The Afflatus

11/21/2021

Space exploration has always excited humanity. From setting the first foot on the moon to the idea of becoming a multi-planet species, we have come a long way in understanding the seemingly unfathomable expanse of space.

The recent investments in space technologies have enabled commercial Space Tourism as an emerging sphere in the industry. With a new frontier on our hands, it's an exciting space for innovation in law, engineering, and business.

J.N. Ao explains the current challenges in space tourism and the emerging trends due to unprecedented public-private partnerships. Watch her full episode on The Afflatus: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kQuFGG_-ovc

11/16/2021

Pursuing a Ph.D. is no small feat. It takes years of dedication, discipline, and focus to truly make a meaningful contribution to the existing body of knowledge.

Given that it takes at least 3 years to complete a Ph.D. program, it might seem daunting to undertake such a comprehensive challenge. Jingning Ao who is currently pursuing her second Ph.D. program shares how to overcome the challenges of pursuing a Ph.D. program.

Jingning also shares how to effectively balance your personal and your academic commitments without compromising on either one. Watch her full episode on The Afflatus: https://youtu.be/kQuFGG_-ovc

11/13/2021

Building a career in Finance is a demanding endeavor. Not only does the nature of financial instruments change rapidly but also does the regulatory landscape in different jurisdictions.

Finance professionals are required to constantly update their skills and keep up with the emerging trends. Given the vast breadth of certifications available and the heavy investment of time and resources required to earn them, it could be crippling to choose one certification over another.

Douglas Parker breaks down some of the finance certifications available and his rationale behind pursuing them. I break down some of the widely known Finance certifications to help you decide which is the right one for you.

Watch the full episode: https://youtu.be/3EDt-EdsTKc

11/13/2021

Building a career in Finance is a demanding endeavor. Not only does the nature of financial instruments change rapidly but also does the regulatory landscape in different jurisdictions.

Finance professionals are required to constantly update their skills and keep up with the emerging trends. Given the vast breadth of certifications available and the heavy investment of time and resources required to earn them, it could be crippling to choose one certification over another.

Douglas Parker, MBA breaks down some of the finance certifications available and his rationale behind pursuing them. I break down some of the widely known Finance certifications to help you decide which is the right one for you.

Watch the full episode: Link in Bio!

11/11/2021

JUST RELEASED! Season 3: Episode 14 of The Afflatus feat. Siddhant Mishra


Watch the full episode here: https://youtu.be/eQ88eONUn04

Siddhant Mishra is an investment banker-turned-financial journalist.

Based in India’s financial capital, Siddhant has worked in the country’s leading business dailies and believes communication is the most significant aspect of education. He holds a keen interest in both the stock market and the football transfer market, besides aviation, sports, and politics.

Crime thrillers and detective fiction are his stress busters, and a game of billiards is his energy booster. Siddhant sees journalism as a field that should inspire and excite, rather than provoke and instill fear.

Siddhant Mishra is an investment banker-turned-financial journalist. Based in India’s financial capital, Siddhant has worked in the country’s leading busines...

10/27/2021

What do you do if you find yourself in the wrong career? How do you even know if you're in the right career? These are important questions and they determine not only your career success but also your overall well-being.

Jingning Ao who is currently pursuing her second Ph.D. suggests that self-awareness is the key to career success. It is difficult to constantly assess your career choice but it is one well worth doing it.

Jingning recommends adopting a holistic point of view to assess career progression as simply considering monetary benefits might lead to biased and potentially frustrating outcomes.

Watch her entire episode on The Afflatus: https://lnkd.in/dP5Vt_nc

10/26/2021

JUST RELEASED! Season 3: Episode 13 of The Afflatus feat. Jingning Ao

Watch the full episode here: https://youtu.be/kQuFGG_-ovc

Dr. Jingning Ao is working on her second Ph.D. in Strategy at the University of Pittsburgh.

One of Jingning's life dreams is to visit outer space someday—perhaps through her research on strategic communication in space tourism and industrialization—while also making this dream come true for more space enthusiasts! Jingning also holds 3 certificates from Harvard Business School Online.

Still a 100% dog person, Jingning loves her recently adopted cat, Kip. Jingning lives in Pittsburgh, PA and is ready for new adventures when she secures a tenure-track assistant professor position at a research university.



Dr. Jingning Ao is working on her second Ph.D. in Strategy at the University of Pittsburgh. One of Jingning's life dreams is to visit outer space someday—per...

10/20/2021

Congratulations! Your loan request for $100 has been approved. It might seem absurd to take out a loan for $100 but that's enough money to cover major living expenses or fund a small startup in some parts of the world.

Microfinance is exactly that. Small, collateral-free loans to people looking to climb the social ladder and raise the standard of living. Despite little exposure in the west, Microfinance has been a transformative force fueling countless innovations and societal progress.

Douglas Parker, MBA and we discuss the scope of microcredit programs and their impact in a capitalistic setting. Watch the full discussion on The Afflatus: https://youtu.be/3EDt-EdsTKc

10/13/2021

A leader's job is to create necessary conditions for the success of their team members. People are willing to be led but often they do not receive the support and guidance required to excel. Developing high-performance teams requires vision, motivation, and dedication.

Douglas Parker highlights how some of the top leaders lead their teams to execute big goals and fulfill an organization's vision. More importantly, he also shares how to motivate your team and lead by example.

Watch the full episode here: https://youtu.be/3EDt-EdsTKc

10/12/2021

Latin America is at a major infection point in its media history. With blockbuster media franchises and increased pe*******on of mobile devices, the region promises to deliver solid growth for the upcoming years.

Andre Chaves shares that with increased investments, cheaper marketing rates, and the rising number of platforms, a growing number of content creators and advertisers are empowered to create unique products that reflect the unique voice of Latin Americans on a global scale.

Watch the full episode here: https://lnkd.in/gaHmemQB

10/11/2021

JUST RELEASED! Season 3: Episode 12 of The Afflatus feat. Douglas Parker

Full episode: https://youtu.be/3EDt-EdsTKc

Douglas Parker currently serves as an M&A manager at a startup e-commerce conglomerate, Razor Group. In his role, he is in charge of sourcing and acquiring e-commerce businesses.

Previously, Douglas served as a VP of Sales at TriNet where he consulted boutique financial services firms on how to streamline HR operations. His prior experience includes working as an Assistant VP of Financial Solutions Advisor at MerrillLynch where he advised affluent clients on wealth management and banking strategies.

Prior to that, Douglas worked as a financial advisor at Edward Jones. Douglas, who is based in New York City, has a passion for education and is a huge sports fan. So sit back, relax and enjoy the exciting journey of Douglas Parker.

Douglas Parker currently serves as an M&A manager at a startup e-commerce conglomerate, The Razor Group. In his role, he is in charge of sourcing and acquiri...

10/06/2021

With the growing number of C-Suite positions, it's easy to confuse one for another. Chief Growth Officer (CGO) is perhaps the one that most people struggle to understand intuitively. While it might seem that CGO simply charts out business development plans, the reality is a bit more intricate.

CGOs work closely with both strategic and executive divisions of the company to deliver on the mission of the organization. Over the past few years, the role of CGO has grown in prominence due to the constantly shifting and fast-paced nature of global markets.

Andre Chaves breaks down the application of a CGO's key skills over the years in a startup environment to fuel growth and innovation. Watch the full episode on The Afflatus: https://youtu.be/Vf-qkCGpnjc