Often when discussing diversity and inclusion (D&I), practitioners find themselves in the position of trying to explain the business case. This is often required due to a general lack of understanding by many on the topic. Some feel D&I is some type of social program such as affirmative action. Others tend to characterize it as simply a racial topic, narrowing it even further to a black and white issue. In reality, D&I involves each of us, regardless of our race, nationality, professional background, age, sex, sexual preference, communication or learning style. This long yet incomplete list gives us a good definition of diversity. Inclusion is defined as the act of including or the state of being included. As a verb, it’s transitive in nature; that is, it involves the transfer of an action from one person to another. So, action is required.  

A home utility report (HUR) is a report that’s compiled and emailed or sent to customers from their energy provider. It details their home energy use, similar to the miles-per-gallon sticker on the window of a new car. The report compares the consumer’s energy use to approximately 100 occupied homes in the area that are similar to theirs in size, type (condo, apartment or single-family dwelling) and the heating sources they use. It also compares their own use from year to year.

As we close the chapter of 2018 and look ahead with a resurgence of a positive outlook to meet whatever fate might bring us in 2019, we are once again at a point of making decisions. Decisions about what parts of our past year we will take with us as learning opportunities, decisions about which parts of the past year we will choose to let go, and finally, decisions about what we will do differently in the year ahead. It is one of the most powerful times of the year because we get to decide how we will move forward, both as a business and as individuals. Our goal as a company is to continue to grow, to make a difference and provide opportunities that are impactful in our employees’ lives. A few years back, we had our employees make a video about how Franklin Energy had affected their lives. To this day, we still feel like it was one of the most powerful videos we have made as an organization. Employees held signs that stated messages about allowing them to buy their first house, giving them the opportunity to manage others, meeting their spouse, finishing certifications or getting degrees, being able to travel, making true friendships and so much more. All because we came together at Franklin Energy. 

Nearly 50 percent of electricity consumers in the United States, across almost all 50 states, now have smart meters in their homes and businesses. In just 10 years, coverage has grown from next to nothing to 71 million households being part of the ‘smart ecosystem.’

“…you could not assume that you were much safer in the country than in London. ... there was always the danger of concealed microphones by which your voice might be picked up and recognized...” - 1984 by George Orwell