Guest blog post by Carol Obando-Derstine, regional affairs director, PPL Electric Utilities
“Innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower” is an often-repeated quote attributed to Steve Jobs. But how is this playing out and helping to create the grid of the future? Innovation requires all of us to make honest and, at times, difficult assessments of disruptive trends in our industry. Looking at the horizon and adapting to a changing landscape is essential. So, what do we think the future has in store as we prepare for 2019 and beyond? Key highlights from the U.S. Energy Information Administration’s Annual Energy Outlook 2018 with projections to 2050 are helping to bring this picture into focus. The report notes that although there were decades of slow—even negative (in 2017) growth— in electricity demand, use is projected to increase albeit at a lower rate than in the past because some of the growth continues to offset by energy efficiency gains. Projections show that through 2050 wind and solar generation will take 64% of the total electric growth in renewables generation. Earlier this year, the U.S. Department of Energy announced the availability of millions to support new technologies for long-duration energy storage on the grid. At PPL Electric Utilities, we recently announced a partnership with GE to develop and test software to manage electricity from renewable and stored energy sources. This initiative will enable both companies to learn more about the impact of this type of power—called Distributed Energy Resources (DER)—on grid management and accelerate the advancement of technology to support it. This project illustrates how PPL is responding to a changing energy sector. We are constantly modernizing our grid to better serve our customers safely and reliably through:
Nicole Lacouve, an R&D engineer at PPL Electric Utilities, has firsthand knowledge of all the ways in which our corporate culture embraces innovation. She said: “In the past, innovative thinking may have been encouraged; but now, it’s required. The grid itself along with customer expectations and services are changing. As the technical curators and long-term asset planners of the grid, our teams must have the vision to support this new energy future. Our success depends on it, and we know it.” All of this is certainly energizing us. If I had one wish for 2019 at PPL, it would be to continue pushing the boundaries on what is possible. Because, just like Steve Jobs also said, “Innovation is the ability to see change as an opportunity—not a threat.”
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Featured Blog post by Carol Obando-Derstine, regional affairs director, PPL Electric Utilities
Kids playing in the snow, sipping hot cocoa under the glow of twinkling lights, and cuddling up by a fire, December and the holidays can be a happy and magical time. But for some people this time of year can bring on significant worries, as December also means it’s getting cold, sometimes very cold. At PPL, we realize that frigid temperatures can put a strain on some customer’s budgets and we want you to know about the programs that can help. We also encourage you to help spread the word to friends, family or neighbors who may be in need this season. The first program is called LIHEAP, which stands for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program. LIHEAP is federally funded and helps people pay their heating bills – whether electric, gas or oil – during the winter months. You don’t need an overdue bill or to be on public assistance to qualify if you’re within the program’s income guidelines. LIHEAP’s application period opened in November and ends at the beginning of April, or when the funds expire, so we encourage you to apply soon by calling the LIHEAP hotline at 1-866-857-7095 or visiting your county’s assistance office. To help make your home more comfortable and lower that number on your bill every month, PPL offers the Winter Relief Assistance Program, or WRAP. Under this program, an energy educator will visit your home and teach you how to use electricity more efficiently, and conduct an energy survey. Based on the survey results, we’ll install free energy-efficient appliances, light bulbs and other items, helping you save into the future. Both homeowners and renters are eligible with landowner permission. Call visit www.pplelectric.com/WRAP or call 1-800-DIAL-PPL to see if you qualify or to apply; it’s already helped more than 100,000 families. Additionally, if you find yourself falling behind on your bills this winter, please call us. You may be eligible for our On-Track program. Administered by non-profit community agencies, On-Track offers you a lower monthly bill amount and some debt forgiveness along the way. Another program is Operation HELP, which offers cash grants for heating bills. Operation HELP is funded by donations from PPL employees, retirees, generous customers and the company. From December 11- 26, we encourage you to help spread some holiday cheer, and the word about Operation HELP, (link to the Stories blog post about the initiative), by sharing a picture of something or someone that brightens up your holidays on social media with the #PPLLightUpTheHolidays. For every photo posted on Twitter, Instagram or our Facebook page, PPL Electric will donate an extra $10 to the fund, up to a total of $2,500. And, please contact us if you believe any of these programs would be able to help you. Everyone deserves to have a happy, warm and bright holiday season. Guest Blog Post by Kyle David, president & CEO, KDG
Outsourced call centers. Representatives who constantly say “no.” Hold times of over an hour. Are we seeing the downfall of customer service? Since the 1980s and the publication of Competitive Advantage by Michael Porter, we have seen one important facet of business disappear: the customer. The very individual who keeps a business in business has practically been eliminated from the supply chain in favor of inbound logistics and operations. In his book, Porter delegates service to the far corner of his supply chain, yet never even mentions the word “customer” in its definition. What’s resulted has been over thirty years of Porter’s theory being put into practice: thirty years of outsourced call centers and of business schools teaching students that the customer is only a cost to be fit into the supply chain. When will customers stop being looked at as an operational cost and start being looked at as an investment? Saving Expenses at the Customer’s Expense In a chain consisting of inbound and outbound logistics, operations, procurement, and technology development, it’s all too easy to decide that “service” is the step to cut back on. Starting in the 1980s, businesses started to look for ways to make customer interactions as cost-effective as possible. Gone were the days of one-on-one service, of customers interacting with shopkeepers over a narrow counter. Instead, there were call centers staffed with hundreds of individuals who recited a trained routine practically impossible to stray from. Conversations were kept brief and robotic. Interactions with customers were no longer defined by satisfaction, but by numbers: minutes on the call, cost of their interaction, revenue of their purchase. Adding Value to the Chain Improving customer experience may require a change in perspective on the part of executives. Customer interactions aren’t a cost. In fact, they have the potential to add an immense value to the company. Improving customer service develops goodwill between companies and their customers. Interactions don’t become something customers come to dread, but something they come to look forward to. Hence, there are more of them, which means sales and profitability increase. But that’s not all that improves. Customers start to trust the business. Look at L.L. Bean. Call centers aren’t outsourced, customers are connected with human representatives, shipping is free, and returns are accepted with no questions asked. While some business owners may see these features as added expenses, L.L. Bean sees them as the key to its $1.6 billion in annual net sales. They’ve offered a customer experience that’s hard to find at other retailers and have seen trust and profit skyrocket as a result. Your Return on Investment Return on Investment, or ROI, is everywhere in business and one of the most important metrics you measure. You measure the ROI of your marketing campaigns, of your new technology, of your employee training. But what about the ROI of your customer service? The results may surprise you. Look at European airline Ryanair. Its cheap flights didn’t stop it from being named one of the “most hated airlines” and worst brands in the world. Stewards were rude. Space was limited. Claiming refunds was hard. Finding out about accessibility for disabled passengers was harder. Ryanair was fined over a half a million pounds and, in 2013, issued two profit warnings. Not investing in its customers wasn’t saving Ryanair money. It was threatening to put to the company out of business. This all changed in 2016. Ryanair employed a new customer service team, increased cabin baggage sizes, and introduced the personalization tool MyRyanair. Seat occupancy rose to 92% and the company was named “the best-performing airline on virtually every measure of margin.” Costco is another company that has been lauded for its customer service and has seen profits increase as a result. The store has a multi-year return policy, retains employees who then build relationships with customers, and hasn’t raised its popular fast food prices in over three decades. By investing in their customers and their needs, Costco is seeing customers return the favor and continue to invest in them. In the spring of 2018, Costco saw a sales increase of 10.8% and a profit increase of 36%. Treating Customers as Humans, Not as Costs It’s time for a change of thinking in business. Gone should be the days of seeing customer service as another link in the supply chain or another cost to figure into the budget. Customers aren’t “buyers,” they’re human beings. Become an experience-based company: respect customers’ time, listen to them, talk to them, and surprise them. When you treat customers how they want to be treated, they’ll return the favor. Customers hold the future of your business in their hands. Isn’t that worth a little investment? Featured blog post by KDG, Kyle David Group Feature Blog Post by Shelley Jaye, co-owner, Jim Thorpe Massage & Wellness Studio mind·ful·ness [ˈmīn(d)f(ə)lnəs] NOUN 1. the quality or state of being conscious or aware of something. 2. a mental state achieved by focusing one's awareness on the present moment, while calmly acknowledging and accepting one's feelings, thoughts, and bodily sensations, used as a therapeutic technique. “Mindfulness Moments,” is a monthly addition to The Jim Thorpe Current. Shared here you will find tips on short practices moving you toward a more energetic and mindfulness way of life. Learn to maximize your energy by experiencing living in the present moment. These are intended as practices, not lessons. Being Present As we have hopefully adjusted to the end of daylight-saving time, Thanksgiving has been celebrated and we move toward winter and our religious and spiritual celebrations in December. Much to think about relative to time. We can fully embrace time in a different way. What if we still get up in the morning at the same time as we did before daylight savings? We could use this hour to do some meditation, or quietly contemplate our day, week and month ahead; perhaps in a different way. We can use this time to tune in to our body. How can time help us to focus on our wellness? One way for us to be present in our life is to listen to what our body needs. Your body will tell you exactly what it needs. Does a vigorous walk sound appealing? Go for one. Do you want to curl up on the couch with a book instead? Are you craving dark chocolate? Eat some. Maybe today you want fresh juice. Being present is creating awareness in the moment, each moment. Much easier said than done. Imagine a practice of the simple act of paying attention to what is going on without changing anything. When you achieve being present you find increased happiness in the moments of life. The chaos and hectic times feel less stressful and recovery from trying times become effortless. All responses received in December will be eligible for a drawing for a $15.00 gift certificate at Jim Thorpe Massage & Wellness Studio. This is good for a chair massage or can be used towards any service with me, Shelley. If you have questions or would like to share your experience feel free to email me [email protected]. Please Guest blog post from Carol Obando-Derstine, regional affairs director, PPL Electric Utilities
A line from the song Deck the Halls is often repeated around this time, which is ‘Tis the season to be jolly. We know so much of that joviality revolves around family time, cooking, and of course eating. It’s no wonder by January gyms are packed with folks trying to undo all this cheerfulness of the past two months. While we are not in the business of counting calories, although there are plenty of apps for that, we can save you money on your electric bill if you will be spending lots of time in the kitchen. And the great thing about these tips is that they are applicable all year long. So here are just a few of our most popular recommendations that we compiled over the years from various sources including the U.S. Department of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency’s ENERGY STAR® program:
Feature blog post by Mike Cargiulo, President & CEO of MJC Sourcing, LLC
Feature Blog Post by Carolyn Lamparella, Ed.S., L.P.C., Program Director at Preferred EAP, which is part of Populytics, Inc./LVPHO's collaboration of employer health services
“Mental illness is the single greatest cause of worker disability in the United States." – National Alliance on Mental Illness Considering this startling fact, you may wonder why there isn’t more focus on mental health in the workplace. Our experience as an Employee Assistance Program (EAP)provider to hundreds of small and large businesses has helped us identify some of the most common reasons mental health is overlooked. First, most employers have limited access to data regarding the specific impact mental health is having on company productivity. Frequently, the effects are masked by physical conditions or are underreported due to the stigma that continues to surround mental illness. Employees are often reluctant to share information about their emotional well-being which then results in a lack of awareness of resources and a reluctance to seek help. Employers may also feel that offering an EAP program is enough as opposed to implementing a more comprehensive approach that addresses the underlying culture of the company. Real workplace solutions involve a shift in mindset from crisis intervention to prevention and acceptance of the importance of emotional wellness.In order to achieve this transformation, an employer must be ready to integrate mental health information into every level of daily operations; thereby, normalizing mental health and reducing the fears associated with seeking help. The Link to Productivity The facts clearly show how much the mental health of workers can impact their employers. According to the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, there are more workers absent because of stress and anxiety than due to physical illness or injury. Absenteeism has obvious significant impacts on productivity and creates a huge cost burden for the employer as a result of unemployment, disability, and decreased performance. The American Psychiatric Association Foundation and its Center for Workplace Mental Health reports the total economic burden of depression alone is estimated to be $210.5 billion per year, representing a 21.5% increase over the last 10 years. Nearly half (48%-50%) of these costs are attributed to absenteeism (missed days from work) and presenteeism (reduced productivity while at work).* Reversing Mental Health Stigma Employees often comfortably talk about their physical ailments around the water cooler; “I had the flu last week,” or “Did you hear Sally is having a knee replacement?” and so on. However, we rarely hear from our colleagues about their failing relationships, bouts of depression, or debilitating anxiety because of their fear of being judged or viewed as weak or incompetent. In some cases, employees may have experienced discrimination, bullying, or rejection as a result of their mental health challenges. They may even fear losing their job if they reveal a mental health problem. Reversing this stigma begins with conversation. In particular, it begins with leaders, managers, and supervisors talking about the importance of mental health and the resources that are available to help employees care for their emotional well-being. This creates an atmosphere of safety, comfort, and acceptance for employees who may be experiencing something similar. The goal should be to create a culture of acceptance in order to reduce the effects of mental health concerns in the workplace. What are the Best First Steps to Take?The following three steps are recommended to begin building a culture of mental health support and acceptance.
Feature Blog Post by Carol Obando-Derstine, regional affairs director, PPL Electric Utilities
If we could harness the energy of little kids excited to trick-or-treat – or the energy of kids after a few pieces of Halloween candy – we could probably light the entire state of Pennsylvania. Unfortunately, that seemingly boundless source of free seasonal energy hasn’t been tapped. The good news is this: While there are no magic solutions for free energy, there are steps you can take to manage your energy use and reduce your electric bill as temperatures get colder and sunlight gets scarcer. October is Energy Awareness Month. In some places, it’s also called Energy Action Month. That might be the better name: Awareness is a good first step, but action is needed to save. One action you can take is to have your heating system inspected and serviced before the real cold weather arrives. If it hasn’t been looked at in a while, it might not be running as efficiently as it could be. A little attention now could save you money down the road. Another little improvement that can pay off is caulking and weatherstripping around doors, windows and skylights. If you add up all of the hidden air leaks in your home, they can equal a hole the size of an open window. A little low-cost attention on your part can keep more of the hot air inside, where you want it. If you don’t have a smart thermostat, now’s a great time to get on board. A digital thermostat lets you turn down the heat when you’re not at home. Some of them can also be adjusted remotely by cell phone, so if you’re coming home earlier than expected, you can have things heating up when you get home. Unplug home electronics when you’re not using them, or plug them into smart power strips that will cut power to them. Home electronics can account for up to 12 percent of your energy bill, so saving in this area is no small matter. PPL Electric Utilities customers can take a quick online assessment at pplelectricsavings.com that will give you energy efficiency tips tailored to your home. You’ll get a report showing where your home is using the most electricity and where you could benefit most from behavior changes or system upgrades—with links to rebates available from PPL. And don’t forget LED bulbs, which use up to 75 percent less energy than incandescents without sacrificing light output. LEDs can last up to 20 years longer than traditional incandescent bulbs, so you save on bulb replacement costs, too. (PPL offers instant discounts on LEDs at some retailers. Learn more at pplelectricsavings.com.) All these steps, taken together, can add up to some pretty good energy savings around the house. And that might make you just about as excited as a kid dressed up for trick-or-treating. Feature Blog Post by Shelley Jaye, co-owner, Jim Thorpe Massage & Wellness Studio
mind·ful·ness [ˈmīn(d)f(ə)lnəs] NOUN
“Mindfulness Moments,” is a monthly addition to The Jim Thorpe Current. Shared here you will find tips on short practices moving you toward a more energetic and mindfulness way of life. Learn to maximize your energy by experiencing living in the present moment. These are intended as practices, not lessons. Have you thought about meditation or contemplated mindfulness? Did you give up because you just could not quiet your mind? We will meet here monthly with simple practices that you will incorporate into daily life. You will find these mindful moments will enhance your being present, mindful and enhance joy and clarity to your life. Like many of you, I have experienced moments of feeling totally overwhelmed in my daily routine. The moments where your chest tightens, breathing becomes shallow and a sense of fear and loathing darkens the pit of your stomach. Are you willing to try something new to open your mind and heart? I will help to show you the path as we journey together. One of the best practices we can experience is breathing. Sounds too simple, right? Let’s explore breathing. For the first few times I encourage you to lie down. Make or find five free minutes in your morning. Gently place your hands on your abdomen, one under your ribs the other under your naval. Allow your eyes to close. You can use an eye pillow or a cloth to cover them. Allow your breath to become deeper. Without forcing it. As you inhale allow your abdomen to rise, and you exhale allow it to fall. As thoughts come into your mind allow them to float through without judging yourself. In time less thoughts will make their way during this breathing time. You can set a timer or use an app on your smartphone; I sometimes use a free app simply called, “Calm.” Practice this three or more times per week. If you have questions or would like to share your experience feel free to email me at [email protected]. Feature Blog Post by Carol Obando-Derstine, regional affairs director, PPL Electric Utilities
It’s been a long, hot, rainy summer. But autumn is almost here, and it’s time to get ready. For instance, you might have noticed that you’re turning on the lights earlier and earlier each night. The days, which seemed to last forever just a few weeks ago, are getting shorter. That means it’s a great time to look into installing LED bulbs. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, LEDs use up to 75 percent less energy, and last up to 15 times longer, than incandescent lighting. A single LED bulb can save you $55 in energy costs over its lifetime. And, if everyone in the U.S. replaced a single light bulb with an ENERGY STAR-certified LED, we would prevent nearly 7 billion pounds of greenhouse gas emissions per year, equivalent to the emissions from 650,000 cars. (That’s according to ENERGY STAR.) LEDs might seem unfamiliar if you’ve never used one. But making the switch isn’t hard once you know a few things:
An LED bulb’s packaging has detailed information on lumens, lifespan, light appearance and estimated energy cost. Just a few seconds looking at the package, and you’ll be ready to go with the bulb you want. To help you make the switch, PPL Electric Utilities subsidizes part of the cost of LED bulbs. That means instant discounts on the bulbs are available at some participating retailers – no coupons or forms needed. To find a retailer near you, visit pplelectricsavings.com and click Lighting. How else can you save energy and money this time of year? If you have a child returning to school, they may spend more time on a computer doing schoolwork. Make sure the computer’s sleep mode is enabled, which will switch automatically to an energy-saving mode when they’re away. And, of course, teach your kids to turn off the computer when they’re done using it. You can also save in the kitchen – and out of it. Don’t put your grill away until it really starts to get cold, and you can save energy by leaving your oven off. Once the weather does start to chill out, bring your slow cooker out of storage, for another efficient alternative to the oven. Finally, now’s a good time to get your heating system inspected, so it runs as efficiently as possible during the colder months. Sealing cracks near doors and windows with weatherstripping or caulk will also keep warm air inside, where you want it. Saving electricity and money doesn’t take a big investment. You can get there one bulb, one homework assignment, one dinner, or one tube of caulk at a time. And when you’re done, you’ll have plenty of time for the pleasures of the season. |
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