Author: Peggy Smedley
With temperatures and energy bills rising, lowering energy costs just might be the ticket to seeing green—in your pocket when it comes to saving money on your next utility bill—all while providing some energy-efficient benefits to you and the environment. As we all know, in 2021, Americans paid 25.1% and 6.5% more for gas utilities and electricity, according to data from the U.S. BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics). The good news is even small changes can make a big difference. Consider these three ways to save some “green” with your appliances this year. Wait to Wash Your Clothes If you…
With Earth Day, just a few days away, on April 22, let’s explore how different vertical markets can make a lasting impact on Earth Day and every day, specifically as it relates to ESG (environmental, social, and governance), which is becoming more critical for businesses every day. History of Earth Day First, if you have been following along with us all week, then you know we are doing a little Earth Day quiz. If you know me, then you know I love a good history lesson. So, let’s answer a few key questions about Earth Day before we look at…
To celebrate Earth Day a little early, Peggy talks all about sustainability and circularity in our businesses, narrowing in on food and agriculture. She says our food system is rapidly deteriorating the planet and if we continue, we will not be able to feed the more than 9 billion people on Earth in 2050. She also discusses: What a “foodprint” is, how to measure it, and how to reduce it. Challenges facing agriculture today—and how technology can help. How tools and systems can help reduce food loss and waste. peggysmedleyshow.com (4/19/22 – 767) IoT, Internet of Things, Peggy Smedley, artificial…
Peggy and Ramesh Srinivasan, professor, UCLA Dept. of Information Studies, talk about how technology can be fair and more democratic. He says it is important to remember the architecture that the internet was founded was funded by American taxpayers, which means at its inception it was a public sensibility. They also discuss: How every aspect of life increasingly is being mediated by digital technology. The privatization of public life. The new frontier of data and how it has changed companies. RameshSrinivasan.org (4/19/22 – 767) IoT, Internet of Things, Peggy Smedley, artificial intelligence, machine learning, big data, digital transformation, cybersecurity, blockchain,…
Peggy and Andy Binns, cofounder, Change Logic, and author of the book Corporate Explorer, talk about how to spark innovation in the next generation. He explains why large corporations are in a good place for innovation, explaining that it is because they have assets that startups might lack to get to the innovation destination faster. They also discuss: How Netflix managed to go from DVDs by mail to streaming and how it ideated, incubated, and scaled innovations. How to give corporate explorers a license to explore and be innovative. The people who stand out and how they see a problem…
We all know inflation, supply-chain struggles, the worker shortage, project delays, and the geopolitical conflict is hampering growth in all vertical markets, but what specifically is on the horizon for the construction industry? Will the residential segment remain strong? Are we headed for a recession before the year is up? When will infrastructure work truly take off? And make no mistake there are a host of predictions on each of these topics. Perhaps now is the perfect time to explore one of them. At the beginning of this month, FMI released its 2022 North American Engineering and Construction Outlook Second…
This Friday, April 22, is Earth Day. To celebrate, we want to challenge you during this time of climate change to do something a little bit different. Take our quiz and then take our challenge. Let me explain. This week, consider taking the Living Lab Pledge. First, we are not saying sign your name to a list of something publicly. Rather, we are asking you to do something personal for you to make the planet better. You are doing something small that will have a BIG impact. Simply do something unique each day that will be beneficial for our environment.…
Creating a sustainability mission and framework can help the environment—and ultimately the bottomline. Businesses all around the globe are beginning to realize this. Perhaps the best way to better business and sustainability is to learn from others. Today, let’s look at three case studies for sustainability in three very different areas—cities, food, and technology—in order to find the common thread that extends to all businesses. Cities Go Plastic Free In March, The Miami Beach City Commission voted to approve a 10-year nonalcoholic pouring rights agreement with PepsiCo Beverages North America—and the agreement stipulates the company must provide packaged water and…
If we want to reach zero deaths on our roads, we need safer people, safer roads, safer vehicles, and safer speeds. Peggy narrows in on two of the four tenants for this episode, safer vehicles and safer roads. She gives an update on where we are today and what needs to happen in the future. She also discusses: Growth expected for AVs (autonomous vehicles)—and how technology will be at the center of the movement. An example of a proof-of-concept partnership that rearchitects autonomous driving for virtualizing costly roadside infrastructure. The importance of both technology and education to make our roads…
Peggy and Nate Hartman, Dauch Family professor of advanced manufacturing and head of the Computer Graphics Technology Department, Purdue University, talk about smart manufacturing vs. smart factories. He says it is important to understand there are nuisances between digital, smart, and intelligent. They also discuss: The true definition of smart factories and smart manufacturing. How people can futureproof their careers in an automated era. Where might manufacturers start and how might they do smart manufacturing. purdue.edu (4/12/22 – 766) IoT, Internet of Things, Peggy Smedley, artificial intelligence, machine learning, big data, digital transformation, cybersecurity, blockchain, 5G, cloud, sustainability, future of…