Tag: 3BL

Automobiles, satellites, and home appliances are more reliable, durable, and visually appealing because of the adhesives made at Henkel’s Cleveland, Ohio facility. This manufacturing facility is one of the company’s most important sites for silicone, epoxy, and acrylate production. Running around the clock, five days a week, the highly skilled team at this plant is responsible for manufacturing more than 750 different formulations shipped globally to enable products that make life more mobile, beautiful, and comfortable. Learn more in this segment of #AViewFrom: Cleveland, OH.

Powered by 158 dedicated employees, Henkel’s Cleveland, OH operation manufactures epoxies, silicones, and acrylates for various automotive, aerospace, electronics, and consumer applications. Car tires, satellite control modules, EV batteries, and glass stovetops are just a few of the end products supported by materials from this plant. A dynamic operation, the staff’s know-how, precision manufacturing systems, and leadership ingenuity make Cleveland an inspiring place to work, essential to the markets it serves, and a vital part of the Henkel Adhesive Technologies network.

We have a team that embraces change and challenge. The operational complexity, the depth of knowledge required for what we make here, the impact our materials have on people’s lives… these are big responsibilities. No day is the same, everyone’s ideas are valued, and we are all in it to win. That’s what makes it tough, rewarding, and exciting. Cleveland has a history of solid performance, and we are building a future of greatness underpinned by trust.

Aaron LeGars, Director of Plant Operations

Henkel’s Cleveland site is one of the company’s most historic, having been a LOCTITE® plant since its founding in 1962. It comprises two primary production areas that house nearly 80 pieces of equipment and a team of knowledgeable manufacturing professionals. Now in the midst of a top-to-bottom renovation that includes everything from operational systems to refurbished break rooms, Henkel is committed to ensuring this critical 200,000 sq. ft. site is built for the future, culturally vibrant, and sustainable.

Thomas Pickett, Continuous Improvement Manager, is overseeing much of the transformation, managing operational systems, 5S quality initiatives, and scrap reduction. “We are the North American pilot site for Smart Factory systems, driving overall equipment efficiency, ensuring resource preservation, and reducing waste,” says Tom, noting significant progress in these areas. “Since July 2022, the plant’s water use has been reduced by 500,000 gallons annually, and the Cleveland site participates in Henkel’s zero waste to landfill program. We have made great strides, but we’re just getting started. It’s exciting to think about what this facility will look like in the not-too-distant future. I’m thrilled to be a part of it.”

A CULTURE OF EMPOWERMENT AND COACHING:

Facility leadership sets the cultural tone, and the management team comprising many new members in Cleveland is empowering. As Human Resources Manager, April Burton-Welch, explains, “Our leadership team will not let us sink, they will not let us float, we have to swim. They coach us through situations, listen to ideas, collaboratively develop solutions, and take full responsibility for the operation. It is refreshing, motivating, and fosters transparency and trust.”

DID YOU KNOW:

If you drive a car in North America, you probably have products from Henkel’s Cleveland site in your vehicle – in multiple places!

Adhesives made at the Cleveland plant are used in a variety of unique applications including on the interior, exterior and mechanical features of automobiles.

To celebrate National Blood Donor Month, AEG’s LA Kings partnered with Children’s Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA) to host four blood drives that collected over 55 units of blood. The drives were held outside CHLA and Crypto.com Arena, and donors who participated in the drives received two tickets to a future LA Kings game of their choice.

“With national blood supplies critically low, the LA Kings are honored to partner with CHLA on these blood drives and raise awareness about the situation,” said Amanda Apel, Senior Director of Community Relations, LA Kings. “One donation of blood can save up to three lives and every donation helps. We are proud to do our part to help to support those in need.”

Children’s Hospital Los Angeles is at the forefront of pediatric medicine, offering acclaimed care to children from across the world, the country, and the greater Southern California region. Founded in 1901, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles is the largest provider of care for children in Los Angeles County, the No. 1 pediatric hospital in California and the Pacific region and is consistently ranked in the top 10 in the nation on U.S. News & World Report’s Honor Roll of Best Children’s Hospitals. To learn more about CHLA, please click here.

Through the Kings Care Foundation, the LA Kings are dedicated to providing health, educational and recreational opportunities for youth throughout Greater Los Angeles. To learn more about the LA Kings social impact work and Kings Care Foundation, click here.

Hello – I’m Stephanie Conzelman, Stakeholder Engagement Director with ekō Solutions, a Land Betterment company. Recently, I met up with James Jackson, ekō Solutions’ Boutique Retreat Portfolio Manager. This is a quick read which enables us to learn a little more about James and why ekō Solutions is rapidly expanding its boutique up-cycled shipping container vacation rental division.

Q: What is ekō Solutions doing that is unique?

A: Wow, there are many things that differentiate ekō Solutions from the others. I think the most important differentiator is our attention to “smart details.” We have created vacation rental communities using “double-recycled” shipping containers which are cool, sleek, modern and really comfortable. Double-recycled means that these containers were once used to transport goods across the Atlantic, then were used to house victims of natural disasters and now act as vacation properties.

Some of our properties are themed based as well which has been well received by our guests. The possibilities are endless- pastel colors and themes for our costal properties, or team colors for our sport enthusiasts, or hunting themes, etc. But the common thread in all our units is a welcoming atmosphere.

Also, many of our villages are in remote areas which helps our guests disconnect and relax. In fact, one property is 20 minutes from the nearest gas station. So really, it’s a best of both worlds’ scenario – convenience meets a “get away from it all vacation.”

Q: Why is a shipping container good to use for rental vacation properties?

A: Well for the guest, they are always looking for unique experiences and our properties provide that. Some folks like our models because they are like a camper and provide a glamping experience. Our guests are in the outdoors away from it all, but they didn’t have to drag their RV with them and/or pitch a tent. Instead, they went on a booking site, made a reservation and all the other details are taken care of. People love staying in our units. Not only are they modern but they are sustainable.

Additionally, these units are mobile, consistent, and easy for our team to replicate expeditiously.

Q: As the Portfolio Manager of the ekō Solutions boutique retreats, what does your role entail?

A: I wear many hats, but in short, I manage the units from sales to upkeep and everything in between. I love everything about this role, particularly getting to know our customer’s likes and dislikes. This has really helped us roll out units that our customers want.

Q: Is there anything else you would like our readers to know?

A: Absolutely! Shipping container dwellings are real! Often people tell me that they thought this was just a social media phenomenon and humans didn’t really dwell in re-purposed shipping containers. Well, I am here to tell you that ekō Solutions’ shipping containers are real. In fact, they are super cool and make for such a fun and relaxing vacation. I invite our readers to visit any one of our listing partners to see the units. Our rentals are available through Airbnb, Booking.com, Peerspace, Giggster and misterb&b.

In addition to managing ekō Solutions’ boutique rental retreats, James is the Co-founder of Block Experience Solutions, a modular structure design and development company. James, a Birmingham Alabama native, earned a BA in Communications with a minor in Mass Media from Henderson State University in Birmingham Alabama.

About ekō Solutions 
ekō Solutions, a Land Betterment Company, is a sustainable development company utilizing innovative, low-cost, up-cycled shipping container structures to provide durable, high-end solutions to the building marketplace while also maintaining the ability to be utilized in a mobile environment. ekō Solutions uses innovative ecological structures to replace legacy inefficient and ineffective methods of living, growing and working. The sustainable craftsmanship of our up-cycled shipping container structures is what separates us from the alternatives. Our structures are suitable for residential, crisis recovery, commercial and recreation use. For more information visit ekosolutionsllc.com and connect with ekō Solutions on Facebook, LinkedIn and X.

About Land Betterment Corporation 
Land Betterment Corporation, an Indiana Benefit Corporation and Certified B Corp, is an environmental solutions company focused on fostering a positive impact through upcycling former coal mining and industrial sites to create sustainable community development and job creation. The Company utilizes a complete solution-based lifecycle program to restore and rehabilitate the environment and revitalize communities in need of change and opportunity. Land Betterment accomplishes this by identifying un-reclaimed, run-down and neglected coal mining sites, fixing the environment through reclamation and remediation, and then repurposing the land to support a sustainable business that serves the community. Land Betterment firmly believes that with real solutions it is possible for restoration of impacted areas to live side-by-side long term employment, while building sustainable and safe surroundings for communities and our planet. For more information visit landbetterment.com or connect with the Company on Facebook, X and LinkedIn.

Contacts: 
Mark LaVerghetta 
317.537.0492 ext. 0 
Chief Governance Officer, Corporate Finance 
info@landbetterment.com

Stephanie Conzelman 
207.205.0790 
Stakeholder Engagement Director 
info@landbetterment.com

Zak Owens 
Fleur de Lis Communications 
502.386.5704 
zak@fdlcomms.com

January 31, 2024 /3BL/ – The Beverage Industry Environmental Roundtable (BIER) completed its 12th global benchmarking study – a comprehensive quantitative and qualitative analysis of water, energy, and emissions efficiency in the beverage industry. In its 12 benchmarking studies, BIER has evaluated 18 years of industry performance for nearly 2,000 facilities worldwide. The final results represent a comprehensive set of production, water, energy, and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions metrics which are normalized, categorized, and analyzed by facility and beverage type.

The 2023 benchmarking study includes facility-level data for 2017, 2020, and 2022 from 14 BIER members and two partner contributors.

From 2017 to 2022, industry water use, energy use, and emissions ratios decreased by 8%, 11%, and 22%, respectively, notwithstanding increased production volumes. Most of all four facility types (i.e., breweries, distilleries, wineries, and bottling facilities) reported improvements in performance ratios compared to 2017. The study also showcased continued progress across a variety of production volumes and geographic locations.

“The release of the twelfth BIER Benchmarking study is another milestone achievement for the global beverage industry’s continuing efforts to be proactive and transparent about their environmental sustainability performance. The BIER benchmarking study continues to be a valuable resource for beverage companies and industry leaders to evaluate and advance water, energy, and carbon emissions within their organizations.” ~ Daniel Pierce, BIER Executive Director

BIER is committed to the continuous improvement and mitigation of environmental impacts associated with global beverage production processes. This commitment is demonstrated first-hand through the benchmarking study, which drives industry-wide collaboration, accountability, and performance improvement from each of the BIER participating members.

The complete 2023 Water, Energy, and Emissions Efficiency Benchmarking Study can be downloaded at https://www.bieroundtable.com/publication/2023-water-and-energy-use-benchmarking-study/

About BIER
BIER is a technical coalition of leading global beverage companies working together to advance environmental sustainability within the beverage sector. Formed in 2006, BIER is a common voice across the beverage sector, speaking to influence global standards on environmental sustainability aspects most relevant to the sector, affect change both up and down the supply chain, and share best practices that raise the bar for environmental performance of the industry. By doing so, BIER is able to monitor data and trends, engage with key stakeholders, develop best practices, and guide a course of action for the future. BIER members include Anheuser-Busch InBev, Bacardi, Beam Suntory, Brown-Forman, Carlsberg Group, The Coca-Cola Company, Constellation Brands, Diageo, Heineken, Keurig Dr Pepper, LION, Molson Coors, Monster, Ocean Spray Cranberries, PepsiCo, and Pernod Ricard. For more information, visit www.bieroundtable.com.

January 31, 2024 /3BL/ – AEG’s eco-social initiative, FAME FOREST, brought together interfaith leaders, performers and the general public to create the world’s first digital mandala symbolizing inclusion. The event was produced in cooperation with renowned German sound artist Sven Meyers, who is known for his spectacular performance installation, KYMAT.

Under the direction of the Hamburg-based musical trio Sons of Hamburg, Joja Wendt, Stefan Gwildis, and Rolf Claussen,nearly hundred people including Lilo Wanders, Sandra Quadflieg, Rabbi Shlomo Bistritzky, Archbishop Stefan Heße, Paralympic champion Edina Müller, gathered at AEG’s Barclay’s Arena to create a picture of inclusion.

Standing together in a circle, participants held a long note in unison. The sound waves from the polyphonic tone created the digital mandala “We are One,” which represented the world’s first visual sound creation of unity and oneness.

The mandala serves as a reminder that differences in gender, appearance, origin, belief, social status, fame, age, skin color, sexual/political orientation, and disability are not obstacles, but an enrichment to society.

“Diversity and inclusion are the cornerstones of creating better world for everyone and we are thrilled to work with Sven on the Kymat Project,” said Steve Schwenkglenks, Vice President & Managing Director of Barclays Arena. “From its inception, FAME FOREST has been symbol of unity and our aim with this event was to challenges barriers and raise awareness to overcome the inequalities facing handicapped and marginalized communities. Only by accepting everyone into society and creating economic opportunities for them, can we create a better world for all.”

FAME FOREST is an eco-social cooperation project between AEG and the non-profit organization Das Geld hängt an den Bäumen (Money Grows on Trees). Every artist that performs at Barclays Arena receives a tree planted in their name in the FAME FOREST and to date more than 12,000 trees have been planted. The non-profit, Das Geld hängt an den Bäumen, provides full-and part-time employment to handicapped and marginalized people living in Hamburg who pick and process fruit into juices, spritzers and seltzers that are sold in supermarkets across Germany.

Corporate Register is the world’s most comprehensive online database of non-financial reporting, with over 203,000 reports profiled from over 28,100 organizations. Of these, over 189,300 reports are from over 26,500 companies (the remaining reports are from non-corporates such as universities, governments, trade associations, etc.).

CSRHub recently connected the 54,000+ entities it tracks (which also includes both corporate and non-corporate organizations) to more than 11,000 of the 28,000+ entities that Corporate Register tracks. Our users can now discover if Corporate Register has corporate responsibility reports in its files for these entities.

This association produced an immediate and satisfying result! We found that the average overall rating of entities who have a report in Corporate Register’s system was 54.3—substantially above the average for all entities that CSRHub tracks. The outperformance of reporting companies was especially strong in Environment Policy & Reporting (6.0 points above average) and Training, Health & Safety (6.1 points above average). But reporting companies outperformed significantly on all twelve of CSRHub’s subcategory topics.

See “Entities That Issue Corporate Sustainability Reports Have Better Than Average Overall Ratings”

Corporate Register not only records whether or not an entity reports—it also absorbs and analyzes each report it discovers. It stores the original report and then tags it with data such as which standards an entity adhered to, how long its report was, and which consulting firm or design firm was involved in producing the report.

Now that we have connected our data set with this rich resource of reporting information, we can do further studies to help guide corporate sustainability managers towards more effective reporting. We hope those in our community who want to view reports from individual entities (Corporate Register’s online archive stretches back to the beginnings of non-financial reporting in the early 1990s) will contact Corporate Register to request further information.

About CSRHub

CSRHub offers one of the world’s broadest and most consistent set of Environment, Social, and Governance (ESG) ratings, covering 50,000 companies. Its Big Data algorithm combines millions of data points on ESG performance from hundreds of sources, including leading ESG analyst raters, to produce consensus scores on all aspects of corporate social responsibility and sustainability. CSRHub ratings help drive corporate, investor and consumer ESG decisions. For more information, visit www.CSRHub.com. CSRHub is a B Corporation.

Corporate Register is the world’s most comprehensive online database of non-financial reporting, with over 203,000 reports profiled from over 28,100 organizations. Of these, over 189,300 reports are from over 26,500 companies (the remaining reports are from non-corporates such as universities, governments, trade associations, etc.).

CSRHub recently connected the 54,000+ entities it tracks (which also includes both corporate and non-corporate organizations) to more than 11,000 of the 28,000+ entities that Corporate Register tracks. Our users can now discover if Corporate Register has corporate responsibility reports in its files for these entities.

This association produced an immediate and satisfying result! We found that the average overall rating of entities who have a report in Corporate Register’s system was 54.3—substantially above the average for all entities that CSRHub tracks. The outperformance of reporting companies was especially strong in Environment Policy & Reporting (6.0 points above average) and Training, Health & Safety (6.1 points above average). But reporting companies outperformed significantly on all twelve of CSRHub’s subcategory topics.

See “Entities That Issue Corporate Sustainability Reports Have Better Than Average Overall Ratings”

Corporate Register not only records whether or not an entity reports—it also absorbs and analyzes each report it discovers. It stores the original report and then tags it with data such as which standards an entity adhered to, how long its report was, and which consulting firm or design firm was involved in producing the report.

Now that we have connected our data set with this rich resource of reporting information, we can do further studies to help guide corporate sustainability managers towards more effective reporting. We hope those in our community who want to view reports from individual entities (Corporate Register’s online archive stretches back to the beginnings of non-financial reporting in the early 1990s) will contact Corporate Register to request further information.

About CSRHub

CSRHub offers one of the world’s broadest and most consistent set of Environment, Social, and Governance (ESG) ratings, covering 50,000 companies. Its Big Data algorithm combines millions of data points on ESG performance from hundreds of sources, including leading ESG analyst raters, to produce consensus scores on all aspects of corporate social responsibility and sustainability. CSRHub ratings help drive corporate, investor and consumer ESG decisions. For more information, visit www.CSRHub.com. CSRHub is a B Corporation.

With nearly 80 percent of employees now either fully remote or hybrid, organizations are struggling to understand what that means for their companies and their people. Amidst a landscape of conflicting studies and reports, the question arises: How can organizations effectively maintain team cohesion and connectivity in an online work environment, and what strategies or tools are best for achieving this?

Companies have been grasping at straws to figure out how to support teams, boost engagement, and strengthen outcomes, and it’s hard to keep up with the latest trend. One that caught our attention is “casual collisions,” which refer to serendipitous interactions at the water cooler, lunchroom, or across a cubicle. Everyone who has worked fully in person will instinctively agree that casual collisions are some of the best things about being in person. Everyone can recall an unexpected chat with a colleague that turned into a great friendship or a mentorship relationship or sparked an innovative idea. Casual collisions are commonplace in a fully in-person office and may be one of the few things remote workers truly miss about the office.

But given how many of us work remotely or hybrid and how irregular our time together can be, it is hard to expect casual collisions, even on those days when we are in-person together, to be common. And even still, are we sure that a “collision” between two people is a worthy goal? We believe it is time to rethink and rebrand the idea, and we are proposing conscious connections. 

Conscious connections are engagements that are thoughtful and intentionally planned with the purpose of deepening relationships and fostering innovation. To do it right, we think three ingredients are necessary: (1) intention, (2) collaboration, and (3) purpose.

Our experience at Common Impact is that purpose-driven engagements that are intentionally and thoughtfully curated to deepen relationships, encourage collaboration, and create impact can deliver far greater results for teams and companies. Our skills-based volunteering programs engage corporate volunteers to use their professional skills to support a nonprofit challenge in areas like strategy, finance, marketing, or human resources. We believe virtual volunteering is a perfect example of what companies should do to create conscious connections in a hybrid work environment.

Three Pillars of Skills-Based Volunteering Programs 

Intentional Collaboration: Volunteer teams are carefully curated to include members with diverse backgrounds. This ensures that each member can contribute their unique skills to the project.Purpose-Driven Engagement: Skills-based volunteering programs provide a structured schedule and framework for volunteers to pour their time and expertise into producing high-quality solutions for nonprofits.Deepening Relationships: By promoting cross-departmental connections, skilled volunteering programs increase innovation, involvement, and engagement among teams.

Impact for Teams, Companies, and Society 

Whether addressing food security, supporting animal welfare, or championing environmental and sustainability initiatives, corporate volunteers are matched with nonprofits to address immediate operational needs. This purpose-driven approach ensures that volunteers can focus their time, talent, and expertise on projects that they are excited about and where they can have a tangible impact. Teams report that these engagements build camaraderie and teamwork, creating a strong bond between employees and contributing to a positive and healthy company culture.

Volunteers can utilize their unique skills across various specializations, including Technology, Data, Marketing, Human Resources, Operational Management, Event Planning, and more. This results in a dynamic collaboration of talented individuals across the company, bringing out the best in each other. An NVIDIA volunteer shared her experience, “We learned more about each other. It helped me see how my teammates think about Marketing and how to approach new problems. Seeing the way [a colleague] approached things was really cool. Not only are we helping [a nonprofit], but we are learning about each other. I think that is invaluable.”

Skills-based volunteering breaks down the potential silos within a company, creating opportunities for cross-departmental connections. An employee from Citizens shared, “I love that we continue to meet new people across the business lines and can lean on each other for each other’s skills.” Volunteers engage in projects beyond their daily responsibilities, cultivating relationships that extend beyond the confines of their day-to-day routines.” This intentional gathering and collaboration sparks innovation, strengthens team bonds, and instills a shared sense of purpose.

Skills-based volunteering is one powerful tool for companies seeking to foster meaningful connections and collaboration in a remote or hybrid work environment. Beyond the confines of physical spaces, this intentional and purpose-driven approach creates a virtual or hybrid environment where innovation, problem-solving, and team-building flourish.

In a rapidly changing workforce landscape, we believe programs that promote conscious connections will stand the test of time because of their transformative potential for deep collaboration for companies and the causes they support.

By Common Impact Guest Bloggers: Matt Whalen and Silvia Chilel Martin

# # #

About Common Impact 

Common Impact is a national nonprofit that fosters meaningful partnerships between purpose-driven Fortune 500 companies and nonprofits worldwide to propel social good. Since 2000, Common Impact has generated over 205,000 hours of skills-based volunteering and $40 million in resources. Common Impact is dedicated to helping nonprofits expand their capacity, improve efficiency, and deliver on their mission with customized and impactful projects through corporate partnerships. Learn more about Common Impact’s services, impact, and clients.

# # #

Media Contact 
Elizabeth Cross, Obviouslee Marketing 
common-impact@obviouslee.com

With nearly 80 percent of employees now either fully remote or hybrid, organizations are struggling to understand what that means for their companies and their people. Amidst a landscape of conflicting studies and reports, the question arises: How can organizations effectively maintain team cohesion and connectivity in an online work environment, and what strategies or tools are best for achieving this?

Companies have been grasping at straws to figure out how to support teams, boost engagement, and strengthen outcomes, and it’s hard to keep up with the latest trend. One that caught our attention is “casual collisions,” which refer to serendipitous interactions at the water cooler, lunchroom, or across a cubicle. Everyone who has worked fully in person will instinctively agree that casual collisions are some of the best things about being in person. Everyone can recall an unexpected chat with a colleague that turned into a great friendship or a mentorship relationship or sparked an innovative idea. Casual collisions are commonplace in a fully in-person office and may be one of the few things remote workers truly miss about the office.

But given how many of us work remotely or hybrid and how irregular our time together can be, it is hard to expect casual collisions, even on those days when we are in-person together, to be common. And even still, are we sure that a “collision” between two people is a worthy goal? We believe it is time to rethink and rebrand the idea, and we are proposing conscious connections. 

Conscious connections are engagements that are thoughtful and intentionally planned with the purpose of deepening relationships and fostering innovation. To do it right, we think three ingredients are necessary: (1) intention, (2) collaboration, and (3) purpose.

Our experience at Common Impact is that purpose-driven engagements that are intentionally and thoughtfully curated to deepen relationships, encourage collaboration, and create impact can deliver far greater results for teams and companies. Our skills-based volunteering programs engage corporate volunteers to use their professional skills to support a nonprofit challenge in areas like strategy, finance, marketing, or human resources. We believe virtual volunteering is a perfect example of what companies should do to create conscious connections in a hybrid work environment.

Three Pillars of Skills-Based Volunteering Programs 

Intentional Collaboration: Volunteer teams are carefully curated to include members with diverse backgrounds. This ensures that each member can contribute their unique skills to the project.Purpose-Driven Engagement: Skills-based volunteering programs provide a structured schedule and framework for volunteers to pour their time and expertise into producing high-quality solutions for nonprofits.Deepening Relationships: By promoting cross-departmental connections, skilled volunteering programs increase innovation, involvement, and engagement among teams.

Impact for Teams, Companies, and Society 

Whether addressing food security, supporting animal welfare, or championing environmental and sustainability initiatives, corporate volunteers are matched with nonprofits to address immediate operational needs. This purpose-driven approach ensures that volunteers can focus their time, talent, and expertise on projects that they are excited about and where they can have a tangible impact. Teams report that these engagements build camaraderie and teamwork, creating a strong bond between employees and contributing to a positive and healthy company culture.

Volunteers can utilize their unique skills across various specializations, including Technology, Data, Marketing, Human Resources, Operational Management, Event Planning, and more. This results in a dynamic collaboration of talented individuals across the company, bringing out the best in each other. An NVIDIA volunteer shared her experience, “We learned more about each other. It helped me see how my teammates think about Marketing and how to approach new problems. Seeing the way [a colleague] approached things was really cool. Not only are we helping [a nonprofit], but we are learning about each other. I think that is invaluable.”

Skills-based volunteering breaks down the potential silos within a company, creating opportunities for cross-departmental connections. An employee from Citizens shared, “I love that we continue to meet new people across the business lines and can lean on each other for each other’s skills.” Volunteers engage in projects beyond their daily responsibilities, cultivating relationships that extend beyond the confines of their day-to-day routines.” This intentional gathering and collaboration sparks innovation, strengthens team bonds, and instills a shared sense of purpose.

Skills-based volunteering is one powerful tool for companies seeking to foster meaningful connections and collaboration in a remote or hybrid work environment. Beyond the confines of physical spaces, this intentional and purpose-driven approach creates a virtual or hybrid environment where innovation, problem-solving, and team-building flourish.

In a rapidly changing workforce landscape, we believe programs that promote conscious connections will stand the test of time because of their transformative potential for deep collaboration for companies and the causes they support.

By Common Impact Guest Bloggers: Matt Whalen and Silvia Chilel Martin

# # #

About Common Impact 

Common Impact is a national nonprofit that fosters meaningful partnerships between purpose-driven Fortune 500 companies and nonprofits worldwide to propel social good. Since 2000, Common Impact has generated over 205,000 hours of skills-based volunteering and $40 million in resources. Common Impact is dedicated to helping nonprofits expand their capacity, improve efficiency, and deliver on their mission with customized and impactful projects through corporate partnerships. Learn more about Common Impact’s services, impact, and clients.

# # #

Media Contact 
Elizabeth Cross, Obviouslee Marketing 
common-impact@obviouslee.com

By The Black & Veatch Insights Group

As boardroom executives focus on their energy transition, it is essential that their private network be part of the strategy. A utility’s ability to integrate renewables and distributed energy resources (DERs) at scale is directly dependent upon its communication networks’ capacity and capability to manage the exponential data exchanged at the edge. A robust, high-speed wireless network with LTE or 5G technology is foundational infrastructure to efficiently support future grid operations and compete in the new energy ecosystem. This is why some refer to this advanced network supporting transmission and distribution as the third grid.

The communications system has moved past supporting traditional applications and transport and has grown to enable real-time monitoring and control of mission-critical operations, making it essential to reliably operate a dynamic grid. These advanced networks are the catalyst for grid modernization, facilitating digitalization and amplifying IT and OT systems to achieve many of the boardroom priorities utilities are tackling today.

Decarbonization and Renewable Integration: An advanced network increases the grid’s capacity to support renewable generation and DERs. 
 Disaster Preparedness and Resiliency: Delivers the data for real-time situational awareness and self-healing capabilities. 
 Customer Engagement and Energy Management: Drives powerful data analytics for enhanced personalization and customer engagement. 
 Cybersecurity: Protects critical operational and customer end-to-end data through enhanced data encryption and protocols and SIM-based authentication. 
 Digitalization and Operational Efficiency: Expands automation, monitoring and control to the edge. 
 Asset Management & Predictive Maintenance: Supports remote monitoring, control, and data analytics for proactive maintenance and reduced downtimes.

Black & Veatch’s eBook, Private LTE: Bridging the Data Gap in the Energy Transition, talks more about the network’s role in meeting utilities’ strategic goals and objectives, as well as the benefits of pushing pLTE out to the edge and integrating with Software-Defined Networking (SDN). Using pLTE to extend IP/MPLS or SDN to the grid edge facilitates integration and interoperability between different grid systems being considered today, such as Distributed Energy Resource Management Systems (DERMs), Advanced Distribution Management Systems (ADMS) and Customer Information Systems (CIS).

There is a lot to consider when planning for a digital transformation and upgrading your network. No one solution fits every utility growth plan, so starting with the strategic intent and then comparing network options is the first step to gaining leadership buy-in and ensuring business alignment, such as the following:

Understand what you aim to achieve, whether it is improving performance, enabling automation, security resiliency, or workforce management. 
 Consider how to design the network to meet current needs and redundancy while allowing for future scalability to make sure resources are used efficiently. 
 Establish how you will operate and maintain the network upfront to ensure proper investment and to understand how to design the network to avoid costly downtime and performance issues that can negatively impact the bottom line. 
 Conduct a total cost of ownership (TCO) analysis of network options by calculating the expected costs, including spectrum, infrastructure, operations and maintenance, and compare them to the anticipated benefits in terms of performance improvements, efficiency gains, or risk reduction to develop the overall business case to understand your return on investment.

Collaborating with a team – like Black & Veatch – versed in developing telecommunications master plans and executing LTE and 5G networks, utilities will be able to bridge strategy, feasibility, and implementation planning with execution, ensuring that challenges are addressed and investment optimized.