Calix Support Cloud intros small business services

Calix Support Cloud intros small business services

SAN JOSE, Calif. – Calix, Inc. (NYSE: CALX) today announced that the award-winning Calix Support Cloud (Support Cloud) now offers expanded capabilities that help broadband service providers (BSPs) deliver exceptional experiences for small business subscribers. Now BSP support teams can leverage the same platform and management solution they use today to serve their residential and community subscribers (like schools) to simply and easily deliver an exceptional experience for small businesses. The new Calix SmartBiz™ managed service is purpose-built to enable BSPs to deliver critical productivity capabilities to small businesses. While small businesses account for nearly all businesses in the United States, only half stay open for more than five years. Small businesses in rural communities are often particularly challenged by limited access to world-class broadband services. With SmartBiz, BSPs can solve this problem for small businesses, helping them move beyond basic connectivity with a fully managed service. As BSPs enter this market, Support Cloud enables their support teams to ensure the delivery of an exceptional experience thanks to the expanded support and remote troubleshooting now available for SmartBiz. The rapidly growing portfolio of SmartLife™ managed services from Calix also includes SmartHome™ for residential subscribers, and SmartTown™ for communities. Support […]

Tech Innovation Is A Wicked Business Problem

Tech Innovation Is A Wicked Business Problem

getty Tech innovation is a type of " wicked problem ," a term introduced in the 1970s meaning the issue is complex with multiple interconnected factors and stakeholders—each with their own goals and priorities. Because of this, any solution proposed could help solve the puzzle while simultaneously uncovering more layers and more challenges to the initial problem. Adding our natural resistance to change, tech innovation can be a massive internal struggle for those accustomed to how their business usually operates. Having to grow your team’s skills, support the new technology and guide your customers and stakeholders through the transition without guaranteed results adds many complexities that can prevent innovation. Despite these challenges, the competitive nature of today’s environment with its changing market conditions and emerging technologies is driving businesses to constantly adapt and innovate. Coming up with innovative solutions is one piece, but adoption and longevity are a whole other set of problems that we face. The Only Constant Is Change As hinted earlier, the rapid pace of technological change is a major factor that drives the need for continuous innovation. New technologies and trends are always emerging, and businesses that can effectively leverage these technologies can gain a […]

College of Business holds Hull Declaration Day

College of Business holds Hull Declaration Day

[Michael Holahan/Augusta University] The James M. Hull College of Business held its Spring Hull Declaration Day (HDD) on Jan. 31 in the Dr. Roscoe Williams Ballroom at the Jaguar Student Activities Center to introduce business administration majors to everything the college has to offer, as well as departments that benefit its students. Hull Declaration Day, held during the fall and spring semesters, also provides students with information on the Career & Academic Planning Center in Allgood Hall , where they will meet with their advisor to complete their program of study. The Center for Writing Excellence , Military & Veteran Services , Professional Sales Club, Career Services , Academic Success , Student Success Center, Academic Advisement , AU Scholarships Office , and Student Counseling & Psychological Services also participated in the event. Scholarships, internships and study abroad opportunities are discussed, as the college awards more than $100,000 in scholarships annually. Internship experience is a requirement for graduation and a priority to assist students with their post-college careers. Students were also introduced to the student organizations offered at the College as well as to faculty and staff. Hull Declaration Day was originally created to help rising juniors transition to upper-level […]

NC State's gateway to build legacy — business school

NC State’s gateway to build legacy — business school

It looks like N.C. State University is about to embark on an expansion journey of its business school – the news of which had largely gone unnoticed until reporter Zac Ezzone started asking questions. To me, that was a mistake. This is a big deal, and the Wolfpack nation should be behind this expansion project in full force. Chancellor Randy Woodson should have called a press conference and announced the college’s intention to start the process of educating the world’s best business school students. Per Ezzone’s piece, the university is in the process of hiring an architect to study potential sites on the Centennial Campus for a new facility to house the Poole College of Management. It’s the first step of a long process that could end with the university turning to state lawmakers and private donors for funds to build a new facility. There are 3,600 undergraduate and 900 graduate students enrolled at the college, which has about 107 faculty members and 77 employees on staff. A top business school list (worldwide) published by the Financial Times earlier this week did not rank N.C. State among the top 100 schools. Duke University’s Fuqua school was ranked 11th and […]

Generative AI And RPA—Why Your Business Needs Both

Generative AI And RPA—Why Your Business Needs Both

As a new class of automation portends to alter how businesses operate, it’s easy to neglect the technologies that preceded them. Don’t make that mistake. Together, generative AI and RPA have the power to free up your workforce to focus on more meaningful work. Few industries evolve as quickly as high technology. Yet even amid constant change, one thing remains constant: Today’s shiny new toy becomes yesterday’s news. Nowhere is this better illustrated than in artificial intelligence (AI). A handful of years ago, people were wowed by the proliferation of new automation technologies that boost business value today. Chatbots fuel customer service. AIOps tools monitor IT estates. Lightweight low-code and no-code tools automate significant portions of application development. All accelerate operations, improve productivity and reduce costs. As the high-tech sector fawns over generative AI solutions that fashion whole texts, images and code, it’s easy to forget about or even neglect critical tools such as robotic process automation (RPA) software. This would be unwise: The combination of generative AI with these silent but efficient task rabbits offer perhaps the most promise of transforming business. Don’t Overlook RPA If you’ve implemented RPA—as Gartner estimates that 90% of organizations have—you know that […]

BridgeWay Station to welcome Mexican restaurant, two new businesses

BridgeWay Station to welcome Mexican restaurant, two new businesses

City Market. Rendering provided by Johnston Design Group LLC and Hughes Investments Inc. Hughes Investment , the company developing BridgeWay Station in Mauldin, announced Feb. 16 the mixed-use development will welcome one new restaurant and two new businesses. The new additions include: El Guapo Mexican restaurant Le Chic Nails Lounge The Works at BridgeWay – a co-working space El Guapo, an upscale Mexican restaurant created by serial entrepreneur, investor and dealmaker Dean White of Charlotte, North Carolina, will occupy 4,500 square feet of ground floor retail space on BridgeWay Boulevard. The space will feature indoor and outdoor dining. White also opened Fiore Lounge , an American cocktail, fine wine and tapas restaurant, in Charlotte’s Ballantyne Village in 2017. “We are very excited to welcome El Guapo to the ‘Dining District’ at BridgeWay Station” said Hughes Investments Owner and President Phil Hughes. “My whole family loves Mexican food and we’re very excited about their incredible plans for BridgeWay . They are a perfect fit with their exciting atmosphere and delicious food.” Joining El Guapo in the development is Le Chic Nails Lounge. The business will move into 2,850 square feet of ground floor retail space on BridgeWay Station’s Main Street. […]

Microsoft TechSpark: Growing economic opportunity across the United States

Microsoft TechSpark: Growing economic opportunity across the United States

Talent is everywhere, but opportunity is not. Rapid advancement in technology is creating new opportunities in a digital economy, changing how we communicate, learn, work and access healthcare and other essential services. But these opportunities remain out of reach for many in rural communities, small or midsize cities, or underserved areas of larger metropolitan areas. Five years ago, Microsoft launched the TechSpark program to accelerate economic growth in six communities across the United States and Mexico. Through TechSpark, we work with local community organizations to develop digital skills, support nonprofits and create jobs. Today, we are announcing the expansion of the program to all 50 states via a new TechSpark Fellows model. We will expand from our eight existing TechSpark locations to communities across the United States, honing what we’ve learned and delivering a combination of funding and hands-on mentorship and training. In partnership with a local organization in each state, we will supply a grant to support a TechSpark Fellow to spearhead local efforts. This new work will be hyperlocal and partner-driven. And, as we have learned, having someone on the ground from the community, and deeply embedded in the community, is crucial to driving change. We’ll focus […]

Hasbro Stock: Is The DCF Valuation Pointing To A Hidden Opportunity?

Hasbro Stock: Is The DCF Valuation Pointing To A Hidden Opportunity?

Summary Earnings are around the corner, tempting me to look into Hasbro to see if there is an opportunity. Negative sentiment around the management and how it is becoming greedy with its largest operating profit maker is a red flag. Financials show a mixed bag. 10-year DCF model with conservative growth and margin of safety shows Hasbro is fairly priced and warrants a Hold rating until we see some change. Justin Sullivan Investment Thesis After reviewing the updated management outlook for the company, I analyzed its potential growth using a 10-year discounted cash flow model and additional research and analysis. While there is potential for the company, at present it is fairly valued. Thus, I recommend a hold rating until it becomes clearer if the planned cost-cutting measures will result in improved operating margins and if they will not squander the massive potential that Wizards of the Coast has in the future. I like to have a look at companies right before the big earnings come out, and for Hasbro (NASDAQ: HAS ) it is on the 16th of February. I wanted to see if the company is a good investment before the full-year earnings release, by looking at […]

I’d love to accept a new job opportunity in my field. If I signed a non-compete agreement, am I stuck at my company forever?

I’d love to accept a new job opportunity in my field. If I signed a non-compete agreement, am I stuck at my company forever?

Q : I’m at a large life sciences company and have the opportunity to join a smaller firm in the industry. I know they want me because of the contacts that I have in addition to what I’ve learned at my current organization. I have both a non-compete and a non-solicitation agreement. If I accept this offer, what will happen? A: You are very smart to ask the question. Let’s start with the non-solicitation agreement because they seem to be more direct. Non-solicitation says you will not ask anyone to leave the company to join you, typically for 12 months. If a former colleague decides to call you once you have joined the new company, you can talk to them about opportunities, but your former employer will be watching for any kind of mass exodus to ensure that you aren’t actively recruiting your former colleagues. Non-competes have been in the news lately because the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has gotten involved and is trying to create a federal regulation , instead of regulations that govern each state. As a result, employees will potentially find themselves in a much better position to leave organizations and take their knowledge and their […]

Giving Incarcerated Individuals Access to Second-Chance Job Opportunities, Securus Technologies Partners with Honest Jobs

Giving Incarcerated Individuals Access to Second-Chance Job Opportunities, Securus Technologies Partners with Honest Jobs

Using Securus tablets, incarcerated Individuals can get ready for re-entry by reviewing job openings with over 1,200 fair-chance employers through the Honest Jobs application DALLAS, Feb. 15, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — Finding employment after being released from incarceration is a challenge. To help incarcerated individuals connect with meaningful employment opportunities, Securus Technologies, an Aventiv c ompany using technology to better serve the incarcerated, has teamed up with Honest Jobs , the nation’s leading job board for people affected by the criminal justice system. Having access to rehabilitation and reentry resources during incarceration is imperative to a successful reentry plan. This partnership empowers incarcerated individuals by providing visibility to second-chance employers and potential job opportunities so they can prepare for applying and interviewing once released. Using Securus tablets, incarcerated individuals can get ready for re-entry by reviewing job openings through the Honest Jobs application. "We want incarcerated individuals to succeed when they leave prison. Among the most crucial aspects of successful reintegration and limiting recidivism is providing incarcerated individuals with opportunities and connections to find, apply for, and secure stable and rewarding jobs," said Dave Abel, CEO of Aventiv Technologies. "This partnership with Honest Jobs, a company that has a proven […]