It's a funny old world! Read the quirky stories off the beaten track of the training world that have caught our eye this week

Look into the business crystal ball

The world under cyber attack, the United States withdrawing from the world economy and employee behaviour controlled by implanted micro-chips are all possible scenarios for business in 2018, according to a study.

The findings imply that holograms, robots and ‘intelligent’ computers all have a role to play in the UK’s future business landscape.

Of those surveyed, 31% thought that holograms would be used to drive business efficiency, with 27% believing in the advent of robots and 12% in the possibility of implanted bio-chips being used in just 10 years time. Almost three quarters thought that virtual businesses would be commonplace and 87% said that the nature of work in 2018 would lead to increased virtual contact.

Called Management Futures, the study by the Chartered Management Institute identified 17 possible scenarios facing UK organisations in the next decade. It analysed current trends, past experience and the views of economists and academic and business leaders to predict what the world of work will look like in 10 years time.

Combined with a survey of over 1,000 senior executives, the study will be used to help business leaders understand what needs to be done today, to prepare for tomorrow.

The Chartered Management Institute has developed a podcast on these issus, highlighting what employers and individuals need to consider to be prepared for work in 10 years time. To listen in go to:

Chartered Management Institute Podcast

Anger management student blows his top

An American man who was on his way to an anger management class is facing jail, after he attacked a man with his homework.

Justin Boudin, 27, was on his way to his anger management course when his temper got the better of him, and he assaulted a woman and a man at a bus stop.

In a rage, he shouted at a 59-year-old woman and then hit her in the face when she took out a phone to call the police.

When a 63-year-old man tried to stop him, Boudin hit him with his anger management homework folder, which fell on the ground, and he ran off.

Minnesota police who investigated the assault tracked the culprit down using the folder.

After pleading guilty to the assault, Boudin faces jail.

CV howlers leave candidates jobless

Job seekers are missing out because of blunders such as misspelling, inappropriate email addresses and other grammatical errors, according to a poll by fish4jobs.

Embarrassingly, 63% reported seeing inappropriate personal email addresses – for example, bigboy@xxxx.com and hotstuff@xxx.com.

Misplaced letters are also playing havoc with candidate's job prospects. 'Manger', not 'manager' , 'busty' instead of 'busy', and 'pubic' rather than 'public', are some of the worst offenders.

Candidates are also likely to shoot themselves in the foot when it comes to qualifications and skills. Many have been 'trained in fist aid', rather than first aid. Candidates often claim to be 'a good leeder', and those who 'attended collage' or went to 'a very good skool' are also failing to impress.

Interview candidates choose lucky pants over prep

Job seekers are also missing out on their dream role by relying on superstition and fashion rather than good interview skills and preparation.

A study of 5,000 candidates found that one in 20 applicants hoped their 'lucky' underwear would help secure a job offer.

Online recruiters www.jobsite.co.uk also found that many candidates are overlooking interview preparation in favour of looking the part, with 16% relying on a new suit and seven per cent opting for a new haircut to impress.

Job jitters scarier than having a baby

Half of those who do secure a new job say starting it is worse than having a baby, a first date or a trip to the dentist, according to another poll.

Office Angels asked 1,100 workers about their first day jitters, with 37% claiming it is more nerve-racking than going on a first date, 25% comparing it to the stress of sitting an exam and a frazzled 6% claiming it’s as bad as having children.

The survey put the stress of starting a new job down to a fear of making mistakes, which happened to 78% of respondents in their first week. The most common gaffes include mixing up colleagues names, getting lost and mistaking a senior colleague for a junior one.

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