The Continuum: A Blog by PHI Learning

PHI Learning, a trusted name in academic publishing with 62 years of excellence, offers affordable, NEP 2020-aligned textbooks, expert-authored content, and global reach, driving academic progress in higher education.

Year: 2024

  • How We Hire for an Academic Publishing House

    In the rapidly evolving landscape of scholarly publishing companies need committed individuals with the right talent to help grasp the intricacies of the field.

    At PHI Learning, our hiring process is designed to ensure we bring on board individuals who are not only skilled but also aligned with our mission and values. Our meticulous hiring process ensures that we help onboard individuals who are genuinely interested so as to create a mutually beneficial relationship between the company and the new hire.

    We believe that our stringent process is helpful to everyone — the company and the new entrant, who, we know, must be looking for a suitable place to invest their efforts in too!

    The Hiring Process at PHI Learning

    Our recruitment process begins with advertising vacancies through social media, job search websites, and online newsletters. Once interested applicants send us their CVs, these are thoroughly reviewed and shortlisted. The process involves:

    1. An initial email interaction
    2. A telephone interview
    3. An in-person test for relevant roles
    4. A final in-person interview at our office

    During the interview, candidates are introduced to our company, products, mission, and culture. They are asked about their commitment to our vision, their knowledge and experience related to the publishing industry, and their passion for the industry. These questions are asked across all touchpoints during the hiring process – via the phone during the initial telephonic interview, via email, and during the in-person interviews to ensure compatibility with the role.

    At this stage, it is impractical to emphasize the candidate’s commitment to the role — both from the perspectives of the interviewer and the interviewee.

    Many-a-times suitable candidates who appear quite energetic, knowledgeable, and carrying a fresh perspective, lose out when asked about the company and its products.

    Remember, your interviewers are, after all, making the effort to conduct this interview because of how invested they are in the company and its success. If they didn’t care about the company as much as you care about the skills you have written about on your resume, they wouldn’t be here interviewing you!

    So impress your interviewers by talking about what matters to them the most.

    At this stage, it is helpful to provide information about the company’s products through your own prior research and link it to how the skills you have developed are relevant to the development of the company’s products.

    At PHI Learning, we advise candidates to demonstrate a genuine interest in the company as this shows their commitment and understanding of the role.

    Leveraging Recruitment Analytics

    Interested in learning more about recruitment strategies to ensure your company has hired the right talent to meet its aims and objectives?

    PHI Learning’s title HR Analytics: The Future of HR offers a comprehensive overview of HR analytics, vital for HR professionals aiming to enhance their strategic capabilities. It covers key aspects such as recruitment, performance management, employee engagement, and DEI analytics, along with ethical considerations and practical tools like employee attitude surveys and KPI dashboards. The book provides valuable insights into predictive analytics, machine learning, and statistical modeling, addressing both ethical and legal aspects of HR analytics. It highlights emerging trends such as Agile HR Analytics and emphasizes the need to stay updated.

    The above example outlines just one out of many criteria – commitment to the company values – which may be important to recruiters. This book equips HR professionals with essential tools and knowledge to effectively utilize HR analytics so that they can hire appropriately aligned individuals.

    HR Analytics

  • International Day of Tolerance: Understanding the International Relations Topic of Inclusivity

    Exploring the goals of this globally recognized day

    In today’s interconnected world, the principles of tolerance and peaceful coexistence are central to building strong, inclusive societies. Recognizing the importance of these values, the United Nations has designated November 16 as the International Day for Tolerance, a day aimed at raising awareness about the dangers of intolerance and the need for mutual understanding among diverse communities.

    This day is not only relevant to those studying International Relations. Rather, the day is relevant to everyone in the academic community!

    At PHI Learning, we support this mission through our comprehensive International Relations titles, which provide valuable insights into global diplomacy, conflict resolution, and intercultural dialogue. These textbooks are designed to help students and educators engage with the complexities of an increasingly globalized world, fostering the skills and knowledge necessary for building inclusive, peaceful communities.

    Initiated by UNESCO in 1985, the International Day for Tolerance emphasizes the importance of embracing diversity. True inclusivity goes beyond accepting differences—it involves proactive efforts to respect and celebrate the varied cultures, beliefs, and identities that make up our world. Our International Relations titles delve into these critical topics, offering detailed analyses on the role of cultural diplomacy, international cooperation, and the mechanisms that promote peace.

    A highlight of the day’s observance is the UNESCO-Madanjeet Singh Prize, established in 1995 to honor contributions in fields such as science, arts, and communication that promote tolerance. Named after Indian diplomat Madanjeet Singh, the prize reflects a commitment to recognizing efforts that advance peace and foster mutual respect. In line with this, our International Relations books examine real-world case studies and policies that have effectively promoted dialogue and understanding, making them ideal resources for students and educators focused on global issues.

    The 2024 theme, “Unity in Diversity,” calls for a deeper investment in education that encourages dialogue, empathy, and understanding. PHI Learning’s textbooks aim to equip students with the tools to navigate complex international landscapes, challenge prejudice, and advocate for policies rooted in equity and respect.

    As we observe the International Day of Tolerance, let’s remember that promoting tolerance isn’t just about passive acceptance. It involves active listening, bridging divides, addressing unconscious biases, and fostering communities rooted in mutual respect and shared humanity. Explore our International Relations titles to gain a deeper understanding of how these principles can be applied globally and locally.

    Discover our latest titles in International Relations like IR by Peu Ghosh at www.phindia.com. Through academia, let’s build a more tolerant, inclusive world.

     

  • World Science Day: Science is All Around Us!

    With today’s society progressing faster than ever, I urge you to consider the magnificent impact of scientific innovations in human history. Our society and culture evolve hand-in-hand with our technological advancements.

    Just look at the now widely-used term, “The Age of AI.” Artificial Intelligence has catalyzed numerous cultural transformations, shaping the way we live today.

    In 2001, UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) declared November 10th as an annual celebration of Science, Peace, and Development. Known as World Science Day for Peace and Development, this date recognizes the significant role that science plays in our society.

    The day also aims to bridge the gap between science and the public. By connecting science more closely with society, World Science Day highlights the importance of scientific advancements in our daily lives and emphasizes the need for public involvement in discussions about emerging scientific issues.

    Today, we celebrate the scientific innovations that make our lives easier and power our technologically-driven world. The origins of this international observance can be traced back to the 1999 World Conference on Science held in Budapest, a key milestone in reaffirming the global commitment to using scientific knowledge for the betterment of society.

    Since its inception, World Science Day has facilitated numerous projects, generated funding for scientific endeavors worldwide, and fostered international collaborations—even in regions affected by conflict. A notable example is the Israeli-Palestinian Science Organization (IPSO), supported by UNESCO, which promotes joint scientific efforts between the two communities.

    Every year, World Science Day offers a unique platform to celebrate and promote the role of science in building a peaceful and sustainable society. It encourages schools, universities, governments, and NGOs to organize events that inform and engage the public on the critical importance of science in tackling global challenges.

    Are you hosting a World Science Day event at your organization? Even a simple flyer or poster in a common area can help raise awareness of this important cause!

    This year, the theme is “Why Science Matters: Engaging Minds and Empowering Futures.” It underscores the pivotal role of youth in exploring how science shapes our rapidly evolving, digitalized world. Young people, with their tech-savviness, are key influencers in driving this transformation.

    The theme aligns with the International Decade of Sciences for Sustainable Development (2024-2033), declared by the United Nations General Assembly. This initiative aims to mobilize scientific disciplines to contribute to transformative societal change.

    Ultimately, World Science Day for Peace and Development celebrates the transformative power of science. It calls on governments, organizations, and individuals to harness science’s potential to solve urgent global challenges. The day promotes scientific literacy, raises public awareness of science’s impact, and reaffirms the commitment to using scientific knowledge for peace, progress, and sustainability, ensuring science is accessible and relevant to all.

  • The Difference Between Data Analysis and Data Modeling

    The Difference Between Data Analysis and Data Modeling

    In today’s information rich world, we are seeing more and more data-related analysis skills in business analysis jobs. Some data skills are critical for business analysts while others are better suited to other job functions, such as data analyst, financial analyst, reporting analyst, marketing analyst, and product management.

    In this article, we’ll look at the set of skills required for both data analysis and data modeling, describe how data modeling can require some data analysis, and explain how skilled business analysts complete this level of analysis without technical data analysis skills.

    Data Analysis Evaluates the Data Itself

    Data analysis is a set of tools and techniques to gain insight from an organization’s data. A data analyst might hold the following job responsibilities:

    • Create and analyze meaningful reports (possibly using a third-party reporting, data warehousing, or business intelligence system) to help the business make better decisions.
    • Merge data from multiple data sources together, as part of data mining, so it can be analyzed and reported on.
    • Run queries on existing data sources to evaluate analytics and analyze trends.

    Data analysts can be expected to have hands-on access to the organization’s data repositories and use technical skills to query and manipulate the data. They may also be skilled in statistical analysis and probably pursued some math classes in higher education.

    Common alternative job titles for this type of role include Report Analyst, Data Warehousing Analyst, Business Intelligence Analyst, or even Product/Marketing Analyst. The common thread among this diverse set of job titles is that each role is responsible for analyzing a specific type of data or using a specific type of tool to analyze data.

    Data Modeling Evaluates How an Organization Manages Data

    In contrast, data modeling is a set of tools and techniques to understand and analyze how an organization should collect, update, and store data. Data modeling is a critical skill for a business analyst that is involved with discovering, analyzing, and specifying changes to how software systems create and maintain information.

    A data modeller might:

    • Create an entity relationship diagram to visualize relationships between key business concepts.
    • Create a conceptual-level data dictionary to communicate data requirements that are important to business stakeholders.
    • Create a data map to resolve potential data issues for a data migration or integration project.

    A data modeller would not necessarily query or manipulate data or be involved in designing or implementing databases or data repositories.

    Data Modeling Can Require Some Data Analysis

    You often need to analyze data as part of making data modelling decisions, and this means that data modelling can include an element of data analysis. You can accomplish a lot here with very basic technical skills, such as the ability to run simple database queries. This is one reason that you can see a technical skill like SQL in a business analyst job description.

    To view the full article: http://www.bridging-the-gap.com/data-analysis-data-modeling-difference/

    Learn more with PHI Learning’s MICROSOFT EXCEL 2019 : DATA ANALYSIS AND BUSINESS MODELING, Sixth Edition by Wayne L. Winston. Buy now Online:  https://www.phindia.com/Books/BookDetail/9789389347180/microsoft-excel-2019-winston

     

  • Diversity and Inclusion in Organisational Behavior

    What Is Diversity & Inclusion?

    At its core, Diversity and Inclusion means creating an environment where every member of a workforce feels valued and respected for their unique backgrounds and perspectives. It means fostering an environment where varied perspectives are not just tolerated but actively encouraged and integrated into the decision-making process.

    The concepts of ‘Diversity’ and ‘Inclusion’ are often interwoven but distinct. Diversity refers to the presence of differences within a given setting, encompassing a range of attributes including but not limited to demographic, experiential, and cognitive differences. It signifies the variety of experiences and viewpoints that arise from individuals’ unique backgrounds and identities. A truly diverse workforce brings together a mix of ideas and approaches, which can drive innovation and problem-solving.

    Inclusion, however, goes beyond mere representation and focuses on creating an environment where everyone feels valued and integrated into the fabric of the organization. It involves the intentional design of systems and processes that ensure equitable participation and opportunities for all employees. Inclusion is about cultivating a sense of belonging and ensuring that diverse perspectives are respected and considered in organizational policies and practices. It requires active efforts to eliminate barriers and biases that can hinder full participation and engagement.

    Some Areas Covered Under D, E, & I

    An important aspect of Diversity and Inclusion is Accessibility. Accessibility focuses on creating environments that enable all individuals, including those with disabilities, to fully participate and thrive. It involves removing physical, communication, and attitudinal barriers that might hinder someone’s ability to contribute to the organization. Ensuring accessibility means designing workplaces, technologies, and processes that accommodate diverse needs, allowing everyone to perform to the best of their abilities.

    Another critical component is Psychological Safety. Psychological Safety refers to the belief that one can speak up, offer ideas, and make mistakes without fear of negative consequences. In a psychologically safe workplace, employees feel confident that they can express themselves and take risks without being humiliated or punished. This kind of environment encourages open dialogue, fosters innovation, and enhances overall team performance.

    Cultural and ethnic diversity are also key in creating an inclusive environment. Embracing cultural and ethnic diversity involves understanding and appreciating different cultural norms, traditions, and viewpoints, which enriches the workplace with a wide range of perspectives and drives innovation.

    Cultural diversity encompasses a wide range of value systems, beliefs, and traditions that individuals bring to a group. Members of a culturally diverse group may come from various nationalities, speak different languages, and hold different gender identities. They may also have different abilities and limitations. These differences can sometimes lead to clashes in beliefs and values. However, true Diversity and Inclusion means fostering an environment where individuals learn to accept and respect each other’s diverse backgrounds and perspectives.

    Embracing cultural diversity involves appreciating these differences and working collaboratively to create a harmonious and inclusive environment where everyone feels valued and understood. By promoting a culture that respects diverse cultural experiences, organizations can build more dynamic teams.

    5 Key Benefits of Incorporating D, E, & I In An Organization

    1. Enhanced Innovation – Diverse teams are more likely to come up with unique solutions and creative ideas. Different perspectives and experiences can lead to new ways of thinking and problem-solving.
    2. Better Decision Making – According to research by Cloverpop, diverse teams make better decisions up to 87% of the time. A variety of viewpoints allows for more thorough analysis and reduces the risk of groupthink.
    3. Stronger Employee Performance – Employees who feel included and valued are more likely to be engaged and motivated. This leads to higher productivity and better overall performance.
    4. Reduced Turnover – Companies that prioritize diversity and inclusion tend to have lower turnover rates. When employees feel respected and appreciated, they are more likely to stay with the company, reducing the costs associated with hiring and training new staff.
    5. Broader Market Reach – A diverse workforce can better understand and cater to a diverse customer base. This can enhance a company’s ability to connect with different segments of the market and drive growth.

    By integrating Diversity and Inclusion into the core values of an organization, companies not only create a more equitable and supportive workplace but also drive innovation, performance, and growth. Embracing these principles is not just the right thing to do—it’s a strategic advantage in today’s globalized business environment.

     

     

  • Futuristic Digital Forensics In Today’s Tech-Savvy Age

    In today’s digital age, the field of digital forensics is rapidly evolving, driven by technological advancements that enhance the identification, preservation, and analysis of electronic evidence. AI and machine learning have enabled revolutionary advancements across various industries, including the field of digital forensics.

    These days, all activities are conducted on devices. Just look around you and you’ll see what we mean! Everybody is on a device, creating records of their daily conversations, professional activities, and even their search history. Such information is likely to provide ample clues about a person’s personal motives or beliefs — don’t you think?

    In context of digital forensics, a large amount of digital data is likely to be retrieved from digital records such as emails, text messages, search histories, and other online activities that can provide a wealth of evidence for those who know how to analyze them.

    Many Forensics Departments Are Using AI

    Modern AI algorithms are capable of automatically identifying and extracting relevant data from large volumes of digital evidence, including files, emails, and logs. Furthermore, machine learning can read this data to detect patterns indicating irregularities or suspicious activities.

    Even when direct evidence is not available, AI can analyze the “digital footprint” of suspects or individuals involved in a crime. This includes user behavior on online messaging apps, social media platforms, shopping apps, dating apps, hotel booking apps, emails, and business-related software.

    Would it be possible to conduct this type of an investigation without AI? Next to impossible as this type of data could not be processed by a person alone — or even a whole team of people! It’s too large to compute manually, and this is where AI is instrumental.

    AI’s knack for spotting patterns in digital activities can be a game-changer for investigations. Even if it doesn’t provide direct clues, it can still steer things in the right direction.

    AI’s capability to identify patterns and anomalies are unlike any human detection abilities. As an example: AI has the ability to correlate user activity logs from a dating app with social media interactions. It can find correlations between purchase history from a shopping app with social media interactions.  These types of associations are near impossible to detect by just the human eye.

    These days, AI is transforming business by providing insights into correlations between (consensually provided) consumer data across different apps. This helps us further understand what consumers really want. As someone who has used AI to uncover such correlations, it is easy to imagine how this type of information could be invaluable to crime scene investigators!

    Also related to AI-powered data is Natural language processing (NLP). NLP analyzes the natural human language in a context that is more colloquial and human than mechanical or robotic.

    NLP can also play a crucial role in analyzing vast amounts of textual data from emails, chat logs, reviews, and other written communications. This is since NLP conducts sentiment analysis to uncover deeper emotions, viewpoints, values, and beliefs relevant to crime scenes.

    The Role of Sentiment Analysis in Crime Scene Investigations

    Sentiment analysis, while commonly used in business analytics, is particularly useful in crime scene investigations.
    Crimes are driven by sentiments. Often, those who try to cover up crimes may also harbour sentimental motives. As the crime fiction writer, Agatha Christie says, “Very few of us are what we seem. Every murderer is probably somebody’s old friend.” The complexities of human emotions are often hard to decipher. To uncover the deep sentiments that drive human motives, data is the only answer.

    Sentiment analysis can provide valuable insights into the intense human emotions behind criminal acts. By analyzing digital communications or transcribed oral communications, investigators can determine the overall perspective of a person towards various topics, identifying whether their opinion is neutral, positive, or negative.
    Sentiment analysis, using AI and machine learning along with other sophisticated software, is gaining traction across industries. Imagine going from guessing your way through purchase-histories of your customers for an idea on their preferences to having access to their very opinions and attitudes towards your product!

    This type of data isn’t limited to business. In digital forensics, the analysis of sentiment using AI can lead to crucial clues about their mental state, motives, emotional triggers, and potential behavioral patterns related to a crime.

    PHI Learning’s alignment with forensics and NEP 2020

    The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 aims to transform India’s educational landscape by fostering multidisciplinary learning, critical thinking, and practical applications. PHI Learning’s book “Laws of Electronic Evidence and Digital Forensics” aligns with these objectives by blending theoretical concepts with real-world applications. It is tailored for a diverse audience, including LLB and LLM students, B.Sc. and M.Sc. students in Digital Forensics and Information Security, B.Tech students in Computer Science (Cyber Security and Digital Forensics), and those pursuing PG Diplomas in Cyber Security and Digital Forensics.

    This book provides a comprehensive understanding of digital forensics and its legal implications, equipping students with the knowledge and skills necessary to excel in their careers. By addressing recent technological advancements and aligning with NEP 2020’s goals, “Laws of Electronic Evidence and Digital Forensics” serves as an essential guide for students and professionals navigating the complexities of electronic evidence and digital investigations.