Tag: 3BL

Originally published January 25, 2024 in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and authored by Tammy Thomson, founding executive director of Catapult Greater Pittsburgh and Alexandra Rosen, senior director of GoDaddy Venture Forward.

Pittsburgh stands out as one of the fastest-growing areas for America’s smallest businesses, called microbusinesses. Microbusinesses are defined as those with a unique web domain, an active website, and most often fewer than 10 employees.

This kind of entrepreneurship has flourished since the onset of the pandemic in March 2020. In fact, 39% of microbusinesses started since 2020. And in Pittsburgh, Black women lead the charge.

Microbusiness in Pittsburgh

High unemployment and government-funded stimulus checks forced or motivated people to start businesses. The pandemic also provided people time to question what they wanted to do and challenged many to find new ways to make ends meet. This was especially true for women, particularly mothers who lacked childcare options.

Research from Venture Forward offers a deeper view into Pittsburgh’s microbusinesses. There are currently more than 167,000 such businesses in Allegheny County, a number that has nearly tripled since September 2019.

About 144,000 of those call the city of Pittsburgh home. Excluding the owner, each microbusiness creates about seven jobs at the county-level. Job creation stems from direct and indirect hiring and more money in the community.

Additionally, the research found that:

More than two-thirds of microbusinesses contribute at least 25% of the owner’s total household income.59% of microbusinesses in Pittsburgh needed under $5,000 to get started. Raising that small amount of capital wasn’t easy. In fact, 24% of microbusiness owners who needed less than $1,000 found it difficult to raise the funds.75% of microbusiness entrepreneurs in Pittsburgh didn’t know about any business assistance programs. Only 14% of owners believe local policies effectively support their business.About 80% of Pittsburgh microbusiness owners left a job to become an entrepreneur or started their business as a side-hustle.

Ways to help entrepreneurs

According to the research, focusing on a few areas helps the new class of entrepreneurs succeed. Areas to focus include: better access to funding, affordable and reliable broadband, and digital skills training such as website creation.

Pittsburgh’s microbusinesses thrive thanks to groups like Catapult Greater Pittsburgh, which one of us directs. The organization was formed to create intentional opportunities for wealth building.

For example, Aquene Watkins-Wise knew her business, Royally Fit, needed to expand into a physical location. But she didn’t know where to start. She turned to Catapult. She graduated from our Startup to Storefront program and then participated in a retail incubator program. She is now working with Catapult seeking a permanent brick and mortar space to grow her retail business.

Venture Forward’s research found the number of Black women entrepreneurs in Allegheny County almost doubled since 2020. Black women entrepreneurs were the only group that grew during that timeframe. This data aligns with national trends and Catapult Greater Pittsburgh’s insights.

Roughly 95% of Catapult Greater Pittsburgh participants are Black women, and 90% are Black, single moms.  Most started their business out of necessity to supplement their total household income. Digital entrepreneurship helps close equity gaps and creates accessible opportunities for all.

Where do these women conduct their business? 47% of women entrepreneurs in Pittsburgh are online-only. In 2020, many Catapult Greater Pittsburgh women participants didn’t have a website. The lockdown pushed them into building one. The result — a successful and growing group of Black women elevating the Pittsburgh economy.

Digital presence

A digital presence continues to be a key asset for modern business owners to expand their customer base. Venture Forward research finds 25% of microbusiness entrepreneurs use their website for sales and 19% for bookings.

That number is more than 50% higher for Black entrepreneurs and about 20% higher for women-owned businesses. Black-owned and women-owned businesses are also more likely to have nationwide customers.

Microbusinesses contribute to the broader economy in many ways. When we shift what defines an entrepreneur and what size of businesses drive impact, we shift the whole economy.

Read the article on GoDaddy’s Venture Forward Research Initiative

On this episode of Healthy Outcomes, host Mark Ross interviews Ed Ricks, a director in Baker Tilly’s Healthcare Solutions Practice. Ed is a former Healthcare System CIO and COO. Together, they discussed several topics related to the overall healthcare environment with a significant lean towards IT related matters.

Specific topics of discussion include:

The impact of recent ransomware and information security breaches related to healthcare provider organizations.

How healthcare systems are responding to decrease the impact of these events.

The current state of healthcare IT

How healthcare systems can optimize their IT environment

Healthcare M&A activity and if it hast resulted in improved efficiencies

What Ed misses and doesn’t miss about being in the role of CIO at a healthcare system organization.

Connect with a member of the Baker Tilly healthcare team or visit bakertilly.com to learn more!

Originally published on Aflac Newsroom

Early in my career, I was leading a global HR function and traveling all over the world to help open facilities in various countries. It was a very intense job — when I wasn’t on a plane, I was commuting almost three hours a day — but it was work for which I felt proud and enjoyed.

The company presented an opportunity to participate in a leadership training program that emphasized the importance of work-life balance across professional life, family life, community involvement and self-care. Each of us drew a button with four holes, one for each of those four categories. The size of the hole was supposed to represent how much time and energy we were spending on that particular category.

My button had only three holes: an extra-large one for work; two very tiny ones that represented family life and self-care; and community was missing entirely. I loved my job at the time, but that one exercise made me realize that I was placing too much focus on just that one aspect of my life at the expense of quality time in other, more important areas.

I have carried this analogy with me throughout my career and use it regularly to help ensure I integrate each of these facets in a more deliberate way — especially now that the topic of burnout is more top of mind than ever before.

In fact, the recent Aflac WorkForces Report confirmed what I knew to be true from my own experience then and what many Americans are experiencing today — it showed that 74% of American workers are stressed, and 57% currently face at least moderate levels of burnout.

Now that I’m in a position to influence change and help ensure the well-being of those at my workplace, I have some advice that helped me in my journey to build mental wellness at work:

Draw your own button. The only way to know what you need to do is to assess where you are today. Draw a button with four holes representing your professional life, family life, community involvement and self-care, and make the size of each hole bigger or smaller based on how much of your time is spent in each category. Use that to find where you need to adjust how you spend your time and energy. Know that your priorities will likely change based on life circumstances. So, use this analogy over time as your think about priorities.Get to know your benefits. Trying to understand your benefits in a time of distress can create more stress. If you have access to benefits, take time to learn them so you can take advantage of available services, apps and classes dedicated to enhancing your mental health. Some employers even provide programs that address other aspects — such as financial, social and physical wellness — that can also play a role in mental health.Find the line. There is a fine line between beneficial stress that leads to growth and stress that leads to burnout. I’ve learned that mental wellness is like physical wellness in a lot of ways. Much like strength training helps build muscle, mentally challenging work can help build resilience. But in that same vein, working out too hard or too often can put you at risk for injury, just as being overwhelmed with daily responsibilities with no chance for rest can put you at risk for burnout. The line between the two is different for everyone, but it’s important to find where it is for you.Use your PTO. If you’re in the workforce, you may earn paid time off (PTO) — use it. Whether you take a big, weeklong trip or just a day to unplug at home, use that time to reset and recharge. (And if you manage employees, encourage them to use their PTO, especially if it’s at risk of expiring. Having that level of support from leadership goes a long way in building trust.)Get your health checkups. Whether you feel fine or not, it’s always important to get your regular checkups — they help ensure you’re in good health, and they present opportunities to have open conversations with health care professionals about building mental wellness.

Work is a significant part of who we are — after all, we spend at least a third of our weekdays at work — but it’s important to remember that it is just one component of who we are and just one component of what impacts our mental health. Set aside time regularly to take stock of where your time and energy are going, so that you can ensure you’re bringing your best self across all areas of life.

Aflac includes American Family Life Assurance Company of Columbus and American Family Life Assurance Company of New York 
Aflac WWHQ | 1932 Wynnton Road | Columbus, GA 31999

Z2400481

Originally published by TriplePundit

Did you know that every handful of M&M’s or package of Ben’s Original you eat not only tastes good, but does good too? Social responsibility is not only good for business, but it’s increasingly expected by the American public. More than half (55 percent) of U.S. consumers say companies should be involved with social, environmental and political issues, according to a recent study from Harvard Business School. Additionally, 75 percent of respondents consider it somewhat or very important for companies to improve the world. When it comes to bottom lines, reputation with external and community stakeholders has a significant influence on corporate earnings.

With this commitment in mind, leadership across Mars and its family of brands are working to identify opportunities to leverage their influence in support of underserved communities. Through several initiatives across its portfolio, Mars is focusing its resources to bolster diversity, equity and inclusion for both employees and consumers.

In doing so, the company launched programming to support women entrepreneurs, artists, and Black college students among others, to help lift them toward their goals.

“This is all happening across Mars, driving a societal positive impact,” said Marissa Viola, senior director of brand and content at Mars Wrigley.

For example, the iconic Mars brand M&M’S launched the M&M’S FUNDd last year in an effort to help increase the sense of belonging for 10 million people internationally by 2025. “We’re showing up to support fans across the world,” Viola said. That support includes resources, mentorship, opportunities and financial support in the arts and entertainment spaceBut that’s not all.

To celebrate and uplift women globally, this year M&M’S launched Flipping the Status Quo, honoring women who are positively impacting their communities. In March, 20 women were selected, and each was awarded $10,000 to support their work. Mars and M&M’S later offered a similar program to its vast network of more than 140,000 associates from around the world, and invited them to nominate co-workers who are flipping the status quo by building a more inclusive world and helping women reach their full potential.

“We’re looking for women who are doing something new in their industries — whether it’s STEM or fashion,” the company wrote in its call for external applicants. “We want to help them further uplift their missions to help everyone feel like they belong.”

The Dove brand also celebrates women entrepreneurs with the two-year-old Dove InstaGrants program, awarding three female entrepreneurs each year with a $10,000 grant to help support their business ventures. 

“Ultimately, we feel that fostering an inclusive brand can help shine a light on women and the issues they stand for,” Viola said. “We’re not just using ads, but actually acting to lift women to the next level.”

Mars is also working to create opportunities for underserved groups across its portfolio — from snacks and food, to pet nutrition and veterinary health.

The Ben’s Original brand, for example, runs its Seat at the Table Fund, a $2 million scholarship program to help African American college students eager to work in the food industry. Co-sponsored by UNCF (the United Negro College Fund) and National Urban League, successful candidates receive funding for educational expenses for associate, bachelor’s or certificate programs in culinary arts or food science.

“African American students often face more financial obstacles and lack access to networking opportunities and mentorships that are critical to career success,” said Kristen Campos, vice president of corporate affairs for Mars Food and Nutrition in North America. “It’s inspiring that Mars recognizes the need for change and is taking action toward it.”

Investing in young people with aspirations in the food space also helps to bolster the future of businesses like Mars. “Supporting and empowering young professionals from a diverse range of disciplines and backgrounds will help bring the brightest minds to our business and set us up for continued growth and future success,” Campos said. “The Seat at the Table Scholarship Fund will have a lasting impact on scholarship recipients by helping to provide them with support for higher education and opportunities they deserve.” 

In March 2021, eight U.S. students were each awarded the first $25,000 annual grants. Since then, the program has been expanded to include students in the United Kingdom and Canada. The grants can be renewed each year.

“Mars and Ben’s Original Seat at the Table Scholarship provided me with the financial support and community I need to fully engage in my academics and push myself further in my studies,” said Chai Comrie, a student in Florida A&M University’s College of Agriculture and Food Sciences and a Seat at the Table scholarship recipient. “I am grateful to be able to solely focus on my education as a result of this scholarship.”

Every year, Mars strives to introduce resources to consumers and employees that help them achieve their personal ambitions and make their mark on greater society, Campos said. “I’m proud to work for a company like Mars that invests in underrepresented individuals and communities by providing access to — and creating opportunities for —new and diverse talent and empowering them to pursue their dreams.”

This article series is sponsored by Mars and produced by the TriplePundit editorial team.

(Image credit: New Africa/Adobe Stock and Mars)

Originally published on Essity.com

Essity’s Commitment to Sustainability

Essity improves the well-being of people and societies, through leading hygiene and health solutions. Sustainability is integrated into our strategy and is a priority for long-term profitable growth.

As one of the world’s leading hygiene and health companies, we have the reach, and the obligation to contribute to society, and integrating sustainability into business processes. Our offering increasingly becomes a pre-requisite of doing business. As Essity is impacting the environment along the full supply chain, we aim to minimize that impact by decarbonizing our business and maintaining healthy eco-systems, while contributing to a more inclusive society.

Essity is committed to achieving net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 and has set ambitious Science Based Targets for Scope 1, 2 and 3, covering both our own operations and our suppliers’ value chains. We are working intensively to reach our targets with clear KPIs and various initiatives in all parts of our business. Through innovation, we solve challenges in the value chain and for our products and solutions. Building on our near-term target for 2030, we are scaling up our actions using our expertise and dedication.

Still, no single company can take on the climate crisis or societal barriers alone. Therefore, we cooperate with suppliers, customers, consumers, governments, NGOs, experts, and industry peers to drive the change we urgently need.

This is our commitment and contribution.

Magnus Groth,
President and CEO, Essity

The name Essity stems from the words “essentials” and “necessities”. Hygiene and health are the essence of well-being. As a global, leading hygiene and health company, we offer products and services that are essential to people’s everyday lives. That is why we are called Essity.

Read more about Essity’s strategic priorities, earnings and leading sustainability work in the Annual and Sustainability Report 2023, which can be downloaded at www.essity.com.

Originally published on about.bnef.com

Financial institutions are inadequately prepared to assess and manage nature-related risk, with just 1% discussing the potential threats and opportunities in company filings. This is despite growing awareness of how ecosystems underpin economic value generation and the environmental harm caused by many business operations, with some G-20 countries rolling out voluntary guidance on nature or imposing mandatory regulation. As policymakers incorporate broader environmental considerations into legislation, banks and investors will be compelled to better understand how to manage nature-related risks in their portfolios and processes.

With global biodiversity declining faster than at any point in human history, both physical and transition nature-related risks have become more material to financial institutions’ investing strategies.An April 2024 survey by the Global Association of Risk Professionals (GARP) found that the majority of financial institutions lack sophistication in their approach to managing nature-related risk, far behind the equivalent strategic engagement with climate. The same report notes that only 17% of banks and asset managers are using metrics, targets or limits to assess drivers of nature-related risks, while 75% of the same entities are yet to identify nature-related risks or opportunities.

BNEF clients can access the full report here.

About BloombergNEF

BloombergNEF (BNEF) is a strategic research provider covering global commodity markets and the disruptive technologies driving the transition to a low-carbon economy. Our expert coverage assesses pathways for the power, transport, industry, buildings and agriculture sectors to adapt to the energy transition. We help commodity trading, corporate strategy, finance and policy professionals navigate change and generate opportunities.

Originally published on U.S. Bank company blog

For many people, life’s most helpful knowledge comes from learning on the job. Through its support of the California Restaurant Foundation’s “Experience Hospitality” initiative, U.S. Bank is supporting job training for high-school students pursuing a career in the restaurant industry. 

The innovative initiative recently provided 500 students from throughout the state with an opportunity to tour the headquarters of a California-based hospitality company. Each student is enrolled in the ProStart program – a two-year, industry-backed culinary arts and restaurant management program for high school students. The tours included everything from iconic brands like Wienerschnitzel to the California beach hotel brand Pacifica Hotels. 

In addition to the tours, students were treated to lunch and an opportunity to hear from company founders, head chefs, presidents and other executives in finance, marketing, human resources and other areas of operation.  

In Ventura, California, students toured the offices of Urbane Café, a growing fast-casual restaurant chain specializing in hearty salads and sandwiches crafted from a hearth oven. They met with founder and CEO Tom Holt, along with a team of executives and employees. Holt discussed the origins of the company and the founding principles that keep it grounded in service.

“We strive for every customer that walks through our doors to leave with a fulfilling experience,” said Holt. “That includes not only a healthy meal made with quality ingredients, but an experience that makes them feel at home and wanting to come back and see us again.”

Holt stressed the importance of training his employees to pay attention to the little details that make every customer’s experience a memorable one. The sentiment was repeated by nearly all of the employees who spoke, a testament to the company’s customer-centric focus. 

During the tours, students also met with a team of small business specialists from U.S. Bank to learn more about what it takes to start a business, including components of a business plan and different ways to access capital to fund a business. U.S. Bank has proudly supported the California Restaurant Foundation since 2017 and was encouraged by the level of engagement in its inaugural Experience Hospitality event. 

“U.S Bank is proud to support the Experience Hospitality program as part of our efforts to encourage workforce development in California,” said Rockette Ewell, vice president and U.S. Bank community affairs manager for California. “Our team is passionate about sharing financial literacy insights with students and delighted to join them on the immersive and enriching behind the scenes tours that are sure to open new doors and broaden career horizons.”

To learn more about how U.S Bank is making Community Possible through partnering with nonprofits, visit usbank.com/communitypossible. 

May 30, 2024 /3BL/ – VolunteerMatch, the leading platform for volunteer engagement, today announced its partnership with Rayze, a positive social media app founded by former Buccaneers outside linebacker and captain, Carl Nassib.

Designed to celebrate positivity and community, Rayze is on a mission to create a new kind of social media app, and has partnered with VolunteerMatch to help grow volunteer service in local communities nationwide. VolunteerMatch’s API is integrated directly into Rayze, putting thousands of nonprofit opportunities in the hands of Rayze users – inspiring acts of service with a wide array of vetted nonprofit opportunities that can be filtered based on location, causes, skills, and more.

“We are striving to be a catalyst that changes the face of social media and we see VolunteerMatch as a critical partner in this effort,” said Nassib.”I will never forget volunteering with the Buccaneers at a juvenile delinquent center back in 2018 — it was such a powerful experience, it benefited the kids, the community and it changed the trajectory of my life. I have since made it my mission to connect people and communities, leveraging positive social media as a force for good and positive change – particularly among young people. We want to get them off their phones and out into the world.”

Rayze’s partnership with VolunteerMatch comes at a pivotal time. According to the U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy in his report on the healing effects of social connection and community, there is ample evidence that social media can pose a risk of harm to children and adolescents – and up to 95% of 13-17 year olds report using at least one social media platform. But a growing body of research shows that the act of volunteering can help address an epidemic of personal isolation and disconnection that is perpetuated by social media. Put simply, volunteering helps people of all ages engage with their communities and foster meaningful relationships – improving personal well-being and life satisfaction while reducing depression, which benefits the communities where they live and work.

“It is an honor and a privilege to join Carl and the Rayze team in their quest to improve the lives of people through positive connection and community service,” said VolunteerMatch Chief Growth Officer Erika Blaney. “For more than a quarter of a century, VolunteerMatch has served as a bridge to connect millions of people to countless nonprofits – but the pandemic, social media and socio-political forces have created a firestorm of isolation and disconnection. We need to get back out into a world that needs each one of us – our participation in volunteer acts will foster a ripple effect of increased human connection, kindness, and empathy that enriches all aspects of our lives and our communities. Our mission is more critical and urgent than ever before.”

As a VolunteerMatch partner, Rayze joins some of the nation’s most notable organizations promoting impact and change in communities throughout the U.S. and abroad. Notable partners that leverage the VolunteerMatch API include corporate social responsibility platforms Benevity, Bonterra, BlackBaud, Fidelity Charitable, Bright Funds, Percent Pledge, along with numerous digital leaders, including LinkedIn and The Weather Channel. Prospective partners can learn more an get in touch with VolunteerMatch at https://solutions.volunteermatch.org/product/partners 

VolunteerMatch 

Founded in 1998, VolunteerMatch puts the power of technology to good use by enabling the social sector, and has successfully unlocked more than $14 billion worth of volunteer time since its inception. With more than 80,000 volunteer opportunities available at www.volunteermatch.org and delivered via its API, VolunteerMatch connects nonprofits with an average of 105 volunteers per hour. With more than 18 million volunteers to date, the award-winning nonprofit service has become the largest and most popular volunteer recruiting platform at volunteermatch.org.

About Rayze 

Rayze is a mobile platform designed to transform how people and companies give, engage and volunteer with nonprofits. Rayze connects nonprofits with the individuals eager to fund their work, volunteer for their programs and champion their causes. Founded by Carl Nassib, Rayze was created out of a real-life volunteering experience he had during his time in Tampa Bay and promotes only positive engagement. Rayze features nonprofits such as Trevor Project and United Way and can be found on the App Store. New organizations can sign up on Rayze for free at rayzeapp.com!

Originally published in the SEE Impact Report 2022

SEE Automated Tire Wrap Solution

Reducing plastic waste while improving labor efficiency and product velocity

To meet the growing challenge of manual sortation processes and plastic waste in tire packaging operations, SEE created the world’s first automated tire wrapping solution designed to eliminate special handling fees for their customers and prevent rolling of tires to ensure safety and equipment integrity during the sorting and delivery process. Custom engineered using SteathWrap™ shrink wrapping technology, the application combines PE recyclable film with a corrugate tray and ultrasonic welded bond. The finished pack reduces plastic material weight by 65% compared to the PVC nonrecyclable film solution, easily conveys through UPS sortation facilities with no additional handling required, and eliminates safety concerns from rolling tires. This solution reduces labor requirements by 60%, saves warehouse space, and can increase fulfillment velocity up to 7X.

BUBBLE WRAP® Brand High-Recycled Content Cushioning With Circular Resin

Partnering to deliver scalable circular solutions across the retail value chain

SEE is partnering with a national retail customer and large recycler to create the first BUBBLE WRAP® brand high-recycled content cushioning with circular resins. The cushioning has a minimum of 60% post-industrial recycled content and 30% circular post-consumer recycled material—adding up to 90% recycled content.

This collaboration transforms plastic waste into highperforming, cost-effective, sustainable packaging. It diverts the customer’s distribution waste, including BUBBLE WRAP® brand cushioning and other polyethylene films, and then recycles and reuses it in the packaging SEE supplies to them.

Incorporating circular resin into BUBBLE WRAP® brand cushioning helps this customer meet its sustainability goals and increases its brand reputation without sacrificing product protection and performance. This partnership increases the use of recycled content and reduces the virgin material needed in shipping materials. It also validates the viability of a circular system based on mechanical recycling and mass balance attribution.

Our circular business model creates costefficiencies and new sources of recycled content, as well as boosts the marketable value of plastic packaging. By closing the loop, we create benefits for partners across the value chain.

Fortem® Biopharmaceutical Film

Scalable solutions for biopharmaceuticals

Developed specifically for bioprocessing applications and exclusively licensed to Cytiva, a technology and services provider for biotherapeutics, Fortem® biopharmaceutical film is engineered and patented by SEE as an inert film platform suitable for upstream bioprocessing. The 10-layer architecture provides structural integrity for control of extractables and leachables. The film was developed to maintain critical performance attributes, such as container integrity and gas barrier properties, under forces associated with rocking bioreactors and liquid transport. It’s produced in SEE’s ISO 7 cleanroom and maintained to class 100 particulate levels.

CRYOVAC® Brand Darfresh® Mono-PET Rollstock

Reducing waste across the supply chain and extending product shelf life

Developed for JBS Foods Australia to keep its Swift brand lamb cutlets secure for optimum presentation and protection, CRYOVAC® brand Darfresh® mono-PET rollstock leverages specially formulated high-barrier top and bottom webs to create a vacuum skin that fits around the product, leading to less waste across the supply chain. By reducing the thickness of the tray, 5,000 kilograms (kg) of plastic is eliminated each year.

The tamper-evident clear pack, which allows consumers to see both sides of the product, is designed to prevent physical and microbial spoilage and deliver an extended fresh-chilled shelf life of 18 days. Collectively, the program has enabled the recovery of more than 60,000kg of packaging through council curbside collection programs. The solution earned gold in the food packaging category and silver in the sustainable packaging category at the 2023 Australasian Packaging Innovation & Design Awards.

Read the full SEE Impact Report 2022

Anyone can be a manufacturer! Whether you are just starting out or transitioning your career path, the manufacturing industry presents opportunities for success. Hear the stories of Saint-Gobain team members who built their careers in manufacturing and thrived!

Watch the Saint-Gobain video series Success in the Making here

About Saint-Gobain

Worldwide leader in light and sustainable construction, Saint-Gobain designs, manufactures and distributes materials and services for the construction and industrial markets. Its integrated solutions for the renovation of public and private buildings, light construction and the decarbonization of construction and industry are developed through a continuous innovation process and provide sustainability and performance. The Group’s commitment is guided by its purpose, “MAKING THE WORLD A BETTER HOME”.

€47.9 billion in sales in 2023 
160,000 employees, locations in 76 countries 
Committed to achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050