Month: July 2024

Originally published on Tork News Center

Wells Fargo Center and Tork®, an Essity brand, announced a formal partnership to enhance sustainability, efficiency and overall fan experience through innovative hygiene solutions. Following the recent $400 million renovation to Wells Fargo Center, the partnership between the arena and Tork, the world’s number one professional hygiene brand1, will leverage hygiene to further elevate on-site amenities. 

As the home of the Philadelphia Flyers and 76ers and one of the country’s top venues for concerts and events, Wells Fargo Center requires comprehensive and precise operational coordination to accommodate the variety of events hosted onsite. As part of the partnership, Wells Fargo Center will install a variety of Tork dispensing systems to bolster hygiene management throughout the facility. In addition, the venue will be equipped with Tork Vision Cleaning. This GBAC STAR-accredited facility management software will provide real-time data to cleaning staff on when and where there are service needs across the arena’s over 180+ restrooms, helping to secure hygienic experiences during the 220+ events per year hosted at this location. Equipped with Tork hygiene solutions, cleaning staff can better prioritize their time – ensuring guests are always able to access the hygiene products they need, and the facility meets the hygiene expectations of its visitors.

Furthermore, Tork and Wells Fargo Center are also committed to a more sustainable future. Both organizations have received numerous recognitions for their sustainability efforts. For example, Essity the parent company of the Tork brand, was recognized on Corporate Knights’ Global 100 List, which acknowledges the 100 most sustainable companies in the world, and Wells Fargo Center recently won the “Best Of The Best Sustainable Practices” award from the Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) Philadelphia in 2023. As part of this partnership Wells Fargo Center has installed carbon neutral Tork PeakServe Continuous Hand Towel Dispensers2 which have been designed with a focus on controlling consumption and reducing waste.

“We are proud to partner with Tork to deliver an elevated on-site experience through sustainable hygiene management,” said Mike Sulkes, General Manager, Wells Fargo Center. “Tork is our hygiene partner of choice because they help us maintain efficient cleaning operations while supporting our sustainability efforts to minimize environmental footprint. The new technology will allow us to be even more efficient in our day-to-day operations while preparing before events and managing the guest experience during events.” 

“Tork and Wells Fargo Center have a shared ambition to lead with innovative solutions that will advance the next generation of sustainable, efficient and high-performance buildings,” said Matthew Urmanski, VP Sales & Marketing North America, Essity Professional Hygiene. “We are thrilled to bring our award-winning products and services to another world-class sports arena and help to deliver a best-in-class guest experience today and in the future.”

1Based on 2023 global sales of Tork branded products & services for professional use.

2Tork carbon neutral dispensers are produced with purchased certified renewable electricity. To reach carbon neutral, the remaining carbon emissions have been offset with credits from climate projects with verified organization, ClimatePartner.

About Tork

The Tork brand offers professional hygiene products and services to customers worldwide ranging from restaurants and healthcare facilities to offices, schools, and industries. Our products include dispensers, paper towels, toilet tissue, soap, napkins, wipers, but also software solutions for data-driven cleaning. Through expertise in hygiene, functional design and sustainability, Tork has become a market leader that supports customers to think ahead so they’re always ready for business. Tork is a global brand of Essity, and a committed partner to customers in over 110 countries. To keep up with the latest Tork news and innovations, please visit www.torkusa.com.

About Essity

Essity is a leading global hygiene and health company. We are dedicated to improving well-being through our products and services. Sales are conducted in approximately 150 countries under the leading global brands TENA and Tork, and other strong brands, such as JOBST, Leukoplast, Libero, Libresse, Lotus, Nosotras, Saba, Tempo, Vinda, and Zewa. Essity has about 46,000 employees. Net sales in 2021 amounted to approximately $13 billion. The company’s headquarters is located in Stockholm, Sweden, and Essity is listed on Nasdaq Stockholm. Philadelphia is Essity’s North American headquarters. In addition to Pennsylvania, Essity has U.S. operations in Alabama, Kentucky, Ohio, Oklahoma, New York, North Carolina, Texas, Washington, and Wisconsin. Essity breaks barriers to well-being and contributes to a healthy, sustainable, and circular society. More information at www.essity.com.

About Wells Fargo Center

Wells Fargo Center is Philadelphia’s home for sports and entertainment. In addition to hosting the top touring musical acts, family shows and other entertainment, the arena’s main tenants include the NHL’s Philadelphia Flyers, NBA’s Philadelphia 76ers, NLL’s Philadelphia Wings, and Villanova Men’s Basketball. After the completion of its multi-year $400 million+ transformation, every inch of the venue has been completely reimagined. The project produced full upgrades and overhauls to the fan experience, performer amenities, technology, food and beverage, seating options, sightlines, and sustainability.

SÃO BERNARDO DO CAMPO, Brazil, July 22, 2024 /3BL/ – Otis Brazil’s factory in São Bernardo do Campo recently received its ISO 45001 certification, an international standard that specifies the requirements and good practices for effective occupational health and safety management systems. Otis Brazil is a subsidiary of Otis (NYSE: OTIS), the world’s leading elevator and escalator manufacturing, installation and service company. 

ISO 45001 was developed to reduce factors that can cause occupational accidents, injuries and illnesses, and also provides guidelines for the continuous improvement of occupational health and safety performance and management systems in the workplace. With this latest milestone, Otis has now 13 factories out of 17 with ISO 45001 certification. 

“Safety is an Otis Absolute, along with our Absolutes of Ethics and Quality. As part of our facilities’ progress toward certification under the highest health and safety standards, this certification is a testament to our commitment to provide a safe and healthy working environment for our colleagues and visitors,” said Adriana Gonsalves, Senior Manager of Environment, Health and Safety (EH&S) at Otis for Latin America.  

Otis maintains management systems based on ISO 14001, Environmental management systems, ISO 50001, Energy management systems, and ISO 45001, Occupational health and safety management systems. The São Bernardo do Campo factory received ISO 14001 certification in 2021, in line with Otis’ published ESG goal of completing ISO 14001 certification for all Otis factories by 2025, which Otis achieved in 2021, several years ahead of schedule, demonstrating effective environmental management of its factories.  

For more information on Otis’ EH&S efforts and management systems, please see the latest ESG Report.  

KANSAS CITY, Mo., July 22, 2024 /3BL/ – National tech training nonprofit Per Scholas launches its new campus in Kansas City, joining Great Jobs KC, the leading workforce development program in Kansas City, to provide holistic information technology training and career development opportunities. 

This strategic alliance marks a significant milestone in addressing the growing demand for skilled IT professionals in the region. Per Scholas Kansas City will offer its no-cost technology skills training from its newest campus located at Offices at Park 39, 300 E 39th St., Kansas City, MO. In addition to Great Jobs KC selecting and investing in Per Scholas, Per Scholas Kansas City has received generous support from Comcast NBCUniversal, Cortex, Missouri Tech First Initiative powered by Cortex, and the NFL Foundation.

At the heart of this collaboration lies the shared commitment to empower individuals with the skills and knowledge necessary to thrive in the ever-advancing tech industry. Per Scholas brings its renowned approach to IT training, which integrates technical education with professional development, including soft and hard skills. Through this partnership, Great Jobs KC and Per Scholas learners will undergo a comprehensive 13-week program designed to equip them with the expertise and confidence needed to excel in the IT field. After graduation, learners will work with Great Jobs KC Employer Engagement Managers as well as Per Scholas’ Talent Solutions professionals to ensure job attainment.

“We are excited to expand our reach to the Kansas City region through this partnership with Great Jobs KC. By combining our expertise in IT training with their proven track record of workforce development, we are poised to make a lasting impact on the lives of individuals and the economic vitality of the region. We are grateful for their investment and the support of Missouri Tech First, Cortex, the NFL Foundation, and Comcast NBCUniversal,” said Per Scholas President and CEO Plinio Ayala.

“Per Scholas’ new Kansas City campus is an exciting development for the region’s workforce,” said Governor Mike Parson. “This initiative is another example of the collaborative partnerships that are investing in our communities and state’s economy. By equipping Missourians with skills needed for high-tech jobs, Per Scholas is helping pave the way for a stronger workforce, more resilient economy, and prosperous future.”

“Per Scholas is providing cutting-edge training that’s helping Missourians prosper by preparing them for jobs in the technology industry,” said Michelle Hataway, Director of the Missouri Department of Economic Development. “We’re grateful for the efforts of this organization as it opens doors for those entering the workforce or sharpening their skills in the Kansas City region.”

The Per Scholas Kansas City campus will serve as a hub for innovative learning and career advancement, and offer comprehensive training for CompTIA A+ certification, a globally recognized credential validating foundational IT skills, as well as Google IT Support certification. These skills and certifications will position alumni for success with Kansas City region employers.

Per Scholas Kansas City’s inaugural cohort launched in May, beginning with its best-in-class IT Support course. Applications are open, and interested individuals can learn more and apply here for upcoming cohorts. Prospective learners must be at least 18 years or older, possess at least a high school diploma, authorized to work in the U.S., have a passion for technology, and have availability to be placed in a tech role following completion of the training.

“We frequently hear from companies that the most important asset in a tech economy is talent,” said Sam Fiorello, President & CEO, Cortex. “Per Scholas is a model that proves that there are many paths beyond a four-year college degree for preparing someone for a successful tech career. We are proud to expand this training asset beyond the St. Louis region through our Missouri Tech First, powered by Cortex, initiative.”

Per Scholas Kansas City is the nonprofit’s second campus in Missouri, joining Per Scholas St. Louis, which has been training technologists in a variety of tech skills since the Cortex Innovation District brought the organization to St. Louis in 2022.

“Equipping Missourians with the most in-demand skills and industry-informed training to navigate current and future opportunities is a business imperative as much as it is just,” said Kieran Blanks, VP of Workforce Systems at Cortex, which is spearheading the $7 million Missouri Tech First Initiative. “By strategically investing in our workforce and cultivating innovation, we are positioning Missouri as a national frontrunner in the digital economy, enticing companies seeking elite tech talent.”

Aligned with its commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging, 85 percent of Per Scholas learners are people of color, more than 40 percent identify as women, and more than half have a high school diploma as their highest education credential. Per Scholas graduates are hired into tech roles by more than 850 employer partners nationwide, ranging from Fortune 500 companies to innovative startups. The Per Scholas model is proven and evidence-based. Per Scholas-trained technologists go on to earn three times their pre-training wage in their first job following graduation. Plus, every dollar invested in Per Scholas results in an $8 net economic return.

“We are thrilled to join forces with Per Scholas to bring their transformative IT training program to Kansas City,” said Jimmy Swift, Great Jobs KC Chief Program Officer. “This partnership represents a significant investment in the future of our workforce, providing individuals with the opportunity to gain valuable skills and pursue fulfilling careers in the thriving tech industry.”

“Per Scholas expansion into Kansas City will undoubtedly help build a diverse and thriving workforce by providing access to skills training for in-demand tech careers,” said Dalila Wilson-Scott, Executive Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer of Comcast Corporation and President of the Comcast NBCUniversal Foundation. “Through Project UP, Comcast’s $1 billion commitment to advance digital equity and economic mobility, we’re thrilled to partner with Per Scholas in their ongoing work to connect future technologists with leading businesses. We look forward to what we will continue to achieve together.”

“The NFL is proud to support the launch of Per Scholas’ Kansas City campus as they continue to break barriers and create positive social change,” said NFL Vice President, Social Responsibility Clare Graff. “Through Per Scholas’ no-cost tech training, individuals, particularly people of color, are empowered to enter the tech industry and launch thriving careers – a mission that aligns with the NFL’s commitment to create a more equitable society through our Inspire Change social justice initiative.”

To learn more about Great Jobs KC, click here. To learn more about Per Scholas Kansas City, click here, and follow Per Scholas Kansas City on LinkedIn and Facebook.

Authored by Jordan Anderson, Jessica Drexler

As organizations strive to stay ahead in an increasingly competitive market, leveraging generative artificial intelligence (AI) can offer unprecedented opportunities to streamline workflows and seamlessly connect data points. But the path to successful AI implementation goes beyond technology adoption –ou requiring careful consideration of how AI will be deployed, adopted and used throughout the workforce.

Organizations looking to succeed need to take a holistic approach, rooted in strategy and governance, that considers various aspects of organizational readiness. Providing the tools and resources needed to adapt to new processes and technologies will help prepare your workforce for the change and increase the likelihood of its success. This innovative approach plays a crucial role in shaping effective AI change management strategies.

Setting the foundation

As with any initiative, it’s important to establish strategic alignment by clearly defining the purpose and objectives behind the initiative, understanding where your organization is headed in the long term and clarifying how generative AI fits into your strategic vision, mission and values to ensure your AI investment contributes meaningfully to your organization’s goals. Establishing the role AI contributes to the overarching strategy goals and objectives promotes priority for the investment of time and resources across the organization.

Additionally, the commitment of leadership is pivotal as your leaders need to actively champion generative AI adoption and communicate its strategic importance to ensure buy-in across all levels of your organization. Regular communication helps to address any concerns early on, builds trust and employee engagement and fosters a culture mindset shift that embraces innovation, continuous learning and adaptability. Active and visible leadership support further promotes the prioritization and attention required to drive buy-in and commitment required for successful adoption.

Conducting a thorough organizational assessment of your current workforce capabilities, including resource capacity, workforce skills and past success in sustaining change can help to identify both existing strengths and areas in need of improvement prior to launching initiatives. By conducting an organizational readiness assessment early in your transformation journey your organization is provided the necessary time and flexibility to mitigate any potential risks and adjust strategies accordingly.

The assessment of individual change readiness at the role level will provide essential insights to the level of effort required to effectively prepare and transition people into the new operating environment. When AI is introduced without proper preparation, employees may revert to familiar manual processes due to a lack of data and AI literacy, leading to a reluctance to adopt. Successful AI deployment requires upskilling your existing workforce while encouraging them to effectively leverage the AI tools you invest in to drive innovation and productivity in their daily workflow.

Leverage effective change management practices

While organizational readiness focuses on your organization’s overall preparedness and ability to adapt to the changes generative AI will bring, change management homes in on the processes of managing, implementing and sustaining the changes within your organization. Leveraging effective change management practices can help your organization enhance data and AI literacy, create shared understanding, build confidence and drive cultural alignment to democratize the use of data and AI while fostering understanding within your workforce.

Your organization can get started by developing a comprehensive change management plan that works in direct support of the AI project implementation plan, outlining the steps, timelines and resources needed to successfully transition people through implementation to the live environment. It’s also important to consider the cultural nuances of your organization and tailor your plan accordingly. Once your plan is set, it’s critical that you effectively communicate through multiple channels to your workforce, leveraging change champions to further rally support and generate buy-in. Be transparent about the goals, progress and impact generative AI will have on the organization and encourage feedback from your workforce to address any resistance proactively.

Establishing comprehensive training programs and skills development will work to build data and AI literacy while ensuring that employees at all levels acquire the necessary skills to utilize generative AI technologies. These programs should be tailored to different roles and skill levels to establish an organization-wide understanding of generative AI functions, its potential applications and how it aligns with existing job functions. This will also create opportunities for employees to collaborate, share best practices and learn from each other, strengthening the commitment to embracing generative AI across your organization.

Ultimately, utilizing change management practices will ensure that the adoption of generative AI is integrated into your organization’s operating system and ways of working. By promoting a culture of experimentation, collaboration and continuous learning, your employees are encouraged to explore new ideas as they engage with generative AI technologies.

AI readiness assessment

Organizational readiness plays a fundamental role in achieving and sustaining a successful generative AI implementation by laying the foundation for everyone across your organization to understand and embrace the incoming change. Engaging in an AI readiness assessment ensures that your organization doesn’t skip the critical step of assessing your current state in order to identify and address risks prior to implementing AI. By ensuring you consider your strategic alignment and workforce readiness and have change management processes in place to manage the implementation, your organization can ensure a more holistic and successful approach to generative AI adoption.

How we can help

Baker Tilly’s digital solutions team provides AI consulting services that help your organization take a more holistic approach to AI adoption by ensuring careful consideration of how AI will be deployed, adopted and used throughout your workforce. Interested in learning more? Contact a Baker Tilly specialist to learn more.

STAMFORD, Conn., July 22, 2024 /3BL/ – Keep America Beautiful the leading nonprofit dedicated to inspiring people to take action every day to improve and beautify their communities, has selected Carol Cone ON PURPOSE (CCOP), a leading social impact consultancy, to develop strategies, creative engagement and partnership relations to launch and activate the Greatest American Cleanup.

On July 4, 2026, the United States will reach a historic milestone: the nation’s 250th birthday. Commencing today and spanning the next two years, the Greatest American Cleanup will engage 25,000 communities to collect 25 billion pieces of debris to clean, green, and beautify the nation. More importantly, Keep America Beautiful and its partners will lead the way in rekindling community pride, helping our nation overcome the fear and divisiveness plaguing the country, creating shared hope across all communities, and shaping a beautiful future for all Americans. Watch the launch video here.

“This is an historic cleanup for an historic moment,” said Keep America Beautiful President and CEO Jennifer Lawson. “As Americans come together to celebrate our 250th birthday, we all have a role to play in making our nation look its very best. We’re inviting all Americans to join us as we pay tribute to the proud legacy and can-do spirit of our beautiful country.”

Today, Keep America Beautiful—together with more than 700 nationwide affiliates, sponsors and local, state and federal government entities—are calling upon all individuals and community groups to visit kab.org/greatest and take action to “do beautiful things” in their neighborhoods, towns, cities and states.

The Coca-Cola Company, a long-time supporter of Keep America Beautiful, is one of the Greatest American Cleanup’s founding partners. Additional national partners include Hilton Hotels & Resorts, iHeart Media, Niagara Cares, and many others.

The nation’s 250th birthday is a unique and unprecedented opportunity for companies to connect with all Americans, get hands-on, and be part of history. The Greatest American Cleanup will offer countless engagement opportunities for companies of all sizes and industries to join forces with Keep America Beautiful in a movement that goes far beyond picking up trash—including designations of the nation’s top 250 cleanest and greenest communities, tree plantings, recycling drives, restoration projects, and groundbreaking research on civic engagement through beautification. Companies can team up with employees, consumers, and influencers to create an enduring legacy of beauty in their communities, present exclusive awards to shine a spotlight on the most stunning community transformations, or orchestrate a call to kids across the country to design the next Keep America Beautiful mascot/symbol of community pride.

This work will be led directly by Carol Cone and a team managed by her long-term collaborators Kristian Merenda and Audrey Sylvia, industry veterans who created the GO RED for Women movement in 2004, named one of the top 20 campaigns of the last two decades. Joining CCOP in igniting the Greatest American Cleanup movement is digital marketing leader Matchfire, a Purpose Collaborative member.

“We are thrilled to partner with Keep America Beautiful on this critically-important initiative to bring Americans together around our nation’s 250th birthday,” said Carol Cone, CEO of Carol Cone ON PURPOSE. “The Greatest American Cleanup will be an iconic moment for companies to play a lead role in delivering social benefits, economic advantages, environmental impact and improved mental and physical health for all Americans—all through this simple call to action to keep our communities clean, green and beautiful.”

Individuals, community groups, companies, government entities and like-minded nonprofits interested in joining the movement should visit kab.org/greatest to learn more and declare their support for the Greatest American Cleanup.

Keep America Beautiful, the nation’s leading community improvement nonprofit organization, inspires and educates people to take action every day to improve and beautify their community environment. Established in 1953, Keep America Beautiful strives to end littering, improve recycling, and beautify America’s communities.

###

About Keep America Beautiful

Keep America Beautiful®, the nation’s leading community improvement nonprofit organization, inspires and educates people to take action every day to improve and beautify their community environment. Established in 1953, Keep America Beautiful® strives to end littering, improve recycling, and beautify America’s communities. We believe everyone has a right to live in a clean, green, and beautiful community, and shares a responsibility to contribute to that vision. The organization is driven by the work and passion of 700 Keep America Beautiful® affiliates, millions of volunteers, and the collaborative support of corporate partners, social and civic service organizations, academia, municipalities, elected officials, and individuals. Join us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Linkedin, and YouTube. Donate and take action at kab.org.

About Carol Cone ON PURPOSE

Carol Cone ON PURPOSE (CCOP) is a pioneering social impact consultancy helping companies, brands, and nonprofits harness the power of purpose to advance their business and societal impact. CCOP’s proven approach, developed over decades and hundreds of purpose assignments, meets clients at any point on their purpose journey to unlock opportunities to build reputation, inspire and engage employees, ignite organizational culture for innovation and growth, while supporting the greater good.

Disruptive and highly creative solutions are core to CCOP, including the creation of My Special Aflac Duck, a social robot for children with cancer. Recognitions include: Tech for a Better World at CES, Time Magazine’s Best Inventions, two Cannes Lions, and People’s Choice Award at SXSW. The consultancy is led by Carol Cone, regarded as one of the founders of the purpose movement, which she’s shaped since 1983 through her client work, Purpose 360 Podcast, and research. Carol is also chair of the Purpose Collaborative, CCOP’s global network of 40+ firms that collaborate on client assignments through custom-designed “dream teams.” Learn more at www.carolconeonpurpose.com.