Tag: 3BL

Originally published on Aflac Newsroom

This year’s Aflac Holiday Duck holds extra special meaning for two employees whose spicey idea helped spark the 2024 theme. Dressed as a holiday baker complete with a festive plaid apron and baker’s hat, this year’s collectible plush holds in its wings a gingerbread man cookie — something Aflac employees Judy Davis and Miguel Cubas knew over a year ago would be a-dough-rable.

In a call for ideas for the next Aflac Holiday Duck, Davis, a Quality Assurance and Risk manager, and Cubas, a Systems engineer, submitted “anything gingerbread” and “gingerbread duck” — both drawing from special memories of the holiday treat.

“My mom passed away a few years ago, and she always had a gingerbread theme for Christmas,” said Davis. “This year’s holiday duck will be one of the most memorable things of my 38 years working with Aflac.”

Cubas and his girlfriend, also an Aflac employee, have their own tradition of baking gingerbread cookies each year for the holidays.

Since 2001, net proceeds from the Aflac Holiday Duck program have contributed to more than $4 million donated to hospitals across the country that treat children with cancer and blood disorders. The 2024 Holiday Duck can be purchased, while supplies last, at AflacChildhoodCancer.org.

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Industrial fires involving transformers, batteries, and light ballasts pose serious risks, not just during the event but also long after the flames are extinguished. These fires release hazardous substances, damage property, and disrupt operations. While prevention is crucial, it’s equally important to address the often-overlooked challenge of cleanup and remediation following such incidents.

Understanding the Hazards of Transformer, Battery, and Light Ballast Fires 

Fires involving these components can leave behind more than just physical damage:

Transformers may release harmful polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), hydrocarbons, and other toxic residues, especially if they are older models.Batteries, particularly lithium-ion and lead-acid types, can leak dangerous chemicals such as sulfuric acid or lithium compounds, which pose risks to both human health and the environment.Light ballasts, especially pre-1979 models, may contain PCBs or other hazardous materials, creating a toxic cleanup scenario.

These materials can contaminate soil, water, and air, complicating cleanup efforts and requiring specialized expertise to manage safely and efficiently.

The Complexity of Post-Fire Cleanup and Remediation 

If your business relies on transformers, batteries, or light ballasts, understanding the post-fire challenges is essential to ensure safety, compliance, and business continuity. Here are the key factors to consider:

1. Hazard Identification

The first step is identifying the specific hazards left behind. Fire residues can include:

Acid leaks from lead-acid batteries that corrode surfaces and create unsafe working conditions.Thermal damage to lithium-ion batteries, which can release flammable gases or reignite if improperly handled.PCB contamination from transformers and light ballasts, requiring specialized handling and disposal processes.

Conducting a thorough environmental assessment is essential to pinpoint contamination levels and determine the appropriate response.

2. Specialized Waste Management

The hazardous nature of fire byproducts often mandates strict compliance with environmental regulations for disposal. For example:

Acid-neutralizing agents may be required to safely clean up lead-acid battery spills.Damaged lithium-ion batteries must be stored and transported in accordance with fire safety guidelines to prevent further incidents.PCB-contaminated materials must be removed by certified professionals and disposed of at authorized facilities.

Failure to adhere to these standards can result in regulatory penalties and increased liability.

3. Environmental and Operational Impact

Fires can significantly affect surrounding environments:

Leaking chemicals can contaminate groundwater or local ecosystems, requiring long-term monitoring and remediation.Airborne particulates and toxic gases may require indoor air quality assessments and ventilation system cleaning.

For businesses, these impacts can delay reopening, prolong downtime, and erode customer trust.

4. Worker and Community Safety

Post-fire environments often remain hazardous for workers and nearby communities. Proper personal protective equipment (PPE), detailed safety protocols, and clear communication plans are necessary to ensure safety during cleanup operations.

Steps to Effective Post-Fire Management 

To mitigate the long-term effects of transformers, battery, and light ballast fires, businesses should implement a structured approach to cleanup and remediation:

Engage Incident Management Experts: Specialists can assess the scene, identify hazards, and create a tailored remediation plan to ensure regulatory compliance and worker safety.Develop a Cleanup Strategy: This includes waste categorization, decontamination protocols, and the safe removal and disposal of damaged components.Restore Operations Safely: Conduct air quality testing, infrastructure assessments, and equipment replacements to ensure a safe and efficient return to business.Monitor for Residual Impact: Implement long-term monitoring programs to detect any delayed environmental or operational effects.

The Road to Effective Recovery 

Fires involving transformers, batteries, and light ballasts create complex challenges that extend far beyond the immediate event. Understanding the hazards, addressing them safely, and planning for long-term recovery are critical steps to minimizing the impact on your business and the environment. By taking a structured, informed approach to cleanup and remediation, companies can ensure a safer and more sustainable recovery process, protecting their employees, assets, and community for the future.

Navigating these complexities can be daunting, but partnering with experienced incident management professionals can make all the difference. Reach out to our Incident Management (AIM) team today!

Lenovo is committed to circularity and supporting our customers to achieve their net zero targets. That’s why we developed and launched our Certified Refurbished Solution in Denmark.

While France is leading the way when it comes to the sale of refurbished technology, mandating the need for 20% of IT devices bought by organisations to be refurbished, my own region covering the Nordic countries is also picking up steam.

We’re finding that customers want to engage with tech providers who can provide an end-to-end sustainability offering. Asset recovery services are becoming increasingly popular, as companies look to meet their own sustainability goals, with a single-source solution for the secure, documented disposal of IT hardware and data.

Lenovo’s Certified Refurbished is another step when it comes to end-to-end sustainability, making a big difference to product lifecycles by giving older devices a second or third lease of life.

The difference that refurbished equipment can make

Refurbished devices are an ideal fit for plenty of organisations or departments, specifically where huge amounts of processing power are not a requirement. This could be employees in back office jobs, managing administrative tasks, or operating from warehouses, for example.

With Lenovo’s Certified Refurbished we refurbish our best-in-class PCs and Servers, certify them, and extend their lifespan – all while retaining high levels of quality, security, and performance.

It’s a rigorous refurbishment process, with every device securely data sanitised and tested to ensure it meets Lenovo’s high standards of excellence and functionality. Once a device passes, it gets an official Lenovo Certification. This is only offered by Lenovo and accredited partners, guaranteeing that our refurbished devices can be depended on.

Devices sold through Lenovo Certified Refurbished are on average around three or four years old, but the use of original parts where necessary during the refurbishment results in an entirely new lease of life, with all our PCs being Windows-11 ready.

Lenovo Certified Refurbished devices also come with a standard one-year warranty with options to extend to up to three years, providing customers with peace of mind. This ensures reliability and access to Lenovo’s support infrastructure, along with benefit of reducing waste.

Giving a new life to older devices can make a huge difference to the environment. By refurbishing equipment, we can extend the lifecycle of technology, significantly lowering the carbon footprint of that product.

Making refurbishment more mainstream

Lenovo rolled out Certified Refurbished in Denmark earlier this year to support organisations in their drive for IT sustainability.

Denmark already has a strong commitment to sustainability, from the widespread use of sustainable energy to cycle-friendly cities. Denmark is also one of Europe’s leading recyclers, being the first country in the world to introduce a law on recycling, mandating that at least 50% of all paper and beverage packaging should be recycled way back in 1978.

This makes Denmark an ideal candidate for Certified Refurbished, but we also chose the country as a starting point as it’s currently looking to reform how organisations buy and manage older devices. Denmark’s public national procurement agency, SKI, announced a public tender in 2023 to help drive the implementation of refurbished devices, with the system set to roll out in the next couple of years.

We wanted to be at the forefront, and we are gathering feedback, learning, and adjusting our offerings all the time to meet the needs and sustainability goals of customers.

Why Certified Refurbished is important to Lenovo

Taking responsibility and helping to extend the lifecycles of our products isn’t just important from a business point of view – it’s key that whenever we sell a new device, we have the potential to give a second or third life to that device.

It’s important to our own sustainability ambitions and ESG strategy, along with making a positive difference for our customers and the environment.

At present, refurbished devices make up a small proportion of the technology market. According to Statista, the global refurbished PC market size amounted to less than five billion USD in 2022, compared to around 220 billion USD for the overall market. By 2031, the refurbished market is forecast to reach a value of 11.8 billion USD.

With Lenovo Certified Refurbished, we are adding another important building block to our overall commitment to support our customers journey towards meeting their net zero targets.

In a world where economic disparity often correlates along racial lines, the need for racial equity is more pressing than ever. This conversation is not only a social imperative but also a business necessity. At its core, the Racial Equity Fund initiated by Cadence in collaboration with RBC Global Asset Management (RBC GAM) seeks to address these disparities by focusing on systemic change. This blog post explores how this fund contributes to reducing racial inequity, why it matters, and how other companies can get involved.

Racial Equity as a Social and Business Imperative

Racial equity is about more than just fairness; it’s about creating a society where people have equal access to opportunities and resources, regardless of race. Promoting racial equity isn’t merely an ethical decision for businesses—it’s a smart business move. Studies show that companies with diverse teams outperform those with homogeneous ones, resulting in better financial growth and product innovation.

In today’s interconnected world, consumers increasingly expect brands to take a stand on social issues. Aligning corporate strategies with social justice can enhance brand loyalty and attract a broader customer base. Thus, investing in racial equity can lead to both social progress and economic gain.

Understanding the Racial Wealth and Information Gap

The racial wealth gap is a stark reality. Data shows that the median wealth of white families is substantially higher than that of Black and Latinx families. This disparity hinders economic mobility and perpetuates cycles of poverty. However, the wealth gap is not the only barrier; there’s also an information gap that limits access to financial resources and opportunities for people of color.

Many lack the knowledge or connections necessary to secure loans or investments. Bridging this gap requires systemic change and support from both public and private sectors. By creating pathways to access capital and information, we can empower communities to build sustainable wealth and break down barriers to success.

The Role of the Cadence and RBC Partnership

In response to these challenges, Cadence partnered with RBC Global Asset Management (RBC GAM) to launch a racial equity fund to reduce these gaps. This partnership underscores the power of collaboration in tackling complex social issues. The Cadence Racial Equity Fund focuses on investments that promote community development, such as supporting education, housing, and small businesses owned by people of color.

“We value our partnership with Cadence on this initiative aimed at reducing racial disparities in income and wealth within the United States,” said Ron Homer, chief strategist, U.S. Impact Investing at RBC Global Asset Management. “For more than 25 years, the Access Capital Investment Strategy has helped people of color attain the American dream of wealth creation through homeownership and small business development.”

Real-World Impact of the Cadence Fund

One way Cadence’s partnership with RBC GAM has aimed to support community development was by supporting a woman- and Black-owned early childhood education center based in Phenix City, Alabama. Dr. Kendyl Tarver dreamed of opening a childcare center in her hometown. Through Cadence’s partnership with RBC GAM, Dr. Tarver was able to found the Kreative Learning Academy (KLA). According to the center’s website, its mission is to “integrate a learner-centered curriculum design with traditional manners and values” while fostering cultural diversity and creating a lifelong interest in learning.

Kreative Learning Academy (KLA) was started during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021. During this time, Dr. Tarver, like many small business owners, struggled to find employees willing to work in person. “Having a daycare during the pandemic was so stressful.” Dr. Tarver faced many challenges in keeping her business open during this first year, leading her to apply for a small business loan to improve her financial situation and lessen the stress of running the business daily.

The small business loan for Dr. Tarver was made possible through Cadence’s partnership with RBC GAM. Dr. Tarver has a passion for working with children, and after applying and receiving approval for the loan, she was better positioned to financially support and grow her business as she needed in the short term. As the pressure of managing KLA abated, she was able to look to the future and discovered that her vision over the long term was to become an entrepreneur. She appreciates the partnership between RBC GAM and Cadence. RBC GAM is focused on growing this impact investing partnership by helping Community Development Finance Institutions (CDFIs) gain broader access to capital markets to support their capital needs and origination efforts in underserved communities and, ultimately, small business owners like Dr. Tarver.

Seeking Corporate Partners for Broader Impact

For the Cadence Racial Equity Fund to reach its full potential, expanding its network of corporate partners is crucial. By inviting other companies to join or create similar funds, Cadence aims to amplify the impact of these initiatives. Corporate involvement can significantly increase both the scope and effectiveness of efforts to address racial inequities.

Companies that participate can leverage their resources to support underserved communities, driving both social and economic benefits. With a collective effort, the ripple effect of these investments can lead to substantial advancements in racial equity on a global scale.

A Call to Action to Engage

The Cadence Racial Equity Fund is committed to bridging the racial wealth and information gaps through strategic investments and partnerships. Addressing these inequities can pave the way for a more equitable society and unlock economic potential for all.

Whether you’re an investor, a business professional, or a community member passionate about social change, you have a role in this movement. Explore opportunities to get involved, support initiatives that resonate with you, and advocate for policies that drive racial equity.

Together, we can significantly impact and contribute to a future where everyone has equal access to opportunities and success. If you’re ready to be part of this change, consider supporting the Cadence Racial Equity Fund or initiating similar efforts in your community.

To learn more, please listen to our discussion with Moor Insights & Strategy Hot Desk Podcast host Melody Brue.

Albertsons Companies expresses profound gratitude to its associates, customers and partners for their dedication to the Nourishing Neighbors Million Hour Volunteer Rally. Through their collective efforts, over $500,000 worth of volunteer hours have been contributed.

These contributions have provided essential support to food banks and pantries in urgent need of assistance. Volunteers sorted and packed food, delivered meals and assisted administrative tasks, making a significant difference in the lives of those facing hunger.

This initiative has showcased the power of community and the impact of collective efforts in supporting those in need. The unwavering commitment of all involved has made a positive impact in local communities.

See original post on LinkedIn and read more about Albertsons Companies and our Recipe for Change on our website.

The month of September is always busy in New York City, with gridlock spreading across Manhattan when the General Assembly of the United Nations brings leaders of close to 200 sovereign entities to UN headquarters for plenary sessions and many side sessions. In addition, since 2009 the international nonprofit Climate Group has organized Climate Week NYC alongside the General Assembly to hold events that drive climate action and speed up progress.

This year’s Climate Week NYC had over 900 events held around the city, including a workshop held by G&A Institute and GRI on September 26, “Reporting on the SDGs with Double Materiality.” These events brought together thousands of government representatives, business leaders, and political change makers from all over the world.

What concepts and concrete actions came out of these gatherings? In our Top Story, S&P Global took a close look and shares the “Big 5” ideas coming out of Climate Week NYC that they expect to be at the top of agendas at COP 16 (UN Biodiversity Conference) held recently in Colombia and the upcoming COP 29 (UN Climate Change Conference) starting November 11 in Azerbaijan. 
 

The five big ideas selected by S&P Global are:

Climate and clean energy financing needs to rapidly scale and accelerate. How to scale financing was a major focus at Climate Week, with discussions on using “blended” finance to pool public sector or philanthropic funds with private sector capital. This approach could help steer investments to bridge the growing gap in climate-related financing in developing countries. Public and private finance will be important discussions at COP 29, expected to be “the finance COP”.

Strategies to combat climate change and nature loss go hand-in-hand. Nature loss was a theme of numerous Climate Week gatherings. Physical climate risk and the impacts on developing sustainable food systems were a bigger focus than in previous years, according to S&P. Companies are beginning to recognize the value of ecosystems and how much they depend on nature in their operations and supply chains.

Policy and collaboration are needed to support an equitable transition. The diverse needs of stakeholders can be addressed with more global cooperation, sustainable development, and the reform of international financial systems to support climate initiatives – a central theme of Climate Week discussions. A commitment to watch at the coming COP 29 is how much progress (or not) is made toward establishing a new collective financing goal for developing nations.

Technology and AI will help to drive solutions to climate change and sustainable growth. The buzz at many meetings was about AI as an “enabler” of sustainable outcomes. AI requires energy, which is resulting in “energy poverty” in the developing world as demand rises to record levels. New, clean generating capacity is needed, along with making sure there is the infrastructure needed to support it. Nuclear power may be part of the solution, along with renewable sources.

Disclosure is evolving with more focus on consistency and a rising role for nature. ISSB and TCFD were hot topics of conversation during Climate Week gatherings, in terms of changes in the disclosure landscape for companies. Around the globe, jurisdictions are adopting the ISSB standards or aligning existing frameworks with them (the EU’s CSRD is example). Stakeholders, including key investors, are calling for more climate-related disclosure on issues such as biodiversity and deforestation.

More details of the “Big 5” ideas are in our Top Story, with an abundance of useful information for corporations and providers of capital. The COP 29 and COP 16 gatherings are sure to advance commitment and action on climate change issues, which will create opportunities for the private sector. The G&A team is focused on these big ideas and many more climate-related concepts. Let us know how we can help your company enhance climate disclosure through our guidance and support. Email us at info@ga-institute.com.

This is just the introduction of G&A’s Sustainability Highlights newsletter this week. Click here to view the full issue.

Originally published on GoDaddy Resource Library

Tell us a little bit about yourself and your career journey, here at GoDaddy.

As a Supervisor in the Website Security and Sales department, I lead a team of customer-facing Guides. We handle inbound calls to answer questions, resolve issues, and match customer needs with appropriate paid solutions.

I have dedicated over 11 years of my professional career to GoDaddy. Before joining GoDaddy, I worked in construction and retail, where I often felt overworked and underpaid. My journey with GoDaddy began in Inbound Sales, a role that initially made me quite nervous as I had no prior experience with internet technology or sales targets.

However, with time and guidance from exceptional mentors, I discovered that sales is a field to take pride in when done correctly. It’s not about persuading someone to make a purchase; it’s about achieving mutual goals and offering something of value that addresses the customer’s needs or helps them reach their objectives. This shift in mindset allowed me to view sales as a means to take control of my own destiny. By honing my skills, I realized I could significantly influence my outcomes and income.

This newfound perspective enabled me to plan a trip to Peru and purchase a new car, marking personal milestones I once thought unattainable.

Realizing the profound impact my mentors had on my life is what truly drew me to leadership. I aspired to pass on that same influence to others. After spending two years on the phones, I seized my opportunity when I was promoted to Inbound Lead. Since then, I have served as a Supervisor or Lead in at least four different departments, witnessing numerous changes within the company. Each stage in this journey has been an invaluable opportunity for both personal and professional growth.

Reflecting on my experience, I can honestly say that discovering GoDaddy changed my life. GoDaddy provided me with the chance to acquire valuable skills, the tools to take charge of my career, and the flexibility to pursue my passion for travel. It’s also where I met my wife! I am profoundly grateful for all the opportunities this company has unlocked for me, and I eagerly anticipate even more in the future.

What has been one of your proudest moments at GoDaddy?

Honestly, I feel like I’ve been a part of many things I can take pride in during my time at GoDaddy. I’ve been fortunate to collaborate with great teams on important projects, win contests, and help others achieve success and advance their careers.

However, if I were to highlight one story that has always stayed with me, it would be this one: years ago, I worked with an overnight Sales team. This shift typically struggled with sales, and most people attributed it to the unsociable hours. But I wanted to change that narrative.

The team held a huddle almost every night, so I began sharing small sales tips or tactics during each huddle and challenging them to try these out that night. Once a few team members began achieving sales using my tips, the team started eagerly anticipating these sessions. They even began referring to it as “Cal’s Corner.” Over time, this transformed the team’s dynamic. Instead of discussing how challenging it was to sell to customers calling in the middle of the night or how tired they felt, they talked about the new strategies they were trying and fostered creativity together.

I certainly didn’t achieve this alone, but within a couple of months, that team had the highest sales per day of any team in the department, regardless of shift.

What truly makes me smile, however, was a particular night (which happened to be Halloween). I arrived to find all the team members wearing jackets. I didn’t think much of it until, at the end of our huddle, after I shared my sales tip for the night, they all took off their jackets to reveal matching shirts they had made with a picture of me on them that said, “I grew up on Cal’s Corner.”

It was completely unexpected and one of those truly special moments when I knew, without a doubt, that I was making a positive impact.

What advice would you give someone just starting out in the Care department?

Starting out in Care can be challenging, with much to learn and often feeling like you’re “drinking from a fire hose.” One thing I have always appreciated about GoDaddy’s culture is the willingness and eagerness of people around you to help, so be open to it. By seeking, accepting, and implementing feedback, you will learn and grow more than you ever thought possible. It may be uncomfortable at times, but it’s worth it.

How do you approach motivating your team members to reach their full potential?

For me, effective leadership begins with truly understanding my team members. Firstly, it’s essential to recognize that everyone possesses unique strengths and weaknesses, and having a deep awareness of these traits is crucial to realizing their potential. Secondly, I firmly believe that genuine motivation stems not from external incentives like money or awards, but from engaging in work that aligns with one’s personal values and inspires pride. To comprehend what drives someone and what they cherish in their work, you must invest time in getting to know them. Once you achieve this understanding, you can unlock their hidden superpowers.

What’s your motto or personal mantra?

While I wouldn’t necessarily call it a motto, I strive to stay focused on what I can control. Each day, I ask myself, “What are the one or two things I can accomplish right now that will have the most significant impact on my goals?” Once I’ve identified and completed those tasks, I pose the question again.

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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International Volunteers Day is observed globally on December 5th each year. This date offers a chance to acknowledge and celebrate the remarkable achievements of volunteers and to reflect on the impact of volunteerism on society. Read more about Jazz’s community engagement and volunteerism in the latest Corporate Sustainability and Social Impact Report.

In celebration of Travel Tuesday and Giving Tuesday on December 3– Expedia announced that for every booking made on it’s US, CA, and UK sites, a donation of $5 (up to $1M) will be made to the Made to Travel™ Fund, *a donor-advised fund at Percent Impact Foundation. This initiative supports nonprofits that remove barriers to travel, and to date, have awarded over $2.5M in grants.

These grantees empower underserved travelers, ensuring they feel safe and welcome as they explore the world. This program supports Expedia Group‘s commitment to making travel more inclusive and accessible for all.

Learn more here: https://www.expedia.com/see/made-to-travel-fund

Across North America, women at Saint-Gobain take the lead in Making The World A Better Home. They are manufacturers, innovators, scientists, engineers, and executives, all playing a vital role in shaping our industry.

In this video, let’s meet Tyra Barry, and learn how working at Saint-Gobain Performance Ceramics & Refractories gives Tyra the freedom to spend quality time with her daughter while making her feel empowHERed!

Saint-Gobain is an industry leader with thousands of talented team members who are dedicated to one unified purpose: Making the World a Better Home. With more than 145 manufacturing facilities throughout the United States and Canada, there are so many robust and fulfilling career opportunities available. You’ll have the opportunity to work with colleagues from a wide range of businesses, cultures, and experiences.

Discover your career at Saint-Gobain North America here

Watch the Saint-Gobain video series empowHERed 

About Saint-Gobain

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

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