Tag: 3BL

Fleet management in 2023 is more complicated than ever, but one universal truth remains: fleet managers continue to search for cost savings wherever they can. They may not realize that cost savings can be hidden in plain sight — buried in the methods by which fleets source their fuel. In a recent article for Work Truck Magazine, CEO and Founder of Booster® Frank Mycroft explores how fuel costs span much more than just the price of each gallon.

“You’re likely spending much more on fueling than you realize,” writes Mycroft. “The time, fuel, and wear and tear associated with endless treks to and from the gas station add up quickly, adding significant stress to already tight budgets.”

Rethinking Fleet Fueling

Most fleets depend on gas stations when filling the tank, requiring drivers to take time out of their shifts to travel to the pump and fill up. As Mycroft points out in Work Truck Magazine, each trip to the gas station takes around 20 minutes, which equates to about 61 hours per year per driver. Not only is this a significant time burden, but it also adds up to $1,436 annually per vehicle in labor costs.

More hidden fuel costs lie in the fuel burned traveling to and from the station. For vehicles that deviate from their planned service or delivery routes by adding gas station stops, traditional methods of fleet fueling may reduce efficiency.

Mycroft explains that vehicle wear and tear present another opportunity to save on fleet fueling. Each fleet vehicle can expect around $160 in depreciation on average annually due to fueling errands alone. Extra miles also require more vehicle maintenance, affecting fuel economy.

Implementing a Fleet Fuel Management System

To avoid losing money to hidden fleet fuel costs, fleet owners should consider implementing a fleet fuel management system like mobile fuel delivery by Booster. In this model, fleet vehicles are fueled on-site in one session during fleet off-hours. This way, drivers begin each shift with the fuel they need, and the labor costs that would have gone toward fueling at the gas station can be redirected toward more productive tasks.

Mobile fuel delivery also eliminates the extraneous fuel burn and wear and tear associated with gas station errands. To enhance holistic fleet management, the service includes a fleet portal, which provides a glimpse into fleet performance and fuel spend to help managers keep up with fleet maintenance and better understand their fleet fueling operation.

Reducing Fuel Costs for Fleets

Fleet managers wondering how to reduce fleet fuel costs should take the time to analyze and manage their fueling expenses by considering the hidden costs of labor, fuel burn, and wear and tear. By implementing a fleet fuel management system like Booster’s mobile fuel delivery service, fleets can realize significant cost savings over the long term.

As Mycroft writes in Work Truck Magazine, “Fleet managers looking to balance tight budgets amid rising fleet costs should implement telematics and data analytics, teach safe driving practices, and consider adopting mobile fuel delivery to streamline fueling and save on costs.”

RAHWAY, N.J., April 11, 2023 /3BL Media/ – Merck (NYSE: MRK), known as MSD outside of the United States and Canada, has earned a place on the Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For list for the second time in the past three years. The company also made the list in 2021.

“Our talented, diverse team is foundational to our ability to deliver on our purpose of saving and improving lives around the world,” said Steven C. Mizell, executive vice president and chief human resources officer, Merck. “We are honored by this significant recognition, which is reflective of our vibrant and inclusive culture, where employees feel seen, heard, valued and set up for continued success.”

This year’s Best Companies to Work For list is based on the feedback of more than half a million U.S. employees, who responded to a nationwide survey from Great Place to Work®, Fortune’s research partner and a global authority on workplace culture.

About Merck 
At Merck, known as MSD outside of the United States and Canada, we are unified around our purpose: We use the power of leading-edge science to save and improve lives around the world. For more than 130 years, we have brought hope to humanity through the development of important medicines and vaccines. We aspire to be the premier research-intensive biopharmaceutical company in the world – and today, we are at the forefront of research to deliver innovative health solutions that advance the prevention and treatment of diseases in people and animals. We foster a diverse and inclusive global workforce and operate responsibly every day to enable a safe, sustainable and healthy future for all people and communities. For more information, visit www.merck.com and connect with us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn. 

Forward-Looking Statement of Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, N.J., USA
This news release of Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, N.J., USA (the “company”) includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based upon the current beliefs and expectations of the company’s management and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. If underlying assumptions prove inaccurate or risks or uncertainties materialize, actual results may differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements.

Risks and uncertainties include but are not limited to, general industry conditions and competition; general economic factors, including interest rate and currency exchange rate fluctuations; the impact of the global outbreak of novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19); the impact of pharmaceutical industry regulation and health care legislation in the United States and internationally; global trends toward health care cost containment; technological advances, new products and patents attained by competitors; challenges inherent in new product development, including obtaining regulatory approval; the company’s ability to accurately predict future market conditions; manufacturing difficulties or delays; financial instability of international economies and sovereign risk; dependence on the effectiveness of the company’s patents and other protections for innovative products; and the exposure to litigation, including patent litigation, and/or regulatory actions.

The company undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Additional factors that could cause results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements can be found in the company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022 and the company’s other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) available at the SEC’s Internet site (www.sec.gov).

Learn more about Merck’s Environmental, Social & Governance (ESG) approach by visiting merck.com/company-overview/esg.

WASHINGTON, April 11, 2023 /3BL Media/ – Today, the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), Green Business Certification Inc. (GBCI) and the International WELL Building Institute pbc (IWBI) released a streamlined process for projects pursuing certifications for the LEED green building rating system and the WELL Building Standard.

The process streamlines documentation for projects that are pursuing both certifications at the same time or that have already earned one certification and are looking to add the other.

“USGBC’s partnership with IWBI builds upon our shared commitment to driving positive health outcomes across the built environment,” said Peter Templeton, president and CEO of USGBC and GBCI. “Improving human health has been a foundational component of LEED since its inception and is the goal of each of the 10 concepts within the WELL Building Standard. By creating a streamlined process for LEED and WELL certification, we are encouraging every building owner and project team to adopt best practices that maximize benefits to occupant and community health.”

“Organizations are looking for actionable, efficient strategies to demonstrate meaningful impact on matters of climate change and human health,” said Rachel Hodgdon, president and CEO, IWBI. “This new pathway strengthens synergies between LEED and WELL, supporting projects pursuing both gold standard certifications. This strategic partnership underscores that human health and planetary health are inextricably linked.”

A new suite of tools and resources is available to applicants interested in pursuing LEED and WELL certifications, including:

LEED + WELL Crosswalk: This tool shows how individual LEED credits map to specific WELL features and vice versa. As buildings are being designed, project teams can use the crosswalk to identify where LEED and WELL are aligned and which strategies and initiatives support both programs.LEED + WELL Submittal Form: This form is required for both LEED and WELL certification reviews. Project teams complete the form to identify which compliance paths are being utilized and communicate that information to the review team.LEED + WELL Streamlined Certification Process Guide: This document outlines the process, requirements and implementation tools available to project teams.FAQ / Help Center Questions: Found in the USGBC help center and the IWBI website, these FAQs speak to specific project questions and scenarios. The following versions of LEED are now eligible for streamlined certification with WELL v2:LEED v4 BD+CLEED v4 ID+CLEED v4.1 BD+CLEED v4.1 ID+C

More information on the program can be found here.

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About USGBC 
The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) is committed to a prosperous and sustainable future through cost-efficient and energy-saving green buildings. USGBC works toward its mission of market transformation through its LEED green building program, robust educational offerings, an international network of local community leaders, the annual Greenbuild International Conference & Expo, the Center for Green Schools and advocacy in support of public policy that encourages and enables green buildings and communities. For more information, visit usgbc.org and connect on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn.

About Green Business Certification Inc. (GBCI) 
GBCI is the world’s leading sustainability and health certification and credentialing body. Established in 2008, GBCI exclusively administers project certifications and professional credentials and certificates within the framework of the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) green building rating systems, as well as the PEER standard for power systems, the WELL Building Standard, the Sustainable SITES Initiative (SITES), EDGE (Excellence in Design for Greater Efficiencies), TRUE certification for zero waste and Investor Confidence Project (ICP) for energy efficiency retrofits. Visit gbci.org.

About the International WELL Building Institute 
The International WELL Building Institute (IWBI) is a public benefit corporation and the world’s leading organization focused on deploying people-first places to advance a global culture of health. IWBI mobilizes its community through the administration of the WELL Building Standard (WELL) and WELL ratings and certifications, management of the WELL AP credential, the pursuit of applicable research, the development of educational resources and advocacy for policies that promote health and well-being everywhere. More information on WELL can be found here.

Media Contact
IWBI
media@wellcertified.com

USGBC/GBCI
dverdinez@usgbc.org

View original content here.

On World Water Day, Dow announces a new partnership with Water.org to help provide lasting access to reliable, safe water and sanitation through affordable financing, such as small loans, in Queré taro, Mexico. Dow’s funding also will support areas facing high water scarcity with solutions such as rainwater harvesting.

Water.org is a global non-profit organization working to bring water and sanitation to the world. The organization works to make water and sanitation solutions safe, accessible and cost-effective. When people in need are empowered with these life-changing resources it gives women hope, children health and families a bright future.

Learn more about Gloria and Sergio who used a small loan to get access to safe water in Mexico.

Generation Change (GenChange) is an audience-inspired, audience-led initiative at Paramount designed to elevate and empower young people who are driving change around the world. Generation Change creates tailored programming in collaboration with our brands and markets by young agents of change who are passionate about improving their communities.

In direct response to some of the overt transgressive and oppressive acts endured by women in recent times, GenChange is producing a new digital campaign focusing in on the ways society polices the bodies of women for Women’s History Month. The campaign titled, “Hands Off [my body, my rights, my future, my choice] includes a video series, PSAs, and a short documentary profiling gender equality change-makers based in the UK.

Watch the featured video for a showcase of Hands Off! The video series aims to give women a spotlight for sharing personal stories of how they have had to navigate societal pressures. Model and Activist Mariah Idrissi shares how wearing a hijab doesn’t define her womanhood.

As part of GenChange’s commitment to provide resources and platforms, the campaign encouraged conversation amongst audiences using the IWD #EmbraceEquity hashtag and signposted people to helplines for information. Additionally, in partnership with our change makers, this campaign will promote local (to the U.K.) organizations for those seeking resources for themselves or others. If you have been affected by any of the issues raised, please visit mtv.co.uk/helpline

Since launching in 2019, FedEx Cares has been on a journey to directly and positively impact 50 million people by our 50th birthday on April 17, 2023.

We achieved this momentous milestone early by working with more than 900 nonprofits around the world by:

Delivering hope and healing by leveraging the company’s global network to deliver basic necessities and medicine to people when natural disasters and crisis strike.Making dreams come true by investing in inclusion and the next generation of entrepreneurs.Prioritizing the planet by investing in solutions and innovations to create more sustainable cities and empower team members to restore and protect the environment through community service.Volunteering time in the community to help keep kids warm and feed the hungry.

Moreover, we exceeded this goal thanks in large part to our team members’ commitment to do good in their communities through volunteerism, community engagement, and countless other ways.

Together we are helping make the world a better place.

About FedEx Corp.

FedEx Corp. (NYSE: FDX) provides customers and businesses worldwide with a broad portfolio of transportation, e-commerce and business services. With annual revenue of $94 billion, the company offers integrated business solutions through operating companies competing collectively, operating collaboratively and innovating digitally under the respected FedEx brand. Consistently ranked among the world’s most admired and trusted employers, FedEx inspires its more than 550,000 employees to remain focused on safety, the highest ethical and professional standards and the needs of their customers and communities. FedEx is committed to connecting people and possibilities around the world responsibly and resourcefully, with a goal to achieve carbon-neutral operations by 2040. To learn more, please visit fedex.com/about.

NEW YORK, April 11, 2023 /3BL Media/ – Tapestry, Inc. (NYSE: TPR), the leading New York-based house of iconic accessories and lifestyle brands consisting of Coach, kate spade and Stuart Weitzman, today announced it has become a Network Partner of the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, an international charity that develops and promotes the idea of a circular economy. In addition, as a member of the Foundation’s Fashion Initiative Advisory Board, Tapestry brings to the table a commitment to a circular future, innovative capabilities powering circular business models led by its brands, as well as technical and practical experience in creating products that are crafted to last.

“Circularity is critical to building a more sustainable and resilient fashion industry. At Tapestry, our brands are contributing to a future that is both beautiful and responsible, and we look forward to collaborating with the Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s Network and Fashion Initiative Advisory Board to continue to tackle pressing climate challenges and generate even more momentum behind the circular economy,” said Logan Duran, Vice President, ESG and Sustainability.

Tapestry recognizes the importance of transitioning to a circular economy based on three key principles, all driven by design: eliminating waste and pollution, circulating products and materials, and regenerating nature. By joining the Foundation’s Network, Tapestry is building on its brands’ commitment to innovating and scaling circular business models, including Coach (Re)Loved, the brand’s global circular ecosystem of unique Coach programs in repair, refurbishment, upcycling, recycling and customer trade-in designed to give pre-loved and damaged Coach products a second life, keeping them in use and out of landfills. The program, which since its April 2021 launch has (re)loved more than 20,000 items, is now available in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Japan and China. Additionally, kate spade new york recently launched a partnership with thredUP to enable its customers to shop pre-loved styles and trade in products as part of the brand’s first steps to build a more circular future.

Education and training of the current and next generation of design talent in the principles of a circular economy is also a crucial element in making fashion circular. In 2022, Tapestry held its inaugural Circular Design Workshop to encourage designers at Coach and kate spade new york to learn about the principles of circular design and explore how products can flow through circular business models. In 2022, Coach also launched its Coach (Re)Loved Craftsperson Apprenticeship Program, as well as its CFDA x Coach Dream It Real Circular Design Scholarship, awarded to 15 design students. Both training programs help create new generations of designers and craftspeople who are equipped with the skills and passion to drive change toward circularity.

In its Fiscal Year 2022 Corporate Responsibility report, Tapestry highlighted several other sustainability initiatives, including the announcement of submitting new greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions targets for validation by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) and the recent roll-out of new environmentally preferred material targets focused on increasing the sourcing of materials made from organic, regenerative and recycled inputs across the business.

“A circular economy for fashion creates better products and services for customers, contributes to a resilient and thriving fashion industry, and regenerates the environment. Together we can make fashion circular and help tackle the root causes of global challenges like climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution. We are pleased to welcome Tapestry as a Network Partner and look forward to facilitating collaboration opportunities with other Network organisations and supporting the company on its circular economy journey.” Joe Murphy, Executive Lead, Network, Ellen MacArthur Foundation

Through its Network, the Foundation works with some of the world’s leading organizations, with transformative potential, to demonstrate what is possible through circular economy strategy, goal-setting and implementation. The circular economy is built on three principles, driven by design: eliminate waste and pollution, circulate products and materials (at their highest value), and regenerate nature.

The Foundation’s Fashion Initiative seeks to drive the transition towards a circular economy for fashion to create a resilient and thriving industry. This will involve reimagining how materials are sourced, produced, and consumed, with a focus on reducing waste and circulating products and materials to keep them in use.

In partnership with the Foundation, Tapestry and its brands are working to accelerate the transition to a circular economy through collaboration and innovation within the industry. As the impacts of climate change become more prominent, and in anticipation of the climate challenges of tomorrow, Tapestry is working to create a more responsible business model today. To learn more about how Tapestry is weaving together its business ambitions with its commitments to find a path to a more sustainable future, visit https://www.tapestry.com/responsibility/our-planet/.

 

About Tapestry, Inc.

Our global house of brands unites the magic of Coach, kate spade new york and Stuart Weitzman. Each of our brands are unique and independent, while sharing a commitment to innovation and authenticity defined by distinctive products and differentiated customer experiences across channels and geographies. We use our collective strengths to move our customers and empower our communities, to make the fashion industry more sustainable, and to build a company that’s equitable, inclusive, and diverse. Individually, our brands are iconic. Together, we can stretch what’s possible. To learn more about Tapestry, please visit www.tapestry.com. The Company’s common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol TPR.

Follow and connect with Tapestry on LinkedIn and Instagram or visit our newsroom. To build your future at Tapestry, find our latest job opportunities on our careers page.

About The Ellen MacArthur Foundation

The Ellen MacArthur Foundation is an international charity that develops and promotes the circular economy in order to tackle some of the biggest challenges of our time, such as climate change, biodiversity loss, waste, and pollution. It works with its Network of private and public sector decision-makers, as well as academia, to build capacity, explore collaborative opportunities, and design and develop circular economy initiatives and solutions. Increasingly based on renewable energy, a circular economy is driven by design to eliminate waste and pollution, circulate products and materials, and regenerate nature, to create resilience and prosperity for business, the environment, and society.

Originally published on SD2

By Allison Harden

The 2022 SD2 and Illumina Corporate Foundation STEM Educator Awards have been awarded to local San Diego educators Hannah Nakamoto, a chemistry and physics teacher at Kearny High School, and Mario Patiño, a middle and high school science teacher at the Preuss School at UCSD. Both winners are thrilled to further inspire and empower their students with the award.

Hannah Nakamoto, Kearny High School

Hannah is very grateful for the award because it will allow her to take a much-needed break this summer.

“The award is significant for me because, I think it’s about 50% of teachers quit after their first five years of teaching due to burnout,” Hannah shares.

Currently in her sixth year, she’s noticed many colleagues leaving education or planning to leave due to burnout. She’s struggled with it herself. She’s worked an average of 3 to 6 weeks over the past 5 summers teaching summer school so she can make ends meet and pay her bills. Thanks to the award, she won’t have to this summer.

“I am really trying to find that balance between serving my students and taking care of myself,” she continues. “I myself am a resource, and if I burn out, that defeats the purpose of everything I want to do for my students.”

As a young female minority STEM teacher of Japanese-Hawaiian and Mexican heritage, Hannah is no stranger to the struggles her underrepresented students are facing, and she’s determined to continue to empower them on their journey.

Growing up, she didn’t have many people in her life encouraging her to pursue her interest in science. It wasn’t until her community college teachers showed her that science was something attainable, something she could do, that she believed a STEM career was possible. Because of their encouragement, she went on to major in Chemistry at UCSD and earn her master’s degree in education thereafter.

“Before then, I saw science and STEM education as something I wasn’t supposed to do because of the way I look,” Hannah reflects. “I’m non-white, I’m young, I’m short…I’m all the things you’re not supposed to be in a position of power.”

She hopes to lead by example to her students by showing them that if she can do it, so can they.

“I look like the people I’m serving and that’s why got into teaching STEM,” Hannah says.

In addition to better serving her students, Hannah is excited about building a stronger connection with Illumina through the award and bringing guest speakers to her classes to share about the many career paths available to them.

“I’m excited to become familiar with the folks at Illumina and what they’re doing because it aligns with what my students want to do in the future,” she says.

When she’s not in the classroom, Hannah keeps busy dancing hula and running the salsa club and knitting club at Kearney.

Mario Patiño, Preuss School

Mario has always been passionate about science. The child of immigrants, he was the first one in his family to attend college. However, his passion for science and STEM education began long before then.

“As a child, I always had an interest in science. My mother and the matriarchs of the family had a natural gift of practicing science from a cultural lens,” shares Mario.

“They inspired my passion for STEM early,” he remembers. “Doing science was not only part of daily chores or coursework in school, but it was also my source of entertainment. I used to make forts out of chaparral, chase rabbits in the canyon, and heal my wounds with medicinal plants. STEM has always fostered my creativity and curiosity to explore our world and beyond.”

A 20-year science education veteran, Mario currently teaches sixth-grade university prep science, seventh-grade advanced science, and twelfth-grade AP Environmental Science. However, by no means does he consider himself an ‘expert.’

“I have lived my entire career in the ‘learn-unlearn-relearn’ cycle,” Mario explains.

Part of this learning cycle meant going where life took him and exploring a new career path in Hawaii as a biology technician at a federal agency. Before that, he “was happy as a lab rat” working as a research associate at biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies developing novel molecular and therapeutic products.

The Hawaii role, however, is what sparked his passion for teaching.

“That job led me to an opportunity to teach science at a famous Hawaiian private school,” shares Mario.

“I developed my passion for sharing my love of science by cultivating learning environments which were culturally centered, arts-focused, and inspired by innovative engineering and design.”

Taking this passion into everything he does in the classroom today, Mario hopes to use the proceeds of the Illumina SD2 award to start the first Urban Agriculture Program at his school and stimulate STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and technology) learning through a biodiversity, sustainability, and food security lens.

In his free time, he enjoys mountain biking, long beach walks/hikes, and playing the to’ere drum.

About the award

The Illumina Foundation SD2 STEM Educators Award aims to provide financial support for underrepresented educators currently teaching junior high or high school STEM classes in the San Diego County region. We are looking to support innovative educators who want to invest in their students and create a lasting impact. Two winners are chosen each year and receive $5,000.

To learn more about Illumina’s commitment to Empowering Communities and Inspiring the Next Generation, click here.

WASHINGTON, April 11, 2023 /3BL Media/ – Today, Field to Market: The Alliance for Sustainable Agriculture™ announced that Farmers Business Network (FBN®), a global AgTech platform and farmer-to-farmer network, has become their newest Qualified Data Management Partner (QDMP), integrating the sustainability metrics of the Fieldprint Platform™ into their program. This partnership provides a new one-stop-shop for farmers to evaluate profitability, productivity and sustainability options for their operation.

Integration is made possible through Field to Market’s Fieldprint Application Programming Interface, which connects sustainability metrics and algorithms from the Fieldprint Platform directly into FBN’s software solutions, enabling farmers to assess the environmental performance of their management practices against regional, state and national benchmarks for Field to Market’s eight sustainability metrics.

FBN is a global farmer-to-farmer network and independent AgTech platform whose mission is to power the prosperity of family farmers around the world while working toward a sustainable future. Its Farmers First® promise has attracted over 55,000 members to the network with a common goal of maximizing their farm’s profit potential. FBN has set out to redefine value and convenience for farmers by helping to reduce the cost of production and maximize the value of their crops.

FBN’s Gradable platform was launched by FBN in September 2020 and provides new technology that facilitates grain transactions between producers and commercial buyers, and also provides services that facilitate the scoring, sourcing, and pricing of Low-Carbon Grain. Gradable fully integrates with FBN farmer-facing technology as well as commercial buyer grain accounting systems, and has attracted billions of bushels to the platform. Gradable not only strengthens the relationship between grain buyers and sellers, but also enables comprehensive environmental transparency and supports a market for premium, environmentally-scored grain.

“We are proud to be recognized as a Qualified Data Management Partner with Field to Market,” says Steele Lorenz, Head of Sustainable Business at FBN. “Through this integration, we’re expanding our innovative sustainability solutions, providing more value to the farmers and commercial agriculture businesses that use our software.”

With this integration, farmers can document and demonstrate their sustainability performance using the common measurement framework offered by the Fieldprint Platform, an outcomes-based and metrics-driven sustainability measurement platform that is supported by over 170 organizations across the agricultural value chain.

As demand from downstream companies continues to grow, FBN anticipates enrolling millions of acres in the next few years, with thousands of growers participating in Field to Market Continuous Improvement Projects.

“Field to Market envisions a technology landscape that offers farmers robust sustainability analytics in the platform of their choice, and this partnership helps bring that vision to life,” says Field to Market Vice President of Science and Technology Paul Hishmeh. “We’re excited to see and incorporate FBN’s innovative approaches in using remote sensed data products for smart inputs and data validation.”

“We’re thrilled to expand our partnership with FBN and further support farmers in making informed sustainability decisions on their operation,” says Field to Market President Scott Herndon.

CONTACT: 
Keith Chapman, media@farmersbusinessnetwork.com 
Katrina Stacey, kstacey@fieldtomarket.org

About Field to Market: 

Field to Market: The Alliance for Sustainable Agriculture™ brings together a diverse group of grower organizations; agribusinesses; food, feed, beverage, restaurant and retail companies; conservation groups; universities and public sector partners to focus on defining, measuring and advancing the sustainability of food, feed, fiber and fuel production. Field to Market is comprised of over 170 members representing all facets of the U.S. agricultural supply chain, with members employing more than 5 million people and representing combined revenues totaling over $1.5 trillion. To learn more, visit: www.fieldtomarket.org.

About FBN:

Farmers Business Network® (FBN®) is an independent AgTech platform and farmer-to-farmer network with a mission to power the prosperity of family farmers around the world while working towards a sustainable future. Its Farmers First® promise has attracted over 55,000 members to the network with a common goal of helping farmers maximize their farm’s profit potential with data and technology enabled direct-to farmer commerce, community and sustainability offerings.

FBN has set out to redefine value and convenience for farmers by helping reduce the cost of production and maximize the value of their crops. The FBN network has grown to cover more than 117 million acres of member farms in the US and Canada. Blending the best of Midwestern agricultural roots and Silicon Valley technology, the company has principal offices in San Carlos, CA, Chicago, IL, Sioux Falls, SD and a Canadian Headquarters in High River, Alberta with significant warehouse and logistics, remote and field employees across the US and Canada. To learn more, visit: www.fbn.com.

“Farmers Business Network”, “FBN”, and “FBN Direct” are registered trademarks or service marks of Farmer’s Business Network, Inc.

Originally posted on LinkedIn

Standardization is hard. Why? Because overcoming resistance to change is hard. Which means communication is key as you grow your Knowledge and Process Management programs.

Many organizations, especially growing ones, recognize the need for standardization and the benefits it brings: consistency, efficiency, and the space for innovation. Consistency ensures repeatable products, service, and customer / client experience. Standard documented processes enable new team members to get up to speed quickly and others use their time more efficiently. Teams avoid “reinventing the wheel” and can spend their time focused on the activities that bring greatest value and drive innovation.

Understand Resistance

Recognizing the need and knowing the benefits is not enough. We need to also recognize and seek to understand the hurdles and barriers to adoption of standard processes. This requires listening, empathy, time, and patience. Change does not happen over-night and we need to bring those impacted along on the journey.

Engage Teams

Imagine someone on your team has been doing this work for over 20 years. Tap on them to support development of those standard processes as a great opportunity to capture their knowledge and improve the process in an avenue that cascades throughout the business. Someone else might be concerned about “process for the sake of process.” Discuss with them ways to ensure processes don’t get bogged down with unnecessary approvals. Inevitably you’ll hear frustration that someone just wants to keep doing it their way. Encourage them to try and follow the standard process and then provide feedback on what worked or didn’t work for them. This continuous cycle draws them in, ensures their voice is heard, and makes them part of the change.

Continuously Communicate

Standardization requires a continuous improvement mindset and 2-way communication to address challenges. Consider how the standard processes are communicated. A common pitfall is assuming that everyone knows or remembers the benefits of this standardization. Every communication medium should reiterate the benefits and what the individual and company can gain. By ensuring you are providing an avenue for feedback and responding in a timely manner, teams stay engaged. Being open-minded, thoughtful in communication, and responsive to concerns will support teams along the standardization change journey.

CRB’s Knowledge Services Team, along with some partners, will be sharing thoughts on methods that are helping us build a foundation of capabilities that can give businesses an edge. Our journey has been focused on the human element. This focus on community and connection encourages learning and sharing and allows a business to use its collective knowledge in more meaningful ways.

Follow CRBknows to see more from our series. Is your business on a standardization journey? What challenges are you facing? How are you overcoming the hurdles?