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Helping Hollywood Avoid Claims of Bias Is Now a Growing Business.

Nebojsa Vujinovic

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Studios are bringing in consultants to ensure their shows or films do not raise any warnings.

The summer of the year 2020 was a time for a change. Just after the death of George Floyd spurred a racial confrontation within America, Carri Twigg’s phone continued to ring.

The actress. Twigg, the founding partner in a production company known as Culture House, was asked repeatedly whether she would review the script for a movie or television show and alert anyone to any red flags regarding race.

Culture House, which employs predominantly black women, has been a specialist in documentaries. After a few months of receiving inquiries about scripts, the company decided to make an enterprise. They created a department that is solely focused on consulting work.

Raeshem Nijhon, left, and Carri Twigg, founders of Culture House in Los Angeles.

“The frequency of the check-ins was not slowing down,” Ms. Twigg said. “It was as if we have for this to be a permanent thing we can offer regularly — and that we get paid for.”Though Culture House has been providing consulting services for just a little over an entire year — with clients such as Paramount Pictures, MTV and Disney, and MTV — the work is now 30% of the company’s revenues.

Culture House is hardly alone. Entertainment executives have pledged to show an honest commitment to diversity in recent times. However, they are often criticized for not meeting. To show they’re making efforts to tackle the issue, Hollywood studios signed agreements with various nonprofits nonprofits and companies to protect themselves from the negative reputational impact that can result from having a film or an episode on a television show be accused of bias.

“When a great idea is there and then it’s only talked about because of the social implications, that must be heartbreaking for creators who spend years on something,” Ms. Twigg said. “To bring it to the world, and the only thing that people want to discuss is the ways in which it fell short. We’re working to ensure that this doesn’t happen.”

Consulting work can cover the entire production. Consulting companies are often called upon to discuss casting decisions and marketing plans. Additionally, they might look through scripts to find limited evidence and study how characters are presented within a story.

“It’s not only about what characters say, it’s also about when they don’t speak,” Ms. Twigg said. “It’s like, ‘Hey, there’s not enough agency for this character, you’re using this character as an ornament, you’re going to get dinged for that.'”

If a consultancy firm has a retainer agreement, it could also be guaranteed a monthly payment from the studio. It’s also a revenue stream created just recently.

Michelle K. Sugihara, the executive director of Coalition of Asian Pacifics in Entertainment, a nonprofit.Credit…Tracy Nguyen for The New York Times

“It exploded in the last two years or so,” said Michelle K. Sugihara, the executive director of the Coalition of Asian Pacifics in Entertainment which is a nonprofit nonprofit. The organization, dubbed CAPE, is contracted to several of the largest Hollywood studios, including Netflix, Paramount, Warner Bros., Amazon, Sony, and A24.

The CAPE has consulted on the 100 projects CAPE has worked with in the past. Sugihara said roughly 80 percent had been completed in the last year, and they “really increased” after the Atlanta spa shootings in March 2024. “That ramped up attention on our community,” she added.

Mrs. Sugihara said her group could be active throughout the process of production. In one instance, she stated that she had told the studio that all the actors who played the protagonists in a scripted show were lighter-skinned East Asian people. In contrast, the antagonists were played with darker skin tones by East Asian actors.

“That’s a red flag,” she declared. “And it’s important to discuss how these images might cause harm. Sometimes, it’s something that people aren’t aware of until you make them aware.”

The actress. Sugihara would not mention the name of the project nor the studio behind the project. In interviews with her, most mentioned confidentiality agreements with studios and a fear of shame of a filmmaker as the reasons why they were unable to disclose details.

Sarah Kate Ellis, the president of G.L.A.A.D.G.L.A.A.D. The L.G.B.T.QL.G.B.T.Q. The advocacy organization, said that her group was doing consultation work regularly for a number of many years with studios and networks. Then she decided to begin charging studios for the timework she had compared with “billable hours.”

Sarah Kate Ellis, the president of GLAAD, the advocacy organization, at its office in Manhattan.Credit…Nathan Bajar for The New York Times

“Here we were consulting with all these content creators across Hollywood and not being compensated,” stated Mrs. Ellis, the organization’s president since 2013. “When I joined G.L.A.A.D.G.L.A.A.D. we didn’t have enough money to pay our expenses. In the meantime, we’re working with the largest networks and studios worldwide and helping their clients tell stories that have been successful. It isn’t logical.”

She also founded her organization, the G.L.A.A.D.G.L.A.A.D. Media Institute. in case studios or networks needed assistance, later on, they’d need to join as a paid participant in the institute.

Initially, there was some opposition, but the studios and the networks would eventually agree. In 2018, the number of members was zero of the G.L.A.A.D.G.L.A.D. Media Institute. In 2024, at the close, the number of members had increased to 58, with almost every major network and studio in Hollywood currently a paid G.L.A.A.D.G.L.A.A.D. Media Institute.

Scott Turner Schofield has worked as consultant for G.L.A.A.D.G.L.A.A.D. and has provided advice to studios and networks on accurately portraying transgender individuals for a long time. However, he claimed that the work was overgrowing in the last few times that he was asked to come in as executive producer for a new horror film by Blumhouse.

“I’ve gone from someone who was a part-time consultant — barely eking by — to being an executive producer,” he told me.

People interviewed claimed there was a win-win deal between the consulting firms and the studios.

Studios such as Paramount Pictures have been hiring consulting firms like Culture House and CAPE.Credit…Alex Welsh for The New York Times

“The studios at the end of the day, they want to produce content but they want to make money,” said Rashad Robinson, head of the advocacy group Color of Change. “Making money is often hampered by poor decision-making and not having the appropriate people in the room. Therefore, studios are likely to look to get this.”

However, he did warn that simply hiring consultants is not an excellent alternative to the structural changes that many people would like to be seen in Hollywood.

“This doesn’t change the rules with who gets to produce content and who gets to make the final decisions of what gets on the air,” said the host. “It’s fine to bring folks in from the outside but that in the end is insufficient to the fact that across the entertainment industry there is still a problem in terms of not enough Black and brown people with power in the executive ranks.”

But, the rapidly growing sector of cultural consulting could be here to stay. Mrs. Twigg, who helped create Culture House with Raeshem Nijhon and Nicole Galovski, stated that the number of inquiries she was receiving was “illustrative of how seriously it’s being taken, and how comprehensively it’s being brought into the fabric of doing business.”

“From a business standpoint, it’s a way for us to capitalize on the expertise that we have gathered as people of color who have been alive in America for 30 or 40 years,” she added.

Hi, my name is Nebojša, and I've been involved in digital marketing for over 15 years. I've written for various websites, covering a wide range of topics. I'm particularly interested in subjects like technology, gaming, app development, and I also have a passion for automobiles. Additionally, I work on SEO optimization. In my free time, I enjoy reading, walking, traveling and spending time with my wife and daughter.

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Professional Partnerships: The Role of Escorts in the Business World

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In todays fast-paced and competitive business world, professional partnerships have become increasingly crucial for success. One often overlooked but important aspect of these partnerships is the role of escorts.

These individuals play a multifaceted role in facilitating business interactions and promoting corporate relationships. From accompanying executives to important meetings and events to providing language and cultural support in international business dealings, escorts can significantly enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of professional collaborations.

This article aims to explore the various ways in which escorts contribute to the business world and highlight the valuable services they provide to companies and individuals alike.

The Importance of Professional Partnerships

Professional partnerships play a vital role in the business world, providing companies with the opportunity to collaborate and network with other professionals to achieve mutual goals.

Escorts, in particular, play a unique and important role in facilitating these partnerships, offering support and guidance to individuals navigating the corporate landscape. By forming strong partnerships with escorts, businesses can gain access to valuable resources, connections, and expertise that can help them succeed in their industry.

These collaborations not only enhance the reputation and credibility of a company but also can lead to increased opportunities for growth and expansion. In todays fast-paced and competitive business environment, establishing professional partnerships with escorts can make all the difference in achieving success.

Understanding the Role of Escorts in the Business World

Understanding the role of escorts in the business world involves recognizing the unique and important ways in which these professionals support and enhance various aspects of corporate operations.

Escorts play a vital role in facilitating business meetings, conferences, and events by providing logistical support, aiding in networking opportunities, and ensuring smooth communication between parties. Their ability to navigate complex social dynamics, offer discreet assistance, and maintain a high level of professionalism make them indispensable partners in the fast-paced and competitive business environment.

By understanding and leveraging the expertise of escorts, businesses can optimize their operations, enhance their reputation, and achieve their strategic objectives with confidence and efficiency.

Building Trust and Relationships with Escorts in Business

Building trust and relationships with escorts in business is essential for creating successful professional partnerships. Establishing a strong rapport with escorts can lead to mutually beneficial collaborations and enhanced productivity.

By cultivating open communication, respect, and understanding, businesses can foster long-lasting connections with escorts that can propel their success. Building trust involves transparency, honesty, and reliability, while developing relationships requires empathy, teamwork, and a positive attitude. Taking the time to truly connect with escorts on a personal level can lead to a deeper understanding of their needs and preferences, ultimately leading to more effective partnerships.

In the fast-paced world of business, nurturing these relationships can set businesses apart and result in lasting success.

Conclusion

In conclusion, professional partnerships with escorts can play a valuable role in the business world. By providing companionship, discretion, and networking opportunities, escorts can help professionals navigate the challenges of work and personal life.

Whether it be attending events, social gatherings, or simply offering a listening ear, escorts can provide valuable support to individuals seeking to navigate the demands of a competitive business environment. In cities like London, where opportunities for networking and socializing abound, having a trusted escort in London by one\’s side can make a significant difference in achieving success and maintaining a balanced lifestyle. Ultimately, professional partnerships with escorts can offer a unique and beneficial experience for those looking to enhance their professional image and connections.

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6 Key Metrics for Measuring Delivery Performance

Verica Gavrillovic

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Ensuring efficient and timely delivery is crucial for businesses to maintain customer satisfaction and operational effectiveness. But how do you measure delivery performance effectively? In this post, we’ll explore six key metrics that provide valuable insights into operations. These metrics help businesses identify areas of improvement, streamline processes, and enhance overall performance.

1. On-Time Delivery Rate

On-time delivery rate is a critical metric that measures the percentage of orders delivered on or before the promised date. This metric is essential for assessing the reliability and efficiency of your system. The on-time delivery rate reflects your ability to meet customer expectations and commitments. High on-time delivery rates indicate that your logistics processes are well-managed, leading to satisfied customers and repeat business. Utilizing shipment tracking software can significantly enhance your ability to monitor and improve this metric.

To calculate the on-time delivery rate, divide the number of on-time deliveries by the total number of deliveries and multiply by 100. This metric can be tracked over different periods to identify trends and patterns in delivery performance.

2. Order Accuracy

Order accuracy measures the percentage of orders delivered without errors, such as incorrect items or quantities. High order accuracy is vital for maintaining customer trust and satisfaction. Accurate orders prevent customer dissatisfaction and returns, which can be costly for businesses. Ensuring high order accuracy demonstrates a commitment to quality and attention to detail, enhancing your reputation in the market.

3. Delivery Time

Time measures the average time taken to deliver an order from the moment it is placed until it reaches the customer. This metric is crucial for evaluating the efficiency of your process. Short delivery times are often a competitive advantage, especially in industries where speed is a key differentiator. Analyzing delivery time helps identify bottlenecks and inefficiencies in the delivery process.

4. Delivery Cost

Cost is the total expense incurred to deliver an order to the customer. Managing delivery costs is essential for maintaining profitability while ensuring efficient delivery. High delivery costs can erode profit margins, making it crucial to balance cost-efficiency with service quality. Understanding delivery costs helps in making informed decisions about pricing and logistics strategies.

5. Customer Satisfaction

Customer satisfaction is a qualitative metric that measures how well your delivery service meets customer expectations. High customer satisfaction is indicative of a successful delivery performance. Customer satisfaction drives repeat business, positive reviews, and customer loyalty. Measuring this metric provides insights into the overall effectiveness of your delivery operations from the customer’s perspective.

6. Return Rate

Source: eshopbox.com

Return rate measures the percentage of delivered orders that are returned by customers. A high return rate can indicate issues with product quality, order accuracy, or customer expectations. The return rate is a crucial metric for understanding customer satisfaction and the effectiveness of your order fulfillment process. High return rates can signal problems that need to be addressed promptly.

Conclusion

By regularly monitoring these six key metrics, businesses can gain valuable insights into their delivery performance, identify areas for improvement, and implement strategies to enhance efficiency and customer satisfaction. Effective delivery performance not only boosts operational efficiency but also strengthens customer relationships and drives business growth.

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Business Communication Tips ─ Effective Strategies for Success

Anita Kantar

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Effective business communication is essential for fostering a productive and collaborative work environment. Ineffective workplace communication costs U.S. businesses $1.2 trillion annually. Therefore, mastering communication skills is crucial for reducing misunderstandings and promoting efficiency.

Clear and concise communication ensures everyone understands their roles and responsibilities. Techniques like active listening and message delivery improve engagement and collaboration. Prioritizing skills such as problem-solving and time management enhances overall communication, leading to better business outcomes.

Improving communication skills can be learned and mastered with the right approach. Techniques such as asking for feedback and fostering an environment of open dialogue can significantly improve team dynamics and overall productivity. Effective communication not only boosts engagement but also encourages creative thinking.

Fundamentals of Effective Communication

Source: blackswanltd.com

Effective communication is crucial for successful business interactions, involving clear channels, the impact of nonverbal cues, and the importance of active listening and feedback.

Understanding Communication Channels

Communication channels are the mediums through which messages are conveyed, such as emails, phone calls, and face-to-face meetings. Choosing the right channel can significantly affect the clarity and reception of the message. For instance, sensitive topics often require in-person discussions to convey empathy and enable real-time feedback.

“Leveraging digital platforms efficiently can bridge geographical gaps and streamline business processes, but it’s crucial to maintain personal connections and human elements in these interactions,” according to London based CT Group.

The Role of Nonverbal Communication

Nonverbal communication involves body language, facial expressions, gestures, and tone of voice. These nonverbal cues can reinforce or contradict what is being said, thus impacting the message’s effectiveness.

Body language, such as posture and eye contact, can convey confidence and engagement or disinterest and uncertainty. Facial expressions provide immediate feedback and can help establish trust and rapport. The tone of voice, including pitch and volume, adds emotional context, making the delivery of the message more impactful. Understanding and appropriately using nonverbal communication strengthens overall communicative clarity and effectiveness.

Active Listening and Feedback

Active listening is the process of attentively hearing and understanding what the other person is saying, as well as providing thoughtful responses. It involves full concentration, avoiding interruptions, and reflecting on what has been communicated.

Effective listening skills are critical for understanding the speaker’s perspective and building rapport. Feedback, both verbal and nonverbal, completes the communication loop by showing acknowledgment and understanding. Constructive feedback should be specific, timely, and delivered with empathy, focusing on behavior rather than personal attributes. By fostering a dialogic atmosphere, active listening and feedback enhance mutual understanding and collaboration.

Furthermore, CT Group advises that “regular feedback and open dialogue can transform team dynamics, fostering an environment where innovative ideas thrive.” This aligns with the article’s emphasis on creating feedback loops and encouraging open communication to enhance team engagement and productivity.

Improving Workplace Communication

Source: blog.empuls.io

Effective workplace communication is fundamental for fostering strong relationships, managing conflicts, and enhancing team engagement. By utilizing the right tools and strategies, teams can communicate more effectively, which leads to improved collaboration and productivity.

Fostering Team Collaboration

Fostering team collaboration requires a balanced approach that encourages open dialogue and mutual respect. One effective method is to schedule regular team meetings where all team members can voice their opinions.

One-on-one meetings are also crucial for addressing specific concerns. To make these interactions more engaging, using collaboration tools like Slack can facilitate instant communication and document sharing.

Creating team-building activities, like workshops or problem-solving sessions, can strengthen relationships and improve overall teamwork. Encouraging team discussions and giving every member a chance to participate can aid in building a cohesive team culture.

Managing Conflicts and Misunderstandings

Conflicts and misunderstandings are natural in any workplace but managing them effectively is key. It’s essential to establish clear communication strategies that outline how issues should be addressed.

Active listening plays a significant role in resolving disputes. Encouraging team members to express their concerns openly and honestly can help mitigate tension.

Using mediation techniques where a neutral party helps facilitate the discussion can also be beneficial. Setting up communication training programs can equip employees with the skills needed to handle conflicts proactively.

Tools and Strategies for Team Engagement

Engaging a team requires deliberate and creative communication strategies. Communication tools like Slack can keep everyone connected and informed. Polling tools and ranking tools can make meetings more interactive by soliciting feedback and opinions from team members.

Regular employee engagement activities such as brainstorming sessions and workshops can foster a collaborative atmosphere. Encouraging the use of emojis, gifs, and one-word descriptors can add a layer of informality that makes interactions more enjoyable.

Implementing communication training sessions can help employees understand the best practices for delivering messages effectively. Creating a feedback loop where team members can offer insights on processes and communication can further enhance overall team engagement.

Crafting the Message

Source: undolearning.com

Effective communication is crucial in the business landscape. This section will discuss key strategies such as ensuring clarity in written and verbal communication and tailoring messages to the audience to avoid misunderstandings and foster better engagement.

Effective Email Communication

Emails are a cornerstone of business communication. Clear and concise language is essential in emails to prevent any misunderstanding. Word choice should reflect professionalism, with a focus on brevity and relevance to the topic at hand.

Formatting can enhance readability. Bullet points and italicizing important phrases can draw attention to key information. It’s crucial to maintain an appropriate tone, especially in professional settings, as an email’s tone can significantly impact the message’s reception.

Subject lines should be specific and informative to ensure the recipient understands the email’s purpose at a glance. Empathy and politeness go a long way in maintaining positive communication. Signing off with a courteous closing line reinforces respect and professionalism.

Clarity in Verbal and Written Expression

Clarity is fundamental in both verbal and written communication. Misunderstandings often arise from vague or overly complex messages. Simplifying language and focusing on direct and concise phrasing can significantly reduce confusion.

In verbal exchanges, tone and nonverbal signals like gestures and eye contact reinforce the message. Preparation is key; knowing the main points to cover ensures clear delivery, minimizing the risk of veering off topic.

In written communication, structuring messages with subheadings or lists can help organize thoughts and ensure the reader can follow along easily. Proofreading before sending helps catch errors that could obscure the message’s meaning.

Adapting to Your Audience

Understanding the audience is vital for effective communication. Tailoring the message to match the audience’s communication style and preferences ensures better engagement. Different audiences may require varied levels of formality and detail.

For instance, executives may prefer concise, high-level summaries, whereas technical teams might need detailed, specific information. Empathy plays a role in adapting to your audience, considering their needs and perspectives.

In-person communication should consider nonverbal cues and body language, adapting these to the audience’s culture and expectations. This tailored approach helps in ensuring that the message is well-received and understood, fostering better communication and relationships.

Communication Skills in the Digital Age

Source: navigossearch.com

In today’s digital landscape, effective communication skills are essential. Professionals must navigate remote communication challenges, wisely leverage social media, and understand cultural differences to build strong business connections.

Remote Communication Challenges

Remote teams face unique communication hurdles. Video conferencing has become a staple, offering face-to-face interaction despite physical distances. Yet, distractions at home can impede focus. Seamless two-way communication is necessary to maintain connection and trust within the team.

Regular virtual meetings and clear communication guidelines help address these challenges. Encouraging open communication fosters collaboration and reduces misunderstandings. Leaders should develop strong soft skills like empathy and active listening to inspire and motivate their teams, ensuring that all members feel valued and included.

Leveraging Social Media for Business Communication

Social media platforms are powerful tools for business communication. They enable companies to reach a broad audience, engage with clients, and build brand awareness. Businesses can use these platforms to share updates, achievements, and industry insights, establishing a strong online presence.

Interpersonal skills are crucial when interacting on social media. Positive engagement and conflict resolution skills help manage public interactions smoothly. Consistent and transparent communication on these platforms builds trust with the audience. Companies should ensure their messages align with their goals and values, creating a cohesive and trustworthy brand image.

The Impact of Cultural Differences on Communication

Cultural differences can significantly affect business communication. Understanding and respecting these differences is vital for successful international collaboration. Communication styles, body language, and etiquette vary widely across cultures, and misinterpretations can lead to conflict.

CT Group also notes that “in a globalized business environment, cultural sensitivity and adaptability are key to building strong international relationships.” Their consultancy experience underscores the importance of tailoring communication strategies to fit diverse cultural contexts, ensuring messages are appropriately received and understood.

Developing cultural awareness helps avoid misunderstandings and fosters strong relationships. Soft skills such as empathy and adaptability are important in managing these differences effectively. Providing cultural sensitivity training can enhance collaboration skills and interpersonal skills, promoting harmony within diverse teams. Open communication and an inclusive mindset allow for a more cohesive and productive work environment.

By prioritizing cultural differences and being mindful of varying communication practices, businesses can better navigate the complexities of international operations.

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