Tag: 3BL

January 6, 2025 /3BL/ – As Winter Storm Blair moves into the U.S., T-Mobile is taking proactive measures to help ensure customers, communities and first responders stay connected through severe rain, snow, ice, thunderstorms and freezing temperatures expected from the plains to the East Coast.

With technical response plans tailored to winter storms, T-Mobile’s emergency teams are equipped to address challenges effectively. From technology readiness to team mobilization, we’re preparing to minimize disruptions and working to keep our network running strong.

Network Hardening & Readiness

We’ve fortified critical network equipment, including inspecting and fueling permanent and portable generators and reinforcing infrastructure like facilities and towers, ensuring backup systems are in place and operational. As the storm unfolds, T-Mobile’s network teams will actively monitor conditions and deploy resources to boost and restore connectivity where needed.

T-Mobile continues to invest in innovative technologies to enhance network resilience during extreme weather. Using AI-driven tools like the Cognitive Self-Organizing Network (SON), automated coverage optimization, and guided digital antenna tilting, we can adapt in real-time to keep customers connected. These advancements, combined with extensive network hardening efforts such as redundant backhaul routes and overlapping coverage, reduce interruptions and improve recovery times.

Public Safety and First Responders

T-Mobile is engaged with numerous federal, state and local officials and emergency management agencies in the states expected to be impacted. Agencies needing communications assistance can reach out to our 24-hour emergency hotline at 888-639-0020 or email at ERTRequests@T-Mobile.com.

First responders and emergency officials can sign up for Wireless Priority Service (WPS) to automatically get priority access and preemption for voice and priority access for data on T-Mobile’s network at no cost.

Community Support

Our teams are standing by and ready to support impacted communities with Wi-Fi, power, device charging, charging supplies and other services as they are identified and when safe to do so.

See our newsroom for more information on T-Mobile’s Emergency Response, and follow @TMobileNews on X to stay up to date with the latest company news.

Verizon

When Rifat Kabir Sharna moved from Bangladesh to Columbus, Ohio, in November 2023 with her husband, she had a goal: to make her mark in the tech industry. She had already worked in tech and media industries, and wanted to build new skills to position herself for success in the U.S.

But transitioning to a new country and seeking a new career path meant starting from scratch in many ways. Without a work visa and daunted by the high costs of education, Sharna sought out alternative ways to further her learning. After completing multiple unpaid internships with software and technology corporations, Sharna explored free online learning opportunities as a way to pursue her academic goals.

“My passion for continuous learning is driven by my curiosity and my desire to stay relevant in a constantly evolving field like tech,” Sharna explains.

This passion led her to the Verizon Skill Forward program, which, in partnership with edX, offers tuition-free online training to accelerate skill building for in-demand careers. In comparison to other programs she had explored, Sharna was drawn to the breadth and accessibility of the free courses offered through Verizon Skill Forward. “The program’s flexibility allows me to learn at my own pace and balance it with other commitments, which is a huge advantage,” she says. “There’s also a sense of accomplishment in completing all the modules of each course and receiving a professional certificate, recognizing my endeavor with learning.”

Sharna has been intentional about her educational journey since she’s been in the U.S., making sure every course she takes will put her one step closer to her goal of getting into grad school and eventually landing a role in tech once she is able to start working.

“I choose new skills based on emerging trends and areas that align with my career goals,” she says. “For instance, I’ve recently focused on project management and data analytics, as these skills are crucial for tech roles that combine strategy and technology.”

Through Verizon Skill Forward, Sharna has earned a certification in leadership and communication from Harvard University, a diversity certification from Rice University, as well as certification in Python programming.

“I envision myself in a role that combines strategic thinking with technology, such as an IT manager or business analyst,” she says. “I am particularly interested in positions where I can help guide product or process improvements that enhance user experiences and add business value.”

Currently, Sharna is pursuing an online bachelor’s degree — in parallel to her Skill Forward studies — in business administration, with a concentration in project management and information systems. Through Skill Forward, Sharna plans to finish a front-end developer certification and a professional supply chain certification, in addition to taking finance courses.

Through her efforts, Sharna says she has gained a renewed sense of confidence and purpose in pursuing her goals. The biggest change, she says, has been to her mindset. “Since earning these certifications, I have seen a boost in my confidence,” she says. “Completing these courses has reinforced my commitment to growth and adaptability. [It has made me realize] education has no boundaries.”

Our St. Maries, Idaho facility’s electrician apprenticeship program consists of a combination of online/classroom coursework and practical experience. Electrician apprentices must accrue 8,000 hours of on-the-job work experience and are required to be enrolled in an accredited electrician apprenticeship school for their classroom training. For our program, apprentices can partner with either North Idaho College or the College of Southern Idaho.

Candidates take an average of four years to complete the eight levels of the electrician apprenticeship. Each of those four years requires 144 hours of instruction, for a total of 576 hours. The schooling focuses on electrical codes, wiring, finish work, troubleshooting, motor installation and controls. Our apprentices also enroll in Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) classes.

Electricians at St. Maries perform integral tasks in our wood products operations. Properly working electrical tools, wiring, fuses, receptacles, circuits, and motors, to list only a few items, are a vital part of a mill running efficiently. First and foremost, the electricians are responsible for complying with all Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) safety protocols and to work in accordance with the rules and regulations of the National Fire Protection Association and special local regulations. For example, lock out/tag out systems are a primary mill safety system that electricians must install, maintain, and repair and are critical for all workers at the mill. Everyday tasks can also include rough-in wiring for switches, receptacles, circuits, motors, and fuses; preparing sketches or following blueprints to determine the location of wiring or equipment and to ensure conformance to building and safety codes; diagnosing, troubleshooting, and repairing all types of malfunctioning electrical systems; and providing input to management for capital planning on longevity of electrical systems.

We have nine electrician apprentices at various stages of training at our St. Maries, Idaho lumber and plywood facility. The program offers Team Members a way to acquire skills and certification in a trade that is in high demand in our industry today, and in turn provides our Company with a consistent source of skilled labor talent. Many of the Team Members who have participated in apprenticeships have now successfully completed the program and are currently working as fully qualified electricians at our facilities. Further, once an apprenticeship is completed the apprentice can take the journeyman state test to get their journeyman card. We have had eight apprentices move on to journeyman status after their program was completed over the last five years.

Originally published on GoDaddy Resource Library

What’s your story? Tell us a little bit about yourself and your career journey, to date.

I initially started to work at a Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) center as a contingent worker who provided policy and Workday related guidance via phone, live chat, and email. At that time, I did not plan to follow a career in the private sector, but it was a valuable experience, nonetheless. Direct contact with thousands of employees from around the world has shaped my work ethic to be focused on customer service. It also allowed me to respect stricter rules and procedures. The second job shifted the attention to a more technical Workday tier 1 and then tier 2 support where the Human Resources Business Partner (HRBPs) were the main customers. The contact with the Korean work culture in a company with 300,000 employees allowed me to better understand different mentalities and inspired me to come up with new ideas. Now, I am lucky enough to work for GoDaddy, where my growth is continuously encouraged and supported.

What’s the most challenging yet rewarding thing that you’ve worked on at GoDaddy?

There isn’t a particular case or project that was particularly challenging. Rather, I would say that the method of work and how you constantly approach a problem (regardless of what it is) has been the most challenging and rewarding for me. This required discovering innovative solutions through Workday Community, various other channels, colleague knowledge sharing, and extensive testing. The greatest challenge and reward lie in finding the optimal technical solution through relentless trial and error, persisting until every possible option has been explored.

What makes the GoDaddy Human Resources Information System (HRIS) Team unique from others that you’ve worked on?

First, it’s a multinational team that has never met in person and is working in opposite time zones. This does not stop us from completing all of our projects and cooperating as if we were right next to each other. This means elevating technology to help our productivity instead of becoming dependent on it and pushing the boundaries of working remotely. Second, the willingness to support each other and have the full encouragement of our manager to explore new paths of development represented was unprecedented for me. We have career path options, not just a singular job. Third, the work-life balance promoted within the company and the team increased our productivity while staying healthy. For example, physiotherapy eliminated my lower back pain which allowed me to better focus at work.

What advice would you give to someone interested in pursuing a career in HRIS analysis?

Do you enjoy playing with data and making correlations/causal links between different variables and seeing how they connect? Do you want the puzzles that you create to make a difference and matter in the real world instead of focusing strictly on abstract ideas? If the answer is yes to these questions, then my advice would be to never stop learning and growing in this direction. This kind of work allows you to connect both worlds by recreating complex HR processes, policies, and laws into a technical virtual system that works as an interactive database. Based on how you make the system work, you receive feedback from the company stakeholders but also from the employees. As technology evolves, there will always be opportunities to improve, even if the changes seem incremental. Over time, small changes transform into a technological revolution before you even realize that you are living in it.

What do you enjoy doing outside of work?

My passion is doing research and writing papers related to my PHD specialization in international relations -“Powers and Perceptions in the Asia-Pacific Region”. The main approach is to apply the realist constructivist theory (how power relations interact with social constructs) to foreign affairs analysis. I thoroughly enjoy studying history, continental philosophy, political science, political anthropology, macroeconomics, sociology, and literature. To unwind, I enjoy exploring urban areas on long walks with my wife. I capture photos, while we engage in meaningful conversations, and savor coffee and boba tea. Playing with my two Shiba Inus, a primitive breed that fascinates me, brings me immense joy. Additionally, I have smaller side hobbies such as playing video games (Total War Series, Europa Universalis, Witcher, and Cyberpunk 2077, being my all-time favorites). My musical interests are diverse, spanning from K-pop to progressive death metal, and I enjoy music theory, attending concerts, and practicing various sports whenever I get the chance, including tennis, football, handball, kendo, kenjutsu, HEMA, and calisthenics.

Are you enjoying this series and want to know more about life at GoDaddy? Check out our GoDaddy Life social pages! Follow us to meet our team, learn more about our culture (Teams, ERGs, Locations), careers, and so much more. You’re more than just your day job, so come propel your career with us.

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Originally published in Lenovo’s 2023/24 ESG Report

Lenovo has responded to the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi)’s urgent call for corporate climate action by committing to align with 1.5°C and net-zero through the Business Ambition for 1.5°C campaign, an official partner of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Race to Zero campaign. SBTi is a partnership between the UN Global Compact, CDP, World Resources Institute and World Wide Fund for Nature. Lenovo is an early adopter of the science-based emissions reduction approach, after receiving SBTi approval for near-term 2030 emissions reduction targets in 2020. For near-term targets, Lenovo’s Scope 1 and 2 emissions reduction targets are consistent with limiting warming to 1.5°C, the most ambitious goal of the Paris Agreement, and its Scope 3 emissions reduction targets meet ambitious criteria according to the SBTi’s methodology, which means they are in line with current best practices.

On January 19, 2023, Lenovo announced its SBTi validated target to reach net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2050. Lenovo’s net-zero target is to achieve a 90 percent reduction across Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions. Lenovo was the first PC and smartphone maker and one of the first 139 companies in the world to establish a net-zero target validated by SBTi. Lenovo’s long-term 2050 net-zero target coincides with its near-term, SBTi-validated 2030 emissions reduction targets. In September 2023, Lenovo joined the UN Global Compact Forward Faster initiative to accelerate private sector action towards the SDGs, specifically committing to the climate action and water resilience targets within the initiative.

By working with SBTi and aligning to their Net-Zero Standard, which is also the world’s first framework for corporate net-zero target setting, Lenovo is taking a scientific, collaborative, and accountable approach to reducing emissions. Aligning goals to the SBTi helps hold companies accountable for their emissions reduction. Without aligning to SBTi, it is difficult to validate or know when a net-zero target is reached.

Lenovo’s mature ISO 14001 Environmental Management System (EMS) gives Lenovo a strong framework on which to set annual targets to help us drive progress towards its 2030 and 2050 SBTi goals.

These targets have a base year of FY 2018/19, near-term target year of FY 2029/30, and net-zero target year of FY 2049/50. The following table details Lenovo’s Science-Based Targets, road maps for their achievement, and progress against the targets in FY 2023/24.

LENOVO EMISSIONS REDUCTION NEAR-TERM TARGETSROAD MAP

STATUS AS OF FY 2023/24

BASE YEAR: FY 2018/19

FY 2029/30 TARGETReduce absolute Scope 1 + Scope 2 GHG emissions (related to Lenovo’s operations) by 50%Hierarchical combination of energy efficiency, on-site renewable energy generation, and renewable energy commoditiesOn-Track– 50%Reduce Scope 3 GHG emissions (value chain) from use of sold products ~35% on average for comparable productsReduce product emissions through energy efficiency improvements, engaging customers to use more renewable energyOn-Track 1– 35%Reduce Scope 3 GHG emissions (supply chain) from procured goods and services 66.5% per million US$ gross profitInclusion of climate change requirements in Supplier Code of ConductSupplier climate data collected annually from subset of suppliersClimate change KPIs included in supplier ESG scorecards (evaluation process)Expand supplier program to greater number of suppliers/ data capabilities and SBTi level of commitmentOn-Track 1– 66.5%Reduce Scope 3 GHG emissions from global logistics operations by 25% per tonne-km of transported productModal shift to lower carbon modes of transportOptimization of transport planningIncrease of vehicle utilizationImprovement of vehicle fuel efficiencyOn-Track 1– 25%LENOVO EMISSIONS REDUCTION LONG-TERM TARGETSROAD MAP

STATUS AS OF FY 2023/24

BASE YEAR: FY 2018/19

FY 2049/50 TARGETReduce all GHG emissions by 90% – absolute reduction of Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions. Neutralize remaining 10% of emissions through carbon capture, reforestation, or other meansAbove concepts continue drive energy efficiency at Lenovo sites, for products, expand supplier program in commitmentOn-Track 1– 90%

1 Lenovo is in the process of improving input data for this Scope 3 category. The status reported here is the best available estimate at the time of publication. In the FY 2024/25 ESG Report, overall supporting data and target status will reflect any improved input data.

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Originally published on HARMAN Newsroom

This article has been modified from its original format that was first published on LinkedIn. Read the full piece here.

2024 was another remarkable year for HARMAN, defined by groundbreaking innovations and customer successes.

From achievements including the expansion of our partnership with Ferrari, the launch of our HARMAN Ignite Platform in Tata passenger vehicles, state-of-the-art professional lighting systems for Royal Caribbean’s “Icon of the Seas,” and top recognition of our commitment to collaboration and transparency through our JLR Global Supplier Excellence Award for Integrity, the dedication of our team members around the globe is easy to see.

The numerous awards and recognitions we received this year – like our CES 2024 Best of Innovation Award, a whopping 35 iF Design Awards and 31 Red Dot Design Awards, celebrations of our success in continuously extending quality and delivery to our Automotive customers, and many more – further illustrate our commitment to creating meaningful experiences that resonate with our customers and consumers worldwide.  

Michael Mauser, President and Chief Executive Officer at HARMAN, reflected on the incredible milestones achieved through the collective efforts of our teams, partners, and customers. Together, we’re unlocking the momentum that will carry us forward into 2025 – a year poised to bring even greater growth, technological advancements, and meaningful contributions to our communities.

Read Michael’s full article for a look back at HARMAN’s progress in 2024 – including how we are harnessing the power of AI, maximizing customer experiences, and giving back to local communities as part of our Sound Purpose: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/harmans-2024-year-excellence-innovation-growth-michael-mauser-y9raf/?trackingId=iyQciC6zQTqh5c6u94m5iw%3D%3D

by Margret Trilli, CEO & Chief Investment Office of ImpactAssets

For impact investors, the question is not why gender equality matters — it’s how to effectively allocate capital in ways that empower women and catalyze meaningful progress far more quickly.

To be sure, impact investing alone cannot be a panacea for gender inequality, but it is an indispensable component of a larger solution. Gender equality can itself be an impact objective or, for portfolios targeting other impact themes, gender equality can be an awareness that impact investors incorporate into their work.

At ImpactAssets, we focus on three essential areas of need where capital of impact investors can be most effective at driving gender equality: 1) advancing economic inclusion; 2) delivering products and services that improve lives and outcomes; 3) and increasing representation and voice.

Together with our clients and partners, we are driving progress in these areas, and many other gender lens impact investors are scaling up capital flows in similar ways. However, addressing a challenge as entrenched and widespread as gender inequality requires significantly more investment.

Read Margaret’s full article which includes: Expanding Economic Opportunities for Women; Elevating Women’s Voices in Leadership; and Investing in Women Catalyzes Deep, Transformative Impact – all here – https://greenmoney.com/investing-in-gender-equality-offers-a-bridge-to-a-healthier-and-more-stable-future/

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For municipalities and industries, addressing regulated PFAS is crucial for compliance, mitigating risks and restoring public trust in water sources. Regulations around PFAS are changing rapidly, though, and new requirements for wastewater discharge quality resulted in operational challenges for our client. 

We installed mobile treatment equipment and conducted on-site and lab testing for a full-scale solution. We used activated carbon, RO membranes and thermal technology. We designed the following treatment process:

Solids Removal → Hardness Removal → RO Concentration → Evaporation → Final PFAS treatment and discharge and reuse of treated water

The outcome was that 99%+ PFAS reduction, with an inlet wastewater treatment capacity of 220 gallons per minute.

Veolia is a global leader in PFAS treatment, with capabilities spanning conventional to cutting-edge technologies, from pre-treatment to polishing. We continuously pilot new, innovative solutions such as foam fractionation and novel adsorbents to ensure your operations comply with emerging PFAS regulations and treatment requirements. With decades of experience helping companies across a wide range of industries, our proven track record includes 20+ successful industrial water PFAS projects, with an additional 50+ projects currently in progress.

We meet the unique challenges of your market, delivering efficiencies, cost savings and sustainable practices. Whether achieving the highest purity standards for a microchip manufacturer or treating wastewater from a food processing plant, we develop targeted, compliant strategies tailored to your operations.

We offer scientifically proven PFAS solutions for these and other markets:

AutomotiveChemical processingFood and beverageMicroelectronicsMilitary operationsOil refineriesPharmaceuticalPower generationPulp and paper

BeyondPFAS, our suite of end-to-end PFAS management solutions, is designed to support you at every step, from sampling and analysis to responsible disposal of contaminants. Our holistic approach involves initial site assessment and sampling, followed by implementing tailored treatment technologies based on your needs. We are committed to safely handling and disposing contaminates in line with EPA-recommended methods, including incineration, deep well injection and approved landfill.

Verizon

When the isolation of the pandemic left Michael Odulana of Union City, New Jersey, feeling disconnected, he turned to nature: specifically, plants — lots of plants. Odulana’s apartment is now lined with nearly 200 varieties, from Marimo moss balls and pitcher plants to variegated Monstera Peru and a golden pothos he grew from a clipping he received from his father. Adding the greenery, he says, made an immediate impact: His home became a “charging station,” with the living décor giving him energy whenever he returned to it.

“I felt way more balanced,” Odulana says. “And I wanted other people to feel that way.”

That desire sparked Odulana’s two small businesses: Plant Dad, which sells unique plant artwork and home decor, and Moobience, an interior design company whose moniker is a combination of the words “mood” and “ambience.” Both entrepreneurial ventures center wellness in interior design by using live plants and natural elements to create truly restorative spaces — something uniquely important to Odulana.

A lifelong love of nature

Odulana’s love of plants began in childhood, inspired by his parents’ passion for botany. Today, that passion shines through on his Plant Dad social media account, where he shares tips on reviving ailing plants and building terrariums — all with a focus on mental health and well-being.

“As people of color, young professionals, people in high-stress situations, cognitively [or] physically diverse people,” he says, “we have to think about the physical and mental aspects of the places we inhabit.”

Turning passion into profit

As a solopreneur, balancing a full-time job as a business analyst for a Fortune 500 company, Odulana knew he would need to “level up” his skill set to make his ideas come to fruition. “I didn’t know how to get started, and I definitely wasn’t aware of how to run a service-based organization, let alone an interior design organization,” he says. “So, I started looking for free resources to get me started.”

In 2021, Odulana signed up for the Verizon Small Business Digital Ready program to gain access to free resources such as courses, networking, and small business grants. He was already proficient in topics like SEO, thanks to his background in technology, but the program elevated his knowledge of developing website content, building relationships with new clients, advertising, and other essential skills. The courses also helped him refine his Plant Dad product line, focusing on low-maintenance terrariums and heirloom plants.

Odulana says the resources also helped him optimize cash flow and pricing, and improve cost effectiveness to maximize revenue. He learned how to increase business prospects and leads after connecting with other businesses in the Digital Ready community. He also learned how to secure designer trade partnerships during a Digital Ready live event. These partnerships allow him to order items from major retailers at a discount.

Additionally, Odulana gained confidence in his social media presence. One of his key milestones? A viral video where he demonstrated how to paint an accent wall, garnered over 21 million views and nearly 742,000 likes and cemented his online presence.

“I was able to skyrocket my brand very early on and successfully hit targets while actively gaining the skills, tools, and resources I needed for brand building,” he says.

Scaling up through pop-up shops

By 2023, Odulana began hosting pop-up shops to promote his businesses and sell his products at festivals and markets. These temporary shops serve multiple purposes: They increase brand awareness, promote online sales, provide immediate cash flow to fund supplies for interior design projects, and offer a valuable platform for market research. Odulana also uses the pop-up shops to test which products resonate with customers and refine his sales pitch. Each event creates fresh content for his social media accounts, too, extending his brand’s impact beyond the physical space.

Odulana has even taught a course for Verizon Small Business Digital Ready about how small businesses can use pop-up shops. The course covered vendor preparation, customer engagement, market research, and translating offline success to online platforms.

“I see my companies becoming an essential sustainable pioneer in shifting [and] cultivating the interior design and wellness industries,” he says. “So far, I’m very proud of what I have been able to accomplish with my brand.”

Verizon Small Business Digital Ready is part of Verizon’s goal to support 1 million small businesses by 2030 with the resources to thrive in the digital economy. Visit CitizenVerizon.com to learn more about the company’s responsible business efforts. To sign up for Verizon Small Business Digital Ready, visit digitalready.verizonwireless.com. An individual user’s experience may vary and results are not guaranteed.

Kris Constantino
Director, Logistics Operations

Response Efforts After Hurrican Helene

Kris Constantino responded to county leaders’ requests for help with supply logistics after Hurricane Helene, focusing on the hardest-hit areas of North Carolina. Pensacola was largely cut off and relying on air-dropped supplies from the National Guard. The local fire chief sought Kris’s assistance to organize and transport supplies to a more accessible area for long-term housing and critical supply runs to those without road access. Meanwhile, Yancey County had received an overwhelming number of donations stored in schools, fire stations, and churches. Kris coordinated with the Product Remanufacturing Center (PRC), an Amazon partner, to secure part of their warehouse free of charge for consolidating supplies. She then designed a logistics resupply network to distribute essentials through three strategically located storefronts, ensuring that critical items like generators, fuel, warm l weather gear, and medical supplies were accessible.

*The Everyday Heroes Program honors and recognizes employees whose values, actions and behaviors advance inclusion, diversity, justice, and equity.