The Chicago Journal

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Precious Oshideko Shares His Take on Accelerating Economic Development in Africa by Leveraging Technology

As the world continues to evolve with the advancements of technology, Africa faces the challenge of keeping pace with these changes. However, with the proper perspective and strategy, the continent can use the power of technology to drive economic growth and improve business operations.

A critical area for Africa’s development is the adoption of Robotic Process Automation (RPA). RPA is a revolutionary technology that empowers organizations to create and implement virtual robots for collecting and analyzing data, executing transactions, and connecting with other digital platforms. It offers a broad range of applications, including automating routine email responses and deploying numerous bots to streamline processes within an Enterprise Resource Planning system.

Ultimately, this technology enables businesses to automate repetitive and routine tasks, thereby optimizing operations and reducing costs. Implementing RPA also enhances efficiency by relieving employees to focus on higher-value tasks and minimizing the risk of human error in business processes.

Precious Oshideko, the founder of Arete-Zale Consulting and Certified Information Technology Auditor, is a prominent figure in the field. With over 20 years of experience in formal social impact initiatives across multiple continents, including Africa, Asia, and the United States, Precious brings a unique perspective to the table. Holding an MBA from the University of Phoenix and pursuing a Doctorate in Business Administration with a focus on Information Systems and Enterprise Resource Management, Precious has the expertise to effectively bridge the gap between policy and process and educate key personnel on the benefits of automation.

In addition to his professional accomplishments, Precious is also a philanthropist through the Precious Oshideko Foundation. The foundation is dedicated to empowering remote communities in Africa by providing basic necessities such as food and shelter, as well as organizing skill-building workshops. It recently made a significant impact by donating a greenhouse facility to the Plant Science Department of Olabisi Onabanjo University in Nigeria. This donation promotes individual self-sufficiency and emphasizes the importance of both environmental and social sustainability.

Africa holds tremendous potential for technological advancement and automation. However, the realization of this potential will require the guidance and leadership of individuals like Precious Oshideko, who can educate and motivate others to adopt these growth opportunities. By prioritizing automation and leveraging the skills and knowledge of leaders like Precious, Africa can harness the benefits of digital transformation and drive economic growth and progress.

Empowering the Next Generation of Leaders: Harpreet Kaur, a Trailblazer in Tech and Diversity

In a world where technology and diversity are at the forefront of every industry, it is crucial to have leaders who embody both. Harpreet Kaur is a software leader with more than 20 years of industry experience who has been leading the charge at Microsoft for the past decade. 

Harpreet‘s impact on the tech industry has been widely recognized, and she has received numerous accolades for her contributions to the field. She is part of women leadership at Microsoft, has been named as one of the most influential women in technology and has received awards for her leadership and diversity initiatives.

Harpreet is not just a woman of color and Indian origin but also a certified career coach who has dedicated her life to empowering professionals in their careers. She has spoken at some of the biggest corporations in the world, including Microsoft, LinkedIn, Teradatta, TEDEx, New York University, and Stanford University, to name a few.

Harpreet has an innate ability to inspire and motivate others, making her an invaluable asset to any organization looking to promote diversity and inclusion within their company. In addition, with her wealth of experience in interviewing and hiring, Harpreet can help companies not only attract but also retain the best talent in the industry.  

Harpreet is a sought-after mentor and coach, helping aspiring professionals and entrepreneurs reach their goals. Her philosophy focuses on the belief that everyone has the capacity for greatness, and she strives to assist others in unlocking their full potential. From starting a career to boosting a business, her guidance and support can assist in achieving aspirations.

Harpreet’s work extends far beyond the tech industry. In fact, she is an active member of her community, volunteering her time and resources to help those in need. She is a frequent speaker at schools and universities, inspiring the next generation of leaders to pursue their passions and make a difference in the world.

As a passionate advocate for diversity, Harpreet has made it her mission to give back to society. She speaks on a range of topics, from allyship and women in the corporate world to women leadership and standing out in a crowded field. So whether you are looking to empower your employees, engage with customers, or simply foster a more inclusive work environment, Harpreet’s speaking engagements will leave a lasting impact on your audience. 

Harpreet Kaur is a true leader and inspiration in the tech industry. With her wealth of experience, passion for diversity and inclusion, and commitment to giving back to the community, she is the ideal speaker for organizations looking to make a positive impact on the world. Book her today and watch as she inspires your team to reach new heights and become the next generation of leaders.

Laura Formentini’s Book and a Testimony to The Power of Journaling

Why do we suffer? 

This is a controversial question that has many explanations going about it. You often find yourself on the brink of giving up going through grief. Questions loom over your head. Caught in the existence paradox, you seek meaning in your wounds. Your tears salt the gashes that are left from the aftermath. You are left with more questions than answers. Why did they leave you? Why didn’t you say what you truly felt before it was too late? If God is good, why are you suffering? 

Laura Formentini is someone who has gone through heartache with the passing of her son, Blaise. It is unimaginable, the suffering of losing a child. 

But how did she deal with grief? And was she able to derive meaning from it? 

The answer isn’t in the destination. It’s rather in the journey that leads to it—the moments of sadness, nostalgia, and emptiness. 

What you do with those feelings is the decisive factor that leads you to a place of peace, of catharsis.

Laura emphasizes the power of journaling to her readers. 

The Power Of Journaling

When you feel alone, you can often find a companion in yourself in times of need. Journalling can help you have the right conversations with yourself as your grief develops. Often you find yourself resenting words of comfort from people. It is because sometimes, the heart wants to listen to itself and come to terms with the void left inside it. 

Make a habit of journaling the next time you have negative thoughts and when you find the time or are ready, revisit them to see how far you have come. 

Contrary to popular belief, journalling isn’t just an amalgamation of your experiences. Your journal doesn’t necessarily need to be filled with how your day went or a conversation at all. The spirit finds its ways to vent; according to the situation, the medium of expression can vary. 

Laura Formentini chose poetry as her raw expression to let her emotional state flow through strokes of pen, etching beautiful fables and nuances that were cathartic to her and her readers. The rawness in her words is a testimony to what she was going through at the time. 

She kept a journal every day to let go of any tension inside her. Her poems are a depiction of how her overwhelming pain progressed down to her eventual acceptance and healing. 

The journey finally leads to a realization, a resolution. 

The Resolution

That’s the thing about storms; they pass like everything else fleeting in life. What’s left are memories like little balls of energy powering your nostalgia. The resolution slowly sinks into the quiet. After you’ve found your peace, you have a story. A tale of triumph from grief, something that most people can’t seem to get out of. 

You can either do two things with this story untold. Either you can let it be a book on your shelf, one you can dust off once in a while and keep to yourself. Or you can pass it on. Pass on the torch to light up the world of many others going through what you did.

It’s the legacy we leave on this earth that you are known for at the end of the day. Something you contribute to others. It may be your ability to touch lives with merely your smile, telling your peers to “rock on,” something Blaise does effortlessly. 

Formentini took her documented journey through fables and prose and chose to encourage other people who are seeking shelter and solace under a tree. She gives her readers a ray of hope, like a warm beam of sunlight nourishing and nurturing the plant that will one day turn into an olive tree, a symbol of hope for whoever seeks it. 

And the chain continues, one act of kindness rubs off another, and before you know it, the world starts to heal. It starts to transform with the metamorphosis of life. 

This is why we’re here. This is why we strive. We’re here for good. Laura Formentini has set the benchmark for all those authors seeking resonance with their work. It will help them persevere and believe in their journey rather than the destination itself. Healing can only stem out of your pain. 

Take the first step by picking up Twentyone Olive Trees. A work of art that gives you an escape, a safe space to vent your frustrations and sadness. 

Carry the torch forward and continue a movement where people realize that death isn’t the end but a door to transformation.