International Rett Syndrome Foundation to Host 17th Annual St. Louis Strollathon
All funds raised support the nonprofit’s mission to empower families and accelerate research toward treatments and a cure for Rett syndrome.
(St. Louis, Mo., Aug. 9, 2024) — The International Rett Syndrome Foundation (IRSF) will host its 17th annual St. Louis Strollathon on Sat., Oct. 19 with registration starting at 1 p.m. and the walk beginning at 2 p.m. The one-mile family-friendly stroll, which will be held at the JCC St. Louis located at 2 Millstone Campus Dr., includes a visit from Fredbird, entertainment and food.
The St. Louis Strollathon has raised a total of more than $900,000 since its first event in 2008. The Strollathon is the area’s major fundraising event and brings together families from across the Midwest affected by Rett syndrome. All proceeds will benefit the International Rett Syndrome Foundation.
Rett syndrome is a rare genetic neurological disorder that occurs almost exclusively in girls (one in 10,000 births), more rarely in boys, and leads to severe impairments. It is usually recognized in children between six to 18 months as they begin to miss developmental milestones or lose abilities they had gained, including their ability to speak, walk, eat, and even breathe. Rett particularly affects speech, purposeful hand use, and coordination, leaving individuals trapped in their own bodies, understanding more than they can communicate. There is currently no cure for Rett syndrome.
St. Louis is home to a specialty clinic – a collaboration between Washington University School of Medicine and St. Louis Children’s Hospital. The clinic has a team of specialists with substantial experience in the diagnostic evaluation and treatment of individuals with Rett syndrome.
Since 2004, these nationwide family-friendly strolls have raised more than $17 million to advance IRSF’s mission to empower families and accelerate research toward a world without Rett Syndrome.
The International Rett Syndrome Foundation (IRSF) is the leading Rett syndrome research and advocacy organization. IRSF has invested over $58 million in research leading to identifying Rett syndrome’s cause, demonstrating Rett syndrome is reversible in mice, and supporting the clinical trials that led to the first-ever FDA-approved treatment. For more information, visit www.rettsyndrome.org.
Donations are appreciated to the Strollathon, which is free and open to the public. For more information, call (314) 346-1323 or visit the organization’s website at www.st-louis.strollathon.org.
Saudi Arabia Emerges as a Leading Industrial HubBoosting Global Mobility says Writer Relocations
Riyadh, KSA, 8 August 2024 — Writer Relocations, a leading global player in the relocation industry, highlights Saudi Arabia’s emergence as a pioneering force in the global industrial sector. The Kingdom’s major industrial cities, such as Jubail and Yanbu, are central to this development, attracting a significant influx of professionals from Europe and America.
Saudi Arabia’s industrial sector experienced a 63% increase in new investments in 2023, amounting to SR15 billion ($3.99 billion). The number of industrial units also surged by 10%, reaching 11,549 in 2023. These developments align with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030, aimed at diversifying the economy and reducing dependency on oil by fostering industrial growth and innovation.
Anoop Bosco, Regional Head Middle East at Writer Relocations, remarked: “Saudi Arabia’s swift ascent as a key industrial hub is showcased by its world-class cities like Jubail and Yanbu. These cities are driving industrial innovation and development, making the Kingdom a sought-after destination for top talent from Europe and North America. Writer Relocations is honoured to facilitate this influx of skilled professionals by ensuring seamless relocations for individuals and their families moving to the Kingdom. Our mission is to provide a smooth transition and comprehensive support, enabling professionals to effectively contribute to Saudi Arabia’s industrial growth.”
For over 75 years, Writer Relocations has been at the forefront of the global relocation industry, offering comprehensive end-to-end services in the people and asset mobility sector. Handling more than 8,000 relocations annually, the company caters to the needs of employees and executives from over 3,000 global companies, solidifying its position as a premier mobility partner.
Jubail and Yanbu are exemplars of industrial success, featuring state-of-the-art infrastructure, advanced facilities, and a commitment to sustainable development. These cities play a crucial role in Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, which aims to diversify the economy and reduce dependency on oil by fostering industrial growth and innovation.
Enhancing IT Operations through the Infraon Infinity Suite’s AIOps Capabilities
BENGALURU, India – August 8, 2024: In the rapidly evolving world of IT, maintaining seamless operations and staying ahead of potential issues is paramount. The integration of Artificial Intelligence for IT Operations (AIOps) within the Infraon Infinity Suite is transforming how businesses manage their IT infrastructure. This advanced integration leverages predictive analytics, automated incident management, and intelligent insights to enhance decision-making,
optimize resource allocation, and improve overall IT performance.
Satish Kumar V, CEO of EverestIMS Technologies, shares his vision: “Our goal is to revolutionize IT operations by leveraging the power of AI. The integration of AIOps within the Infraon Infinity Suite represents a significant leap forward in how businesses manage their IT infrastructure.”
Predictive Analytics: Identifying Issues Before They Impact Business
One of the standout features of the Infraon Infinity Suite with AIOps integration is its predictive analytics capability. This technology utilizes machine learning algorithms to analyze historical data, detect patterns, and predict potential IT issues before they impact business operations. By identifying anomalies and trends early, IT teams can proactively address these issues, preventing downtime and ensuring continuous service availability.
Predictive analytics enables organizations to transition from a reactive approach to a proactive strategy in managing their IT environments. This shift not only improves the reliability of IT services but also reduces the time and cost associated with resolving unexpected incidents. By anticipating problems and addressing them before they escalate, businesses can maintain smoother operations and deliver better service quality to their customers.
“Predictive analytics and automated incident management are game-changers for our clients. These capabilities allow them to stay ahead of potential issues and resolve incidents swiftly, ensuring uninterrupted business operations,” says Kumar.
Automated Incident Management: Accelerating Resolution Times
The integration of AIOps within the Infraon Infinity Suite also enhances incident management through automation. Automated incident management involves the use of AI to detect, diagnose, and resolve IT issues without human intervention. This capability significantly reduces the mean time to resolution (MTTR) and minimizes the impact of incidents on business operations.
With automated incident management, IT teams can focus on more strategic tasks while the system handles routine issues. This not only improves efficiency but also ensures that incidents are resolved quickly and effectively. Automated workflows streamline the entire incident management process, from detection to resolution, ensuring that IT services remain uninterrupted and business operations continue smoothly.
Intelligent Insights: Enabling Informed Decision-Making
AIOps integration within the Infraon Infinity Suite provides intelligent insights that are crucial for informed decision-making. These insights are derived from the continuous analysis of IT data, offering real-time visibility into the performance and health of IT systems. By understanding the current state and predicting future trends, IT leaders can make data-driven decisions that enhance the overall performance of their IT infrastructure.
Intelligent insights enable IT teams to optimize resource allocation, ensuring that the right resources are available where and when they are needed most. This optimization not only improves operational efficiency but also reduces costs associated with over-provisioning or underutilization of IT resources. By leveraging these insights, organizations can achieve a more balanced and efficient IT environment.
Optimizing Resource Allocation for Better Performance
Resource allocation is a critical aspect of IT management, and the Infraon Infinity Suite with AIOps integration excels in this area. The suite uses AI to analyze resource usage patterns and recommend optimal allocation strategies. This ensures that resources are used efficiently, reducing waste and improving overall performance.
By optimizing resource allocation, organizations can achieve better performance without increasing their IT budget. The system continuously monitors resource usage and makes adjustments as needed, ensuring that IT resources are always aligned with business needs. This dynamic approach to resource management helps businesses stay agile and responsive in a rapidly changing IT landscape.
Enhancing Overall IT Performance
The ultimate goal of integrating AIOps with the Infraon Infinity Suite is to enhance overall IT performance. By leveraging predictive analytics, automated incident management, and intelligent insights, the suite provides a comprehensive solution for managing IT operations effectively. This integration ensures that IT services are reliable, efficient, and aligned with business objectives.
Improved IT performance translates to better business outcomes, including higher customer satisfaction, increased operational efficiency, and reduced costs. By proactively managing IT issues and optimizing resources, organizations can focus on strategic initiatives that drive growth and innovation. The Infraon Infinity Suite with AIOps integration empowers IT teams to deliver exceptional service quality and achieve superior business results.
“Intelligent insights and optimized resource allocation are critical for maintaining an efficient and high-performing IT environment. With AIOps, we provide our clients with the tools they need to make informed decisions and achieve better business outcomes,” Kumar concludes.
In summary, the Infraon Infinity Suite with AIOps integration is a powerful solution that transforms IT operations. By leveraging advanced technologies like predictive analytics, automated incident management, and intelligent insights, the suite enhances decision-making, optimizes resource allocation, and improves overall IT performance. With this integration, EverestIMS Technologies continues to lead the way in delivering innovative IT service management solutions that drive business success.
Essential Pre-Travel Planning for a Safe and Healthy Summer
August 8th, India — As the peak summer travel season is underway in the Northern hemisphere, International SOS, the world’s leading health and security services company, is urging organisations to prioritise the health and safety of their travelling employees. With summer travel reaching record highs, particularly in North American and Western European regions1, robust pre-travel planning and effective risk mitigation strategies are crucial for a healthy and safe summer travel season.
Summer’s warmer temperatures and the corresponding rise in outdoor activities create a heightened risk environment for health and safety. These risks are amplified for travellers with unfamiliar destinations, where individuals may encounter food and waterborne illnesses, vector-borne diseases and excessive sun exposure. International SOS global assistance data revealed that the top most common assistance requests from clients in the Northern hemisphere during 2023 summer were upper respiratory tract infection, fever and urinary tract infections.2 Traveller’s diarrhoea is another commonly reported travel-related illness.
Additionally, the increased frequency and intensity of heatwaves globally also pose significant health threats, including heat stress, which is the leading cause of weather-related fatalities and can exacerbate underlying medical conditions.4 To ensure employee health and wellbeing, organisations should provide clear guidance on heatwave preparedness, such as staying hydrated, avoiding outdoor activities during peak heat hours and recognising the signs of heat-related illness.
Dr Katherine O’Reilly, Regional Medical Director at International SOS, commented, “The excitement of summer travel can sometimes overshadow potential health risks. It is important to understand that conditions such as heart disease, asthma, and diabetes can be worsened by warmer weather, leading to more severe symptoms and sometimes complications. To mitigate these risks, organisations should encourage their workforce to consult with healthcare professionals before travelling. These consultations help travellers identify destination-specific health threats and inform essential preventive measures, including vaccinations, hygiene practices and sun safety protocols.”
James Wood, Regional Security Director at International SOS, commented “The surge in summer travel underscores the importance of prioritising employee safety and fostering a strong security awareness culture within organisations. By conducting comprehensive destination research, travellers can equip themselves with knowledge of local security risks, cultural nuances and common scams. This knowledge empowers travellers to make informed decisions and minimise their vulnerability to threats. Unfamiliar environments can heighten the risk of security threats, emphasising the need for robust personal security measures.”
International SOS offers guidelines for organisations and their workforce to stay healthy and safe whilst travelling this summer:
1. Pre-Travel Health Check-Up: Encourage employees to schedule a pre-travel consultation with a healthcare professional. This allows for necessary vaccinations, review of existing health conditions, and guidance on travel-specific health risks.
2. Destination Research: Advise employees to research their destination thoroughly. This includes understanding local weather patterns, potential health risks, cultural norms, and security concerns. International SOS offers a suite of travel advisory resources for various destinations worldwide.
3. Plan ahead and choose safe accommodation: When selecting a place to stay, use credible booking sites, pick the location carefully and consider checking reviews from other travellers.
4. Highlight the importance of understanding traveller targeted risks: International visitors can be common targets for pickpocketing and scams. Provide basic travel safety training to travelling employees.
5. Encourage employees to take precautions to prevent heatstroke: Promote sun protection practices and remind travellers of the importance of hydration.
6. Inform employees of food safety risks whilst travelling: Food poisoning peaks during the summer months due to warmer temperatures. Advise travellers to exercise caution with unfamiliar food and water sources. Bottled water and thoroughly cooked meals are generally safer options.
FireCompass Unveils Agent AI for Ethical Hacking & Autonomous Penetration Testing
8th August 2024 – Firecompass, a Saas startup in Continuous Penetration Testing and Red Teaming, announced the launch of its Generative-AI powered Agent AI for Ethical Hacking & Autonomous Penetration Testing. FireCompass Agent AI is natively integrated with the FireCompass Platform and autonomously executes the entire penetration testing workflow.
Unlike current generative AI tools that typically only provide interfaces or generic suggestions, Agent AI executes the tasks autonomously, orchestrating to achieve specific objectives like finding organization-specific vulnerability information, generating tailored attack plans, and autonomously executing specific attack playbooks to demonstrate potential breaches. The platform dramatically increases testing coverage, accelerates the discovery of complex attack paths, and enhances the productivity of human pen-testers. This capability is available as an add-on to FireCompass’ existing platform for Automated Pen Testing, Red Teaming, and External Attack Surface Management.
India faces severe cybersecurity challenges, ranking among the most targeted countries globally. CERT-In reports a 25-fold increase in breaches over 5 years, with each breach costing an average of $2.18 million (RBI). A shortage of 800,000 cybersecurity professionals (World Economic Forum) amplifies the immediate need for AI-driven autonomous solutions.
“An average organization conducts ethical hacking or penetration testing on the top 20% of their assets annually. However, attackers are leveraging automation and AI to continuously target 100% of the assets,” said Bikash Barai, CEO and Co-Founder of FireCompass. “Conventional Penetration Testing cannot match the pace of attackers. FireCompass GenAI & Agentic AI can help us achieve 10 to 100 times more frequency and cost efficiency than traditional models.”
Traditional Ethical Hacking or Penetration Testing involves multiple tools and manual effort. FireCompass Autonomous Pen Testing Agent AI with the LLM-powered interface eliminates the need for repetitive manual tasks, significantly improving delivery speed and the depth and breadth of testing.
“Automating penetration testing of complex, multi-stage attacks is the next level of penetration testing. Agent AI is a promising way to solve this otherwise hard problem,” said Bruce Schneier, an internationally renowned security technologist called a “security guru” by the Economist.
- Gaps with Standard LLMs in Penetration Testing
- Standard LLMs have several limitations in the context of penetration testing:
- They cannot answer queries specific to an organization (e.g., “Give me the list of IPs of all risky assets”).
- They cannot create an organization-specific plan of attack for a given objective.
- They cannot execute end-to-end Penetration Testing or red-teaming on their own.
- Introducing Agent AI for Penetration Testing & Red Teaming
FireCompass combines Agent AI with Gen AI to create autonomous end-to-end penetration testing capabilities. While Gen AI typically makes suggestions, Agent AI executes the completion of a workflow to achieve specific objectives. This capability, available as an add-on to FireCompass’ existing platform, will:
- Interact in natural language to provide organization-specific information on vulnerabilities and risks.
- Generate attack plans tailored to an organization based on user-provided objectives, guardrails, and existing vulnerabilities.
- Execute attacks autonomously and demonstrate how an organization can be breached.
- FireCompass has already been awarded a patent by the USPTO for automated penetration testing and red teaming.
- FireCompass’ Agent AI vs. Traditional Methods
- FireCompass uses Agent AI and Gen AI to creatively generate and autonomously execute attack plans.
- Provides 10-100x more testing with the same budget, making human PenTesters four times more productive.
- Accelerates the discovery and mitigation of complex attack paths, reducing the risk window from months to hours.
FireCompass is considered a leader in Automated Pen Testing, Red Teaming, and Attack Surface Management by leading analysts like Gartner, Forrester, and IDC. Founded by serial entrepreneurs and supported by leading VCs, the team holds multiple patents in cybersecurity and has discovered zero-day vulnerabilities in platforms such as McAfee, Microsoft BitLocker, Sophos, and AVG. FireCompass is trusted by Fortune 500 companies globally which includes Top 5 Global Telco, Top 10 Manufacturing Firms, Top 10 Technology, and Banking Firms.
Helen Keller Students Unleash Creativity at Target Publications Mandala Workshop
Mumbai, 08 August, 2024: Leading publishing house Target Publications brought a burst of creativity to the lives of students at Helen Keller Institute for Deaf & Deafblind. In collaboration with Penkraft Ideas Pvt. Ltd., a unique end-to-end entity for all things art, the company ignited a passion for Mandala art through a vibrant workshop.
Over 70 budding artists, including students, trainee educators, and in-house teachers, participated in this whirlwind of creativity. The workshop, buzzing with excitement, equipped participants with all the skills and knowledge they needed to embark on their artistic journeys. Printed Mandala art papers and gel pens distributed among Helen Keller students became gateways to a world of intricate patterns and vibrant self-expression.
Anuradha Bagchi, Director of the Helen Keller Institute, couldn’t contain her delight. “We are incredibly thankful to Target Publications for bringing this remarkable workshop to our students,” she said. “They were captivated by the Penkraft trainers’ guidance, and the joy of creating Mandala art was truly infectious. We believe this experience will not only spark a love for this art form but also empower them to continue practicing at home.”
Tushar Chaudhari, Executive Director of Target Publications, Thane, beamed with pride. “We are honored to have had the opportunity to partner with Helen Keller Institute for Deaf and Deafblind for this special event,” he said. “At Target Publications, we understand the importance of fostering creativity beyond academics. That’s why, alongside our educational content, we offer Mandala art books – a testament to our commitment to keeping students and their artistic journeys at the heart of everything we do.”
This captivating workshop wasn’t just about creating art; it was about igniting a spark of creativity within these remarkable young minds. And that, truly, is a masterpiece in itself!
“It was pure magic to see their faces light up!” exclaimed Pallavi Desai, Founder & MD of Penkraft Ideas Pvt. Ltd., who along with Penkraft Master Trainer Vishakha Kalangan, conducted a mesmerizing Mandala Art workshop for the institute’s students.
Pallavi Desai, who imparted the workshop, echoed this sentiment. “Witnessing the student’s focus and meticulousness as they crafted their Mandalas was truly heartwarming,” she shared. “Mandala art offers a multitude of benefits, from enhancing fine motor skills to boosting creativity and focus. It’s a practice that empowers both children and adults alike.”
Aswathy Sreekanth: ‘Trust Your Body’ at Aster Medcity’s Breastfeeding Week
Kochi, 08 August, 2024: Aster Medcity hosted a special gathering for mothers and babies as part of the World Breastfeeding Week. The event was inaugurated by the renowned actress and writer Aswathy Sreekanth.
Trust Your Body: Breastfeeding is a Beautiful Journey,” said Aswathy Sreekanth at Aster Medcity’s Breastfeeding Week celebrations. “There is an incomparable, moving connection that breastfeeding creates between a mother and her child. It’s a unique bond that nurtures closeness, security, and love.” She also emphasized the importance of supporting mothers who cannot breastfeed for any specific reason, urging them not to feel guilty.
World Breastfeeding Week is observed globally from August 1st to 7th each year to promote awareness about the vital importance of breastfeeding for infants. Around 50 mothers and their babies enthusiastically participated in the event, which included informative sessions highlighting the significance of breastfeeding. The programme also addressed the concerns and doubts of mothers regarding this natural process.
Senior Consultants in Neonatology such as Dr. Jose Paul, Dr. George Jose, Consultant, Dr. S. Rajasree, Dr. Zareena A Khalid, Senior Consultant – Obstetrics & Gynaecology and Dr. Jeeson C Unni, Senior Consultant- Paediatrics participated in the event to support and educate the attendees on the benefits of breastfeeding.
SPJIMR-Abhyudaya’s Hastantaran 2024: A new mentorship journey begins
Mumbai, August 08, 2024: Hastantaran, meaning ‘handing over’ or ‘transferring’, is an exciting ceremony marking the start of the mentoring journey undertaken by SPJIMR’s first-year PGDM participants and Abhyudaya Sitaras (Stars).
Abhyudaya, meaning ‘growing together’, is an experiential learning programme where each first-year PGDM participant is assigned a Sitara to mentor for the entire year. The Sitaras, selected based on their academic records and performance in specially curated aptitude tests, are some of the brightest students from Mumbai’s marginalised and underprivileged sections.
Speaking about the initiative, Prof. Varun Nagaraj, Dean, SPJIMR, said, “The SPJIMR-Abhyudaya programme is designed to cultivate social sensitivity and empathy in our future business leaders by exposing them to the realities of urban poverty and inculcate mentorship qualities.” Since 2008, 948 Sitaras and 3,688 PGDM participants have undergone this transformative journey.
The Sitaras, who refer to the PGDM participants affectionately as ‘Didis’ (sisters) or ‘Bhaiyas’ (brothers), gain lifelong mentors who provide academic support, personality development training, emotional counselling, and advice on personal or professional issues.
Hastantaran 2024 marked the propitious commencement of Abhyudaya for the PGDM cohort of 2024-26. Arati Nagaraj, Director, SPJIMR-Abhyudaya, inspired the Sitaras and PGDM aspirants, and said, “To the senior mentors, remember, your journey is never over. You continue to be your Sitaras’ North Star. And to the new mentors, embrace this journey and strive to become a guiding light for your Sitaras.”
‘Celestial Connections’, the theme of Hastantaran 2024, signified the sincerity and depth of the bonds formed between the PGDM participants and the Sitaras. “Abhyudaya was a life-changing experience for me. I learned a lot from my mentee and her family,” said Swapneel, PGP2 mentor. Added Sakina Jabir Khan, his mentee and a class 8 student, “I learnt about leadership from Swapneel bhaiya. He helped me with my studies. Though I am sad that I won’t see him every month, I am excited to know who my new mentor will be.”
To celebrate the beginning of these beautiful mentor-mentee relationships, the Sitaras and the PGDM participants lit up the stage with energetic dance and soulful song performances. During a panel discussion, second-year PGDM participants and Sitaras shared their Abhyudaya experiences to clarify doubts and allay concerns of the first-year participants.
The most awaited event of Hastantaran 2024 was the first mentor-mentee meeting. Each Sitara searched with keen eyes, bated breath, and hopeful hearts for their beloved ‘Didis’ and ‘Bhaiyas’. A sense of emotion overtook them as this moment marked the rite of passage from their previous mentor to their next mentor. The event concluded with a series of ice-breaking and team-building exercises where the Sitaras and their new mentors shared personal stories, aspirations, and expectations.
Hastantaran 2024 marked a shift in the energy on campus. The excitement of being part of an experience that shapes lives, creates lifelong bonds, and builds a treasure trove of memories was almost tangible. Each participant and their Sitara are now set to embark on a stellar journey of personal growth and learning.
Channelplay Celebrates Success of Bosch Retailer Activation Program
New Delhi, India – 8th Aug 2024 – Channelplay, a leading retail marketing and sales outsourcing company, is excited to announce the outstanding results from its retailer activation and engagement program, meticulously executed for the renowned power tools brand Bosch. The program focuses on onboarding and activating retailers on the Bosch loyalty application, aimed at enhancing retailer engagement to boost sales through scanning Bosch products via the application.
In collaboration with Bosch, Channelplay has implemented a dynamic field engagement program designed to enhance retailer activation and drive Bosch tool sales. The initiative began with a focused recruitment effort, deploying 22 Feet on Street Executives (FOS) dedicated to the BeCo (Bosch Engagement and Customer Onboarding) initiative. These FOS teams are responsible for visiting retailers, onboarding them onto the Bosch retailer loyalty app, and ensuring their continued active usage of Bosch products. The success of this initial phase prompted significant expansion, with 50 approved locations now staffed with active FOS across India. Channelplay’s commitment to maintaining a 100% fill rate and swift vacancy closures within a week has been pivotal to this growth.
The program’s success is attributed to its comprehensive approach to onboarding new retailers onto the loyalty application and activating existing passive retailers to scan Bosch tools. The FOS teams not only onboard retailers but also ensure ongoing engagement through tool scanning, point redemption, and distribution of vouchers. With dedicated teams and a commitment to excellence, Channelplay has successfully onboarded over 3000 new and passive retailers onto the application. This effort has resulted in a 20% increase in tools scanning and sales for Bosch products, along with a 10% rise in monthly retailer engagement compared to the previous year.
Mr. Lakshya Das, Vice President of Sales Force Outsourcing at Channelplay, comments, “The success of the Bosch Program underscores Channelplay’s commitment to delivering innovative and results-driven marketing solutions through strategic recruitment, meticulous monitoring, and effective use of technology. As Channelplay continues to pioneer excellence in the industry, the insights gained from this program will also serve as a blueprint for future endeavours.”
Managed by Channelplay, the Retailer Activation Program has become integral to Bosch’s hardware product marketing strategy. Through meticulous oversight and a tailored approach to activations, tool scanning, and retailer engagement, the program has surpassed expectations.
Key Insights from the Program:
Targeted FOS Placement: Leveraging market intelligence, FOS teams were strategically positioned in markets with lower-density registered retailers, maximising market potential and ensuring efficient resource utilisation for enhanced market penetration.
Recruitment Excellence: Channelplay’s rigorous recruitment process ensures the selection of top-tier talent, maintaining a swift hiring turnaround time of seven days to acquire skilled resources promptly.
Best-in-Class Technology Integration: Utilizing cutting-edge, in-house technology solutions, Channelplay optimises field operations for Bosch, managing daily retailer visits and tool scanning with efficient tracking and reporting for real-time insights and enhanced performance monitoring.
Continuous Retailer Engagement: The FOS team initiates and sustains ongoing engagement through frequent retailer visits and comprehensive market tracking. The team ensure retailers are updated on points balance and upcoming rewards to foster enduring relationships.
Innovative Incentive Schemes: Creative incentive programs motivate FOS teams with performance-based bonuses, recognition awards, professional development opportunities, and exclusive perks, driving higher engagement and loyalty from retailers.
FOS Training and Development: Ongoing training programs equip FOS with product knowledge, loyalty app proficiency, point redemption strategies, and effective sales techniques, enhancing their ability to engage with retailers and drive conversions confidently.
A senior representative from Bosch Private Limited stated, “Channelplay ensures the effectiveness of all our Feet on Street employees in a highly professional manner and drives the team to achieve all the KPIs.”
NIFTEM-K Hosts 3-Day GC-MS/MS Training on Ethylene Oxide in Spices
National Institute of Food Technology Entrepreneurship and Management, Kundli (NIFTEM-K), An Institute of National Importance under the Ministry of Food Processing Industries, Govt of India in collaboration with Agilent Technologies is organizing a 3 days Training Program on “Hands-on-Training on Quantification of Ethylene Oxide & 2 CE in various Spices by GC-MS/MS” for technical officials from State Food Testing Lab (SFTL) and FSSAI notified food testing laboratories.
The training program was inaugurated by Dr. Harinder Singh Oberoi, Director, NIFTEM-K, in presence of Dr. Samir Vyas, Country General Manager, Agilent Technologies, Sh. Ajai Prakash Gupta, Director, QA, FSSAI, Dr. Ajay Singh Bisht, Scientist at Spice Board, , and Dr. Komal Chauhan, Dean Research & Outreach and Head CFRA on 06 August 2024. Senior officers from NIFTEM-K and Agilent Technologies were present during the inaugural function besides the particpants. The event is being organized jointly by NIFTEM-K and Agilent Technologies from August 6th to 8th, 2024 at NIFTEM-K to impart hands-on training to 23 participants.
The event started with a welcome speech by Dr. Komal Chauhan (CFRA Head & Dean Research, NIFTEM-Kundli),. Dr. Neetu Taneja (Associate Head, CFRA) explained about the structure of the training programme, profile of the resource personnel and also highlighted its main goals and reasons behind the crucial need for precise measurement methods to ensure food safety. Dr. Ajai Prakash Gupta highlighted the importance of accurate and precise testing of contaminants, especially from the regulatory compliance perspective. He urged participants to make the most of this opportunity to discover new technology and suggested to include different food types in their training to expand their knowledge.
Dr. Dinesh Singh Bisht talked about the ETO and 2-CE limits in different countries. He also mentioned about the procedure for analysis of 2-CE brought out by FSSAI .
Dr. Sameer Vyas, CGM, Agilent Technology, appreciated the initiatives taken by NIFTEM-K, complemented the NIFTEM-K team and the Agilent team for working coherently in designing and developing a well structured training programme having orientation for enhancing the skill set of the lab analysts. He also emphasised that coming together of Government, Private sector and Public sector will help in improving the awareness among consumers about food safety, especially about the contaminants.
Dr. Harinder Singh Oberoi stress on the need to create a robust and accurate testing of ETOs not only in spices, but other commodities as well. He also mentioned that organizations like NIFTEM-K and FSSAI can play a significant role in anticipating the detrimental effects of contaminants like Acrylamides, endocrine disruptors and veterinary drug residues. Dr. Oberoi emphasised that India should set limits for all such contaminants across different product categories based on structured surveillance and country specific data. He requested Dr.Vyas to support NIFTEM-K in establishing a Food Safety research centre which can be used for capacity building and improving the skill set of the staff associated with analysis and also generating a lot of scientific information on existing and emerging contaminants which can eventually be shared with FSSAI for establishing robust standards.