Interestingly, in the days and months since the Covid-19 pandemic, several tech companies in the US have announced they'll allow most employees to continue working from home if they so desire. Undoubtedly, the work-at-home arrangement is now a permanent way of life for thousands of workers worldwide. Analysts liberally note that over 2/3 of the US economic activity in a recent year directly impacted employees working from home. So, if you work from home, you need to make this endeavour more effective; it doesn't have to impact your well-being negatively.

As noted, just a few years ago, many may have felt that the concept of working from home was something of an uncertain novelty. Well, even the most sceptical pundits now admit that we're certainly in it for the long haul. Consider this: Many leading tech companies, including Microsoft and Fujitsu, have decided to give their employees an exciting option- they can choose to work from home if they want to, and they can do this permanently.

And there are even more exciting data: In 2021, a whopping 42% of Americans (ranging between 20 to 64 years) who earned more than $20,000 were actually working from home- full time. This study was conducted by Stanford University. The subjects represented way more than 2/3 of the total US economic activity. Before the pandemic- the same survey noted- only 2% of employees worked full-time from home.

Significantly, Prof Nicholas Bloom, a senior Stanford University scholar, agrees that many employees will likely adopt working from home as a regular work activity. According to the scholar, once the novelty wears off, workers will need to adopt healthy habits to ensure they're more productive and focused during their active work hours. For example, one may need to resist the temptation to do yet another load of laundry after his regular work hours at home. Instead, the scholar advises workers to switch off at the end of a workday.

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella freely admits that the boundaries between work, play, and rest have been so blurred that most people's personal and work lives cannot be distinguished. "Actually," Ms. Nadella opines, "Sometimes it feels much like we're sleeping at work." Here are some tips for good time-management and work- at -home schedule that workers can apply:

Set, Stick to a Routine: It's a great idea to stick to a workable routine. Doing this allows your life to have a predictable structure. Admittedly, some find it stressful to walk the tight rope between personal time and work. Thus, it's practical to set up a workable schedule.

For example, try to get up and take your breakfast at the same time every day. Try to stick to a predictable commute time- this means you should try to exercise, listen to some music or read every day before starting work. It's essential to stop working when your workday stops. This actually means a complete shutdown; focus keenly on your home life and avoid work-life activities like checking emails at such times.

Have a dedicated workspace: Take time to identify a quiet place or space away from disturbances, distractions, and people. Try to designate a specific area, marking it out as your special workplace. Make this place as comfortable as it can. Make sure you've everything you need in this one place.

Take a break: There's no doubt about it- it's essential to take a well-deserved break. While working at home, it can sometimes feel like one needs to stay at work all the time- this is unhealthy; it can even affect one's mental health. Hence, workers need to ensure they take regular breaks during lunch or other times. Try to focus on things completely unrelated to work. Keep your stress levels well managed. Take some coffee, take a walk; such activities can boost your productivity levels. It's advisable to try doing a 10-minute workout whenever possible.

Stay connected: Keep in mind that some people report feeling isolated despite the benefits of working at home. We all know how important human interaction is for general mental well-being. Pick up a phone, and set up a few video calls. If you're really struggling, try to speak to your manager or some colleagues; ask others how they're doing. You can even take some time to socialize virtually with others. You can schedule a digital break; have a Friday online get-together if possible. On the other end, arrange to have some in-person meetings, whether for coffee or lunch- whatever works.

Featured this week at HIMSS22, LG Electronics' new Business Innovation Center is the first comprehensive LG technology and education hub to focus on commercial displays and devices designed for medical environments. Visitors to the LG Business Solutions booth (#1473) at the 2022 global health conference can take a virtual tour of the new center, which spotlights advanced diagnostic and clinical review monitors, digital X-ray detectors, smart hospital TVs and more.

The new center, which just opened in Los Angeles, offers medical device purchasers and healthcare providers hands-on experience with market-ready displays and devices designed specifically for healthcare environments, as well as future product concepts. It has 12 distinct zones dedicated to various spaces common throughout hospitals, doctors' offices and other medical settings.

"Our new Business Innovation Center demonstrates LG's commitment to helping healthcare providers deliver enhanced service through the use of digital displays for diagnostics, telemedicine, X-ray detection, conferencing, messaging and back office needs," said Nicolas Min, senior vice president and head of LG Business Solutions USA.

The new Los Angeles Business Innovation Center is LG's third in the United States (the others being in Chicago and Atlanta). They serve as technology hubs and cutting-edge product showcases to connect engineers, contractors, integrators and executives in all facets of LG's industry-leading technology. "Business Innovation Centers are a key part of our commitment to provide customers with a unique way to interact with our solutions before making their purchasing decisions," said Min.

As the only LG Business Innovation Center in the world focused specifically on medical-related technology solutions, the new Los Angeles based facility presents visitors with a full catalog of product showcases specifically designed for use in lobbies, nurse stations, back offices, visitor lounges, consulting rooms, telemedicine centers, operating rooms, diagnostic reading bays, X-ray scan areas, patient rooms, large conference spaces and beyond.

Visitors are welcomed to LG's healthcare-of-the-future experience, by the LG CLOi GuideBot robot, large-format direct-view LED displays and sliding doors built from multiple Transparent OLED displays.

Progressing through the center, guests learn how LG's Thin Client cloud-based workstations can help enhance safety and security while UltraWide™ Ergo monitors provide ample screen real estate for critical tasks and feature adjustable swivel stands for information sharing and group viewing.

Various models from the LG gram laptop line are featured, along with LG ProBeam 4K Laser projectors, UltraFine™ 4K monitors and One:Quick Flex displays, in addition to demonstrations of the powerful capabilities of LG's proprietary webOS™ content and display management platform. Special-purpose products on display include LG's Digital X-ray Detector, Diagnostic Monitors, Clinical Review Monitors, and Surgical Monitors.

When it comes to special features, visitors learn about simple One:Quick Share screen sharing with compatible LG digital signage models, LG Acquisition Workstation Software that processes x-ray images and the touchscreen Arm TV intended for bedside installation and use by patients.

"Our West Coast customers and partners now have the ability to visit our stunning showroom and product center to test and learn how the latest innovations can improve their operations and increase efficiency across a broad range of healthcare needs," Min said.

About LG Business Solutions USA LG Electronics USA's Business Solutions division serves commercial display customers in the U.S. lodging and hospitality, digital signage, systems integration, healthcare, education, government and industrial markets. Based in Lincolnshire, Ill., with its dedicated engineering and customer support team, LG Business Solutions USA delivers business-to-business technology solutions tailored to the particular needs of business environments. Seven-time ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year LG Electronics USA Inc., based in Englewood Cliffs, N.J., is the North American subsidiary of LG Electronics Inc., a $63 billion global force in consumer electronics, home appliances and air solutions. For more information visit LGSolutions.com.

Martal Group today announced it had signed a contract with Ruta N Medellín to fulfill an internationalization initiative to increase exports in the tech sector through March 30, 2022. This strategic partnership with help Medellin-based tech companies expand into the North American market and overcome common challenges Colombian businesses face when developing overseas opportunity funnels.

The Colombian contract marks the third project entrusted to Martal Group by a government entity focused on gaining market share in the United States and Canada for B2B tech companies while maintaining jobs in the origin country.

Founder and CEO of Martal Group, Vito Vishnepolsky stated, "Martal Group has proven to be a great alternative for government entities supporting local tech companies outside the US. We help government incubators and accelerators ramp up their clients' businesses in North America while keeping the jobs local. Martal's sales as a service solution equip companies with a North American sales team without the need to invest in office space abroad or relocation expenses."

The majority of information and communication technology (ICT) services in Colombia are purchased domestically, making it difficult to participate in global value chains (GVCs), according to the OECD. Opening opportunities in GVCs for Colombian tech companies can significantly impact its emerging economy in the form of increased productivity, innovation, and competitiveness.

Through this pilot program initiated by Ruta N - a joint venture with the city of Medellin — Martal Group is providing outbound B2B lead generation services at no cost to the Colombian tech companies. During the three-month project, participating tech companies will be paired with an outsourced sales team who will build and execute a personalized go-to-market strategy that will nurture opportunities for potential foreign partnerships.

By the end of the pilot, each Colombian tech company will have a holistic understanding of its outbound sales process, position in the North American market, and optimal conversion opportunities.

About Martal Group: For over a decade, Martal Group has specialized in B2B lead generation for tech companies worldwide. Through a proprietary process and a team of expert sales executives, Martal develops and executes go-to-market strategies for businesses ready to expand or scale in North America.

About Ruta N: As a joint venture between the city of Medellin, the mission of the innovation center is to improve the quality of life for Colombian citizens by strengthening entrepreneurial endeavors in scientific and technological innovation. Ruta N has a variety of projects to encourage global collaboration and provide STi solutions for Medellin businesses.

Can you remember? Thomas Edison's voice was the first-ever recorded human voice. In 1877 Edison's voice was captured on phonograph; he was animatedly reciting the nursery rhyme, "Mary had a little lamb." A few years later, in 1887, Emile Berliner made history when he invented the first machine that could record and play back sound. The device was designed on a flat disc which preceded the modern (20tth century) record. In the next 60 years, men continually improved and standardized the nature of records and record players. Eventually, the 33 and 45 RPM types of records emerged as the best, gradually overtaking other formats in the year following the Second World War. By the 1970s, men had advanced record player technology.

The technology had evolved so much that in the next 50 years, very little could be improved. But over time, other evolved technologies slowly emerged. First, cassette tapes came and went. Then came CDs that ruled the scene for some time and were gradually overtaken by newer technology. When CDs started becoming obsolete, MP3 players quickly became the vogue. But later, MP3 were also replaced by the arrival of phones that could play music. Later, the world welcomed hi-tech cameras and pocket planners as other elements of new technology.

In 2020 something interesting happened. For the first time in over one generation, vinyl records made a surprising comeback, soaring in popularity. So, in that year, the sales of record discs (or vinyl records) notably surpassed the sales of CDs. It seems there were two main reasons for this. Analysts noted that CD sales had dropped significantly in the past few years. Yet the sales of vinyl records shot up. But there was another surprising element to the new phenomenon: Anyone could be forgiven for thinking that a particular group was responsible for this new renaissance- the nostalgic Boomers or Generation Xers. Many would have thought these were behind the record sales. On the contrary, many surveys revealed that the most unlikely group was primarily responsible for the comeback of vinyl records: The Millennial consumers. Evidently, this was the group behind the dramatic rise in vinyl record sales.

Generally, the way most people listen to music has considerably changed. These days you're likely to hear music when you're in your car, in the gym, the coffee shop, or while striding down the street. The CEO of Victrola, Scott Hagen, says: "In every store you go, you're likely to be entertained with music. Undoubtedly, people are consuming more music than they used to do. But there's a difference- they aren't consuming it in the same way. What could it be? Just think of it- people used to stop, sit and listen to entire albums, from the beginning to the end. Yes, that has always been relevant; it'll continue to be relevant going forward." And the CEO of McIntosh Labs, Charlie Randall, agrees with these sentiments: " I believe it's natural for people of all generations to think the technology of their own time will eventually be replaced by future technology- that he present will become extinct.

Well, I think this is largely true, with one major exception: Vinyl records. There's definitely something romantic regarding the staying power of vinyl records. There's something deeply satisfying when you open that album jacket, see the fantastic artwork, and study the linear notes while still listening to the album. Admittedly, this is something today's digital files simply cannot replace," he says.

Remarkably, the popularity of the vinyl record seems to defy certain seeming disadvantages. For starters, there's nothing particularly fast about starting and playing a vinyl record. Think of it: You can quickly tap your phone and swiftly pull up a favorite song on Apple Music or Amazon Unlimited in a few seconds. However, with a vinyl record, you must first remove it from the sleeve. Next, you need to switch it on and keep waiting while the warm crackle prefaces a truly rare experience. Yes, with the vinyl record, you enjoy music as an ongoing activity, not merely as the backdrop.

So, against all odds, it seems the vinyl is definitely here to stay. Never mind that numerous technological advances (throughout the decades) have appeared to threaten the relevance and place of vinyl in the modern world. Indeed, a recent study by the RAA surprisingly found that vinyl records surpassed CD sales in 2020 due to the records' "relentless staying power and popularity." The same survey also discovered another significant factor: A mere 6% of music was now downloaded- this is far less than what's physically purchased in the form of CDs, tapes, or records.