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A German car heritage, now electrified

David Newton Transportation Technology & Automotive

If you traced the family tree on my mother’s side, you would find only Irish decedents. There are virtually no citizens from other countries (that any of her family will admit to). On my father’s side there’s far more diversity — though that may just prove that I’m a mutt. On this list are random nationalities such as Swedish and French-Canadian, but most definitely German. Although by definition I am only fractionally so, I believe that I can claim in a court of law that I am German by birthright. Because like DNA, a smidgen of ancestral evidence is all I need to prove my case. And if lifetime percentage of vehicle ownership means anything to anyone, I am fully one-third German.

Are you ready to plug in?

Dave G. Houser Transportation Technology & Automotive

If predictions from auto industry experts are right, your next set of wheels could well be powered by electricity. According to the Edison Electric Institute (EEI), the number of electric vehicles (EVs) on U.S. roads is projected to reach almost 20 million by 2030 — up from just 1 million in 2018. There is no question the future of electric transportation is evolving at a breakneck pace. Incentivizing the adoption of EVs in the U.S. is a federal tax credit for most electric vehicles for up to $7,500. That is, except for Tesla and GM, whose output has exceeded the credit’s cutoff of 200,000 vehicles sold.

Why is it important to raise awareness about saving the bee population?

Jane Stevens Waste Management & Environmental

The value of protecting our bees was brought to the world's attention in 2009. Greenpeace spearheaded the effort, and the effects of losing these little buddies were made public. However, interest in this important cause has recently waned. According to Google Trends, saving the bees has been the least prominent search word in the last five years out of all the environmental problems affecting our world. We have to keep saving the bees.

Outdoor learning improves engagement and mental health

Sheilamary Koch Education

Under tall mango trees between a dry riverbed and two large warehouses, kids ranging between three and 12 years old gather midday for story time. They sit on stumps spaced in a circle. A few interact with some ants and each other. After they introduce themselves in big outdoor voices, Nicole Majewski reads a story interjecting commentary and inviting response as she goes along. Since the beginning of the school year, Majewski, education director at EntreAmigos, a nonprofit in San Pancho, Nayarit, Mexico, and other educators have been bringing activities like watercolor painting, mud play and treasure hunts to kids outdoors.

COVID-19 accelerated change. How do you stay ahead moving forward?

Philip Burns and William Putsis Business Management, Services & Risk Management

The COVID-19 pandemic was a catalyst that accelerated change in almost every industry. What used to take some companies five years to accomplish remarkably took them only five months during the pandemic. From at-home grocery retailing to working at home virtually, companies digitized their businesses and changed how they delivered services at unprecedented rates. While some companies were better positioned to deal with the challenges the pandemic presented, others struggled. Given this, consider three relevant questions for all business leaders in the context of their own organization and industry.

Infographic: Understanding eminent domain

Brian Wallace Law Enforcement, Defense & Security

One of the basic understandings of the American dream is having a house and land. What if the government then came along and tried to take your land? If you own land, you need to know your rights when it pertains to eminent domain. This is happening across the nation. Eminent domain has roots based on the Fifth Amendment, and grants the government the rights to seize private property without the owner's consent — with two main points: as long as the government provides just compensation and claims for public use, it is permissible. Find out more with this visual deep dive.

10 ways to make a positive first impression at a new job

Hank Boyer Business Management, Services & Risk Management

First impressions are lasting impressions. Every new employee is under intense scrutiny as hiring managers and HR attempt to evaluate each new hire’s potential. Impressing in a series of interviews and during the selection process was only the preliminaries. Every new employee starts out at exactly the same place in the job, since there is no performance track record to view, no known bad habits, and an equal opportunity to excel. Here are 10 ways to stand out and make a great first impression during your onboarding period.

5 ways CIOs can deliver business-critical results during the pandemic and…

Sean Ryan Business Management, Services & Risk Management

In January 2020, you were likely paddling through the rapids of "old normal" business-critical issues, including providing systems that help business leaders deliver outstanding results, creating competitive advantage by improving the customer journey and overall experience, and nimbly adapting to constantly changing technology. Then, bam! COVID appeared around the next bend in the river and the world rapidly became far more difficult and treacherous. You’re now paddling in cataclysmic rapids amidst a world of perpetual whitewater. As CIO, to paddle your way to survival, or even to thrive, you will need to focus on these five key areas.

Infographic: A look at the modern energy market

Brian Wallace Waste Management & Environmental

In four years, the renewable energy market will reach $1.5 trillion. Climate awareness is increasing demand; half of Americans say they would purchase renewable energy and even pay $15 more a month for the chance. The issue with renewable, reliable energy today is the battery. Renewable energy is generated inconsistently. People still need electricity when the wind is still. Lithium-ion batteries, used since 1912, aren’t a good fit for future demands. Their capacity degrades over time and the batteries are difficult to recycle when they read the end of their lives.

How connected smart cities will help prevent future pandemics and more

Kevin Grauman Science & Technology

Smart city initiatives place a heavy emphasis on the Internet of Things (IoT) and its potential for transforming society for the better. The list of possible applications includes tracking new disease outbreaks, minimizing transmission risks in hospitals and nursing homes, improving air quality and filtration, and monitoring general sanitation in buildings and on public transit. If all of this sounds familiar, it’s because it’s basically a greatest hits record of ways to battle COVID and prevent future pandemics.

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