Sarah Fister Gale

Artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML) and other advanced technologies were the hot topics at AFP 2018 in Chicago. Dozens of sessions were devoted to how these technologies are being used to better manage liquidity, control risk, cut costs and support new business initiatives.
While some experts offered primers on how these technologies work, laying out their opportunities and challenges, others shared real-world insights into how their organizations rolled out these solutions, a...

By Sarah Fister Gale
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In theory, free money in the form of grants, rebates and incentives to help businesses become more efficient is everywhere. But in reality, how do you get your piece of the pie?

Drought conditions and likely water restrictions and regulations promise to impact businesses throughout the country. But some companies, such as Frito Lay, Avon and General Electric, have already begun directing their efforts toward conserving water before the price inevitably grows to reflect its true cost.

Environmentally focused companies, such as Marriott and GlaxoSmithKline, are taking a hard-line approach to e-waste management, investing time and money to ensure that every piece of obsolete technology is recycled or refurbished in an environmentally appropriate manner, not dumped in a landfill is China.

Despite the increasing necessity of managing water use -- and a host of incentive programs to make it cost-effective to do so -- companies, municipalities and the federal government alike are behind the curve on tracking their water footprint.

Management of greenhouse gas emissions will be mandatory by 2010 -- especially for carbon intensive industries -- but reducing emissions can add social, environmental and financial value to a company, according to Tom Cushing, SVP of the Chicago Climate Exchange.

Surveys show that a sizeable chunk of shoppers will buy green no matter the economic climate, but there are a few simple tools retailers can use to encourage every customer to shop for the best -- and most cost-saving -- products.