Tag: 3BL

If strategy sets direction, learning is what makes it last. Learning is one of the clearest places where Cisco’s Purpose and business intersect. Ensuring that people are prepared to take part in a digital and AI-enabled economy is essential to sustainable growth, long-term trust, and shared success. When people have the skills to adapt, organizations move faster — with greater resilience and stronger outcomes.

Within Cisco, we’ve been intentional about investing in our own capabilities. In fiscal 2025, more than 37,000 employees completed AI-focused learning — a 76% year-over-year increase — strengthening our ability to innovate, redesign work, and deliver value to our customers. As work continues to evolve, learning has become one of the most powerful ways leaders enable the future and drive momentum. For example, at Cisco, employees are twice as likely to use AI when their manager does, and consistent users are more productive and more engaged.

At the same time, our commitment to learning has never stopped at our own walls. Through Cisco Networking Academy, we’ve helped more than 28 million learners build the skills needed to participate in the digital economy. And, through Learn with Cisco, we’re supporting the White House’s Pledge to America’s Youth: Investing in AI Education with a commitment to train one million people across the United States.

In December, IDC MarketScape recognized Cisco as a Leader in IT Training Services in both Europe¹ and North America². We see that recognition not as a finish line, but as encouragement to move faster — extending the confidence and capability we’re building inside Cisco to our partners, customers, and communities around the world.

Learn more about our progress and goals in our FY25 Purpose Report.

Millions of Stories: The Impact of Learning

A recent conversation powerfully highlighted the importance and impact of education. During a discussion with Equity Bank in Kenya about their learning programs for underserved youth, we realized that one of our Cisco colleagues in the meeting was a graduate of this program. She shared how this bank-sponsored education profoundly changed her life. This personal testimony underscored the real-world impact of Equity Bank’s efforts. As I shared how Cisco Networking Academy builds digital skills at scale, a senior leader from the bank spoke up. He shared that he earned his Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) through Cisco Networking Academy — an experience that launched his career and led him to the executive role he holds today.

In a company as far-reaching as Cisco, we don’t always get to hear the individual stories behind our work — but when we do, they bring our impact to life. In the last fiscal year alone, more than five million learners engaged with Cisco Networking Academy, which means millions of stories like these are unfolding around the world. Each one is a reminder that what we do matters — creating pathways for people to participate more fully in the future.

Learning in Partnership

One important way that we continue to learn as an organization and stay connected to our industry is through our leadership of the AI Workforce Consortium. This collaboration brings together Cisco, Accenture, Cornerstone, Eightfold AI, Google, IBM, Indeed, Intel, Microsoft, and SAP. Together, we’re mapping how AI is reshaping more than 50 critical technology and supporting roles across G7 countries — and, just as importantly, building practical pathways so people can prepare for what’s next.

The Consortium’s 2025 research shows that 78% of jobs already require AI skills. But it also makes clear that human skills — leadership, problem-solving, innovation, collaboration, and communication — will determine how impactful AI ultimately becomes.

That same research reinforces the need for continuous learning to unlock the full potential of the workforce. It’s telling that Learning & Development Specialist is now the most in-demand technology support role in the U.S. and Canada, underscoring how strongly organizations are prioritizing learning agility in an AI-driven economy. That signal is hard to ignore. At Cisco, we’re acting on it by investing in new learning roles and enterprise-wide efforts that help our people build the skills to leap ahead in an AI-driven future.

Permission to Rethink Everything

Moments like the one I experienced in Kenya stay with me because they clarify what’s truly at stake. They remind me that we are living in a rare time — one that gives us permission to rethink everything. How do we spend our resources? What breakthroughs do we pursue? And what kind of human experience do we want to enable?

At Cisco, we’re fortunate to be navigating this moment from a position of strength, grounded in leading technology, hard-earned trust, our people, and our Purpose.

But with that strength comes the responsibility to pause and ask the right questions about how we move forward together.

• As industry leaders, how will we help shape markets that expand opportunity and set the standard for secure, trusted, and inclusive innovation?
• As people leaders, how will we model learning in real time, using AI ourselves and building cultures where curiosity, courage, and compassion drive progress?
• And as individuals, how will we adapt, unlearn, and retool, knowing that our collective success ultimately depends on our personal willingness to grow?

Those questions aren’t just theoretical for us. In fiscal 2025, we answered each with a real and measurable commitment:

• 573,000 employee volunteer hours and the sixth consecutive year exceeding our 80% community impact target
• 31 crisis response efforts and over 900 employee volunteers supporting communities in crisis
• 100% renewable energy to match global annual electricity needs at Cisco owned and leased facilities³
• 154 million lives positively impacted through the Cisco Foundation and Social Impact Investments

Behind each of these metrics are human stories of resilience and expanded possibility. Our responsibility is to ensure this progress continues — human, inclusive, and grounded in trust. That is how we will meet this moment: by learning, by leading, and by helping others do the same.

Learn more:

Purpose at Cisco
FY25 Purpose Report
Purpose Reporting Hub 

View original content here.

 

^{1. Source: “IDC MarketScape: European IT Training Services 2025 Vendor Assessment”, 1 December 2025, IDC # EUR153005625.} 

^{2. Source: “IDC MarketScape: North America IT Training Services 2025-2026 Vendor Assessment”, 4 December 2025, IDC # US52991625.} 

^{3. Cisco achieved this milestone using a variety of methods, including on-site renewables, contractual arrangements such as power purchase agreements, and energy attribute certificates. See the Purpose Reporting Hub for our renewable energy strategy}

AMSTERDAM, HONG KONG, OAKLAND, Calif., January 14, 2026 /3BL/ – Cascale today announced program details for Cascale Forum: Colombo, taking place March 30–April 1, 2026 in Sri Lanka. Building on the success of the 2025 Forum in Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam, this gathering will convene manufacturers, brands, retailers, NGOs, policymakers, and solution providers under the theme “Action by Design: Accelerating a Fairer, More Resilient Value Chain.”

“At Cascale Forum: Colombo, we are bringing the value chain together to work intentionally on the systems, relationships, and practices that accelerate measurable progress on climate and decent work,” said Harsh Saini, interim CEO, Cascale. “This is a space for shared learning — and shared responsibility.”

Rotated annually across critical manufacturing regions, Cascale Forums are brought to the industry by the stewards of the Higg Index, exclusively available on Worldly, and center the experience and expertise of manufacturers and sourcing companies at the center of global production. The Joint Apparel Association Forum (JAAF), which represents Sri Lanka’s textile and apparel export sector, is the event’s Association Collaborator. Hosting the Forum in Sri Lanka reinforces Cascale’s commitment to ensuring regional priorities shape global strategies while emphasizing that intentional collaboration is essential to drive measurable improvement on climate and decent work.

“Sri Lanka has long played an important role in advancing responsible manufacturing,” said Saifuddin Jafferjee, chairman of the Joint Apparel Association Forum Sri Lanka (JAAF). “Cascale Forum: Colombo provides a valuable platform to share regional experience, strengthen collaboration across the value chain, and contribute practical insights that support a fairer, more resilient industry.”

Across two days of plenaries, workshops, and training sessions, participants will explore what effective brand–manufacturer collaboration looks like in practice, engage in hands-on learning, and gain a deeper understanding of how to effectively use Cascale’s tools, including those in the Higg Index and Better Buying. New this year, side meetings and factory tours will offer additional opportunities to learn from regional examples of operational and sustainability excellence.

Why Sri Lanka?

Sri Lanka represents an important region in the global apparel supply chain and brings diverse perspectives to the table. Its manufacturers have earned a reputation for high environmental and social standards, energy-efficient operations, and early adoption of sustainability tools such as the Higg Index. The textile and apparel export sector accounts for nearly 50 percent of Sri Lanka’s exports and represents six percent of its GDP.

With a well-connected network of industry players who actively engage in shared initiatives, Sri Lanka offers real-world examples of responsible production – making it an ideal location for hands-on learning, cross-industry dialogue, and peer-to-peer capability building. Finally, local organizations provide valuable context through factory tours, coordinated through the Cascale Forum: Colombo program, which allow participants to experience sustainability innovations, workforce practices, and environmental performance improvements firsthand.

Member-Driven Program Advisory Group

Cascale’s expert Program Advisory Group members emphasized the importance of grounding global strategy in local realities while helping develop the program for Cascale Forum: Colombo.

“South Asia is known in the global apparel industry for combining innovation, quality, and responsible manufacturing,” said Nikhil Hirdaramani, director, Hirdaramani. “Cascale Forum: Colombo showcases how that leadership contributes meaningfully to global industry progress.”

“Manufacturers are navigating increasing complexity and at MAS we have always tried to be proactive and take the challenge head on,” said Dhanujie Jayapala, general manager of environmental sustainability, MAS Holdings. “Cascale Forum: Colombo gives us the opportunity to share regional insights and build capabilities that support long-term, aligned progress.”

“To build a resilient supply chain, we need strong alignment between brands and suppliers,” said Cesar Hasibuan, responsible supply chain director, South Asia, Nike Inc. “This Forum will create space to understand each other’s challenges and design solutions that work in practice, not just on paper.”

“We need practical, operational pathways to meet today’s climate and social expectations in the fashion industry,” said Dr. Thiwanka De Fonseka, chief sustainability officer at Komar. “Cascale Forum: Colombo plays a vital role by creating a space for hands-on learning and intentional, equitable collaboration that empowers our industry to move from commitment to real, measurable impact throughout the value chain.”

“Collaboration is essential to scaling credible environmental solutions,” said Maria Arroyo, Sector Partnership Lead, ZDHC. “Our work only succeeds when data, standards, and implementation are connected — and Cascale Forum: Colombo helps make that possible.”

Program Highlights

Lead sponsored by Worldly and sponsored by MAS Holdings, Komar, TÜV Rheinland, GSCS, among others, key highlights for Cascale Forum: Colombo include:

• 500+ attendees from across the consumer goods value chain
• Two days of impact across plenaries, workshops, and practical training
• One unified mission to strengthen a fairer, more resilient industry
• Field trips and side meetings on March 30
• Intentional networking and social events
• In-person participation only; no virtual access

“Cascale Forum: Colombo brings the industry together at the point where data, capability, and action intersect,” said Scott Raskin, CEO of Worldly. “By pairing Cascale’s standards and governance with accessible, innovative solutions, the Forum helps brands and manufacturers move beyond reporting and toward decisions that improve environmental and social performance across the value chain.”

In November, after over a million people were displaced by severe flooding and landslides, Sri Lanka declared a state of emergency; Cascale is contributing to the Sri Lanka Red Cross Society to support emergency response and long-term rebuilding, and continues to stay in close contact with regional partners as needs evolve.

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

ABOUT CASCALE

Cascale is the global nonprofit alliance empowering collaboration to drive equitable and restorative business practices in the consumer goods industry. Formerly known as the Sustainable Apparel Coalition, Cascale owns and develops the Higg Index, which is exclusively available on Worldly, the most comprehensive sustainability data and insights platform. Cascale unites over 300 retailers, brands, manufacturers, governments, academics, and NGO/nonprofit affiliates around the globe through one singular vision: To catalyze impact at scale and give back more than we take to the planet and its people.

LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube

AMSTERDAM, HONG KONG, OAKLAND, Calif., January 14, 2026 /3BL/ – Cascale today announced program details for Cascale Forum: Colombo, taking place March 30–April 1, 2026 in Sri Lanka. Building on the success of the 2025 Forum in Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam, this gathering will convene manufacturers, brands, retailers, NGOs, policymakers, and solution providers under the theme “Action by Design: Accelerating a Fairer, More Resilient Value Chain.”

“At Cascale Forum: Colombo, we are bringing the value chain together to work intentionally on the systems, relationships, and practices that accelerate measurable progress on climate and decent work,” said Harsh Saini, interim CEO, Cascale. “This is a space for shared learning — and shared responsibility.”

Rotated annually across critical manufacturing regions, Cascale Forums are brought to the industry by the stewards of the Higg Index, exclusively available on Worldly, and center the experience and expertise of manufacturers and sourcing companies at the center of global production. The Joint Apparel Association Forum (JAAF), which represents Sri Lanka’s textile and apparel export sector, is the event’s Association Collaborator. Hosting the Forum in Sri Lanka reinforces Cascale’s commitment to ensuring regional priorities shape global strategies while emphasizing that intentional collaboration is essential to drive measurable improvement on climate and decent work.

“Sri Lanka has long played an important role in advancing responsible manufacturing,” said Saifuddin Jafferjee, chairman of the Joint Apparel Association Forum Sri Lanka (JAAF). “Cascale Forum: Colombo provides a valuable platform to share regional experience, strengthen collaboration across the value chain, and contribute practical insights that support a fairer, more resilient industry.”

Across two days of plenaries, workshops, and training sessions, participants will explore what effective brand–manufacturer collaboration looks like in practice, engage in hands-on learning, and gain a deeper understanding of how to effectively use Cascale’s tools, including those in the Higg Index and Better Buying. New this year, side meetings and factory tours will offer additional opportunities to learn from regional examples of operational and sustainability excellence.

Why Sri Lanka?

Sri Lanka represents an important region in the global apparel supply chain and brings diverse perspectives to the table. Its manufacturers have earned a reputation for high environmental and social standards, energy-efficient operations, and early adoption of sustainability tools such as the Higg Index. The textile and apparel export sector accounts for nearly 50 percent of Sri Lanka’s exports and represents six percent of its GDP.

With a well-connected network of industry players who actively engage in shared initiatives, Sri Lanka offers real-world examples of responsible production – making it an ideal location for hands-on learning, cross-industry dialogue, and peer-to-peer capability building. Finally, local organizations provide valuable context through factory tours, coordinated through the Cascale Forum: Colombo program, which allow participants to experience sustainability innovations, workforce practices, and environmental performance improvements firsthand.

Member-Driven Program Advisory Group

Cascale’s expert Program Advisory Group members emphasized the importance of grounding global strategy in local realities while helping develop the program for Cascale Forum: Colombo.

“South Asia is known in the global apparel industry for combining innovation, quality, and responsible manufacturing,” said Nikhil Hirdaramani, director, Hirdaramani. “Cascale Forum: Colombo showcases how that leadership contributes meaningfully to global industry progress.”

“Manufacturers are navigating increasing complexity and at MAS we have always tried to be proactive and take the challenge head on,” said Dhanujie Jayapala, general manager of environmental sustainability, MAS Holdings. “Cascale Forum: Colombo gives us the opportunity to share regional insights and build capabilities that support long-term, aligned progress.”

“To build a resilient supply chain, we need strong alignment between brands and suppliers,” said Cesar Hasibuan, responsible supply chain director, South Asia, Nike Inc. “This Forum will create space to understand each other’s challenges and design solutions that work in practice, not just on paper.”

“We need practical, operational pathways to meet today’s climate and social expectations in the fashion industry,” said Dr. Thiwanka De Fonseka, chief sustainability officer at Komar. “Cascale Forum: Colombo plays a vital role by creating a space for hands-on learning and intentional, equitable collaboration that empowers our industry to move from commitment to real, measurable impact throughout the value chain.”

“Collaboration is essential to scaling credible environmental solutions,” said Maria Arroyo, Sector Partnership Lead, ZDHC. “Our work only succeeds when data, standards, and implementation are connected — and Cascale Forum: Colombo helps make that possible.”

Program Highlights

Lead sponsored by Worldly and sponsored by MAS Holdings, Komar, TÜV Rheinland, GSCS, among others, key highlights for Cascale Forum: Colombo include:

• 500+ attendees from across the consumer goods value chain
• Two days of impact across plenaries, workshops, and practical training
• One unified mission to strengthen a fairer, more resilient industry
• Field trips and side meetings on March 30
• Intentional networking and social events
• In-person participation only; no virtual access

“Cascale Forum: Colombo brings the industry together at the point where data, capability, and action intersect,” said Scott Raskin, CEO of Worldly. “By pairing Cascale’s standards and governance with accessible, innovative solutions, the Forum helps brands and manufacturers move beyond reporting and toward decisions that improve environmental and social performance across the value chain.”

In November, after over a million people were displaced by severe flooding and landslides, Sri Lanka declared a state of emergency; Cascale is contributing to the Sri Lanka Red Cross Society to support emergency response and long-term rebuilding, and continues to stay in close contact with regional partners as needs evolve.

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

ABOUT CASCALE

Cascale is the global nonprofit alliance empowering collaboration to drive equitable and restorative business practices in the consumer goods industry. Formerly known as the Sustainable Apparel Coalition, Cascale owns and develops the Higg Index, which is exclusively available on Worldly, the most comprehensive sustainability data and insights platform. Cascale unites over 300 retailers, brands, manufacturers, governments, academics, and NGO/nonprofit affiliates around the globe through one singular vision: To catalyze impact at scale and give back more than we take to the planet and its people.

LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube

CLEVELAND, January 14, 2026/3BL/ — KeyBank’s Key4Women will present “Awaken Your Influence with the Revitalize System™”, a free, one-hour virtual event on Tuesday, January 27^th at 1:00 p.m. EST / 11:00 a.m. MT / 10:00 a.m. PST.

Key4Women National Director, Rachael Sampson, will be joined by Founder and CEO of The DiStefano Group, Gina DiStefano, for an engaging conversation on leadership growth, equipping professionals with actionable strategies to elevate presence, strengthen authentic influence, and create meaningful impact.

In this webinar, entrepreneurs, emerging leaders, and/or seasoned professionals will gain practical tools to:

• Build clarity through self-awareness and understand what drives decisions.
• Identify who supports or hinders professional growth.
• Communicate confidently and take purposeful action in personal and professional life.

“We’re excited to spend time with Gina during this webinar,” said Sampson. “Her fresh perspective on leadership will provide attendees with valuable insights and practical tools to help them succeed in their endeavors.”

Gina DiStefano, Founder and CEO of The DiStefano Group, brings over 20 years of expertise in leadership development and coaching. Her proprietary Revitalize System helps professionals move from awareness to execution, fostering authentic growth and impact. Gina has served as interim CEO for a national nonprofit, is a sought-after keynote speaker, and has been featured in THRIVE Global, Huffington Post, and Entrepreneur Magazine.

For more information, contact key4women@keybank.com or register online by January 27^th here. 

About Key4Women
Key4Women started in 2005 as a campaign to lend $1 billion to qualified women-owned businesses within three years. The program achieved that in two years and has now generated more than $12 billion in loans to women-owned businesses. Membership in Key4Women is free. In addition to helping women business leaders and owners tap into capital to build and grow their businesses, Key4Women members gain valuable access to a team of local Certified Key4Wome Advisors who advocate, connect and empower women on their journey to financial wellness. For more information, visit key.com/key4women.

About KeyCorp

KeyCorp’s roots trace back more than 200 years to Albany, New York. Headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, Key is one of the nation’s largest bank-based financial services companies, with assets of approximately $187 billion at September 30, 2025. Key provides deposit, lending, cash management, and investment services to individuals and businesses in 15 states under the name KeyBank National Association through a network of approximately 1,000 branches and approximately 1,200 ATMs. Key also provides a broad range of sophisticated corporate and investment banking products, such as merger and acquisition advice, public and private debt and equity, syndications and derivatives to middle market companies in selected industries throughout the United States under the KeyBanc Capital Markets trade name. For more information, visit https://www.key.com/. KeyBank is Member FDIC.

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CLEVELAND, January 14, 2026/3BL/ — KeyBank’s Key4Women will present “Awaken Your Influence with the Revitalize System™”, a free, one-hour virtual event on Tuesday, January 27^th at 1:00 p.m. EST / 11:00 a.m. MT / 10:00 a.m. PST.

Key4Women National Director, Rachael Sampson, will be joined by Founder and CEO of The DiStefano Group, Gina DiStefano, for an engaging conversation on leadership growth, equipping professionals with actionable strategies to elevate presence, strengthen authentic influence, and create meaningful impact.

In this webinar, entrepreneurs, emerging leaders, and/or seasoned professionals will gain practical tools to:

• Build clarity through self-awareness and understand what drives decisions.
• Identify who supports or hinders professional growth.
• Communicate confidently and take purposeful action in personal and professional life.

“We’re excited to spend time with Gina during this webinar,” said Sampson. “Her fresh perspective on leadership will provide attendees with valuable insights and practical tools to help them succeed in their endeavors.”

Gina DiStefano, Founder and CEO of The DiStefano Group, brings over 20 years of expertise in leadership development and coaching. Her proprietary Revitalize System helps professionals move from awareness to execution, fostering authentic growth and impact. Gina has served as interim CEO for a national nonprofit, is a sought-after keynote speaker, and has been featured in THRIVE Global, Huffington Post, and Entrepreneur Magazine.

For more information, contact key4women@keybank.com or register online by January 27^th here. 

About Key4Women
Key4Women started in 2005 as a campaign to lend $1 billion to qualified women-owned businesses within three years. The program achieved that in two years and has now generated more than $12 billion in loans to women-owned businesses. Membership in Key4Women is free. In addition to helping women business leaders and owners tap into capital to build and grow their businesses, Key4Women members gain valuable access to a team of local Certified Key4Wome Advisors who advocate, connect and empower women on their journey to financial wellness. For more information, visit key.com/key4women.

About KeyCorp

KeyCorp’s roots trace back more than 200 years to Albany, New York. Headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, Key is one of the nation’s largest bank-based financial services companies, with assets of approximately $187 billion at September 30, 2025. Key provides deposit, lending, cash management, and investment services to individuals and businesses in 15 states under the name KeyBank National Association through a network of approximately 1,000 branches and approximately 1,200 ATMs. Key also provides a broad range of sophisticated corporate and investment banking products, such as merger and acquisition advice, public and private debt and equity, syndications and derivatives to middle market companies in selected industries throughout the United States under the KeyBanc Capital Markets trade name. For more information, visit https://www.key.com/. KeyBank is Member FDIC.

###

The Case IH Connected Farm presents new results after the closing of the 2024/25 harvest. As a result of the partnership between Case IH, a CNH brand, and TIM, a leader in agribusiness coverage, the real farm of more than 3,000 hectares was transformed into a laboratory of innovation and productivity.

With a record harvest, the total production was 14,054 tons, with an average productivity of 75 bags per hectare. As a result, it was 19% more productive than the region in which it is located, 14% higher than in relation to the state of Mato Grosso, in addition to being 27% more productive than the Brazilian average during the same period, according to data from Conab.

In addition to the agronomic results, the project has evolved into a model with Regenerative Agriculture practices, with the integration of technologies that restore the soil, reduce emissions, and increase operational efficiency.

For this last harvest, the Case IH Connected Farm received new technologies at all stages of the production cycle, such as XactPlanting, which provides intelligent planting with individualized control; FieldXplorer, which does aerial image mapping and monitoring; and FarmXtend; weather station that provides localized data in real time.

To assess the impact of these new technologies on reducing carbon emissions, a comparison was made between the 23/24 and 24/25 harvests. The study considered the carbon emissions associated with fuel consumption and the use of pesticides in the most productive plots where the solutions were applied. The result was a 23.6% reduction in tons of CO2e per bag of soybeans.

Read the full story here.

Originally published on Guiding Stars Health & Nutrition News

by Allison Stowell

An important attribute of a nutrition guidance program is the ability to remain relevant as trends change. Since the launch of Guiding Stars, different dietary approaches have impacted consumers and the goals they’re seeking to meet. Throughout that time, Guiding Stars has evolved and remained an important tool that positively impacts consumers’ ability to identify and embrace a nutritious diet.

More Protein

Consumers are looking for protein. And in many cases, they’re going beyond the meat department to find it. Products that call out “protein” on the package attract consumers seeking to increase their protein intake. Options like protein-rich Pop-Tarts and other sweet or salty snacks, likely high in attributes we should limit, might be an appealing choice for consumers who are also prioritizing taste. 

It’s good to emphasize dietary protein, particularly for individuals using GLP-1 medication. But it’s also important to limit intake of added sugar, sodium, and saturated fat. This is where Guiding Stars shines. Guiding Stars-earning, protein-rich foods (like eggs, lean meats, edamame, and packaged products) provide protein without compromising on other aspects of your overall diet.

Better Beverages

The beverage industry continues to expand and innovate to keep up with consumer demand. Consumers want lower-sugar drinks, functional beverages, and more as they turn to beverages that do more than just hydrate. In 2022, to address the increasing impact of the beverage aisle on consumer’s health, Guiding Stars launched a beverage algorithm. With this change, Guiding Stars has helped consumers embrace beverages that are lower in natural and added sugar, saturated fat, salt, and artificial colors. 

When consumers follow Guiding Stars, they’re also led to beverages with more fiber, vitamins, minerals, and active cultures. So many options are presented to us as the more healthful or beneficial beverage these days. A trusted resource like Guiding Stars cuts through and enables consumers to choose what truly aligns with their wellness goals.

Dietary Fats

Since its inception, Guiding Stars has been guiding consumers toward foods with less saturated fat, which negatively impacts cholesterol levels and can increase risk of chronic disease. Today’s consumer recognizes that dietary fats are an important part of a balanced diet, yet confusion remains. This is apparent when it comes to oils, dairy products, higher-fat meats, and some packaged products. Do you find yourself confused in grocery aisles? Rely on Guiding Stars to guide you toward heart-healthy options that align with reducing risk of heart disease.

Special Diets

Many consumers choose to follow a special diet or must make choices based on allergies or intolerances. They may be gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan, or follow another restrictive diet. Allergen labeling and food innovation have improved the options for these individuals. However, it’s not uncommon for compromises to be made. For example, a product that is gluten-free may also be lower in fiber and whole grains, or higher in sodium.

More consumers are choosing non-dairy milk alternatives, plant-based products, gluten-free foods, and more. By doing so, they may be missing out on essential micronutrients. They may also be accidentally increasing intake of salt, sugar, saturated fat, or other undesirable attributes. Guiding Stars can be a helpful tool for these individuals. It allows them to choose products that align with their goals, while still following a nutritious diet that benefits their overall health and wellness.

About Guiding Stars

Guiding Stars is an objective, evidence-based, nutrition guidance program that evaluates foods and beverages to make nutritious choices simple. Products that meet transparent nutrition criteria earn a 1, 2, or 3 star rating for good, better, and best nutrition. Guiding Stars can be found in more than 2,000 grocery stores and through the Guiding Stars Food Finder app.

Originally published on Guiding Stars Health & Nutrition News

by Allison Stowell

An important attribute of a nutrition guidance program is the ability to remain relevant as trends change. Since the launch of Guiding Stars, different dietary approaches have impacted consumers and the goals they’re seeking to meet. Throughout that time, Guiding Stars has evolved and remained an important tool that positively impacts consumers’ ability to identify and embrace a nutritious diet.

More Protein

Consumers are looking for protein. And in many cases, they’re going beyond the meat department to find it. Products that call out “protein” on the package attract consumers seeking to increase their protein intake. Options like protein-rich Pop-Tarts and other sweet or salty snacks, likely high in attributes we should limit, might be an appealing choice for consumers who are also prioritizing taste. 

It’s good to emphasize dietary protein, particularly for individuals using GLP-1 medication. But it’s also important to limit intake of added sugar, sodium, and saturated fat. This is where Guiding Stars shines. Guiding Stars-earning, protein-rich foods (like eggs, lean meats, edamame, and packaged products) provide protein without compromising on other aspects of your overall diet.

Better Beverages

The beverage industry continues to expand and innovate to keep up with consumer demand. Consumers want lower-sugar drinks, functional beverages, and more as they turn to beverages that do more than just hydrate. In 2022, to address the increasing impact of the beverage aisle on consumer’s health, Guiding Stars launched a beverage algorithm. With this change, Guiding Stars has helped consumers embrace beverages that are lower in natural and added sugar, saturated fat, salt, and artificial colors. 

When consumers follow Guiding Stars, they’re also led to beverages with more fiber, vitamins, minerals, and active cultures. So many options are presented to us as the more healthful or beneficial beverage these days. A trusted resource like Guiding Stars cuts through and enables consumers to choose what truly aligns with their wellness goals.

Dietary Fats

Since its inception, Guiding Stars has been guiding consumers toward foods with less saturated fat, which negatively impacts cholesterol levels and can increase risk of chronic disease. Today’s consumer recognizes that dietary fats are an important part of a balanced diet, yet confusion remains. This is apparent when it comes to oils, dairy products, higher-fat meats, and some packaged products. Do you find yourself confused in grocery aisles? Rely on Guiding Stars to guide you toward heart-healthy options that align with reducing risk of heart disease.

Special Diets

Many consumers choose to follow a special diet or must make choices based on allergies or intolerances. They may be gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan, or follow another restrictive diet. Allergen labeling and food innovation have improved the options for these individuals. However, it’s not uncommon for compromises to be made. For example, a product that is gluten-free may also be lower in fiber and whole grains, or higher in sodium.

More consumers are choosing non-dairy milk alternatives, plant-based products, gluten-free foods, and more. By doing so, they may be missing out on essential micronutrients. They may also be accidentally increasing intake of salt, sugar, saturated fat, or other undesirable attributes. Guiding Stars can be a helpful tool for these individuals. It allows them to choose products that align with their goals, while still following a nutritious diet that benefits their overall health and wellness.

About Guiding Stars

Guiding Stars is an objective, evidence-based, nutrition guidance program that evaluates foods and beverages to make nutritious choices simple. Products that meet transparent nutrition criteria earn a 1, 2, or 3 star rating for good, better, and best nutrition. Guiding Stars can be found in more than 2,000 grocery stores and through the Guiding Stars Food Finder app.

Client background

Iris Global is a U.S.-based not-for-profit organization with partners in 37 countries. Through these partnerships, Iris Global delivers a wide range of faith-filled services to communities in need. Their work includes primary and secondary education, medical clinics, clean water initiatives and well-drilling, church planting, pastoral training, prison ministry, and feeding programs.

Business challenge

Along with growth, Iris Global was facing mounting operational challenges. They were using QuickBooks for accounting and Salesforce as their Client Relationship Management. However, the lack of integration between these systems was creating significant operational inefficiencies.

• Manual data entry led to duplication of efforts and increased the risk of errors.
• Employees were often working on the same transactions multiple times across systems.
• Internal controls were weak, and reporting capabilities were limited.
• Reporting was limited, making it difficult to gain timely insights or support audits.
• Server maintenance caused frequent downtime, locking employees out and disrupting workflows.
• The organization was overwhelmed, with every employee stretched thin and no capacity to scale without hiring more staff.

Strategy

Baker Tilly approached the engagement as a strategic ally, listening closely to Iris Global’s unique needs and designing a strategy that was both technically sound and economically viable.

• API integration between Salesforce and Sage Intacct to automate donation entries and financial data syncing.
• Custom integration between Stripe and the child sponsorship database, pushing data through APIs into Sage Intacct.
• Automation of online donation entries, enabling real-time or overnight syncing of donation batches.
• User-defined dimensions and non-traditional historical data migration to accommodate the organization’s tracking needs.
• Cloud-based access, eliminating the need for server logins and enabling seamless hybrid and remote work.
• Recommended Venn Technology for API-based automation of donation entries and online giving between Salesforce and Sage Intacct.

Outcome

Iris Global needed a solution that would streamline operations, reduce manual work and support their hybrid and remote workforce.

The implementation began in March 2020 and went live in August 2020, right in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, demonstrating both teams’ resilience and adaptability. As a result, Iris Global saw:

• Significant time savings as employees no longer chase data or duplicate entries across systems.
• Streamlined not-for-profit workflows and role definitions helped reduce overlap in employee responsibilities and improved workload management.
• Theautomation of key processes reduced the need for additional hires, aiding in cost-cutting.
• Staff gained improved flexibility, as they could work remotely without facing technical barriers such as server logins or downtime.
• Real-time data availability enhanced accuracy, improved decision-making and audit readiness.
• Having transaction support accessible in the system for staff in multiple locations increased efficiency.

Iris Global continues today to continuously enhance its automation with Sage Intacct’s release enhancements and Venn Technology expertise.

See our not-for-profit solutions in action

Client background

Iris Global is a U.S.-based not-for-profit organization with partners in 37 countries. Through these partnerships, Iris Global delivers a wide range of faith-filled services to communities in need. Their work includes primary and secondary education, medical clinics, clean water initiatives and well-drilling, church planting, pastoral training, prison ministry, and feeding programs.

Business challenge

Along with growth, Iris Global was facing mounting operational challenges. They were using QuickBooks for accounting and Salesforce as their Client Relationship Management. However, the lack of integration between these systems was creating significant operational inefficiencies.

• Manual data entry led to duplication of efforts and increased the risk of errors.
• Employees were often working on the same transactions multiple times across systems.
• Internal controls were weak, and reporting capabilities were limited.
• Reporting was limited, making it difficult to gain timely insights or support audits.
• Server maintenance caused frequent downtime, locking employees out and disrupting workflows.
• The organization was overwhelmed, with every employee stretched thin and no capacity to scale without hiring more staff.

Strategy

Baker Tilly approached the engagement as a strategic ally, listening closely to Iris Global’s unique needs and designing a strategy that was both technically sound and economically viable.

• API integration between Salesforce and Sage Intacct to automate donation entries and financial data syncing.
• Custom integration between Stripe and the child sponsorship database, pushing data through APIs into Sage Intacct.
• Automation of online donation entries, enabling real-time or overnight syncing of donation batches.
• User-defined dimensions and non-traditional historical data migration to accommodate the organization’s tracking needs.
• Cloud-based access, eliminating the need for server logins and enabling seamless hybrid and remote work.
• Recommended Venn Technology for API-based automation of donation entries and online giving between Salesforce and Sage Intacct.

Outcome

Iris Global needed a solution that would streamline operations, reduce manual work and support their hybrid and remote workforce.

The implementation began in March 2020 and went live in August 2020, right in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, demonstrating both teams’ resilience and adaptability. As a result, Iris Global saw:

• Significant time savings as employees no longer chase data or duplicate entries across systems.
• Streamlined not-for-profit workflows and role definitions helped reduce overlap in employee responsibilities and improved workload management.
• Theautomation of key processes reduced the need for additional hires, aiding in cost-cutting.
• Staff gained improved flexibility, as they could work remotely without facing technical barriers such as server logins or downtime.
• Real-time data availability enhanced accuracy, improved decision-making and audit readiness.
• Having transaction support accessible in the system for staff in multiple locations increased efficiency.

Iris Global continues today to continuously enhance its automation with Sage Intacct’s release enhancements and Venn Technology expertise.

See our not-for-profit solutions in action