Month: August 2026

Cisco

At the core of every Cisco solution is the talent that brings it to life. For partner organizations, finding and retaining the right talent—professionals who can contribute today and adapt as technology evolves—is not just about filling roles; it is a critical driver of business success.

Yet many partners face a familiar challenge: traditional hiring methods are outdated and flood teams with applications but offer little clarity. Resumes often focus on credentials or keywords, making it hard to identify candidates with the practical, job-ready skills needed from day one.

This “hiring noise” slows recruitment and complicates decision-making. What partners truly need is a clearer, skills-based way to connect the right talent with the right opportunities—quickly and confidently.

An Evolving Approach to Partner Hiring

Cisco Talent Bridge is evolving from a traditional job board into a comprehensive career-support ecosystem designed to help partners identify and engage talent with greater confidence.

Rather than focusing solely on job postings, Talent Bridge supports the hiring journey—from talent discovery to candidate engagement. By bridging learning, skills, and opportunity, the platform helps partners build consistent and relevant talent pipelines aligned with real business needs.

The intent is straightforward: reduce friction in the hiring process and improve clarity at every stage.

Connecting Learning to Real-World Readiness

As Cisco Chair and CEO Chuck Robbins has emphasized, talent exists everywhere—but opportunity does not. Addressing that gap means looking beyond credentials to better understand real skills and readiness.

Since its launch in 2017, Talent Bridge has connected Cisco’s global learning community with the Cisco partner ecosystem and now integrates directly with Cisco Networking Academy to make that readiness more visible.

This shift takes the hiring conversation way beyond keywords. It gives our partners a clear look at a candidate’s actual, hands-on experience—long before the first interview even begins

How Talent Bridge Supports Partners

The updated Talent Bridge platform is built around practical partner needs:

• Skills-Aligned Matching: Candidates are matched by skills and role, letting teams focus on meaningful conversations instead of screening.
• Credential Visibility: Credly badges and centralized learning data offer clear insight into certifications and lab experience for better evaluation.
• Workflow Compatibility: Seamless integration with existing hiring tools—whether ATS or manual processes, ensures consistent workflows without disruption.
• Partner Branding: Custom landing pages let partners highlight their teams, culture, and benefits helping candidates see where they fit.
• Privacy and Compliance: Built with responsible data handling, the platform meets evolving global privacy and compliance standards.

Building for the Future—Together

We’re committed to evolving Talent Bridge alongside your needs. Our goal is to provide a scalable, trusted solution that reduces hiring complexity while strengthening the quality of your talent pipeline.

With Talent Bridge, you’re doing more than filling open roles—you’re building a skilled workforce ready to drive innovation, support customers, and fuel growth. Together, we’ll help your organization stay resilient, competitive, and prepared for what’s next.

Talent Bridge Launches July 13

Starting in the US, Mexico, the UK, Spain, the Philippines, India, and South Africa, Talent Bridge offers partners a streamlined, skills-focused way to discover and engage early-career talent within Cisco’s learning ecosystem. With expansion plans through 2027, the platform supports how Cisco’s global network builds and sustains strong talent pipelines.

Explore how Talent Bridge can transform your talent engagement—today and beyond.

We’d love to hear what you think. Ask a Question, Comment Below, and Stay Connected with #CiscoPartners on social!

Cisco Partners Facebook  |  @CiscoPartners X  |  Cisco Partners LinkedIn

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Sport can be much more than a game—it can be a powerful driver of education, inclusion, and opportunity. This is the shared conviction of Lenovo France and the Académie Diomède, founded by 1998 FIFA World Cup™ champion Bernard Diomède and his wife, Delphine. Through this partnership, Lenovo supports an initiative that helps nearly 300 young people each year build their future through a comprehensive educational and social program centered around sport.

Beyond athletic practice, the Academy places young people at the heart of everything it does, helping them build confidence, develop a sense of responsibility, and achieve academic success. In doing so, it equips them with the tools they need to thrive—both on the field and in their everyday lives.

Lenovo’s commitment to the Diomède Academy naturally complements its global partnership with the FIFA World Cup 2026™. While these collaborations take place in different contexts, they reflect the same belief: that sport is a powerful vehicle for learning, inclusion, and opportunity.

For Sophie Thibault, General Manager Lenovo France, this partnership fully reflects the company’s values:

“At Lenovo, we believe businesses have an important role to play in supporting initiatives that create a positive impact. The Diomède Academy empowers young people through a comprehensive program that strongly reflects our values. Our partnership with FIFA for the FIFA World Cup 2026™ also demonstrates our belief that sport has the power to bring people together, inspire, and create new opportunities. Supporting the Diomède Academy allows us to extend that commitment directly into local communities and to young people.”

A partnership built to last

Since the collaboration began in 2025, Lenovo France has actively participated in the Academy’s flagship events.

Employees have taken part in the Academy’s annual fundraising gala dinner, as well as the inaugural Diomède Padel Cup, further strengthening the relationship between Lenovo, the Academy, and the many partners working together to support its mission.

For Bernard Diomède, the involvement of corporate partners is essential to the Academy’s continued development:

“Our ambition is to make sport a true tool for education and personal development. The support of committed partners such as Lenovo enables us to continue this mission for young people. Beyond the partnership itself, seeing Lenovo employees actively involved in our events gives real meaning to this collaboration and helps bring our shared values to life.”

 

A standout first appearance at the Diomède Football Cup

This momentum continued in May 2026 with another milestone: Lenovo France’s first participation in the Diomède Football Cup, held at France’s National Football Centre in Clairefontaine.

Sixteen Lenovo employees took part in the event: eight players on the field, supported by eight colleagues who cheered on the team throughout the day.

Among the 17 participating companies, Lenovo stood out by fielding the only fully gender-balanced team. This initiative was recognized by both the organizers and the other participating teams, reflecting the company’s commitment to gender equality and inclusion.

Lenovo employees proudly represented the company in a spirit of camaraderie and respect. Their sportsmanship earned the team the Fair Play Trophy, presented by the Diomède Academy.

By supporting the Academy and encouraging employees to take part in its initiatives, Lenovo France reaffirms its commitment to projects that deliver meaningful and lasting impact. It is another way of bringing to life a shared vision—both on and off the field—where sport becomes a powerful driver of education, inclusion, and success.

Originally published in Wesco’s 2026 Sustainability Report

Wesco’s 2026 Sustainability Report features insights from Hemant Porwal Executive Vice President, Supply Chain and Operations on how the company is embedding sustainability into every aspect of its global supply chain and operations.

Strategic Vision and Business Impact:

How does focusing on sustainability strengthen Wesco’s role as a responsible corporate citizen?

Wesco’s position as a global supply chain solutions provider puts us at the intersection of industry, innovation and responsibility. Our sustainability program is woven into our business, from our operational footprint to the services we deliver. By integrating sustainability into our mission to build, connect, power and protect the world, Wesco demonstrates leadership and accountability to our customers, supplier partners, employees and communities.

Our commitment is reflected in measurable goals, such as reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and landfill waste intensity, advancing safety performance and aligning with international frameworks like the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs), International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) S2 and third parties like EcoVadis. We conduct biennial climate risk assessments and maintain robust governance structures, supporting transparency and continuous improvement. These efforts not only mitigate environmental impact but also foster trust, resilience and shared value across our stakeholder network.

Customer Engagement and Market Trends:

What demand are you seeing for more sustainable packaging solutions?

The demand for sustainable packaging continues to accelerate, driven by evolving customer expectations, regulatory requirements and sustainability commitments. Wesco is collaborating with suppliers to increase recycled content, reducing single-use materials and advancing circular economy initiatives. Efforts to reuse our INSTA-REEL® system, with regional recycling partnerships demonstrate our commitment to reducing packaging waste and promoting reuse.

Operational Excellence:

How does Wesco approach prioritizing sustainability initiatives for meaningful progress?

Wesco prioritizes sustainability initiatives by engaging stakeholders and focusing on areas with the greatest impact and relevance. Our roadmap includes aligning with emerging regulations, enhancing supplier performance evaluations and targeting high-impact areas such as emissions reduction, responsible sourcing and product compliance. Regular engagement with executive management and cross-functional leadership keeps sustainability central to our strategy and enables progress to be tracked and reported transparently.

Partnerships and Collaboration:

What makes partnerships effective in advancing sustainability?

Effective partnerships are essential to advancing sustainability at Wesco. By aligning shared goals and fostering close collaboration across our supply chain, we set clear expectations for responsible sourcing, environmental stewardship and ethical practices. Working side by side with suppliers, customers and industry experts, we co-create solutions for challenges like packaging innovation, waste reduction and renewable energy adoption — amplifying our collective impact and driving progress.

Our Responsible Sourcing Program and supplier initiatives promote accountability, innovation and continuous improvement. By sharing best practices, supporting supplier development and engaging with organizations that champion small business growth, Wesco builds a resilient and sustainable supply chain. These partnerships not only enhance supply chain resiliency and open new business opportunities but also help us deliver greater value for our customers and communities.

Operational Excellence:

How does Wesco optimize its supply chain to reduce environmental impact while lowering costs?

Wesco’s supply chain optimization is rooted in Lean process management and continuous improvement. We leverage cross- functional kaizen events, advanced route planning software and facility upgrades to reduce energy consumption and emissions. Our renewable energy investments, such as rooftop solar installations and utility alliances, are designed to decrease our carbon footprint while delivering operational savings. Digitalization of procurement and inventory management streamlines workflows, reduces paper use and lowers costs for our business partners. By embedding supplier check-points and leveraging data-driven decision support tools, Wesco underscores that sustainability and efficiency go hand in hand. We use analytics to improve our network, cut travel distances, place inventory near customers and move stock as needed to reduce scrap and obsolescence.

Read Wesco’s full 2026 Sustainability Report here

AMSTERDAM, HONG KONG, OAKLAND, Calif., August 7, 2026 /3BL/ – Cascale, the global nonprofit alliance uniting more than 300 members across the consumer goods industry, today announced the results of its 2026 Board of Directors election and member vote on amendments to the organization’s Bylaws.

Members elected three new Directors — one representing each of Cascale’s Brands & Retailers, Manufacturers, and Affiliate member caucuses — and approved governance updates designed to strengthen Board expertise and perspective while maintaining strong member representation.

Key Takeaways

• Nate Herman, Executive Vice President, American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA), was elected to represent the Affiliate member caucus.
• Abhishek Bansal, Senior Vice President, Sustainability & Innovation, Arvind Limited, was elected to represent the Manufacturer member caucus.
• Tobias Fischer, Senior Sustainability Adviser, H&M Group, was elected to represent the Brands & Retailers member caucus.
• Cascale members also approved amendments to the organization’s Bylaws intended to strengthen Board governance, broaden expertise and perspective, and maintain strong member representation.
• The newly elected Directors will be formally seated at Cascale’s Q3 Board meeting on September 18, 2026, in Athens.

“Cascale’s future will be shaped by the strength of the perspectives around the table. As we map our 10-year vision and strengthen 2030 strategy, Nate, Tobias, and Abhishek bring exactly the kind of practical expertise, credibility, and value-chain insight this moment requires. Their leadership will help us stay grounded in what creates real value for members, ask better questions, and turn collaboration into measurable progress for the industry,” said Ying McGuire, CEO of Cascale.

“This year’s election and member vote reflect the strength of Cascale’s member-led governance and the importance of an engaged membership in shaping the organization’s future. Welcoming new directors with diverse expertise strengthens the Board’s ability to govern with broader perspective, deeper industry insight, and long-term focus. The approved Bylaws amendments also give Cascale a thoughtful path to bring future independent directors — adding complementary experience while preserving meaningful member representation,” said Mallory McConnell, Vice President, Corporate Responsibility Operations at PVH Corp and Chair of Cascale’s Governance & Nomination Committee.

Meet Cascale’s Newly Elected Directors

Nate Herman is Executive Vice President at the American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA), where he helps steer the association’s strategic plan and oversees its policy, lobbying, and regulatory affairs work. With more than 20 years at AAFA and prior experience at the U.S. Department of Commerce, he brings deep expertise in trade, regulation, corporate social responsibility, and industry engagement. Herman will represent Cascale’s Affiliate member caucus.

“I am continuously encouraged by the progress we’ve made in sustainability and social responsibility, and by the collective commitment to building an industry that works better for both people and the planet. I have also learned that this work is never finished, and that the progress we’ve made has only been possible through collaboration. That’s why I’m especially proud to join the Cascale Board of Directors, a team dedicated to bringing the industry together, tackling shared challenges, and helping to drive meaningful impact,” said Herman.

Abhishek Bansal is Senior Vice President, Sustainability & Innovation at Arvind Limited, where he leads sustainability strategy across climate action, renewable energy, water stewardship, circularity, sustainable raw materials, and responsible supply chains. With more than two decades of experience in sustainability consulting and corporate leadership, he brings extensive experience advancing environmental and social strategies within textile and apparel manufacturing. Bansal will represent Cascale’s Manufacturer member caucus.

“Manufacturers play an essential role in turning sustainability commitments into operational reality, making their perspective critical to meaningful industry progress. Greater alignment across the value chain will be key to translating ambition into measurable outcomes while supporting long-term business resilience. I’m excited to bring that experience to the Board and help strengthen the value Cascale delivers to manufacturers and the broader industry,” said Bansal.

Tobias Fischer is Senior Sustainability Adviser at H&M Group, where he currently advises the Global Head of Sustainability. With more than two decades of experience spanning sustainability strategy, responsible supply chains, and sourcing across Asia, Africa, and Europe, he brings a global perspective shaped by work with brands, manufacturers, suppliers, and other stakeholders. Fischer will represent Cascale’s Brands & Retailers member caucus.

“For me, meaningful progress is about finding practical ways forward that organizations can confidently adopt and scale across their value chains. As sustainability requirements and stakeholder expectations continue to evolve, no company can solve these challenges alone. Strong collaboration and alignment across the industry will be critical. I’m looking forward to contributing to Cascale’s continued evolution and helping ensure it remains a valuable and trusted resource for members navigating this fast-changing environment,” said Fischer.

Advancing Cascale’s Governance Evolution

Alongside the Board election, eligible Voting Members approved amendments to Cascale’s Bylaws as part of the organization’s broader governance evolution. The updates are intended to strengthen Board governance, bring additional expertise and perspective into Cascale’s leadership, and clarify key governance provisions while maintaining strong member representation.

The vote builds on governance changes introduced earlier in 2026, including the establishment of the Technical Advisory Council (TAC) and Membership & Stakeholder Advisory Council (MAC). Together, these developments are intended to create clearer avenues for technical expertise, member and stakeholder perspectives, and independent insight to inform Cascale’s strategic direction and work.

What Happens Next

The newly elected Directors will be formally seated at Cascale’s Q3 Board meeting on September 18, 2026, in Athens, held in conjunction with the 2026 Cascale Annual Meeting. They will serve a three-year term.

Cascale also extends its sincere appreciation to Harsh Saini and Dr. Delman Lee, whose service on the Board will conclude in September.

Saini has represented Cascale’s Affiliate member caucus and also served as Interim CEO during an important period of organizational transition. Her leadership, continuity, and commitment helped guide Cascale through a pivotal chapter and supported the organization as it prepared for its next phase.

Lee has represented Cascale’s Manufacturer member caucus, bringing a valuable manufacturer perspective to the Board and helping ensure the realities and priorities of producers were reflected in Cascale’s governance and strategic discussions.

Cascale thanks both Saini and Lee for their leadership, service, and continued commitment to the organization and its mission. Cascale also extends its appreciation to all candidates who stood for election and to Voting Members who participated in this year’s governance process.

For more information about Cascale’s governance and to view the current Board of Directors, please visit our Governance webpage.

Media Contact: Forster Communications, cascaleforster@forster.co.uk

ABOUT CASCALE

Cascale is the global nonprofit industry alliance where consumer goods organizations turn shared sustainability ambitions into measurable progress at scale to combat climate change and support decent work for all. We unite 300 Corporate and Affiliate members in pre-competitive collaboration, turning shared measurement and collective action into reduced risk, stronger credibility, and long-term resilience. Our work is anchored by Cascale’s stewardship of the Higg Index frameworks (accessed through the Worldly technology platform), along with the Better Buying and Sustainable Furnishings Council tools.

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Originally published on ROI-NJ

When Lauren Thomas stepped into the role of Vice President of PSEG’s Clean Energy Solutions – Customer Solutions, she brought nearly two decades of experience across a wide range of roles at PSE&G.

As former Managing Director for Transmission and Substation Construction and Maintenance, she oversaw more than $1 billion in annual electric transmission and distribution capital investments, experience that now informs her leadership of a nearly $3.2 billion clean energy efficiency portfolio. 

Click here to read more on ROI-NJ

AIUD, Romania, August 7, 2026 /3BL/ – DP World has completed the first delivery of finished vehicles from Zeebrugge in Belgium to Aiud, Romania, launching a new rail corridor connecting western and southeastern Europe.

The initial shipment, destined for Chisinau, Moldova, is the first vehicle rail operation in Europe managed end-to-end by DP World. From Aiud, the vehicles will continue by road to their final destination. The company plans to use Aiud as a regional distribution hub for finished vehicles serving Romania and neighbouring markets.

 

The pilot forms part of DP World’s broader strategy to strengthen Aiud’s role as a regional automotive logistics hub. The company plans to introduce a regular service, with twice-monthly operations in the second half of 2026. DP World also plans to connect Aiud to other European ports, including Koper in Slovenia, in the same way.

The shift to intermodal transport delivers significant environmental benefits for customers, including up to a 55% reduction in CO₂ emissions compared to equivalent long-haul road transport. It also reduces exposure to cost volatility linked to evolving European road transport regulations and rising road usage charges across transit countries, while improving predictability by minimising cross-border administrative complexity.

Dragos Calin, Director Freight, Balkans at DP World, said: “Automotive companies are looking to reduce their exposure to long-distance road transport. By combining rail and road in a single integrated service, we are giving customers greater reliability, lower emissions and a solution that can scale as trade flows across Europe continue to evolve.”

Svitlana Balaban, CEO of DP World Romania, said: “Our strategy is to build a more connected European logistics network, creating new trade corridors and giving customers greater choice in how they move goods across the continent. Aiud is an important part of that vision, creating new links between western European ports and markets across southeastern Europe.”

The Aiud multimodal logistics terminal, opened in 2024 following DP World’s €21 million investment, is a 180,000 m² facility. Located adjacent to the A10 motorway and connected to Romania’s national rail network, the terminal provides container handling, storage, customs services and freight forwarding capabilities.
 

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For more insights into how DP World is reshaping global trade, visit our website: www.dpworld.com

For media enquiries, please contact:

Asude Sengul
Director, Communications
Asude.Sengul@dpworld.com
+90 530 0668768

Marnie Wilson
Manager, Media Relations
Marnie.Wilson@dpworld.com
+44 7353 109168

Follow DP World on:

X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/DP_World
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/dp-world
 

About DP World

DP World is reshaping the future of global trade to improve lives everywhere. Operating across six continents with a team of over 125,000 employees, we combine global infrastructure and local expertise to deliver seamless supply chain solutions. From Ports and Terminals to Marine Services, Logistics and Technology, we leverage innovation to create better ways to trade, minimizing disruptions from the factory floor to the customer’s door.

DP World’s European network spans over 250 locations in more than 30 countries, including deep sea ports, inland terminals, rail hubs and warehousing facilities. Through sustained investment in infrastructure, technology and people, we support more than 26,000 jobs and enable smarter, faster and more resilient trade across the continent.

WE MAKE TRADE FLOW