// LATEST UPDATES // service and sales . The LinkedIn report is based on data gathered from LinkedIn job postings and member activity , providing a unique and valuable perspective on the job market ’ s current and future needs .
An effective way of building and enhancing these valuable skills is by joining Toastmasters International , the global organisation devoted to communication and leadership skills development . Toastmasters offers a supportive setting where people can practise and improve these and other soft skills . In addition to public speaking , a typical Toastmasters club meeting gives members an opportunity to engage in active listening , provide and receive constructive feedback and practise time management .
Communication and leadership among most in-demand skills by employers
LinkedIn released its annual report on the most in-demand skills for 2023 , and communication and leadership rank as two of the top five most in-demand skills in today ’ s competitive job market . The other skills landing in the top five are management , customer
“ In the current job market , job candidates need to possess the skills that are most sought after by employers , and Toastmasters offers a supportive and cost-effective place to develop and improve these skills ,” says Matt Kinsey , Toastmasters ’ 2022 – 23 International President . “ Our organisation prides itself on helping individuals to build these important skills and utilise them daily in their professional lives to enhance their career .”
More than half of all Fortune 500 companies offer in-house Toastmasters clubs , including Amazon , Bank of America , Caterpillar , General Electric and Google . These employers have found the Toastmasters programme to be an effective staff development tool that benefits their organisation .
Average office worker will sit at their desk for 53,000 hours by retirement
The typical office worker will sit at their desk for over 1,300 hours this year , 10,000 hours just eight years into their career and 53,000 hours by the time they retire .
Data , gathered by Banner , shows that despite growing concern for the health and wellbeing of employees , desk-based employees are estimated to spend 70 % of their working day sitting down .
Searches for ‘ hip pain ’ and ‘ chair pain ’ are on the up , while searches for ‘ back ache ’ remain high , all symptoms associated with chronic inactivity .
Jason Thomas , Strategic Sales Manager at Banner , said : “ As it ’ s often cited that it takes 10,000 hours to become an expert within a given field , most of us will be a pro at sitting five times over by the time we retire . With numerous health issues associated with longterm sitting , this is a growing concern for employers across the UK .”
UK agrees landmark trade deals with Australia and New Zealand to remove red tape for SMEs
The UK has agreed landmark post-Brexit trade deals with Australia and New Zealand to unleash British businesses and deliver on the Prime Minister ’ s aims of economic growth and innovation .
The free trade deals are expected to boost bilateral trade with Australia by 53 % and with New Zealand by 59 %, affording UK businesses the benefits of removed tariffs on UK goods exports , increased access to services and the cutting of red tape for digital trade .
The UK will be afforded investment opportunities to government contracts as well as potential access to £ 10 billion of Australian public sector contracts per year .
The deal will also remove barriers for SMEs for digital trade and the free flow of data , facilitating trade while protecting innovations and intellectual property .
Khalid Talukder , Co-founder of DKK Partners , said : “ Removing red tape for international is a hugely encouraging step by the UK government , empowering UK businesses to get out there and export our world-leading goods and services to Australia and New Zealand .”
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