From Frustration to Innovation: The Story Behind PissedConsumer.com

Posted by Amanda Del Signore on Tue, Nov 12, 2024 @ 10:41 AM

psised consumer loloAs the co-founder and CEO of PissedConsumer.com, a leading review and reputation management platform, Michael Podolsky has dedicated his career to improving communication between consumers and businesses. With over 20 years of experience on Wall Street and a robust background in brand reputation, customer service, and IT consulting, he has cultivated a wealth of knowledge that informs his leadership approach.

The inception of PissedConsumer.com can be traced back to 2006, driven by Michael’s own experience as a frustrated consumer. After facing an unresolved issue that left him feeling unheard, he realized there was a critical need for a platform where consumers could voice their concerns and attract the attention of businesses. With only $200 to invest, Michael and his business partner launched the website from a humble kitchen in New York. What began as a simple idea has blossomed into a thriving community that empowers consumers to share their experiences and seek resolutions with brands.

Today, PissedConsumer.com boasts a dedicated team of nearly 100 employees who share Michael’s vision of fostering communication between consumers and companies. The platform serves as a vital resource for individuals seeking to air grievances and for businesses aiming to understand their customers better. By highlighting the real drivers of impact within organizations, Michael and his team have reshaped the conversation around customer feedback, moving away from traditional customer service paradigms.

Despite facing challenges, including multiple lawsuits from companies attempting to silence consumer voices, Michael remained steadfast in his mission. Rather than retreating, he leveraged these challenges to advocate for consumer rights, even alerting government agencies to issues regarding consumer feedback. His efforts contributed to regulatory changes that underscore the importance of transparency and accountability in business practices.
Pissed consumer founder
Michael's approach to leadership emphasizes collaboration and innovation. He believes that the best ideas come from a culture where every team member feels empowered to contribute. “A leader should not just drive the team but lead it,” he asserts, advocating for an agile workplace where individuals can make decisions autonomously. This philosophy has helped PissedConsumer.com maintain its status as a leader in consumer advocacy, despite its initially negative connotation.

In addition to running PissedConsumer.com, Michael actively engages with the business community. He has spoken at various conferences and events, sharing practical insights on improving online reputation, customer service, and brand awareness. His contributions as an influencer on platforms like Forbes Business Council and INC further amplify his commitment to educating businesses about the value of customer feedback.

Michael Podolsky’s journey exemplifies the power of entrepreneurship grounded in a genuine desire to make a difference. Through PissedConsumer.com, he continues to bridge the gap between consumers and businesses, advocating for a more transparent and communicative marketplace.

Michael Podolosky won a Gold Stevie Award for Best Entrepreneur in Consumer Services in The 2024 American Business Awards®.

Interested in entering for 2025?

Request the Entry Kit

Topics: American business awards

Winners in the 21st Annual Stevie® Awards for Women in Business Announced

Posted by Maggie Gallagher on Mon, Nov 11, 2024 @ 09:00 AM

The Stevie® Awards for Women in Business, the world's top honors for women entrepreneurs, executives, employees, and the organizations they run have announced the 2024 winners.

The Stevie Awards for Women in Business are an international competition produced by the creators of the prestigious International Business Awards® and American Business Awards®. The Stevie is widely regarded as the world's premier business award.

SAWIB24 Winners Announced - horizontal- Rectangle (1)

Finalists in the 2024 competition were announced in September. The Gold, Silver, and Bronze Stevie Award placements among the Finalists were revealed at a gala event at New York's Marriott Marquis Hotel on Friday, November 8. More than 460 nominated women professionals and their guests attended the presentations, which were broadcast live via Vimeo.

The 2024 competition attracted more than 1,500 nominations submitted by organizations and individuals in 36 nations. Winners were honored for achievements in more than 100 categories including Executive of the Year, Entrepreneur of the Year, Most Innovative Company of the Year, Startup of the Year, and Women-Run Workplace of the Year. Over 200 business professionals from seven specialized judging committees determined the Gold, Silver, and Bronze Stevie Award winners.

Grand Stevie Award trophies were presented to seven organizations that submitted the best body of entries to the competition, in their own names or in the names of one or more clients. These awards cannot be applied for directly. Grand winners were determined by the total number of Gold, Silver, and Bronze Stevie Awards won in the competition, with a Gold Stevie win counting for 3 points, a Silver Stevie for 2 points, and a Bronze Stevie counting for 1.5.


The 2024 Grand Stevie Award winners, listed in descending order by points, are as follows:

  • IBM, worldwide, with 26 points, for 2 Gold, 7 Silver, and 4 Bronze Stevie Award wins
  • Purpol Marketing Ltd, Chippenham, United Kingdom, with 23 points for 1 Gold, 10 Silver Stevie Award wins on behalf of themselves and their clients
  • Annette Densham, Coombabah, Australia, with 21.5 points for 2 Gold, 4 Silver, and 5 Bronze Stevie Award wins on behalf of clients
  • Melissa Sones Consulting, New York, United States with 20 points for 1 Gold, 1 Silver, and 10 Bronze Stevie Awards
  • Green Door Co, Sydney, New South Wales, with 14 points for 3 Gold, 1 Silver, and 2 Bronze Stevie Award wins on behalf of several of their clients
  • Everise, Florida, United States, with 14 points for 2 Gold and 4 Silver Stevie Awards
  • Ocean Rescue Alliance International, Florida, United States with 14 points for 2 Gold and 4 Silver Stevie Awards

SAWIB24 Grand Winners- horizontal

The 2024 Gold, Silver and Bronze Stevie Award winners reflect a diverse group of large and small organizations from around the world. Notable Gold Stevie Award winners in this year's competition include:

  • 1st for Women, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa for Communications or PR Campaign of the Year - Integration of Traditional and New Media
  • Allied Health Admin and Consulting, Forster, NSW, Australia for Management Team of the Year at a Women-Owned or -Led Organization
  • Fran Heller, Founder & CEO, Good2Go, Inc., San Francisco, CA USA for Best Female Entrepreneur in Business Products
  • Gehad Hamdy, Executive Director, Speak Up, Giza, Egypt for Woman of the Year - Advertising, Marketing & Public Relations and Woman of the Year - Government or Non-Profit
  • Google Devices Supplier Development Program Management, Mountain View, CA USA for Achievement in Product Innovation
  • Halkbank, Istanbul, Turkiye for Best New Product or Service of the Year - Consumer Products
  • Heather Zynczak, Chief Marketing Officer, AlphaSense, New York, NY USA for Female Executive of the Year in Business Products
  • Jean Marie Richardson, Chief Executive Officer and Founder, iFOLIO, Atlanta, GA, for Woman of the Year - Business Services and Most Innovative Woman of the Year - Business Services
  • Katrina Wurm, Executive Coach, Gisborne, Australia, for Mentor or Coach of the Year in Consumer, Women Helping Women - Social Change, and Female Thought Leader of the Year - Consumer Services
  • KPMG LLP, Toronto, Canada for Sustainability & Climate Protection Services
  • Mastercard 'She Is Priceless' Campaign, Nairobi, Kenya for Communications or PR Campaign of the Year - Social Media Focused and Communications or PR Campaign of the Year - Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
  • MSquare Technology, Shanghai, China for Startup of the Year - Business Products Industries
  • Pag-IBIG Fund, Makati City, Philippines for Achievement in Finance
  • Rachel Katzman, Founder, Pvolve, New York, NY USA for Best Female Entrepreneur in Consumer Services
  • SAP SE, Walldorf, Germany for Achievement in Developing and Promoting Women
  • The Roundtable, Toronto, Canada, for Women-Run Workplace of the Year - 10 or Less Employees

Organizations that won more than two or more Gold Stevie Awards, other than the Grand winners mentioned above, include Athena, San Juan, PR, City of Philadelphia - Division of Aviation, Philadelphia, PA USA, Epique Realty, Houston, TX, FD Global Connections, Sydney, NSW, Australia, Google Devices TPM, Mountain View, CA, USA, iFOLIO, Atlanta, GA USA, Jones Publishing (Citywealth), London, United Kingdom, Mastercard, Nairobi, Kenya, Speak Up, Giza, Egypt, and Stress Free Super Mum, Gisborne, Australia.

Visit http://www.StevieAwards.com/Women for a complete list of Stevie winners by category.

Topics: stevie awards for women in business

Entry Deadline Extension Announced for the 2025 Middle East & North Africa Stevie® Awards

Posted by May Hassan on Thu, Nov 07, 2024 @ 12:00 AM

The region’s only awards to recognize innovation in all its forms in the workplace in 18 nations is now accepting nominations through December 4

By popular demand, the Stevie Awards have announced a final entry deadline extension for the fifth annual Middle East & North Africa Stevie® Awards sponsored by the Ras Al Khaimah Chamber of Commerce. Entries will now be accepted through Wednesday, December 4 (the original final entry deadline was November 6.) Details are available at http://MENA.StevieAwards.com.

The Middle East & North Africa Stevie Awards are the region’s only awards to recognize innovation in all its forms throughout the workplace. The awards are open to all organizations in 18 nations in the MENA region: Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Morocco, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Tunisia, Turkey, United Arab Emirates and Yemen.


16All individuals organizations may submit any number of nominations to any number of award categories.

There are no entry fees in this awards program. Organizations may submit as many nominations as they would like, without cost. Instead, Gold, Silver, & Bronze Stevie Award winners will pay a “winners fee” for each successful nomination.

Winners of Gold, Silver, and Bronze Stevie Awards in the competition will be announced on January 16, 2025, and celebrated during a gala event in Ras Al Khaimah, UAE at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel on February 22.

The 2025 competition features new categories such as the Sustainability Categories which recognizes the recent achievements of individuals, teams, and entire organizations to plan, approach, and achieve organizational, industry, or national sustainability goals.

Other new categories include Most Innovative Finance Executive of the Year, Most Innovative Operations Manager of the Year, Most Innovative Product Manager of the Year, Most Innovative Sales Executive of the Year, Most Innovative Sustainability Leader of the Year, Most Innovative Technology Leader of the Year (added to the Individual Professional Awards Categories), Award for Innovation in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML), Award for Innovation in Virtual and Augmented Reality (VR/AR), Award for Innovation in Education Technology (EdTech), and Most Innovative Technology Team of the Year.

Nominations citing innovative achievements will be accepted and judged in both Arabic and English, in more than 100 categories across the following category groups:


Winners of the 2024 edition with multiple Gold, Silver, and Bronze Stevie Awards include Abu Dhabi Sports Council, UAE; Acceligize, UAE; AXS - TECOM Group, UAE; Beyaz Kağıt San. ve Tic. A.Ş., Turkey; Big Data Minds MENA, Jordan; DHL Express, multiple locations across the region; Dhafra Region Municipality, UAE; General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs, UAE; Glimpse, UAE; KAFALAH, Saudi Arabia; Megamind IT Solutions, Saudi Arabia; Miral Destinations, UAE; Ooredoo Group, multiple locations across the region; Petromin Express, Saudi Arabia; Qatar Vision Production Company; QNB Finansbank, Turkey; RAK Ceramics, UAE; RAK Police, UAE; Royal Commission for Jubail & Yanbu, Saudi Arabia; Saudi Aramco, Saudi Arabia; SOCAR Türkiye; STC, Saudi Arabia; The Captain Agency, Turkey; Ministry of Justice, UAE; The Others Brand Experience Agency, Turkey; Vaki Bank, Turkey; Visiontech Systems International LLC, UAE, and ZIGMA8 | 360º CREATIVE COMMUNICATIONS, Iran, among others.

The 2025 competition will be judged by more than 150 professionals around the world. 

Interested in submitting nominations before the

December 4 final deadline?

 

REQUEST THE ENTRY KIT

Topics: Middle East Stevie Awards

Who's Coming to the Stevie® Awards for Women in Business on Friday?

Posted by Michael Gallagher on Tue, Nov 05, 2024 @ 08:31 AM

More than 450 finalists, judges, and their guests will converge on the Marriott Marquis Hotel in New York City this Friday evening, November 8 for the 21st annual Stevie® Awards for Women in Business, the world's top honors for female entrepreneurs, executives, employees, and the organizations they run.

53325711470_9483fa0012_cFinalists in the 2024 awards were announced in September.  All finalists will be Gold, Silver, or Bronze Stevie Award recipients, and finalists' placements will be revealed during Friday's awards event.

HCLTech returns as a sponsor for the 2024 program, recognizing 16 outstanding women in technology in North America in four bespoke categories.

Finalists and their placements were determined by the average scores of more than 200 professionals around the world, acting as judges on seven juries.

WATCH THE LIVE BROADCAST OF FRIDAY'S PRESENTATIONS
Can't make it to New York for Friday's awards presentations? Watch the 2024 Stevie Awards for Women in Business Awards on Friday, November 8, live as they happen.
   The awards presentations will be broadcast on Vimeo via the Stevie Awards for Women in Business website from 7:00 pm ET. 

PROGRAM BOOK FOR NOVEMBER 8 AWARDS BANQUET NOW AVAILABLE
The program that all attendees of the awards banquet in New York will receive is now available in digital form. Download your copy here.

AN EASY WAY TO GET YOUR CEREMONY PHOTOGRAPHS
The Stevie Awards have partnered with ImageShield to make it easy for those who attend Friday's awards event to get their photographs. Each year our photographers take as many as 2,000 photographs at the event, and it can be a pain to look through them all to find only those that feature you. Attendees at Friday's event will be given materials featuring this QR code, which they can scan to

SAWIB24ImageShieldAIQRCode1. Register their mobile number
2. Have ImageShield AI scan their face
3. ImageShield AI will then search all of the photos for their face
4. ImageShield will send a text message to their mobile number with a link to a custom page featuring all of the photos in which they're featured

Attendees of Friday's event can pre-register for this free feature now by scanning this QR code.

LIST OF REGISTERED ORGANIZATIONS FOR FRIDAY'S EVENT
The following organizations have already purchased their tickets for Friday's 21st annual Stevie Awards for Women in Business.

as of November 4

2MamaBees, Pompano Beach, FL USA
AI Innovision LLC, Palm Bay, FL USA
aljazeera Media Institute, Doha, Qatar
Allied Health Admin & Consulting, Forster, NSW Australia
AMP Solutions LLC, Rocklin, CA USA
Anytime Counselling, Australia Wide
Aptiv, Troy, MI USA
Arts & Learning Conservatory, Laguna Beach, CA USA
Arts Equity Group, Northampton, MA USA
Ascension Health System, Detroit, MI USA
asthetik skincare, Punta Gorda, FL USA
Athena, San Juan, PR USA
Avetta, Lehi, UT USA
Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Museum, Washington, DC USA
BEYOND HC LLC , New Smyrna Beach, FL USA
Black Coral Consulting, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Blunt Strategies, Minneapolis, MN USA
Branch & Bramble, Bovina Center, NY USA
Bridgepoint Consulting, an Addison Group company, Chicago, IL USA
BusinessArt, Unkel am Rhein, Germany
Carestream NDT, Minneapolis, MN USA
Caring Lotus, Werribee, VIC Australia
Cherishers 811 CIC, Lichfield, Staffordshire United Kingdom 
Church Hill Classics, Monroe, CT USA
City of Philadelphia - Division of Aviation, Philadephia, PA USA
CivicPlus, Manhattan, KS USA
Clare Dimond, Marlborough, Wiltshire United Kingdom
Clematis Creative, West Palm Beach, FL USA
Cognizant Technology Solutions, Teaneck, NJ USA
Cohere Beauty, Omaha, NE USA
Condé Nast, New York, NY USA
CooperVision, San Ramon, CA USA
DanceSyndrome, Chorley, United Kingdom
Datasite, Minneapolis, MN USA
DENU, Vermont, VIC Australia
DEY. Ideas + Influence, Brooklyn, NY USA
DHL Global Forwarding, Freight, Bonn, Germany
Dr. Vanessa McIntosh, Manchester, United Kingdom
Dream Culture, Sydney, NSW Australia
Epique Realty, Houston, TX USA
Epykomène, Paris, France
Everise, Plantation, FL USA
FD Global Connections, Sydney, NSW Australia
FrontLine Medical Technologies, Ontario, Canada
Gina Martin, Metuchen, NJ USA
Good2Go, Inc., San Francisco, CA USA
Google Devices TPM, Mountain View, CA USA
Government Employees Health Association, Inc., Chicago, IL USA
Gratitude in Action, Billings, MT USA
Gray Automotive Group, Burlington, ON Canada
Her Unapologetic Success, Laguna Beach, CA USA
Hilton Global Associates Inc., Naples, FL USA
Hone Leadership, Half Moon Bay, CA USA
Honeylight Enterprises Pty Ltd T/A Greenville Development, Melbourne, VIC Australia
IBM Manufacturing Solutions Pte Ltd, Singapore
IBM, Armonk, NY USA
iFOLIO, Atlanta, GA USA
ImpediMed, Carlsbad, CA USA
Intengine Enterprises Inc., Vancouver, BC Canada
International House at UC Berkeley, Berkeley, CA USA
Jade Global Inc. San Jose , CA USA
Karrikins Group, Lakewood, CO USA
Key 360 Advisors LLC, Randolph, MA USA
Kickstand, Austin, TX USA
Lafonn LLC, Cypress, CA USA
Lisa Tener, Saunderstown, RI USA
Lovelytics, Arlington, VA USA
Luray Peanut Company, Hardeeville, SC USA
Mattenga's Pizzeria, Schertz, TX USA
McLane Company, Temple, TX USA
Media Culture, Dallas, TX USA
Minutiae Content Co., San Jose, CA USA
MyLooCo (DBA Boom Home Medical) Beverly Hills, CA USA
Naish Partners, Santa Barbara, CA USA
Natracare, Chicago, IL USA
nextSource Inc., New York, NY
Nitas Silent Hands, Inc, Gastonia, NC USA
Nutanix, Inc. San Jose, CA USA
Oberon Fuels, San Diego, CA USA
OD Resource Group, LLC, Arlington, VA USA
OK Transform, Belgrade, Serbia & Dubai, United Arab Emirates
OneBPO, Iloilo City, Philippines
Oracle Lighting, New Orleans, LA USA
People Empowerment Alliance for Creativity for Education (PEACE), Springdale, MD USA
Person Directed Supports Inc, East Petersburg, PA USA
Pink Ribbon Good, Dayton, OH USA
Pitts Leadership Counsulting, New York, NY USA
Pivot Energy, Denver, CO USA
PointClickCare, Mississauga, ON Canada
Popilush, Williamsburg, VA USA
Premier Inc., Charlotte, NC USA
Proforma, Independence, OH USA
Publicis Sapient, Toronto, ON Canada
Purpol Marketing Ltd, Chippenham, Wiltshire United Kingdom
Rachel's Kitchen, Las Vegas, NV USA
Razorfish, New York, NY USA
Renita Marshall Helping Hands Foundation, Barre, VT USA
ResultsCX, Fort Lauderdale, FL USA
RevRoad, Provo, UT USA
Right and Keystone Group, Melbourne, VIC Australia
RISER, Armadale, VIC Australia
ROBINSONS® Honey, Chelsea Heights, VIC Australia
Rpharmy, Austin, TX USA
SAP Business Women's Network, Vancouver, BC Canada
Saudi, Development and Consultant Services at Princess Noura University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
She Can Prosper, Weatherby, West Yorkshire United Kingdom
SignatureFD, Atlanta, GA USA
Simply Breastfeeding, Henley Beach, SA Australia
Sleepm Global, Inc., Markham, ON Canada
Southwest Airlines, Dallas, TX USA
Sparks, Philadelphia, PA USA
SPRINGCARE USA LLC DBA SPRING BIO SOLUTION, Piscataway, NJ USA
Stealth Venture Labs, Las Vegas, NV USA
Steppin Out Stars of Tomorrow, Wokingham, Berkshire United Kingdom
Stress Free Super Mum, Gisborne, VIC Australia
Stronghouse Solutions, Burnsville, MN USA
Sugarpunch Marketing®, Woodstock, IL USA
SUN HOPE Co.,Ltd., Chosei-gun, Chiba, Japan
Suzanne Castle, N. Richland Hills, TX USA
Synergy Safety, Rockhampton, QLD Australia
Team b. Strategy +, Tacoma, WA USA
TELUS, Vancouver, BC Canada
The American University in Cairo AUC, Egypt
The Audacious Agency, Sunshine Coast, QLD Australia
The Business Growers, Flowood, MS USA
The Flora May Foundation, San Clemente, CA USA
The HR Chique Group, Jacksonville, FL USA
The Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP), Seattle, WA USA
The Predictive Index, Westwood, MA USA
The Roundtable, Toronto ON Canada
TIAA, New York, NY USA
Tier4 Group, Alpharetta, GA USA
TONE Networks, Oyster Bay, NY USA
Top Score Writing, Palm Beach Gardens, FL USA
Tripadvisor, New York, NY USA
Trust Relations, Williams, AZ USA
U.S. Lumber, Inc., Woodbury Heights, NJ USA
UnDesto, LLC, Henderson, NV USA
Unisys, Blue Bell, PA USA
Viderity, Leesburg, VA USA
Viva Business Support, South Chard, Somerset United Kingdom
We Build Character, San Antonio, TX USA
We Rock DM, Spicewood, TX USA
Weary Theory, Melbourne, VIC Australia
WellRithms, Portland, OR USA
Wild Vines Marketing Inc, Selden, NY USA
Willow Lake Métis Nation, Anzac, AB Canada
Workplace Options, Raleigh, NC USA
ZLH Enterprises, Manalapan, NJ USA

GET READY FOR THE 2025 AWARDS
The 2025 edition of the Stevie Awards for Women in Business will begin accepting nominations in May.  Join the mailing list so that you're sent the 2025 entry kit as soon as it's available.

Topics: women awards, Awards for Women, womens awards

Dexatel: Transforming Digital Communication with an Omnichannel Solution

Posted by Amanda Del Signore on Wed, Oct 30, 2024 @ 01:06 PM

23 spotlight Square-15-4Stevie-winner Dexatel specializes in digital communication innovation. It offers an omnichannel inbox solution designed to streamline interactions between businesses and their customers.

This platform, launched through a Conversational API and enhanced with a user-friendly interface in 2023, focuses on making advanced communication technologies accessible to a wide range of users.

At the core of Dexatel's offering is the integration of various communication channels into a single platform. This integration allows businesses to maintain personalized, real-time conversations with customers across their preferred messaging services. By facilitating direct and immediate dialogue, Dexatel fosters a sense of connection and trust, which is increasingly important in today’s digital landscape.

The omnichannel inbox solution also features an intelligent agent assignment system that efficiently routes inquiries to the most suitable representative based on predefined rules and expertise. This capability not only enhances the customer experience but also boosts the productivity of customer service teams.

Additionally, advanced filtering options allow businesses to prioritize conversations based on urgency and topic, significantly improving response times and overall customer satisfaction.

With a strategic focus on affordability, Dexatel employs a cost-effective pricing model that charges businesses per message rather than per seat. This approach makes their advanced features accessible to companies of all sizes, aligning with their mission to enhance customer communication without financial strain.

The company’s commitment to continuous improvement is evident through its strategic partnerships with tech giants such as TikTok and Alibaba, which further demonstrates its adaptability in the global communication landscape.

Dexatel won a Gold Stevie Award for Innovation in Technology Development in Telecommunications Industries in the 2024 Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards.

Interested in entering the 2025 program?

Request the entry kit

Topics: Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards

From Bottles to Benefits: Coca-Cola Philippines' Recycling and Social Responsibility Initiatives

Posted by Amanda Del Signore on Tue, Oct 29, 2024 @ 01:02 PM

CocaCola LogoStevie-winner Coca-Cola Beverages Philippines Inc. (CCBPI) is a major player in the beverage industry in the Philippines, primarily engaged in the production, marketing, and distribution of non-alcoholic beverages, including Coca-Cola and its wide range of brands.

The company operates bottling plants throughout the country, ensuring that a diverse portfolio of beverages, from soft drinks to juice and water products, is available to meet consumer demands.

In addition to its core beverage offerings, CCBPI is dedicated to sustainability and environmental stewardship. The company implements initiatives to reduce its carbon footprint and improve water efficiency in its operations. For example, it focuses on using recycled materials for packaging and actively participates in community programs aimed at promoting recycling and waste management.

CCBPI also emphasizes the importance of community engagement and social responsibility. The company actively supports various local initiatives, including education and health programs, to improve the quality of life for communities across the Philippines. Through partnerships with non-governmental organizations and local governments, CCBPI contributes to the economic and social development of the regions where it operates, making it not just a beverage provider but a committed community partner. 

Nationwide Collection Program CocaCola image
Tapon to Ipon: Basta Klaro, Panalo! (“Discard to Earn: If It's Clear, It's a Win!”) is Coca-Cola Beverages Philippines Inc.'s (CCBPI) nationwide collection program for post-consumer clear PET plastic bottles, regardless of brand. This program is in line with Coca-Cola's global World Without Waste commitment—to collect and recycle every single bottle and can we sell by 2030.

“Tapon to Ipon” seeks to strengthen communities’ waste management systems through the establishment of collection and recycling centers for used plastic bottles. It takes its name from a play on Filipino words—tapon means “to throw away” or “discard” and ipon, which can mean “collect” or “earn,” and points to the incentivized nature of the program.

CCBPI taps its own commercial network to promote recycling and packaging circularity. All plastic bottles collected from Tapon to Ipon are diverted to and given new lives at PETValue Philippines – a pioneering bottle-to-bottle recycling facility. PETValue is CCBPI’s joint venture with Indorama Venture – a global leader in recycling and green technologies.

Launched in 2021, the program taps traditional trade outlets or sari-sari stores, to become collection hubs where consumers can drop off (tapon) their used clear PET plastic bottles and get incentives in return (ipon). Coca-Cola leverages its vast network of sari-sari stores to reach more communities— these outlets that serve as community landmarks that help bring Coca-Cola products closer to Filipino homes are now also collection hubs where people can return used clear plastic bottles of any brand. The program has a two-fold effect of heightening recycling education and collection within communities while contributing to the livelihood of a sector integral to the country’s economic recovery. To date, they have almost 700 sari-sari store collection hubs nationwide.

The support of local government units (LGU) has been key in the success of Tapon to Ipon. It has reached almost 170 cities and municipalities and is growing. In May 2021, CCBPI signed with the LGU of Basco, Batanes, to collect plastic bottles that have accumulated in their eco-center. Through this partnership, they collected over 10MT of used plastic bottles.

Coca-Cola Beverages Philippines Inc. won two Silver Stevies and a Bronze Stevie Award for Innovative Achievement in Corporate Social Responsibility, the Award for Innovation in Sustainability - Reuse and Recycle, Climate Protection and Sustainability Campaign of the Year, respectively, in the 2024 Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards.

Interesting in entering the 2025 program?

Request the entry kit

Topics: Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards

Outstanding Tech Executives Named Finalists in the HCLTech Women in Technology Categories

Posted by Amanda Del Signore on Wed, Oct 23, 2024 @ 11:58 AM

SAWIB Table SignsSixteen outstanding technology executives across North America have been named Finalists in four categories of HCLTech's Women in Technology Awards in the Stevie® Awards for Women in Business, the world's top honors for women entrepreneurs, executives, employees, and the organizations they run.

All finalists are clients of HCLTech and were nominated by HCLTech. The list includes some of North America's most prominent women in technology. 

The Gold, Silver, and Bronze Stevie® Award placements among the finalists will be revealed at the awards dinner in New York City on November 8, and all the winners in these categories in attendance will be recognized on stage that evening.

The Finalists are:

Adaptive Leadership in Technology
Finalists:
Jefferies LLC, New York, New York United States: Radhika Radzik Mathur, Senior Vice President
Microsoft Digital, Redmond, Washington United States: Monika Gupta, Partner GM, Engineering
Warner Bros. Discovery, Duluth, Georgia United States: Roxanne Cloutier, Executive Vice President and Head, Enterprise

Digital Strategy Excellence
Finalists:
Johnson Controls, Plano, Texas United States: Sobha Mulukutla, VP & CIO, Global Products and Supply Chain
Syneos Health, Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina United States: Viji Karunakaran, Vice President, Products, Strategy & Customer Success
Verizon, Basking Ridge, New Jersey United States: Kalyani Sekar, Chief Data and AI Officer
Western Union, New York, New York United States: Sheryl McKenzie, Chief Product Officer

Excellence in Emerging Technologies
Finalists:
Johnson & Johnson, New York, New York United States: Deepika Sinha, Senior Director - Product Group Leader AI/ML/Generative AI
Keurig Dr. Pepper Inc., Frisco, Texas United States: Tania Martinez Castillo, Vice President IT, Corporate and International
Mattel, El Segundo, California United States: Robin Alexander, Vice President, Global Technology Organization
Northwestern Mutual, St. Louis, Missouri United States: Anju Gupta, Vice President, Artificial Intelligence
Portland General Electric, Portland, Oregon United States: Hema Sundaram, Division Chief Information Officer

Excellence in Transforming Business
Finalists:
Dell Technologies, Sterling, Massachusetts: Jennifer St Pierre, Senior Vice President, ISG Transformation
Eaton, Cleveland, Ohio United States: Katrina Redmond, Executive Vice President, Chief Information Officer
Medtronic, Reno, Nevada United States: Rashmi Kumar, Senior Vice President and CIO
Rogers Bank, Toronto, Ontario Canada: Olya Sanakoev, Chief Technology Officer

Stevie Awards President Maggie Miller commented on the 2024 Finalists: “We’re privileged to have HCLTech as a sponsor of the Stevie Awards for Women in Business and to have so many accomplished technology executives as Finalists for Stevie Awards. We look forward to welcoming them on stage to receive their due recognition on November 8.”

HCLTech is a global technology company, home to more than 218,000 people across 59 countries, delivering industry-leading capabilities centered around digital, engineering, cloud and AI, powered by a broad portfolio of technology services and products. They work with clients across all major verticals, providing industry solutions for Financial Services, Manufacturing, Life Sciences and Healthcare, Technology and Services, Telecom and Media, Retail and CPG, and Public Services. To learn how they can supercharge your progress, visit https://www.hcltech.com.

The Stevie® Awards for Women in Business are the world's premier business awards for female entrepreneurs, executives, employees, and the organizations they run. 

The full list of 2024 winners will be posted on the website after November 8 at http://www.stevieawards.com/women.

About the Stevie Awards

Stevie Awards are conferred in nine programs: the Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards, the German Stevie Awards, the Middle East & North Africa Stevie Awards, The American Business Awards®, The International Business Awards®, the Stevie Awards for Technology Excellence, the Stevie Awards for Great Employers, the Stevie Awards for Women in Business, and the Stevie Awards for Sales & Customer Service. Each year more than 12,000 nominations from more than 70 nations are judged by more than 1,000 professionals in Stevie competitions. Honoring organizations of all types and sizes and the people behind them, the Stevies recognize outstanding performances in the workplace worldwide. Learn more about the Stevie Awards at http://www.StevieAwards.com. 

HCLTech is a supporting sponsor of the 2024 Stevie Awards for Women in Business.

Topics: stevie awards for women in business

Accent HR: Bridging Cultural Gaps in the Workplace

Posted by Amanda Del Signore on Tue, Oct 22, 2024 @ 04:13 PM

AccentHR Founder A BevanFounded by Audrey Bevan, Stevie-winner Accent HR emerged from a keen observation of the limitations within conventional HR practices, which often reflect an Anglo-Saxon cultural bias. Recognizing that standardized HR approaches frequently do not resonate with diverse worldviews, Bevan set out to create a solution that embraces cultural differences rather than sidelining them.

Since its launch in 2022, Accent HR has positively impacted over 40,000 workers across the Asia-Pacific region. The organization acts as a trusted advisor for businesses struggling with cross-cultural communication. By helping clients turn multiculturalism into a strength, Accent HR aims to enhance engagement, lower attrition rates, and reduce workplace conflicts.

A Focus on Cultural Sensitivity
At the core of Accent HR’s philosophy is the understanding that effective communication must be culturally sensitive. The organization has shifted corporate communication strategies to align with the cultural norms of the communities it serves. A notable example includes a project with an Australian Indigenous organization, where Accent HR redesigned communication practices to prioritize oral traditions over written documents. This approach emphasized direct interactions, such as face-to-face meetings and phone calls, thereby strengthening connections between employees and the organization. 

The success of this initiative showcases how culturally adaptable communication can significantly improve workplace interactions and foster growth.
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Innovations in HR and Employee Development
Accent HR is redefining the HR and employee development landscape by addressing the often-overlooked cultural challenges in the workplace. Instead of merely celebrating diversity, the organization focuses on practical strategies to engage employees from various backgrounds.

Recruitment: Recognizing that candidates from different cultures may express their experiences differently, Accent HR assists organizations in accurately interpreting these responses, considering the cultural context.

Leadership: The organization educates HR teams and managers on the nuances of cross-cultural behaviors. For instance, avoiding eye contact may be a cultural norm, and understanding these differences can lead to more effective management practices.

Leave Entitlements: Accent HR promotes an understanding of cultural obligations, such as traditional ceremonies and family commitments, ensuring that diverse employees feel recognized and valued.

Through these initiatives, Accent HR not only enhances workplace harmony but also fosters a culture where every employee's background is respected and celebrated. Clients report improved team performance and satisfaction, leading to longer retention rates and a deeper connection to their leadership teams.

Accent HR aims to revolutionize the field of HR by turning traditional practices on their head. By reimagining the approach to cultural diversity in the workplace, the organization positions itself as a leader in fostering inclusive environments where every cultural background is not just acknowledged but cherished.

As businesses navigate the complexities of a global workforce, Accent HR's innovative strategies serve as a valuable resource for achieving true cultural integration and enhanced organizational performance.

Accent HR won a Bronze Stevie® Award for Excellence in Innovation in Business Product & Service Industries - Up to 20 Employees in the 2024 Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards.

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Topics: Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards

How CaRelief Supports and Empowers Australia's Disability Community

Posted by Amanda Del Signore on Wed, Oct 16, 2024 @ 11:19 AM

CaRelief LogoStevie-winner CaRelief Pty Ltd is an Australian company that has been making waves in the disability sector by providing a wide range of support services designed to improve the quality of life for people with disabilities.

Their approach focuses on catering to the individual needs of clients, offering services in areas such as accommodation and tenancy, personal activity assistance, transport, household tasks, and support coordination.

Additionally, CaRelief provides community nursing, rehabilitation, and life skills development, creating a comprehensive care network that supports both day-to-day activities and long-term well-being.

A Holistic Approach to Independent Living
At the heart of CaRelief's services is their accommodation support, which includes options for short-term, medium-term, and long-term housing. They offer specialized programs such as Supported Independent Living and Specialist Disability Accommodation, designed to create comfortable, safe environments that foster independence for their clients. By tailoring these living arrangements to everyone’s unique requirements, CaRelief ensures that their clients have access to the resources they need to thrive.

Beyond housing, CaRelief helps individuals engage with their communities through support in managing daily tasks and fostering community participation. Their services include assistance with personal activities like meal preparation, shopping, and household maintenance, all aimed at helping clients maintain a high level of autonomy.

CaRelief also facilitates transportation services, organizes group activities, and creates opportunities for clients to participate in leisure and social events, further encouraging a sense of belonging and independence.

Focus on Health, Rehabilitation, and Life Skills
CaRelief places a strong emphasis on health and rehabilitation, providing professional support in areas such as medication management, community nursing, and tailored rehabilitation programs. 
CaRelief founder
These services help individuals regain or enhance their physical and mental abilities, with therapy sessions and life skills training offered to improve overall well-being. Whether it’s learning new skills or recovering from an injury, CaRelief ensures that its clients receive the care necessary to lead healthier and more independent lives.

Founder Melissa Pierre commented that what began as a small venture to care for her mother has evolved into a thriving community dedicated to enhancing the lives of people living with disabilities. To date, they have positively impacted hundreds of people and their families.

CaRelief won a Gold Stevie® Award for Excellence in Innovation in Business Product & Service Industries - Up to 20 Employees in the 2024 Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards.

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Topics: Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards

Megamind IT Solutions: Transforming Healthcare Through Digital Innovation

Posted by Amanda Del Signore on Tue, Oct 08, 2024 @ 03:38 PM

23 spotlight Square-15-1Founded in 2018, Stevie-winner Megamind IT Solutions is dedicated to driving digital transformation within the healthcare sector. Their mission focuses on harnessing the power of digital technologies to enhance patient care, improve operational efficiencies, and foster meaningful engagement between healthcare providers and patients.

Strategic Differentiation Through Digital Technology
One of Megamind's core objectives is to utilize digital technology for strategic differentiation in healthcare interactions. By improving doctor-nurse-patient engagement through innovative solutions, Megamind has successfully streamlined patient health interactions.

This focus not only enhances the quality of care but also results in significant time and cost efficiencies in medical and therapy management. With a small, dedicated team, they built an in-house Health Information System that serves as the foundation for their growth in the healthcare IT space.

Proprietary Health Assets and AI Integration
Another critical aspect of Megamind's approach is the development of proprietary health assets using AI, data analytics, and software solutions. By integrating AI into their systems, Megamind empowers healthcare providers to make informed decisions more rapidly and accurately.

Megamind also emphasizes the importance of enhancing the capabilities of healthcare staff through better technology integration. By training doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and other healthcare executives, Megamind ensures that these professionals are equipped to leverage technology effectively across various healthcare functions. This investment in workforce development is crucial for adapting to the rapidly changing landscape of the healthcare industry.
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A Growing Presence in the Middle East
Since its inception, Megamind has expanded its operations significantly, establishing a software development company in Manila and undertaking numerous IT infrastructure and enterprise software projects across Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. To date, Megamind has successfully completed hundreds of IT projects, supporting hospitals with over 6,000 beds.

Megamind’s contributions to healthcare have profound implications. Their digital transformations enable quicker access to care, enhance the quality of services, and reduce costs. With features like chatbots for patient self-service, advanced diagnostics, and improved electronic health records, Megamind empowers both patients and healthcare managers to connect efficiently.

Megamind IT Solutions won a Gold Stevie® and three Silver Stevie Awards in the 2024 Middle East & North Africa Stevie Awards.

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Topics: Middle East Stevie Awards