Month: September 2022

2022-09-30T07:31:00

(BPT) – While some people like to relax and see the sights while traveling, others prefer to go and do. If you fall into the latter category, take a trip to Niagara Falls USA, where adventure comes naturally. Known for its iconic waterfalls, leisure and business travelers may be surprised by all there is to see and do in the diverse destination. With fewer crowds, cool breezes and bold colors, fall is an ideal time to experience the destination. Check out these four reasons to visit Niagara Falls USA this autumn.

1. Niagara Falls State Park

If you want to enjoy the beauty of nature, visit Niagara Falls State Park, the oldest state park in America. Don your poncho and get closer than you ever imagined to the mists of the American, Horseshoe and Bridal Veil Falls aboard the Maid of the Mist. If you want an incredibly close encounter with the Bridal Veil Falls, visit the Cave of the Winds, where you’ll be a mere 20 feet away from the Falls.

Afterward, explore the area by following the walking path that winds throughout Niagara Falls State Park, designed by landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted. Take a stroll and discover over 400 acres of natural, lush terrain and protected wildlife.

2. Outdoor adventures

There are plenty of outdoor adventures to discover in Niagara County. For example, hikers can explore the scenic Niagara Gorge Trail System, which runs parallel to the Niagara River Gorge, which is especially breathtaking as the leaves change color.

For birdwatchers interested in the New York State Birding Trail, Niagara Falls State Park is a designated stop, and the nearby Niagara River Corridor is a globally significant Important Bird Area. In fall and winter, you can see Bonaparte’s herring and ring-billed gulls that arrive at the park each year, as well as a large population of waterfowl.

If you’re interested in a guided tour, check out Niagara Outfitters, which provides New York State-licensed guides for scenic hiking, biking and kayaking tours of the many parks and waterways in the region.

3. Beyond the Falls

Downtown Niagara Falls is very walkable, with nearly a dozen accommodations within steps of Niagara Falls State Park, dining and attractions.

When you want a break from nature, visit the Seneca Niagara Resort & Casino. This full-amenity resort features 10 restaurants, multiple shops, more than 2,500 slots, over 80 table games, a full-service spa, entertainment and more.

On the National Register of Historic Places, The Giacomo Hotel has 44 rooms offering a boutique, luxury experience in an art deco-style building. Whether you’re looking for a romantic getaway or a weekend away with your friends, you can live like a local at one of the many quaint and cozy accommodations in Niagara Falls USA.

No matter where you stay, you’ll be near some great shopping areas. Niagara County has several antique shops where you can find vintage items and collectibles. Take a trip to the North Tonawanda City Market, a year-round farmer’s market that has provided fresh regional produce, specialty baked goods, and handmade crafts for over 100 years. Finally, for the savvy shopper, don’t forget to visit the Fashion Outlets of Niagara Falls USA, where you’ll find bargains for all your favorite brand names.

4. Sip and savor

Whether you enjoy a bold cabernet, a hefty stout or a sweet cider, you’re sure to find a spot you like at one of Niagara County’s more than 2 dozen wineries, breweries and cideries.

Located along the Niagara Escarpment, head to Niagara County’s expansive wine region to enjoy sipping specialties from several wineries in the area. When planning your trip, check out the Niagara Wine Trail, which hosts many seasonal events. This November, you can enjoy a wine pairing dinner and celebrate the trail’s 20th anniversary.

Niagara Falls USA also has a thriving brewery scene. You can sip a Niagara Lager at Woodcock Brothers Brewery, the first brewery in Niagara County. Or, if you’d like a little education with your brews, take an entertaining brewery tour at New York Beer Project, complete with a short history and science lesson and beer sampling.

For those interested in something crisper, head to BlackBird Cider Works, Niagara County’s sole craft hard cider producer. The estate orchard grows the apples needed to produce all of its ciders, including the seasonal pumpkin spice cider that can be enjoyed at the on-site tasting room.

Don’t wait for the leaves to fall. Start planning your autumn adventure in Niagara County using the Niagara Falls USA travel guide and visiting NiagaraFallsUSA.com.

2022-09-30T17:01:00

(BPT) – By Brendan P. Keegan, Chairman, CEO & President of Merchants Fleet

The biggest acronym in boardrooms across the U.S. today is ESG — Environmental Social Governance. ESG is a framework for ensuring business practices have regard for the environment (‘E’) in which they operate, social issues (‘S’) and governance (‘G’) of the business.

While it may come across as a passing trend, ESG is real and here to stay. The concept has been around since the 1980s, and was heightened in importance during the COVID-19 pandemic when both brands and consumers rallied behind a range of causes.

Increasing interest at the top

Corporations are finding it increasingly important to have a stake in corporate social responsibility. This is driven by consumer expectations that the organizations they buy from or do business with match their own moral opinions and beliefs. According to PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC)’s 2021 consumer intelligence survey, 83% of consumers polled believe that companies should be actively shaping ESG best practices. Amazon put knowledge like this to power. It leaned in and committed $2 billion to the Climate Pledge Fund, which supports reduction of carbon emissions; pledged to reach net zero carbon by 2040; and purchased 100,000 electric delivery vans from EV startup Rivian.

By and large, the boardroom is where ESG is first prioritized and mandated, largely due to the immense risks and opportunities ESG topics pose today and especially in the future. It transcends beyond the boardroom to the C-suite, where you see it actualized. Seen in the push to hire executive leaders and directors for sustainable product lines, manufacturing, supply chain and even fleets, this underscores that sustainability is naturally baked into the business culture and not a casual add-on.

There’s pressure to be a market leader in this arena and demonstrate an ESG agenda. While big-name brands are setting their ESG goal posts, an ESG knowledge gap still exists and remains too wide for others. Per a recent Vontobel Study, 59% of respondents do not know an ESG approach to saving and what investment to make. Additionally, 47% would welcome greater support and advice on ESG.

Where to start? Start with ‘E’ and go EV

As it is National Drive Electric Week, a nationwide celebration to raise awareness of the many benefits of all electric and plug-in hybrid cars and trucks, the Environmental pillar of ESG comes into focus. EVs are becoming more of an answer for companies to meet this objective, because one of the fastest and best ways to become more ESG compliant is vehicle electrification. Examples beyond Amazon include Unilever, which has committed to converting its fleet to 100% EVs by 2030; and Wal-Mart, which plans to electrify its fleet by 2040 and have a 100% renewable energy power supply for its facilities five years sooner.

Transportation is one of the biggest contributors to emissions globally. Data from the MIT Trancik Lab indicate that 20% of U.S. emissions come from cars and trucks. According to the EPA, the carbon dioxide emissions produced by a fleet of 10,000 sedans is equivalent to the emissions from over 5 million gallons of gas. Converting those vehicles to EVs would be the equivalent of recycling over 1.9 million trash bags of waste or planting and growing 750,000 trees for 10 years.

With EV makes and models coming onto the market at a rapid pace and battery advancements increasing range and decreasing cost, fleet has been identified as one of the most significant and accessible ways for companies with ESG plans to make progress on their goals over the next 10-20 years.

EVs are also becoming more affordable: battery prices have dropped nearly 90% over the past 10 years, and BloombergNEF is projecting that EVs will reach price parity with internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles by 2025. As demand is outpacing supply, organizations that delay EV implementation risk losing a significant ESG opportunity and falling years behind their sustainability goals.

There’s a tremendous amount of work to be done and businesses cannot afford to risk complacency. The ever-changing ESG landscape poses a challenge for boards and their C-suite, and behavioral and cultural changes will take place, but also great opportunity will come. For those that choose to adopt EVs, they’ve embarked on a journey to take advantage of economic, operational and sustainability-related benefits.

2022-09-29T12:15:00

(BPT) – Demand for reliable networking solutions is at an all-time high for businesses and individuals alike. Whether it’s for work, school, health care or entertainment, many daily activities are dependent on access to fast and dependable internet.

In fact, according to Comcast — one the nation’s largest media and technology companies — peak network traffic growth continued to climb past record highs set in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. And, entertainment activities continue to dominate overall network traffic, with video streaming accounting for 71% of downloads.

Connectivity is essential

Aside from computers, there are a bevy of Wi-Fi-enabled devices that people rely on every day. Some of these things you may have in your home include smartphones, security camera systems, smart outlets, color-changing lightbulbs and thermostats.

The changing dynamics and demands of life during a pandemic meant more people relying on these types of devices to stay connected and productive. This reliance continues today. Data shows in 2021, Comcast connected nearly a billion unique devices to Wi-Fi, a 12-fold increase from 2018.

This increase in usage underscores the need for reliable connectivity. During the unprecedented shift in network usage throughout the pandemic, Comcast invested more than $4.2 billion to strengthen, expand and evolve its network — more than any previous year. From 2017 to 2021, the company invested nearly $20 billion to evolve and grow their network, as well as build out more than 50,000 new miles of fiber. That is equivalent to driving back and forth from the west to east coast 20 times.

A strong backbone

With more people and businesses connecting in new and remote locations, a strong, secure network backbone is critical to help ensure fast, reliable connections aren’t disrupted. Two key network backbone components are cybersecurity and managed services.

Cyberattacks are up compared to a decade ago, and there are now dozens more unique attacks. It’s important to pay attention to the newest advice on how to protect yourself and your family. The easiest action is to partner with a reliable internet provider that does the heavy lifting for you.

Comcast is making regular investments into its cybersecurity solutions, and it’s paying off — in 2020 alone, the company blocked billions of botnet, malware and phishing threats. That protection gives people the confidence to use the communication channels they need without excessive worry.

Plus, with inflation concerns and money tight for so many people, network offerings are more flexible than ever, allowing Comcast to tailor its packages to fit the needs and budgetary restraints of its customers — including the Affordable Connectivity Program that provides a $30 or $75 credit toward internet and mobile services. Visit Xfinity.com to learn more.

2022-09-29T09:01:00

(BPT) – Although Halloween is known as the spookiest of all the holidays, it may be more fitting to call it the sweetest due to all the candy that surrounds the celebration. Sugary temptations seem to lurk everywhere, and they can contain a scary amount of sugar. Fortunately, if you crave your favorite Halloween flavors, there are many spectacular sweet swaps that will satisfy your sweet tooth.

From healthier options for rich chocolate to decadent frozen treats, here are some ideas to satisfy all your Halloween cravings:

1. Come to the dark side with sea salt dark chocolate

If you want rich dark chocolate that plays so perfectly with a dash of sea salt, opt for a Sea Salt Extra Dark Chocolate Bar from GATSBY Chocolate. Just like Halloween magic, this company somehow figured out how to create the lowest calorie chocolate on the market with 1/2 the calories and 1/4 of the sugar of traditional chocolate. Created by the co-founder of Halo Top ice cream, GATSBY is redefining indulgence by delivering premium chocolate at only 60-70 calories and 2-5 grams of sugar per serving. And you won’t believe your taste buds because you still get the decadent taste you expect from the best chocolate confections. To taste the newest chocolate from GATSBY, you can head to retailers nationwide including Sprouts, Walmart, Target, Kroger, Safeway, Alberton’s, HEB, Hy-Vee, Stop & Shop and more or check out the store locator.

2. Pumpkin banana spice is nice

Halloween is smack dab in the middle of the autumn season which is when many people start hankering for the quintessential flavors of fall. Here’s a healthy treat that boosts your fruit and veggie count for the day: Banana pumpkin nice cream. All you have to do is peel ripe bananas, chop into pieces and place them in the freezer. Once frozen, place in a blender along with a spoonful of pureed pumpkin, a little milk and a dash of pumpkin spice or cinnamon to taste. Blend well for a chilly treat you can enjoy immediately.

3. No tricks just treats with milk chocolate and peanut butter

There are some foods that pair perfectly together such as delicious peanut butter and chocolate. This Halloween, skip the waxy and gritty mass-produced options and opt for GATSBY Milk Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups. That’s right, they make more than chocolate bars! You can enjoy the iconic treats you crave with milk chocolate and peanut butter that are only 50 calories per cup! These cups taste even sweeter when you find out they are just HALF the calories of your traditional peanut butter cups.

4. Sweet and salty crunch is food ghouls

When sweet and salty flavors mingle, does it make your mouth happy? Rather than reaching for those fun-sized Halloween candy bars, you can make your own healthier confections at home with minimal effort. For example, melt low-calorie GATSBY chocolate and dip your choice of crunchy, salty goodies in it, like nuts or pretzels. Want some whole grain for a feel-good treat? Use your air popper or stove to pop whole kernels of popcorn and then spread on a pan and drizzle with GATSBY melted chocolate. Let it harden and then enjoy with a smile.

5. Chewy and sweet yummy gummy alternatives

From gooey and chewy to sweet and sour, there are many fruity candies available throughout the Halloween season. While fun and eye catching, these candies are typically full of processed sugar and artificial dyes to give them those vivid hues. When you want a fruity treat, consider healthier alternatives like fresh or dried fruit. Fruit contains natural sugars as well as vitamins, minerals and fiber. For example, dried fruit is a healthy alternative to gummies, giving you that sweet fruity flavor along with chewy satisfaction.

2022-09-29T02:01:00

(BPT) – As people explore the world, they have much to gain, but sometimes whether they realize it or not, their travel can have a negative impact on the places they visit. The need for sustainable travel has grown in order to protect the natural resources and wildlife in destinations, and to conserve cultural heritage while creating authentic experiences for tourists. The question is how can you as just one traveler make a difference?

With the goal to tread lightly — or better yet, leaving a place better off than when you arrived — sustainable travel is important for everyone, but it can be difficult to understand what you can do to have a positive impact. This is why the United States Tour Operators Association (USTOA) launched a first-of-its-kind comic book that introduces a superhero for responsible travel: Sustainable Suzie. Equal parts superhero and cheerleader, Sustainable Suzie fights the good fight toward a more sustainable future for travel around the globe.

You can be your own superhero with these tips for sustainable travel from the experts at USTOA:

1. Learn and discuss sustainable travel with your family

Whether you want to understand more about sustainable travel yourself or you want to instill these values in your children, read about the colorful adventures of Sustainable Suzie at USTOA.com/SustainableSuzie. By day, she’s a USTOA tour operator member guide named Susan who provides tips for travelers as well as examples of destinations and travel companies that are adopting workable, sustainable practices to ensure there is a world to explore for future generations. Meanwhile, her alter ego Suzie battles with the villains determined to contaminate the planet.

2. Discover destinations with history, geography and biology

Top tourist destinations are wonderful, but when researching potential vacations, consider looking beyond the typical when planning your next sustainable travel trip. For example, South Korea is full of culture, history and beauty. If a slower pace suits you, board a ferry to South Korea’s volcanic Jeju Island: the world’s first recipient of UNESCO’s triple crown of designations (Biosphere Reserve, World Natural Heritage Site, Global Geopark). Here, you can walk the Olle Trail, discover lava tubes and waterfalls, bask on white sand beaches, and savor black pig, which is unlike any pork you’ve ever tasted.

3. Book greener travel options to your destination

How will you get to that amazing destination for your next trip? Whether plane, train or automobile, it’s worthwhile to learn about the environmental impact of your transportation options and make eco-minded decisions. If you need to fly to your destination, consider more than price and frequent flier miles. United Airlines has invested more in sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) globally than any other airline, and they’re so committed to combating climate change, they’re on a path toward reducing 100% of their greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

4. Use a sustainability minded tour operator

Tours are a wonderful way to experience a destination, and by working with a tour operator that prioritizes sustainability, you can feel good about your vacation and make lasting memories. Many USTOA members are fantastic resources to travelers as they are inspired by the organization’s goal of preserving the globe’s human, natural and cultural assets. From planning unique itineraries that address overcrowding or promote carbon neutrality, there are sustainable tour options around the world.

5. Go green with electric transportation at your destination

Once you arrive at your destination, you’ll likely want to take in the sights. Research electric cars and alternative transportation options. Destinations like Norway, where electric cars and electric snowmobiles are all the rage, should be at the top of your list. Norway has been recognized by the United Nations as “a leader in the global transition towards an inclusive green economy.” Just imagine taking in the view of the snowy wonderland of Norway from the comfort of your own electric snowmobile! Come spring, explore Norway in an electric car or opt for a classic bike and get your pedal on.

6. Explore and support local communities

Tourism can be a wonderful thing for local economies. Learn about destinations that positively use tourism dollars, like exotic Tenerife, largest of Spain’s Canary Islands. Recognized as a Certified Biosphere Destination for its sustainable tourism initiatives, Tenerife is one of many places where tourist dollars have a positive impact not only on the local economy but on efforts to preserve natural expanses. Nearly half of its territory is categorized as protected, so visitors today and in the future will get to enjoy the beauty of the environment.

7. Pack and tread lightly

Once you know where you want to go, consider the next steps in traveling sustainably. What you bring matters, but strive to pack lightly and purchase what you need when you arrive. When you do get to your destination, try to eat local food as much as possible, which helps deepen your experience and supports local families. If you can, stay a few extra nights and consider visiting during the off-season when your support is most needed.

Travel is an important part of the human experience, broadening perspectives and providing lifelong memories. With these mindful tips focused on sustainable travel, you can enjoy any vacation while making a positive impact. Learn more at USTOA.com/SustainableSuzie.

2022-09-28T15:01:00

(BPT) – Educators and school staff play some of the most critical roles in their communities. Parents entrust their children to schools each day to learn lessons and valuable skills that will set them up for a lifetime of success. But as students have returned to classrooms this fall and pandemic concerns subside, stress and fatigue are at an all-time high and are leaving educators around the country feeling both unappreciated and hungry.

Lunch is not in today’s lesson plan

A recent nationwide survey commissioned by Subway and ezCater found that more than one in six teachers say they don’t remember the last time they were thanked for their service. In addition, staffing shortages across the country have increased demand on faculty time, so they are often skipping their lunch break to keep up with the demands of the school day. What was once a moment for educators to relax and reset has become a time for grading papers, answering parent emails and lesson planning. The survey also found that:

• Working over lunch. More than one in two (54%) teachers report that they always, almost always or often work through their entire lunch break.
• No time for lunch. Nearly 40% of teachers reported skipping meals throughout the day to get work done.
• Freezer burn. More than one in three teachers report they are almost never able to eat an actual lunch that doesn’t come from the freezer section, vending machine or microwave.

The little things go a long way

While these findings are troubling, the survey reports that simple acts of kindness can help. More than 90% of teachers surveyed said that a small token of appreciation can turn a rough day at school into a great one. Given the challenges educators face to have meals during the day, the gift of quality food is especially appreciated.

One easy way to lend a hand is entering the Catering for Educators contest. Subway, in partnership with ezCater, is encouraging nominations for hardworking educators who will win one of 2,022 Subway catered lunches. Through September 30, people can log on to CateringforEducators.com to nominate the faculty and staff at their favorite school. Later this fall, the catered lunches will be delivered to the 2,022 schools across the country.

“Our schools and their talented, hardworking staff are the bedrock of our communities, and the sacrifices they make as part of their job often go unnoticed,” says Jenn Saunders-Haynes, Director of Catering at Subway. “Alongside our ezCater partner and our 11,000 franchisees across the country, we are proud to step up to recognize educators and faculty.”

It’s time to show our appreciation for the hardworking and invaluable educators after the back-to-school buzz fades and they need it most. To learn more about Subway’s Catering for Educators contest, visit CateringforEducators.com.

2022-09-28T15:39:00

(BPT) – Fall is here, which means cooler weather and outdoor family activities like apple picking, youth sports and more. It can also mean pollen and allergens (like ragweed) are in the air. If your children suffer from seasonal allergies, it can be tough for them to enjoy spending time outside. Fortunately, parenting influencer Bethanie Garcia, ZYRTEC^® partner and mom of five active kids, most of whom suffer from seasonal allergies, offers her tips to help parents and kids enjoy the fall weather as a family without allergy symptoms holding them back.

“When it comes to outdoor activities, I suggest balancing spontaneity with preparation for a winning combination,” says Garcia. “Most of all, just let your kids be kids, try new things together and have fun! If your kids see you having fun, they’ll have fun, too.”

Here are Garcia’s top five tips to have fun with the whole family this fall:

1. Set up an outdoor picnic for snacks or lunchtime — and if the kids are old enough, they can help prep the food, too! Stick to easy-to-assemble sandwiches, cut-up fruits and veggies or hard-boiled eggs — whatever your kids like, plus maybe one or two new things to try! In the fall, I like to bring apple cider donuts and apple cider as a treat for the kids. You can find a local park or just make your yard into a picnic hangout with a colorful blanket on the grass.

2. Always have an activity bag ready to go — Last minute plans always pop up and with five kids, I like to make sure I’m prepared for anything! I always like to keep a “go bag” by the front door packed with all our necessities including reusable water bottles, blankets, snacks and games. Plus, with most of my kids having seasonal allergies, I have new Children’s ZYRTEC^® Dye-Free Chewables on hand. We’ve used ZYRTEC^® for years and the new chewable form is so easy for them to take on-the-go while providing 24-hours of relief from my children’s worst allergy symptoms.

3. Create an outdoor scavenger hunt — You can make a scavenger hunt ahead of time by hiding funny, unexpected items or toys around your yard, but you can also just use things you might see in your neighborhood for the hunt and turn it into a nature walk. With the leaves changing, can your kids find different colored leaves or acorns in the backyard? A pro tip — if you have kids with seasonal allergies, make sure to keep a basket outside the front door for your kids to leave their shoes. It helps to limit any pollen tracked inside the house and can really help to minimize symptoms.

4. If inclement weather is in play, create an indoor art studio — Fall weather can be unpredictable, so I like to have indoor activities ready just in case. We always keep art materials like paint, playdough or chalk on hand to create fun projects. To add some unique elements, I let the kids quickly run outside to grab leaves, sticks, acorns and more to incorporate into their art. Another pro allergy mom tip: make sure to have your kids wash their hands so any pollen or dust doesn’t end up on their faces or carry into other parts of the house.

5. Host an outdoor movie night — All you need is a projector, the side of your house or garage and a bedsheet, and voila! Get out beanbag chairs, pillows and blankets and pop some popcorn for a great family evening together. Make sure to dress for the occasion since fall nights can get a little chilly. I like to bring out extra flannels, hats and blankets to make the kids more comfortable. Since we usually set the movie up under a tree, the hats and blankets also help to protect the kids from any pollen that may fall from the trees.

When it comes to getting your family outdoors, feel free to add your own twist and make it unique to your family’s interests! Want to help your kids enjoy more outdoor play time? Try new Children’s ZYRTEC^® Dye-Free Chewables for kids 2 years old and up that are easy to take on the go for all your adventures. They are free of alcohol, dyes and sugar and available in-store at most mass retailers, drug and grocery stores in the allergy aisle, and online at Amazon.com. Plus, for any parents who are allergy sufferers, check out the new ZYRTEC^® Chewables for adults.

2022-09-28T15:24:22

(BPT) – Falling is a common concern among seniors, particularly as a fall has the potential to be more devastating for an older adult than the small scrape or bruise many might expect. While Fall Prevention Awareness Month is in September, it’s always a good time to learn more about these very real risks and ways to reduce them. A simple step like joining a senior fitness program can significantly reduce the impact of falls or even prevent them entirely. Not only are these programs effective, but as members will tell you, they’re lots of fun, and you may already be eligible to participate. SilverSneakers, the nation’s leading fitness program for older adults, is available to more than 18 million Americans through select Medicare plans.

The gravity of falls

Falls have been a fact of life for each of us, ever since we took our first steps as infants. While often embarrassing and sometimes painful, as we get older, they may become more frequent with more serious consequences, including broken bones and hospitalization. More than one in three people aged 65 years or older falls each year, according to the National Institutes of Health’s National Institute on Aging. Falls are the second leading cause of unintentional injury deaths worldwide.

Many factors increase fall risk. Some may be obvious such as poor vision, unsupportive footwear and hazards in the home including stairs or surfaces that easily become slippery. But other factors may seem unrelated or change so slowly that we don’t notice the danger. These include difficulty hearing, single or combined medications that cause dizziness, and decreased lower body strength and ankle mobility.

Some of these issues are best addressed by a medical professional, but exercise can dramatically reduce the risk of falls and the consequences. By engaging in activities that improve balance and build strength, you can become less vulnerable to falls. Fortunately, senior fitness programs prioritize those very things.

Developing stronger seniors

While anyone can begin exercising at any time, it can be difficult to know where or how to start. Which activities are best? How do you know if you’re performing them correctly?

Fitness programs are a great solution because they offer a variety of ways to get active, but senior fitness programs offer the guidance that you need — the right activities at the right pace to maintain interest and prevent injury, where, when and how you want. As seniors, you have a unique set of physical and emotional needs, making activities that are offered in convenient community locations or from the comfort of home especially appealing. For older adults, the social component is often just as important and beneficial as the physical.

SilverSneakers offers members a network of up to 23,000 fitness locations across the nation as well as live online fitness classes and on-demand workouts that can be joined virtually. The program features classes and exercises that focus on improving balance and building the strength necessary to prevent falls, including yoga, bodyweight exercises, Pilates and more. Tai Chi has been shown to help with balance and flexibility, making it a popular option among seniors. Mild weight-bearing activities, such as walking or climbing stairs, also build strength and may even slow bone loss from osteoporosis.

“The activities a program like SilverSneakers offers are designed with one demographic in mind — seniors,” explained Maria Granzotti, Chief Medical Officer at Tivity Health. “As a result, they prioritize areas that become vulnerable with age, often without us even realizing it until something happens, like a fall. SilverSneakers instructors ensure these programs are appealing, accessible, safe and fun, increasing the likelihood members will participate and helping them to improve strength and balance, which decreases the risk of falls.”

SilverSneakers’ offerings target the unique needs of seniors, but they are also designed based on member feedback. The program regularly surveys its members to ensure it is offering members the activities they enjoy in the ways that work best for them. And if proof was ever needed that these are the activities seniors want, on Aug. 31, it was provided. In honor of its 30th Anniversary, SilverSneakers set a Guinness World Records™ title for the most viewers of a dance fitness live stream on Facebook with 3,075 viewers in attendance.

Finding the perfect senior fitness program

With the right Medicare Advantage plan, joining a senior fitness program is easy. SilverSneakers is offered at no additional cost to members and serves members in all 50 states from more than 70 health plans. And, with 30 years of experience serving the senior population and offering classes for every fitness level, it’s an excellent way to get fit, stay engaged, reduce falls and be healthy. Medicare Advantage members can visit silversneakers.com to determine eligibility. If you aren’t currently on an MA plan, the annual Medicare Enrollment Period between Oct. 15 and Dec. 7 is a perfect time to review plans and find one that includes SilverSneakers. Visit silversneakers.com to learn more.

2022-09-27T20:55:00

(BPT) – By Lee Sam-soo, CDO at LG Electronics

To bring innovation to every point along the value chain, and ultimately provide maximum and differentiated value to customers, LG Electronics (LG) is actively engaging in an organization-wide digital transformation (DX). To accelerate the transformation process related to customer experience, LG established the new Chief Digital Office (CDO) division last year. An innovator by nature, LG is changing the way it works, utilizing data and technologies, including AI, to increase efficiency and reduce costs from manufacturing and quality, to purchasing, supply chain management (SCM) and customer support (CS). By encouraging and implementing innovation at every level, LG will not only achieve the above goals, but also be better able to identify and upgrade all aspects of the customer experience (CX).

To fully understand the needs and wants of customers, LG created AI- and data-based solutions that are helping the company refine the CX right from the very outset, from product and service planning to the development stage. When LG launches a product or service, the New eXperience Introduction (NXI)^* process is applied to monitor whether the CX is being delivered as intended. This internal process is an innovation that will greatly improve the value of diverse offerings and brand moving forward.

Based on the company’s experience implementing these programs and systems so far, LG has some recommendations for adopting innovative DX solutions to create better ways of working and CX outcomes.

For companies with legacy to successfully promote DX to internal audiences, identifying key business challenges that can be solved using technology — better known as ‘low-hanging fruit’ — must be a top priority. These low-hanging fruit always exist within any company. So, rather than jumping into projects that seek to change everything or run for multiple years accumulating ever-greater amounts of data, LG identified and focused its energies on points that can be solved now using current AI and data capabilities.

Once identified, it can be divided into two categories: ‘DX for the Company’ and ‘DX for the Customer.’ The former relates to innovation in how an organization works, while the latter refers to innovation in the overall CX space. Introducing any form of ‘DX for the Company’ can be a challenging undertaking, especially where older organizations are concerned. This is because any company with a long history is more likely to have its value chain fixed in the same way it always has been. However, if a company’s methods of working across all areas of the value chain — including development, manufacturing, purchasing, quality and SCM — have remained static for a long time, or there have only been gradual improvements made over time, there is a strong possibility that the application of digital technologies, such as data analysis and AI, will produce meaningful results.

LG is undertaking various company- and customer-targeted DX initiatives and is already seeing excellent results in both spheres. Recently, LG Smart Park in Changwon, South Korea was selected as a Lighthouse Factory by the World Economic Forum (WEF). The WEF confers this designation on facilities that are implementing Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) technologies, such as the Internet of Things (IoT), big data and AI, to usher in the future of manufacturing today.

LG’s “Digital Twin” technology is one of the key factors in LG Smart Park being named a Lighthouse Factory. It collects and analyzes data from the factory and its many production lines every 30 seconds, enabling it to accurately predict if any issues will occur up to 10 minutes in advance and restock any parts or materials before they run out. Each assembly line at LG Smart Park is attached to an ‘intelligent warehouse,’ which monitors inventory in real time and automatically requests the re-supply of items needed to keep production running smoothly. Another 4IR innovation that sets LG’s facility apart is the use of 5G network-connected logistics robots that rove the factory floor, taking the most optimal path to transport parts and materials wherever they’re needed. Also, the company has managed to minimize product defect rates and avoid lengthy downtimes by leveraging big data analysis and AI prediction.

LG Smart factory is a success story of DX, its intelligent innovations resulting in a 20 percent boost in productivity, increased worker efficiency and a significantly lower product defect rate. Its impressive performance could well trigger the integration of further DX systems and technologies throughout the entire company, including in areas such as material procurement, product transportation planning, SCM, purchasing and sales. Verifiable success is, after all, the best way to promote any kind of change within an organization.

The application of DX to purchasing processes is especially meaningful due to the supply chain issues caused by COVID-19 and other globally impactful events. LG is currently developing an intelligent system to predict the price and supply volatility of components and essential raw materials. This will be an invaluable resource during pre-negotiations with suppliers, enabling the company to focus on data-based objectives rather than being guided by the intuition of individual managers. Market monitoring, prediction and scenario-response management all become much easier and less dependent on the capabilities of personnel when you add advanced, digital technologies into the equation.

There are many possibilities for and examples of enhanced performance via ‘DX for the Company,’ especially given that the inherent value of DX is not restricted to any particular industry.

Active exploration in the arena of ‘DX for the Company’ is highly recommended because there is already a variety of value chains and data that can be utilized to discover so-called low-hanging fruit. Furthermore, DX has been shown to directly improve key measures of corporate performance, including, but not limited to, productivity and profitability. Whether speaking in financial or qualitative terms, the positive effects that DX can have are relatively easy to communicate to internal stakeholders, which is helpful for increasing buy-in and reducing resistance. In areas such as manufacturing, purchasing and quality, where there already exists an expectation that improvement activities will be regularly introduced, the task of promoting DX becomes, in most cases, even easier.

Lastly, it needs to be emphasized that, beyond the improved performance of an individual organization, the true success of ‘DX for the Company’ will come when these new methods and systems of working have spread to workplaces and corporations all over the globe.

Of course, change management is a key part of ensuring a smooth DX. LG has adopted the ‘10X’ (or ten-times) method to ensure a consistent process of reorganizing its working methods and systems until the requisite changes have clearly and verifiably been made. It’s about expanding the company’s efforts by 10X (or more) in a way that makes sense, with each change building upon the last with an express purpose and goal in mind — not merely change for the sake of it, but to streamline processes and add value in as many ways as possible. Scalability is another part of it, as companies want to be able to develop flexible platforms that can grow with its needs and ‘bend’ in accordance with shifts in the market and consumer demand. With effective change management and the consistent implementation and proliferation of targeted actions, companies can realize the envisioned DX in its totality.

LG believes that an accumulation of successes across the various areas of ‘DX for the Company’ will act as a strong foundation for a successful ‘DX for the Customer.’ By using DX to bring about innovation in the way we work, LG can greatly expand the scope and value of the CX and, in doing so, deliver even more innovative experiences to its diverse customers worldwide, helping to bring about a better life for all.

This story was edited from an editorial feature article published in The Electronic Times. To read the full Executive Corner piece and learn more about DX, visit lgnewsroom.com.

^* In 2022, LG replaced its previous product-oriented development process, known as ‘New Product Introduction’ (NPI), with ‘New eXperience Introduction’ (NXI), a more customer experience-oriented process.