Month: April 2023

Originally published on U.S. Bank company blog

Aura Rodriguez, a banker who works at a U.S. Bank branch in south Charlotte, North Carolina, is a self-described “biggest fan” of U.S. Bank’s cobrowse feature.

The industry-leading technology, which was introduced broadly three years ago this month, allows customers to share their screen and get step-by-step guidance from their local banker – on both mobile app and online banking.

“Before cobrowse, there were so many times I’d be on the phone with a customer and keep having to ask, ‘What are you seeing now?’ It was frustrating for the bankers and frustrating for the clients, especially the ones who didn’t feel as comfortable with technology,” Rodriguez said. “With cobrowse, now it’s so easy.”  

It’s so easy, in fact, that Rodriguez recently was able to cobrowse with a customer who had been visiting the Pineville branch several times a week to conduct routine transactions like depositing a check or keeping tabs on her account balance. The customer said she typically avoided interacting with technology – hence all the visits to the branches – but within just a few minutes Rodriguez had showed her how to do a mobile check deposit, lock her ATM card and look up her balance. The customer now just drops by the branch to say hello to Rodriguez, but hasn’t needed help with a single banking transaction since – she does them all herself digitally.

“It’s empowering for our customers. She was so grateful – and so proud of herself that she can now do all of this on her own,” Rodriguez said. “She told me she now has all of this time back since she doesn’t have to get to the branch when it’s open.”

A human + digital approach

U.S. Bank ramped up cobrowse during the early days of the pandemic and social distancing guidelines. But the company quickly realized the feature had staying power and would have long-term value to customers even after lockdowns were lifted, because it’s so convenient and helps customers conduct their transaction or get guidance from local bankers no matter where they are. In fact, usage only accelerated after branches reopened. More than one in four U.S. Bank customers have now used cobrowse, and millions have used it multiple times.

Because they love it. In customer satisfaction survey results, customers report 97% satisfaction with the feature – a level of satisfaction that is almost unheard of in any industry. It truly has become a key part of how we serve customers in the way that works best for them, and a strong indicator of the effectiveness of our human + digital approach to provide the best experiences in banking.

“The pandemic certainly accelerated clients’ adoption of digital tools, and they enjoy being able to DIY their banking when and where it fits their needs,” said Tim Welsh, vice chair, U.S. Bank Consumer and Business Banking. “But they still want to have that human connection – especially when it comes to more complex needs like making big decisions and setting goals. So, we’ve invested in many ways to do things together, including new video banking experiences that put us at the intersection of digital and people.”

Making ‘the best experiences in banking’ even better

Those new video banking experiences include adding cobrowse with video in 2021, allowing branch bankers to appear on one-way video so customers can see who is helping them – enhancing the interaction and making it feel more personal. U.S. Bank was the first in the industry to introduce live video of the banker, and customers have said that being able to see who they are talking to on video is reassuring and gives a greater sense of security.

We continue to add new features to the experience, like two-way video – meaning a customer can choose to appear on video as well, if they so wish. This puts the decision in the customer’s hands, giving them the option of having whichever level of visual interaction with the banker they feel will help them most. We also integrated Live Chat with cobrowse, so bankers can invite customers to a cobrowse session while chatting on both Mobile App and Online Banking.

And cobrowse is even helpful during in-person visits to the branch. Like the example shared by Wade Glover, a branch manager at the Kearny Mesa location in San Diego. One day, a mother and daughter came into the branch distraught because they weren’t certain of the best way to send money to the daughter when she moved away to college. With a quick cobrowse, Glover showed them how to download the mobile app, enroll in Zelle, add each other as recipients – and test it out right there.

“They were so pleased to know we had Zelle and mobile banking right there in the app – no additional downloads needed,” he said.

It’s all about helping customers bank in the way that works best for them.

NEENAH, Wis., April 6, 2023 /3BL Media/ – Goodnites, the #1 bedwetting underwear1 brand, announced a new partnership with the Autism Society of America, America’s largest and oldest grassroots Autism organization, to educate, support, and provide solutions for families of children with Autism who are in need of a longer-term bedwetting solution. Since inventing the absorbent bedwetting underwear category in 1994, Kimberly-Clark’s Goodnites brand has been committed to empowering users to have a dry night’s sleep and wake up awesome! Its bedwetting underwear is designed to provide children ages 3 to 17 a dry night’s sleep with 35% fewer leaks2. While bedwetting is a common occurrence among most children, children with Autism and/or ADHD may face a longer experience with nocturnal enuresis, commonly known as bedwetting. 

In honor of Autism Acceptance Month this April, Goodnites will donate $150,000 to the Autism Society of America to support education and community efforts throughout 2023. As part of the programming, the brand is also unveiling new proprietary research illustrating the impact of bedwetting on families of children with ADHD and/or Autism, sharing awareness-driving content across digital channels, and amplifying influential voices in the neurodivergent and parenting space to help reduce the shame and stigma around bedwetting through education.

Driven by insights, Goodnites is committed to supporting this underserved group by combating the bedwetting stigma and giving parents and children the comfort that they are not alone. Through an ongoing partnership with the Autism Society of America that extends through 2023, the two organizations will support the community through educational resources, national and local community events, and advocacy. Designed with these families’ needs in mind, Goodnites will unveil a resource hub later this year to provide free access to bedwetting education tailored to the Autism and ADHD communities with contributions from the Autism Society of America.

In January 2023, Goodnites conducted a survey among 1,000 U.S parents of children with Autism and/or ADHD, ages 3 to 17. The survey uncovered the physical, emotional, relational, and mental impact that bedwetting has on families of children with Autism and/or ADHD. The study found:

Three-fifths of parents of children with Autism and/or ADHD who experience bedwetting express increased feelings of anxiety (60%) and helplessness (58%).About two-fifths of these parents also state that bedwetting has made their child more anxious (41%) and lowered their child’s self-esteem (38%).Half (50%) of parents say their child’s bedwetting has caused them to feel like a failure as a parent and roughly half (48%) of parents feel bedwetting has led to concerns that others will judge them.Participants expressed that they feel friends (71%) and family (65%) don’t understand the challenges of parenting children with Autism and/or ADHD.

“The Goodnites brand is proud to stand up to the stigma and shame wrapped up in wet sheets and begin a conversation to help parents of children with Autism and ADHD find answers and solutions to help their kids wake up dry for a better start to the day for the whole family,” said Aaron Gretebeck, Kimberly-Clark’s North American Vice Present of Goodnites. “We are proud to partner with the Autism Society of America to fulfill the shared goal of empowering families of neurodivergent children with educational resources and meaningful support.”

To better serve the needs of children who experience longer-term bedwetting and provide size inclusive products with outstanding comfort and fit, Goodnites launched a dedicated XL size in 2021. Following this launch, consumer data showed that the second largest group of XL buyers were parents of children with disabilities. One in six children experience bedwetting, and of those who experience bedwetting, one in 10 has a disability, with Autism and ADHD being the most prevalent3. While bedwetting is a common occurrence among many children, it can have a greater impact on families of children with Autism and/or ADHD who experience additional physical, emotional, relational, and mental tolls on their everyday lives.

“Goodnites is addressing challenges faced by many in the Autism community with higher support needs, that are not often talked about,” said Christopher Banks, President and CEO of the Autism Society of America. “The resources this partnership creates will serve as a starting point for conversations that will help break the stigma in a community that can often feel isolated and underserved.”

 

1 Youth Pant Category Share Data 
2 vs. Boy Large vs. Ninjamas Boy Large 
3 Goodnites Bedwetting Diary Study, ©Burke, Inc. 2021

 

Donation Supports February “Feed the Love” hunger relief campaign

BATTLE CREEK, Mich., April 6, 2023 /3BL Media/ – Kellogg Company and Albertsons Companies, one of the largest food and drug retailers in the United States, have joined forces for the third consecutive year to tackle the ongoing issue of hunger in the communities they serve.

Kellogg has donated $75,000 to Albertsons Companies Foundation’s Nourishing Neighbors Initiative, a charitable program of the Albertsons Companies Foundation benefiting the hunger-relief efforts of food banks, pantries and hunger-relief charities in communities served by the Albertsons Cos. family of stores. The donation is part of Albertsons Cos. Foundation’s “Feed the Love” in-store promotional campaign during the month of February and will enable these charities to provide approximately 300,000 meals to those in need.1

“Kellogg’s customers are some of our strongest allies in our efforts to create better days for those facing hunger. We are proud to partner with Albertsons for the third consecutive year, creating a difference for families by providing approximately 300,000 meals,” said Michael Ross, Customer Team Lead, Kellogg Company. “We aspire for a world with zero hunger and that can only happen when we work together.”

Food insecurity exists in every county in the United States2, affecting more than 34 million people2, including 9 million children2. In 2021, 53 million Americans utilized food banks.2

“Albertsons Cos. and Kellogg share the belief that everyone, especially children, should have access to nutritious food every day,” said Christy Duncan Anderson, President and Executive Director, Albertsons Cos. Foundation. “We’re proud to be one of the largest contributors to food banks and hunger-relief programs in the neighborhoods we serve3, and we’re able to do this because of our generous customers like Kellogg Company.”

Kellogg’s donation is part of its Better Days Promise environmental, social and governance (ESG) strategy, which aims to create better days for 3 billion people by 2030. Since 2015, Kellogg has fed more than 219 million people facing hunger and reached more than 4.3 million children through feeding programs.

[1] 1 meal = $0.25

[2] https://www.feedingamerica.org/hunger-in-america

[3] https://www.feedingamerica.org/partners/food-and-fund-partners

About Kellogg Company

At Kellogg Company (NYSE: K), our vision is a good and just world where people are not just fed but fulfilled. We are creating better days and a place at the table for everyone through our trusted food brands. Our beloved brands include Pringles®, Cheez-It®, Special K®, Kellogg’s Frosted Flakes®, Pop-Tarts®, Kellogg’s Corn Flakes®, Rice Krispies®, Eggo®, Mini-Wheats®, Kashi®, RXBAR®, MorningStar Farms® and more. Net sales in 2022 were over $15.3 billion, comprised principally of snacks as well as convenience foods like cereal, frozen foods, and noodles. As part of our Kellogg’s™ Better Days Promise ESG strategy, we’re addressing the interconnected issues of wellbeing, climate and food security, creating Better Days for 3 billion people by the end of 2030. Visit www.KelloggCompany.com.

About Albertsons Companies 

Albertsons Companies is a leading food and drug retailer in the United States. As of December 3, 2022, the Company operated 2,270 retail food and drug stores with 1,720 pharmacies, 402 associated fuel centers, 22 dedicated distribution centers and 19 manufacturing facilities. The Company operates stores across 34 states and the District of Columbia with 24 banners including Albertsons, Safeway, Vons, Jewel-Osco, Shaw’s, Acme, Tom Thumb, Randalls, United Supermarkets, Pavilions, Star Market, Haggen, Carrs, Kings Food Markets and Balducci’s Food Lovers Market. The Company is committed to helping people across the country live better lives by making a meaningful difference, neighborhood by neighborhood. In 2021, along with the Albertsons Companies Foundation, the Company contributed nearly $200 million in food and financial support, including approximately $40 million through our Nourishing Neighbors Program to ensure those living in our communities have enough to eat.

Read the original press release or learn more about our Recipe for Change on our website.

Originally published on Built From Scratch

Reducing The Home Depot’s environmental impact is essential to our efforts to build a better business, workplace and world. Home Depot’s chief sustainability officer Ron Jarvis has spent more than two decades driving sustainability improvements at The Home Depot. Here he offers insights into our progress.

Who drives ESG at The Home Depot? 

Many associates and business leaders throughout our enterprise! They take pride in improving their departments and businesses in multiple ESG aspects. Our leadership understands that an effective environmental, social and governance strategy cannot happen in isolation. It is not the sole responsibility of a corporate ESG team. Rather, our ESG strategy must reflect The Home Depot’s core values, and it must be embedded in all aspects of how we run our business. Everybody owns it.

How have associates helped drive ESG progress at The Home Depot? 

One of our eight core values is Do The Right Thing, which drives our associates to find new ways that our organization can reduce its environmental impact. This can be seen through our packaging team who looks for ways to reduce the package footprints and ways to use more sustainable materials for our private-label products. Another example are our associates who work to find ways to upcycle the packaging waste in our stores and supply chain into new products like Trex composite decking.

How is The Home Depot helping customers increase the sustainability of their homes and businesses? 

Our Eco Actions program, which builds on our original Eco Options program that we launched in 2007, helps our customers take on more sustainable DIY projects and choose greener products that can save water, conserve energy or are formulated to reduce certain chemicals. Products can only qualify for this distinction if manufacturers provide third-party verification of environmental claims that meet our program’s requirements. This program also offers customers green project ideas and tips, for example, how to grow an organic garden.

In addition, we encourage our customers to drop off used compact fluorescent light bulbs and rechargeable batteries for recycling. In 2021, we collected 1,162,800 pounds of recycled batteries, a 24% increase since 2014.

We also help our customers go greener in ways that may be less apparent to them. For example, we offer circularity-centered products like our Home Depot-branded moving boxes, made from 100% post- consumer recycled paper fiber, as well as composite deck boards made from recycled plastic waste from our stores. We continue to make progress on our goal to exclude expanded polystyrene (EPS) foam and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) film from our private-brand product packaging by the end of 2023.

When customers rent tools from us, they help avoid the environmental impact of new product manufacturing. Another example: Our stores have cut electricity consumption 50% since 2010, providing our customers a lower energy intensive shopping environment.

Is sustainability a competitive advantage for The Home Depot? 

Overall, we believe good business decisions drive sustainability.

Examples of this can be seen through the investments we’ve made to create the most efficient supply chain in home improvement. These investments have helped us reduce the number of trucks needed and distance traveled to get our products from our supplier to our customers, while also reducing fuel emissions. Another example of this is our store investments, part of which included transitioning stores to LED lighting, which helped us reduce operating costs and electricity consumption.

We also believe that by working with our suppliers to bring innovative and sustainable products to market, we help our customers create more sustainable homes and workplaces. Our efforts to drive innovation can be seen in every aisle of the store, and we believe this is a key differentiator in the market.

We also want to see sustainability be the norm for our entire industry. We are encouraged when we see other retailers take big swings and do innovative things that push all of us to do a better job of protecting the planet, and we hope the innovation that we bring through our operations and products motivates others to do the same.

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