mean the problems caused by inflation will suddenly go away. Prices continue to rise from an already high base, after 18 months of price shocks. The last year and a half has had a devastating impact on many small firms who were just starting to see activity bounce back following the removal of Covid restrictions. With the interest rate currently at 4.5%, widespread skills shortages, and trade frictions on the rise, the cost of doing business is the highest in years. Action by the Government to help with the squeeze on the labour supply, reform of business rates and support on exports would go some way to helping them face the future with more confidence.”
In an important milestone, Kempinski Hotel Grand Arena Bansko has achieved for a third time in a row a Certified Silver status through EarthCheck, the world’s leading business advisory group specialising in sustainability and destination management for the travel and tourism industry.
Hotels participating in EarthCheck Certified actively monitor and report their environmental and social impact from their operations, including indicators such as energy and water consumption, carbon footprint, waste generation, community engagement and much more. Using a science-based approach, each of the hotels aims to increase efficiencies, maximise the guest experience and minimise its environmental footprint. Economic concerns addressed in the EarthCheck Certified programme include employment conditions, support for the local economy, use of fair-trade goods and services and recognition of the seasonality of revenue streams – all contributing to the economic and social health of the region.
The very environmental values and cultural assets that attract visitors to destinations need to be protected and responsibly managed. The tourism industry and its operators are key to creating this change.
Mr Stewart Moore, CEO and Founder of EarthCheck, shares, “I would like to congratulate the whole team at Kempinski Hotel Grand Arena Bansko on their achievement. They are a valued member of a global group of tourism operators who dare to make a difference.”
By working with EarthCheck, Kempinski Hotel Grand Arena Bansko has joined other industry leaders who are taking meaningful steps towards resolving some of the very real issues that face the planet.
Kempinski Hotel Grand Arena Bansko successfully continue the cooperation with the Clean the World organisation as well, as part of Kempinski’s worldwide sustainability and corporate responsibility programme. This organisation collects and recycles soap bars and bottled amenities discarded by the hospitality industry. Its recycling programme significantly reduces waste and promotes a sustainable future.
Clean the World collects Kempinski Hotel Grand Arena Bansko’s amenity bottles and soap bars that were used by the guests. Liquid hygiene products are extracted from the bottles for further reuse, and the amenity bottles are recycled in a state-of-the-art process, obtaining a high-level-purity recycled plastic. Soap bars are sanitised, transformed into new soap bars and distributed among communities in need, such as benefit shelters, children’s shelters, refugee camps and people struggling due to economic and misfortune or natural disasters.
By joining Clean the World, the hotel helps to ensure that toiletries will not end up in landfills or burned. Through the distribution of these and other donated hygiene products to impoverished people, it helps prevent millions of hygiene-related illnesses and deaths every year. Clean the World provides at-risk people with access to soap, and information about how and when to use it. Its recycling programme significantly reduces waste and promotes a sustainable future.
Understanding the ESG landscape and recognizing therisks and opportunities by using the best practices examples are among the mainbenefits that PwC’s Academy ESG Basics Programme may bring to your business.
The new edition of the ESG Basics Programme starts on 7June 2023.
The participants will gain comprehension of:
The ESG Basics Programme is for those who want to understand how theirbusiness can thrive in the ESG era and utilise the upcoming legal requirementsand leverage it for resilience of their business in the future. You can find more informationand detailed agenda for the 5 modules here: https://www.pwc.bg/en/pwc-academy/portfolio/accounting-and-finance/ESG-training.html
NewBalkans Law Office’s crypto legal team has been analysing one of the most significant developments in the realm ofcrypto-assets, one that could significantly impact the market and its participants. The European Parliament and theCouncil have put forth a Proposal for a Regulation on Markets in Crypto-assets(MiCA). accompanied by amendments to Directive (EU) 2019/1937. Today, we provide a brief overview of these changes and their potential implications.
Theproposed MiCA regulation aims to establish a more comprehensive framework forregulating and supervising crypto-assets in the European Union. Its new rulesare based on objectives such as enhancing investor protection, fosteringmarket integrity, and promoting financial stability within the crypto market.Harmonising rules and requirements within the Single Market is meant to address the challenges posed by the rapid growth of crypto-assets andensure a level playing field across the EU member states.
Keyelements of the proposal include:
Itis worth noting that the proposed regulations are subject to the legislativeprocess and may undergo amendments and refinements. However, its introductionsignifies a significant step towards regulating the crypto-asset market andenhancing investor confidence within the European Union.
NewBalkans Law Office (www.newbalkanslawoffice.com) is highly experienced atnavigating the dynamic regulatoryenvironment and its influence on the cryptocurrency industry. Our expert teamclosely monitors this proposal’s development and its potential ramificationsfor our clients. We remain steadfast in our commitment to offeringspecialist guidance and unwaveringsupport as we watch the regulatory advancements take shape.
You can read more publications from the New Balkans Law Office at the links below.
NBLO takes part in IBA’s International Financial Law Conference
New Regulations for Investors in Bulgaria
Alternative Investment Funds as a Tool for Diversifying Investments
Bulgaria’s start-up visa: a route into EU markets
Benefits of Shareholders’ Agreements
How to prove my Source of Funds/Source of Wealth from crypto asset profits
Investor protection before the European Court of Human Rights
For the third consecutive year, we surveyed young talent’s career expectations – Student Study 2023. During April and May, we surveyed 495 students and workers, aged between 16 and 25, allowing them to share their opinions, expectations, and attitudes on the topic. The results of this survey aim to provide advice and practical guidance to employers so that companies can make informed decisions about attracting and retaining young talent in their teams.
Factors in choosing an employer
When choosing an employer, the three most essential aspects for Generation Z are high salaries (45.3%), the acquisition of knowledge and skills (39.8%), and the possibility of flexible working hours (39.6%). These results reflect the priorities of young talent seeking fair pay, personal and professional development opportunities, and work-life balance.
Ranking the option of flexible working so high on the scale is a clear signal that Generation Z values the freedom to organize their work commitments and would purposefully seek one that will allow them to achieve a work-life balance.
Qualities young people look for in their future mentors and managers
In terms of the qualities that respondents look for in their future mentors or direct supervisors, the top three include the competence of the mentor (40%), the ability to listen to the opinions and suggestions of the team (39.2%) and Direct and open communication (37.2%). The data clearly signals that young talent is looking for mentors who have knowledge and experience in their field and can provide valuable guidance and leadership, but who are also open to the ideas of their teams and colleagues. In order to create such a working atmosphere, employers should train their teams towards effective communication and enforce transparency as a value in companies.
Professional direction Respondents cited digital and general marketing, as well as IT and graphic design, as their most preferred professional orientations. It is also interesting to note that 11.8% of responses indicated “Don’t know yet”, which may reflect young people’s indecision or uncertainty about their professional preferences in a dynamic job market
We discussed what the data means for companies and what framework of action it outlines for employers who are purposefully seeking to attract young talent with representatives from some of this year’s partners – Here-There, Mentor the Young, JA, AIBEST – in the latest episode of our HR Navigator – Gen Z podcast—architects of the New Working World. We would also like to thank our other partners AIESEC Bulgaria and Rotaract Bulgaria for supporting us to reach as many members of Generation Z as possible.
On May 17, Gilbert McCaul, BBBA Chair, and Elena Yordanova, BBBA Trade Officer, had the honour of participating in the British Chambers of Commerce Annual International Conference in London, where they met with fellow British and overseas chambers and their members. The conference was addressed by, amongst others, Jeremy Hunt, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Andrew Bailey, the Governor of the Bank of England, and Sir Keir Starmer, the Leader of the Opposition.
The day before, on May 16, Gilbert and Elena took part in an exclusive chamber only session, with a discussion focus on how chambers can support their members in their net zero journey in the forthcoming years.
Both BBBA representatives were delighted to meet and discuss common issues with the BCC management team, and with our local chamber partners, as well as members of parliament and government officials committed to improving the business environment between the UK and the EU.
Last week, the International BarAssociation held its 2023 International Financial Law Conference. New BalkansLaw Office’s (www.newbalkanslawoffice.com) Maya Ivanovawas pleased to be able to attend, representing our firm.
This year’s International Financial Lawconference gave attendees from around the world the opportunity to discusslegal issues in cross-border investment, regulation and tech. Over the courseof two days, attendees delved into topics highly pertinent to our industryfocus at NBLO. Top panel speakers discussed best practices for online duediligence, taking collateral on crypto-assets, and acting for cross-borderclients, amongst other issues.
Maya Ivanova is an associate in our Sofiaoffice and head of our AML Compliance Department. A former national securityagent in Bulgaria, she is highly experienced at navigating cases related towhite collar crime, money laundering and fraud investigations.
Our firm regularly represents corporate andprivate investors establishing a presence or operating within the Bulgarianmarket. We are proud to advise on a widevariety of corporate and commercial work and specialise in a range of practiceareas across the financial sector, including blockchain and cryptocurrency,regulatory compliance, fintech, and venture capital.
You can read more publications from the New Balkans Law Office at the links below.
New Regulations for Investors in Bulgaria
Alternative Investment Funds as a Tool for Diversifying Investments
Bulgaria’s start-up visa: a route into EU markets
Benefits of Shareholders’ Agreements
How to prove my Source of Funds/Source of Wealth from crypto asset profits
Investor protection before the European Court of Human Rights
Dear TEDx-er,
Another TEDxVitosha event has left its mark on history! After catching our breath, we’re excited to show you some snippets of the WALK IT BACK issue and invite you to take action.
Last week, we celebrated taking a new look at climate change:
Doing MORE of the right thing instead of always doing LESS.
The stage welcomed Craig Cohon – the man who started an epic journey of walking 4000+ km on foot from London to Istanbul to raise awareness for C02 removal – and Sasha Bezuhanova – the chairman of WWF for CEE and a business lady with 20+ years of executive experience.
The 110 delegates of the event had the opportunity to see the insides of Craig’s WALK IT BACK truck – which also shares the purpose of being an interactive C02 removal exhibition. We marveled at the new electric VOLVO Recharge and its endless comfort.
Later, we had fun discussing our contributions to the planet, networking (and cocktail-ing) in the cozy atmosphere of the Scandal Lounge bar, and gasping at the fantastic finale, courtesy of DroneShow.Bg.