Is it appropriate for organisations to monitor the health of their employees?

Electronics manufacturer Philips believes so. The company has recently launched its high tech DirectLife personal fitness gadget to encourage workers to maintain active lifestyles.

According to Springwise, DirectLife monitors personal fitness via an accelerometer, a small wearable device that tracks an individual's every move.

All data collected by DirectLife can be uploaded to a webpage where real world personal health advisors suggest ways the user can meet their fitness goals.

Philips claims the US$99 device has the potential to reduce absenteeism and health costs as well as boost worker morale.

The ability to inspire is the key to successful leadership and can be achieved thought the adoption of 10 key characteristics, according to a recent BusinessWeek article.

These are:

1. Be authentic and don't pretend to be something you're not
2. Be consistent and avoid erratic behaviour
3. Be aware of contemporary trends and issues
4. Be optimistic but aware of challenges and difficulties
5. Be self-aware by understanding your strengths and passions
6. Be driven by purpose rather than the desire for power
7. Be inclusive and seek out input from a diverse base
8. Be focused on creating a positive environment and legacy
9. Be respectful of employees at all levels
10. Be supportive of future leaders in your team

To determine if you're an inspiring leader, score yourself (as objectively as possible) on each characteristic from one (low) to 10 (high), then add up your results.

A total figure above 85 is said to indicate that you're practising inspirational leadership.

New research indicates managers and professionals have largely escaped any fallout from the global economic crisis, The Australian reports.

Employment figures show 100,000 new full-time management positions were created in 2009 while 59,000 workers in the 'professional' category were recruited.

The health and education sectors were the largest employers last year adding a combined total of 100,000 new positions.

Restaurants and accommodation also recorded jobs growth; the sector increased its workforce by 5.4 per cent over the last 12 months.

If you're looking to buy yourself a Christmas present with the potential to bolster productivity inc.com suggests you consider a cutting-edge smart phone app.

The magazine's list of apps for business owners covers iPhone, Blackberry and Android smart phone platforms. Here's a selection of top apps:

• TomTom (iPhone) - a turn-by-turn navigation and business search tool that syncs with your contacts list to provide directions
• Timewerks (iPhone) - contains a built-in stopwatch that allows you to track the amount of time your spend on a job
• Jott (iPhone) - allows you to turn recorded voice messages into text messages
• SugarSync (BlackBerry) - enables you to access, edit and save files on a remote computer    via your phone
• EasyTranslator (Android) - converts words and phrases from English into 26 languages

More cool business apps can be found here. What's yours?

This year has seen its fair share of annoying catch phrases enter the corridors and emails of the business world, according to Forbes.

Here's a selection of some of the jargon terms that went from zero to hero (ha!) over the last year:

• 'Learning' (used as a noun) - it's claimed terms like 'key learning' and 'team learnings' aren't just annoying they're also grammatically incorrect
• 'Take it to the next level' - said to be a term that means absolutely nothing by suggesting a goal that's devoid of quantification
• 'Manage expectations' - really just a euphemism for underperforming
• 'Low hanging fruit' - a colourful but potentially aggravating term that means 'doing the easy things first'
• 'Break down silos' - a term used to describe the need for more effective communication that only works if people know what a silo is

More annoying (but fun to read about) business expressions are available here.

Microblogging site Twitter isn't just a passing fad, it's a medium that's set to grow in importance during the coming year, according to futurist Anders Sorman-Nilsson.

It's claimed Twitter is 'the new currency for ideas' as it allows people to track events in real-time and forces organisations to condense their messages into 140 character bit-sized tweets.

Speaking recently to The Age, Sorman-Nilsson claims Billabong and Telstra offer good local case studies of how to engage social media users.

With over 8,000 followers, it's suggested Billabong's Twitter presence works because it doesn't just focus on promoting products, it also discusses activities that fans can relate to.

According to Sorman-Nilsson, the US retailer Best Buy has recently shown the business world how to use social networking as an innovation tool.

The company is said to have experienced a 40 per cent increase in store profits after it encouraged younger female employees to become involved in its social network and offer their ideas.

It can often be harder to sell a new idea to colleagues or clients than it is to develop a new concept in the first place, writes creativity blogger Andy Eklund.

But fear not, Andy believes there are five golden rules to follow to ensure your idea is given the attention it deserves. In summary these are:

1. Be purposeful - link the idea to an outcome or a way to eliminate a problem

2. Network it - involve key decision makers in your creative process as early as possible

3. Show don't tell - avoid text heavy PowerPoint slides and instead use imagery or illustrations to show your idea 'in action'

4. Timing matters - don't rush into selling your idea if it's still incomplete or tell a trusted critic before seeking out a wider audience

5. Protect yourself - be prepared to face some form of negativity, it's inevitable but can be overcome

Will the office towers of the future double as environmental retreats?

It's a possibility if a towering urban forest cum office building developed by cutting-edge designers MAD Architects for the Chinese city of Chongqing proves a hit.

According to Tech News Daily, the forested commercial skyscraper has been designed to bring nature and open spaces into urban environments.

Each of the structure's 70 floors is unique with some containing office spaces while others are entirely devoted to garden areas.

A series of fascinating images of the ambitious and visually impressive project can be found here.

A new study by Brand Finance has found Woolworths, JB Hi-Fi, Westpac and Wesfarmers are the most valuable brands in the country, Smart Company reports.

The researchers say these brands rose above the pack due to their successful expansion and careful reputation management. 

Woolworths is said to offer a solid example of how to grow a brand as a result of its rebranding and refurbishment programs, both of which have been well received by the Australia public.

But it's claimed bolstering customer recognition isn't the only way to grow a brand.

Brand Finance says retailer JB Hi-Fi made its way into the listing of Australia's top 50 brands because of its decision to aggressively expand during the global economic crisis.