ESG News and Media

From Digital Skills to Digital Advocacy: Empowering Girls to Lead Online

ylin — Fri, 03 Apr 2026 19:20:32 +0000

From Digital Skills to Digital Advocacy: Empowering Girls to Lead Online

Fri, 04/03/2026 - 16:10

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In celebration of International Women’s Day, Gen highlights its partnership with the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts

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by Kim Allman | Head of Corporate Responsibility and Public Policy

Gen Blog|Community

Every year on March 8, International Women’s Day invites us to celebrate the long history of women’s social, economic and cultural progress while recognizing the work still ahead — including in the digital world.

Technology has opened new doors for connection, learning and opportunity. Yet it has also introduced new risks. According to UN Women, technology-facilitated violence against women and girls is on the rise, with studies showing that as many as 58% have experienced forms of digital abuse, including hacking, stalking, and online harassment.

At Gen, we believe the internet should be safe for everyone. That belief drives our partnership with the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS), a global movement reaching millions of girls and young women.

Together with WAGGGS, Norton, part of the Gen family of brands, codeveloped Surf Smart, a nonformal education program that has reached more than 850,000 girls and young women worldwide with digital safety resources to date. In early 2026, WAGGGS launched the next evolution of this work: Advocacy for Generation Digital.

Moving From Education to Action

Advocacy for Generation Digital builds on Surf Smart 2.0 and helps girls and young women transform knowledge into leadership. The curriculum supports participants as they identify digital issues that matter most to them, strengthen research and communication skills and design advocacy campaigns that promote safer and more inclusive online spaces.

The program offers learning pathways for elementary, middle and high school students and can be adapted to local contexts. It is available in English, French, Spanish and Arabic. WAGGGS also provides advocacy grants to Member Organizations, helping bring youth-led projects to life in communities around the world.

The impact of youth advocacy is already clear. In 2023 and 2024, young women in 10 countries launched campaigns addressing digital inclusion and online safety. Some organized public panels. Others engaged local media. Sophia Nabbale and Ronah Akatukunda from Uganda presented at the United Nations Civil Society Conference 2024 in Nairobi, highlighting the intergenerational digital divide and the fight against online violence.

“Gen and WAGGGS share a vision for digital life," said Leena Elias, Chief Product Officer at Gen. "We believe the internet can be place where young people learn, connect and express themselves safely. Advocacy for Generation Digital is another step toward bringing that vision to life, empowering girls and young women to shape digital spaces that reflect their needs and aspirations.”

Preparing the Next Generation for an AI-Driven World

Our partnership continues to evolve with technology. In 2025, Surf Smart 2.0 was updated to include new modules on artificial intelligence. Participants explore how AI shows up in their daily lives, from chatbots to content recommendations, and learn how to set responsible boundaries with emerging tools.

Throughout 2026, Gen and WAGGGS are also amplifying the voices of program participants — sharing firsthand accounts from Smart Surfers and Advocacy Champions about what they’ve learned and how they are leading change in their communities.

Digital Freedom depends on more than protection. It requires participation, confidence and leadership. By investing in youth-led advocacy, we are helping ensure the next generation is not only prepared to navigate the digital world safely — but ready to shape it.

To learn more about how Gen supports digital education and training around the world, explore our latest Social Impact Report. 

These grants were awarded from the Gen Foundation, a corporate-advised fund of Silicon Valley Community Foundation.

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Q1 2026 Newsletter: What Small Businesses Are Telling Us About The Economy

Michele Baldi — Thu, 02 Apr 2026 15:50:14 +0000

Q1 2026 Newsletter: What Small Businesses Are Telling Us About The Economy

Fri, 04/03/2026 - 13:10

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Read the full report from GoDaddy's Small Business Research Lab
Newsletter originally published on GoDaddy LinkedIn

Subscribe Today for Quarterly Insights That Power Small Business Growth.

In the fourth quarter of 2025, GoDaddy’s Participation Index rose year-over-year, capturing renewed growth in digital small business activity nationally. Historically, increases in the index have been associated with stronger payroll employment growth and declines in unemployment within three to four quarters.

We’ve always known small businesses are the backbone of the economy. What’s new is evidence that small business formation, especially the rise of digital entrepreneurship, may also help anticipate where parts of the economy are headed.

The report, “What Small Businesses Tell Us About The Economy That Wall Street Can’t,” analyzes national data from 1990–2025 and incorporates real-time digital entrepreneurship data from GoDaddy. It finds that while stock market returns are statistically linked to economic outcomes, those relationships are relatively modest. By comparison, small business formation shows a stronger relationship with GDP growth, payroll employment, and unemployment — and often appears earlier in the data.

"This report is an important contribution to how we understand the real economy because it shines a spotlight on where Main Street employers and their employees live and work.

By pairing decades of macroeconomic data with GoDaddy’s real-time view of digital entrepreneurs, these data show what our local chamber of commerce partners see every day: small businesses are one of the most direct and timely signals of economic health in communities across America."

– Curtis Dubay, Chief Economist at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce

Read the full article and paper

Microbusiness Data Hub: Latest Updates Now Live

Our Data Hub is refreshed through Q4/December 2025 across the U.S., U.K., Canada, and Australia. The update includes:

Monthly microbusiness density trends
The latest U.S. Microbusiness Activity Index
Global e-commerce sector rankings by country

Below, you’ll also find the top five e-commerce industries by country:

To take a look at the newest findings and see what’s shifting: Download the full dataset

In the News

United States

The Real Reason Entrepreneurship Is Booming Right Now – Inc.

Entrepreneurship is accelerating as more people seek flexibility, autonomy, and purpose in their work. Inc. highlights a broader shift away from traditional career paths, with individuals leveraging digital tools and changing economic conditions to start and sustain their own businesses. https://www.inc.com/victor-w-hwang/the-real-reason-entrepreneurship-is-booming-right-now/91297540

Meet The Small Business Savant Mixing Art And Commerce – Forbes

Forbes spotlights Alexandra Rosen, global head of GoDaddy’s Small Business Research Lab, explaining today’s entrepreneurship surge. Alexandra frames the boom as a shift toward passion-led and accessible business creation, where founders are increasingly turning personal interests into income-generating ventures. https://www.forbes.com/sites/stevebaltin/2026/02/27/meet-alex-rosen-the-small-business-savant-mixing-art-and-commerce/

United Kingdom

A Pint Down The Pub Inspired Me To Make A Life Changing Decision – Mirror

New research reveals that nearly one in five Brits have come up with a business idea while at the pub, with many turning those casual conversations into real ventures. Younger generations are especially likely to translate social moments into entrepreneurial action, reinforcing the role of community spaces as informal startup incubators. https://www.mirror.co.uk/money/a-pint-down-pub-inspired-36716262

How The [TV Show] Traitors Has Inspired A Surge In Small Businesses In The Scottish Highlands – This Is Money

A surge in small businesses across the Scottish Highlands is being linked to the cultural impact of The Traitors. GoDaddy data shows microbusiness density rising sharply in areas where the show is filmed, with some regions seeing growth of over 70%. https://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/smallbusiness/article-15635503/How-Traitors-inspired-surge-small-businesses-Scottish-Highlands.html

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"Source of Good" Season Four Explores Sustainability Collaboration

rachel.sarnoff@cascale.org — Fri, 27 Mar 2026 18:23:52 +0000

"Source of Good" Season Four Explores Sustainability Collaboration

Fri, 04/03/2026 - 12:35

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Cascale's podcast dives deep on how aligned tools and data can drive measurable progress across global consumer goods supply chains.

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Cascale recently announced the season four launch of its "Source of Good" podcast, which shares how leaders across the global consumer goods industry work together to combat climate change and support decent work for all.

Key Takeaways

Cascale announced the launch of Season 4 of its Source of Good podcast, focused on climate action and decent work across the consumer goods industry.
The podcast highlights how brands, manufacturers, investors, and solution providers collaborate using aligned data and shared frameworks.
Core theme: moving from fragmented approaches to aligned, data-driven collaboration across the value chain.

The new season opened with an episode featuring Marina Prados Espinola, director at The Policy Hub, who explores global legislative developments and their implications for companies navigating a rapidly evolving sustainability landscape. Across the season, the podcast will continue to highlight how brands, manufacturers, investors, and solution providers use aligned data and collaborative frameworks to advance social and environmental performance.

“The ‘Source of Good’ conversations reflect a reality our industry can’t ignore — we’ve reached a point where fragmented approaches no longer work. Progress on climate and decent work depends on alignment, credible data, and real collaboration across the value chain. That’s where Cascale is focused — turning shared ambition into measurable results,,” said Lee Green, vice president, communications and marketing at Cascale.

10 Episodes of Cross-Sector Dialogue

Across 10 episodes, “Source of Good” will feature new insights and member stories that highlight how action is accelerating to combat climate change and support decent work, which began in previous seasons with industry leaders including Greg Gausewitz, senior manager of sustainability at REI Co-op. “Effective tools and actionable data are essential for achieving sustainability goals in a complex operating environment,” Gausewitz said. “Sharing best practices about how aligned tools like the Higg Index enable REI and other companies to measure and drive impact can help make these practices the norm across the industry.”

The podcast has also explored how access to finance and aligned incentives remain critical to scaling industry transformation. “The podcast provided a valuable opportunity to go deep on how blended finance and industry collaboration must go hand in hand,” said Jayanth Kashyap, investment lead at Good Fashion Fund. “When tools, governance, and capital are aligned, we unlock pathways that enable manufacturers to invest in decarbonization and long-term competitiveness.”

The conversations have repeatedly returned to the vital role of transparency and credible verification. “Stakeholder-validated data is essential for impactful human rights due diligence,” said Annabel Meurs, executive director at Fair Wear. “Addressing the structural challenges in our industry requires collaborative solutions that strengthen implementation, accountability, and ensure workers’ voices are meaningfully reflected in decision-making.”

Advancing Collective Action Across Supply Chains

Throughout the season, Cascale will spotlight practical examples of how collective action — powered by aligned data, responsible purchasing practices, and scalable partnerships — strengthens both environmental and social performance across global supply chains.

By focusing on shared accountability and measurable outcomes, “Source of Good” reinforces Cascale’s role as a collaborative convener, enabling the industry to move from fragmented efforts to aligned impact. Listen on major podcast platforms and access episodes at https://lnk.to/sourceofgood.

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

ABOUT CASCALE

Cascale is the global nonprofit alliance empowering collaboration to combat climate change and support decent work in the consumer goods industry. Formerly known as the Sustainable Apparel Coalition, Cascale stewards and governs the Higg Index frameworks, modules, and methodologies, while Worldly delivers the technology platform through which they are implemented globally. Cascale also recently acquired the Better Buying and Sustainable Furnishings Council tools. 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.

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Inogen Alliance Sponsors the 7th International PFAS Congress, June 16-19

louisa.smith@anteagroup.us — Fri, 03 Apr 2026 15:42:25 +0000

Inogen Alliance Sponsors the 7th International PFAS Congress, June 16-19

Fri, 04/03/2026 - 12:15

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ST. PAUL, Minn., April 3, 2026 /3BL/ -Inogen Alliance is pleased to sponsor the 7th International PFAS Congress, 16th to 19th of June 2026 in Paris. It is one of the largest PFAS Congresses internationally, with participants from industries, service providers, consultants, authorities, universities, lawyers, insurance companies, and more. Presentations and discussions span across 4 days with experts from the European Community (Germany, France, Netherlands, Belgium, Italy, Sweden) and from the UK, Switzerland, USA, Canada, and Australia.

Inogen Alliance will have a session on 17^th June on PFAS risk management in a digital age with presenters from DGE Group and Peter J. Ramsay & Associates.

Presentations are focused on innovative site investigations (water, soil, air, sediments, organisms), risk assessments (human health & environment), use of AI for contamination sources identification and differentiation for cost sharing and court disputes, case studies of remediation and treatment technologies and new research results.

"We're excited to co-sponsor and attend this year's PFAS congress, working alongside industry leaders, regulators, and researchers to drive innovation and progress in PFAS assessment and remediation,” Annika Taylor, Peter J. Ramsay & Associates and co-leader of the Global Remediation Working Group.

Thanks to our Associate co-sponsors, DGE, Peter J. Ramsay & Associates, Antea Brasil and Brown & Green.

Find more details and register here: W.E.B.S. - World Event Business Solutions

Inogen Alliance is a global network made up of over 70 of independent local businesses and over 6,000 consultants around the world who can help make your project a success. Our Associates collaborate closely to serve multinational corporations, government agencies, and nonprofit organizations, and we share knowledge and industry experience to provide the highest quality service to our clients. If you want to learn more about how you can work with Inogen Alliance, you can explore our Associates or Contact Us. Watch for more News & Blog updates, listen to our podcast and follow us on LinkedIn.

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Hope on Wheels: FedEx Supports The Salvation Army

Michele Baldi — Thu, 19 Mar 2026 20:33:40 +0000

Hope on Wheels: FedEx Supports The Salvation Army

Fri, 04/03/2026 - 11:00

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The Salvation Army’s canteen trucks—many of them donated by FedEx—play a vital role in supporting communities around the world. While these mobile units are best known for providing meals, water, and comfort during natural disasters and other emergencies, their impact extends far beyond crisis response. Each canteen is a flexible, on‑the‑ground resource that allows The Salvation Army to show up wherever people need help most, offering immediate support with dignity and compassion.

Beyond disaster relief, the canteens are also an essential part of The Salvation Army’s ongoing outreach efforts. In many cities, they are used to serve individuals experiencing homelessness by delivering warm meals, basic necessities, and consistent human connection. These programs provide a lifeline for vulnerable community members and help build trust that supports long‑term assistance. This video highlights the global reach and everyday impact of these canteens—made possible through the collaboration between FedEx and The Salvation Army.

***This video does not include latest canteen donation from April 2025.

Click here to learn about FedEx Cares, our global community engagement program.

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The True Cost of CMMC Non-Compliance

Carreen Cook — Wed, 11 Feb 2026 20:07:17 +0000

The True Cost of CMMC Non-Compliance

Fri, 04/03/2026 - 09:45

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Article

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By Scott Register

If you’re in the Defense Industrial Base (DIB), you’ve probably felt the shift: cybersecurity has moved from a contractual footnote to a deciding factor in who gets to compete. The Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) is the clearest signal yet that the Department of Defense (DoD) is moving away from “trust us” security and toward verified compliance.

And in the face of a rapidly evolving threat landscape, that’s not unreasonable. The DIB faces increasingly frequent and complex cyber-attacks, and an extended supply chain is only as resilient as its weakest link. To meet these challenges, CMMC serves as a market gate: it changes who is eligible, who is credible, and who gets picked.

So let’s talk about the uncomfortable part: the cost of non-compliance. Because non-compliance isn’t theoretical. It entails lost opportunity, delayed revenue, supply chain exclusion, and, in the worst cases, legal consequences tied to the gap between what you claimed and what you can prove.

A Practical Reality: Readiness Takes Longer Than Most Expect

CMMC isn’t optional, and it isn’t “someday.” Assessment requirements are being implemented using a four-phase plan over three years, beginning with Phase 1, which launched on November 10, 2025, and adding requirements incrementally until full implementation of program requirements in Phase 4.

That runway may sound generous, but it will dissipate quickly because building a defensible compliance posture takes sustained work and a robust plan combining scoping, implementation, evidence collection, and validation. Waiting until requirements are widespread across your target solicitations is not a plan. It’s a decision to compete later… assuming you can afford to.

The Readiness Gap Is Massive, and It’s a Business Problem (Not Just a Cyber Problem)

Keysight’s commissioned research surveyed 206 cybersecurity leaders across the DIB and revealed two jarring numbers that should reset expectations:

Only 2% of organizations are audit-ready
Only 3% use automated validation tools to continuously verify compliance

The conversation is no longer only about “will we pass an audit?” but “will we be eligible to bid or even remain in the supply chain?” Where CMMC applies, contractors and subcontractors entrusted with Federal Contract Information (FCI) or Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) must achieve a specific CMMC level as a condition of contract award, creating concrete competitive differentiation where none previously existed.

CMMC raises the bar for security by raising the bar for proof.

Non-Compliance Costs Stack Up Fast

With the history of NIST SP800-171 compliance via self-attestation, many organizations adopted a performative approach to certification with any gaps addressable on a line-item basis by bringing in some consultants or deploying new security tools. This was easy to account for, but in reality the costs of non-compliance now go far beyond those budget items. The cost of non-compliance can quickly become a stack of compounding penalties that far exceed projections.

Lost Contract Eligibility (the “Silent Failure”)

The most immediate consequence is blunt: you can’t compete for contracts requiring a specific CMMC level. CMMC requirements are implemented through contract clauses, and the required level depends on the type and sensitivity of the information involved.

That’s not a cybersecurity problem. That’s pipeline and revenue.

Audit Delays and Schedule Risk (the “Time Tax”)

CMMC assessments are not one-size-fits-all. Depending on the contract and the information scope, organizations may be required to complete a self-assessment or a certification assessment by an authorized CMMC Third-Party Assessment Organization (C3PAO). For Level 3, assessments are conducted by the Defense Industrial Base Cybersecurity Assessment Center (DIBCAC). These assessment paths have different logistics and timing implications, and delays can directly affect eligibility windows.

Remediation Under Pressure (the “Expensive Scramble”)

If you treat compliance as a late-stage scramble, you pay for it twice: once in rushed remediation, and again in operational disruption. CMMC is designed to increase confidence that organizations are implementing required cybersecurity standards for systems that process, store, or transmit FCI or CUI. Often, the teams scrambling to remediate audit shortcomings are also on the hook to support production operations, posing immediate jeopardy to revenues from both commercial and government sales.

Credibility and Supply Chain Positioning (the “Trust Gap”)

Cybersecurity credibility is becoming a differentiator. If you can’t demonstrate evidence aligned to the applicable level, you become harder to select and harder to defend.

Legal Liability (the “One Nobody Budgets For”)

This is where “paper compliance” becomes dangerous. The Department of Justice has pursued cybersecurity-related cases under the False Claims Act, and Keysight’s research cites nearly $40M in recent settlements tied to alleged noncompliance and misrepresentation.

One referenced case is especially telling: a contractor submitted a self-assessment score of 104 out of 110, while an external review calculated the company’s actual score to be -142.19. That case resulted in a $4.6M settlement.

The lesson is simple: the gap between “we believe” and “we can prove” is where exposure lives. CMMC is pushing the industry from intent to evidence.

Why the Gap Exists: Complexity, Resources, and Manual Proof Readiness

When asked about obstacles, respondents cited three major pain points:

35% pointed to the complexity of requirements
30% cited lack of internal resources
30% struggled with understanding requirements and lack of clear guidance

The combination of high complexity, constrained teams, and uneven clarity is a daunting challenge.

It’s also made worse by a common assumption: “If we’ve been working toward NIST SP 800-171, we’re basically there.” The nuance matters. The CMMC program focuses on protecting FCI and CUI. Level 1 requires an annual self-assessment and annual affirmation against the 15 requirements in FAR 52.204-21. CMMC Level 2 is aligned to the 110 requirements in NIST SP 800-171 Rev. 2, including an assessment every three years (self or C3PAO, depending on the solicitation), and requires annual affirmations. Level 3 requires a prerequisite CMMC Level 2 status and a DIBCAC-led assessment every three years, plus annual affirmations (including continued Level 2 affirmations).

That’s also why automation matters. Modern cyber defense moves too fast for manual attestation to keep up. Yet only 3% reported using automated security validation tools today.

What Winning Looks Like: Making Compliance Credible

The best way to think about CMMC isn’t as a checkbox. It’s a credibility engine. When compliance is built as an evidence-based program, a few things happen:

Controls become measurable.
Audit prep becomes continuous.
Gaps surface earlier, when fixes are less expensive.
Cyber maturity improves in ways that reduce incidents.
Market positioning strengthens because you can prove readiness.

In other words, you don’t just “meet requirements.” You’re becoming a more trusted, lower-risk partner, one to whom customers can confidently award CMMC-governed contracts.

Tools for a More Streamlined Path to Compliance

CMMC readiness can feel overwhelming because it touches scoping, implementation, documentation, validation, and sustainment.

Keysight network visibility and security solutions can help organizations shift to evidence-based, continuously validated security.

Turn Visibility Into Audit-Ready Evidence.

Keysight network visibility solutions, such as Vision Series Network Packet Brokers, help ensure security tools receive the right traffic and telemetry. That supports audit trails and monitoring needed for domains like Audit and Accountability (AU) and System and Information Integrity (SI). Without visibility, every other control becomes harder to prove.

Validate Controls Continuously, Not Just at Audit Time.

Keysight’s breach and attack simulation capabilities (like Threat Simulator) help organizations continuously validate defensive controls by emulating real-world attack behaviors and producing measurable results. Continuous validation reduces surprises, shortens remediation cycles, and increases confidence before an assessor ever arrives.

Build Sustainment into the Operating Model.

CMMC is not a one-time event. Certification results are recorded in government systems, and organizations must complete affirmations (after assessments and annually thereafter, depending on level). Readiness fades without reinforcement. Keysight Cyber Range Training (KCTS) helps teams practice incident response and maintain operational readiness between assessments, supporting the people and process side of a sustainable program.

CMMC is a forcing function, but it’s also an opportunity. Organizations that treat it as an evidence problem, solved with visibility, validation, and repeatable proof, won’t just stay eligible. They’ll build credibility the market can actually trust.

Read the Full Research White Paper

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AI Applied: Practical AI Strategies for Leaders Getting Started

Carreen Cook — Thu, 02 Apr 2026 18:10:53 +0000

AI Applied: Practical AI Strategies for Leaders Getting Started

Fri, 04/03/2026 - 09:45

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By Baker Tilly’s Chris Wagner and Dave DuVarney

Artificial intelligence has quickly moved from an experimental technology to a boardroom priority. Leadership teams across industries are being asked the same question: What is our AI strategy?

Despite the growing pressure, many organizations struggle to answer that question. AI can feel powerful but ambiguous, and without a clear starting point, initiatives often stall or fail to deliver results. In fact, a significant percentage of AI initiatives fail to produce meaningful outcomes in their first year.

The organizations that succeed with AI tend to take a structured but practical approach — balancing leadership direction, experimentation, governance and a focus on real business problems.

Start with executive alignment

Successful AI adoption begins with leadership. Without executive support, AI efforts often remain scattered experiments rather than strategic initiatives.

Leaders don’t need to start with a massive strategy document. What matters most is establishing clear intent: AI is important to the organization, and exploring its potential is a priority.

When executives actively encourage teams to explore AI — asking how it might improve workflows or create new capabilities — it signals that innovation is expected and supported. This tone from the top creates the momentum organizations need to begin experimenting and learning.

Build a cross-functional AI team

Although AI relies on technology, it cannot succeed as an IT-only initiative.

Organizations benefit from forming a cross-functional team responsible for guiding AI adoption. This group typically includes representatives from technology, operations, finance, marketing and other key business functions.

Their role is to help the organization move forward intentionally by:

Identifying and prioritizing potential AI use cases
Establishing governance and risk policies
Selecting enterprise AI tools
Encouraging adoption across departments
Developing business cases for investment

This team acts as the internal steering function that balances experimentation with strategic alignment.

Encourage Grassroots Innovation

One of the most transformative aspects of modern AI, especially generative AI, is its accessibility. Employees across the organization can experiment with these tools to solve everyday problems.

Organizations can benefit from encouraging this experimentation and capturing the best ideas. A simple innovation funnel can help:

Employees experiment with AI tools.
Promising ideas are shared with the organization.
The most impactful use cases are evaluated and expanded.

Many AI platforms also provide usage data that can highlight successful workflows. If a particular tool or process becomes widely used internally, it may signal an opportunity to formalize and scale that solution across the organization.

Focus on problems, not technology

A common mistake organizations make is starting with the question, "Where can we use AI?”

A better approach is to start with the problem. Ask, “What business challenge are we trying to solve?”

Sometimes AI will be the best solution. Other times, simpler tools, such as spreadsheets, automation platforms, or traditional analytics, may be more effective.

Treating AI as one tool among many ensures that organizations apply it where it truly creates value rather than forcing it into every problem.

Capture everyday productivity gains

Not every AI benefit comes from large transformation projects. Some of the most immediate value comes from small improvements in daily work.

Employees are already using AI tools to help with tasks like:

Drafting emails and reports
Summarizing information
Brainstorming ideas
Structuring plans and strategies
Working through complex problems

These small efficiencies may be difficult to measure individually, but when multiplied across an entire workforce, they can significantly improve productivity and job satisfaction.

Over time, this also helps employees become more comfortable and creative with AI tools, which can lead to larger innovation opportunities.

Strengthen governance and security

Security concerns are one of the biggest barriers organizations face when adopting AI. Leaders worry about sensitive data exposure, regulatory risks and the rapid growth of AI tools.

Addressing these concerns requires a thoughtful approach.

Provide enterprise-grade AI tools

Organizations should offer secure AI platforms within their own environments. If employees lack access to approved tools, they will likely use public alternatives, which increases risk.

Providing enterprise tools gives employees a safe place to experiment.

Extend existing data policies

Most organizations already have data governance policies. AI policies should simply extend those rules.

For example, sensitive company data should only be used within approved platforms rather than public AI tools.

Clear guidelines help employees understand how to use AI responsibly while still enabling innovation.

Review security practices

AI systems often interact with large volumes of organizational data, which can expose weaknesses in existing access controls.

Organizations should review how administrative privileges and sensitive data access are managed. Strengthening these controls ensures AI tools do not unintentionally expand access to information.

Learn from external expertise

AI technology is evolving quickly, and many organizations lack deep expertise internally.

Leaders can accelerate progress by learning from external sources such as:

Industry communities and professional groups
Peer organizations experimenting with AI
Advisors and technology partners
Educational resources and training programs

These networks help organizations stay informed, avoid common mistakes and move forward with greater confidence.

Moving forward with AI

Organizations don’t need a perfect strategy before they begin exploring AI. What matters most is creating the right environment for progress.

That environment includes:

Clear leadership support
Cross-functional collaboration
Safe experimentation
Strong governance and security
A focus on real business problems

By combining these elements, organizations can move beyond the hype surrounding AI and begin realizing real value — one practical use case at a time.

How we can help

Baker Tilly helps organizations safely and effectively harness AI. Our AI consulting services support you from strategy development through implementation, including model design, data and AI governance, workflow automation and organizational readiness programs. Ready to accelerate your AI journey? Connect with a Baker Tilly specialist to get started.

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A New Holland Tractor That Transformed a Community: How Mechanization Generated Hope, Growth, and Self-Sufficiency in Uganda

avoytovich — Tue, 31 Mar 2026 14:55:10 +0000

A New Holland Tractor That Transformed a Community: How Mechanization Generated Hope, Growth, and Self-Sufficiency in Uganda

Thu, 04/02/2026 - 16:00

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New Holland, a brand of CNH, is proud to highlight the extraordinary impact that the donation of a TT model tractor has generated within the community of Bugiri, Uganda, through the work of God in Action Uganda (GiAU), an orphanage and community relief organization. Delivered in April 2025, this tractor’s impact has gone far beyond being a piece of agricultural equipment, it has become a catalyst for social, economic, and community transformation.

The TT tractor is used on the organization’s farm to accelerate its mission of creating a fully self‑sustaining agricultural system that provides long‑term support for both children and elders in need.

The farm represents a crucial pillar of GiAU’s vision: to cultivate the resources needed to feed the community of Bugiri, generate income, and ultimately build a dedicated dormitory that will offer a safe and permanent home for the orphans under their care. By strengthening their ability to produce and sell crops, the organization aims to secure a future marked by dignity, independence, and opportunity.

The benefits extend beyond the orphanage. Farmers from the surrounding community have also been able to access the tractor’s capabilities, strengthening the resilience of the entire village. What began as a single act of generosity has grown into a shared resource, empowering local agricultural development and community cooperation.

This project forms part of CNH’s Sustainable Development Initiatives and represents the New Holland brand’s support of fair, inclusive, and sustainable agriculture worldwide.

Through projects such as this, New Holland continues to promote farming practices that enhance livelihoods, strengthen communities, and create meaningful, lasting change.

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3M Volunteers Advance Hands-On Stem Learning

mrowen@3bl.com — Thu, 02 Apr 2026 14:47:01 +0000

3M Volunteers Advance Hands-On Stem Learning

Thu, 04/02/2026 - 15:55

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Originally published on 3M News Center

As part of a continued effort to inspire the next generation of scientists, 3M is partnering with DoSomething and Amazon MGM Studios to launch Project STEM Heroes, a nationwide program encouraging young people to explore STEM careers and recognize the mentors who sparked their curiosity. Aligned with the release of the science fiction film “Project Hail Mary,” the initiative invites youth to submit videos sharing their passion for STEM and the teachers who shaped their journey, with the opportunity to earn a scholarship.

Representatives from 3M and DoSomething, a leading hub for youth-centered leadership and service, attended the world premiere of “Project Hail Mary,” joined by a 3M scientist and a group of students and teachers, including two Project STEM Heroes scholarship recipients. While in St. Paul, Minnesota, 3M also hosted a volunteer event with STARBASE Minnesota Inc., an organization that inspires creativity and hands-on learning for students, where 3M employees supported programming designed to empower students in their STEM exploration.

“Project STEM Heroes inspires young people to discover and unlock their passion for STEM, while celebrating the educators who sparked their passion,” said DeNora Getachew, CEO of DoSomething. “Partnering with 3M to honor these students and teachers at the ‘Project Hail Mary’ premiere highlighted real stories of curiosity and mentorship. Together, we’re helping the next generation to see themselves as innovators and problem solvers.”

Encouraged by the message of Project STEM Heroes, nearly 300 3M volunteers partnered with STARBASE to take action by assembling hands-on STEM materials that will reach more than 19,000 students.

As part of a continued effort to inspire the next generation of scientists and impact communities, 3M employees exceeded their 2025 goal of contributing 100,000 volunteer hours globally, reaching over 144,000 hours. As community needs persist, the company’s goal this year is to achieve 160,000 volunteer hours.

From building 780 model rocket engine mounts to preparing thousands of STEM kits, these efforts will help bring lessons like rocket launches and missions to Mars to life.

“Our decades-long partnership with 3M is invaluable, and events like this are among the highlights because they allow us to engage directly with dedicated 3M volunteers,” said Melanie Peters, Executive Director of STARBASE Minnesota Inc. “Our programs serve fifth‑grade students – an age when many begin to decide whether they see themselves as ‘STEM students’ or not. It’s critical for us to reach them at this stage with a high-impact experience that builds confidence and sparks curiosity.”

Together, these efforts reflect 3M’s ongoing commitment to empowering the next generation of innovators and providing youth around the world with meaningful STEM education experiences.

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Complimentary Webinar - Preparing for CSRD Mandatory Assurance: What Companies Need to Do Now

Holly Cesena — Mon, 30 Mar 2026 17:34:08 +0000

Complimentary Webinar - Preparing for CSRD Mandatory Assurance: What Companies Need to Do Now

Thu, 04/02/2026 - 14:00

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COMPLIMENTARY WEBINAR

Preparing for CSRD Mandatory Assurance: What Companies Need to Do Now

Thursday, April 30th, 2026 at 10:00 AM PST

REGISTER TODAY

If your organization is in scope for the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), the next step is building the processes, controls, and evidence needed to meet assurance requirements. This session provides a practical roadmap for readiness, covering data governance, internal control frameworks, documentation standards, and alignment with ESRS reporting.

Whether you are early in your CSRD journey or already reporting, this complimentary 30-minute webinar will help you build an assurance-ready ESG reporting system.

Join Danielle Stapleton, SCS Global Services' Program Manager for ESG Assurance, as she highlights the following:

- What auditors will expect
- Common challenges organizations face in their first assurance cycle
- Key actions companies should take now to avoid delays or rework

A live Q&A session will follow the discussion.

REGISTER NOW

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