Kimberly-Clark sells majority stake of $3.4 billion international tissue unit to Brazil's Suzano
Kimberly-Clark on Thursday entered into a deal with Brazilian pulp maker Suzano to sell a majority stake in its international tissue business, valuing the business at about $3.4 billion, the Kleenex tissue maker said.
Kimberly-Clark, which has looked to focus on more profitable parts of the company, said it would own a 49% interest in the new venture while Suzano would own 51%.
Suzano will have the option to purchase Kimberly-Clark's remaining 49% ownership interest at certain specified times and subject to certain conditions, under an agreed valuation framework, the Irving, Texas-based company said.
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Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Why Are Gen-Z and Millennial Workers Obsessed With 'Soft Skills' in the Workplace?
In today's rapidly evolving workplace, dominated by advancements in generative AI, a consensus has emerged among younger workers: soft skills—such as empathy, communication, and leadership—are more important for career advancement than purely technical expertise. Deloitte's recent Gen Z and Millennial survey, which includes feedback from 23,000-plus such workers from around the world, reveals that more than eight in 10 young professionals believe these human qualities are essential to stand out and thrive, while only six in 10 believe that generative AI skills are somewhat or highly required. What's behind these numbers? As Elizabeth Faber, Deloitte Global Chief People & Purpose Officer, points out, 'In the age of GenAI, it's the human element that sets professionals apart … Soft skills are the bridge between human and machine, helping individuals navigate complex problems, collaborate across diverse teams, and lead with authenticity in increasingly dynamic environments.' This perspective resonates deeply with Sonali Karmarkar, the 31-year-old Head of Content and Community for YouTube Shopping. Karmarkar emphasizes that 'soft skills are inimitable—they are very difficult to teach yet are so crucial in the professional world.' For her, these skills 'enable one to connect with coworkers, business partners, and direct reports,' shaping how people influence and elevate projects beyond technical know-how. New York City-based career coach Eliana Goldstein echoes this sentiment, noting that while AI is 'infiltrating so many workplaces' and causing concern among many, 'there are people who have fear and concern around [if they'll be] replaced by AI. And if so, when is that going to happen? What do I do about it?' However, Goldstein stresses a reframing of this fear into opportunity: 'Once you plant those seeds, then people do genuinely start to feel that excitement of, oh, this is a really exciting opportunity for me right now; how do I capitalize on it?" According to Deloitte's survey, more than half of Gen Z and millennial workers are already integrating generative AI into their daily tasks—from brainstorming ideas and content creation to data analysis and project management. Yet many recognize AI as a complement, not a substitute, for soft skills. Valerie Chapman, a 26-year-old AI and technology creator, highlights how AI has transformed her work: 'AI has enabled me to scale my outreach, establish myself clearly as a subject matter expert, and amplify my voice in ways previously unimaginable.' However, she stresses that 'AI complements [soft skills] beautifully, allowing us to amplify our voices and share our stories more effectively.' For Chapman, the intersection of AI and soft skills holds promise, especially for historically underserved groups like women, helping them build confidence and advocate for themselves. Goldstein adds that while many believe AI to be intuitive, 'people are definitely still under utilizing it' She continues, 'It's not necessarily that people need tactical training on it; it's more so just about rethinking how they're using it.' She points out common uses such as helping to make emails more polished or aiding in the crafting of sales pitches, emphasizing AI's broad applicability across industries. At the same time, Briana Henry, a 34-year-old Senior Technical Engineer at Namaste Solar Electric, provides a cautionary note. She admits, 'I constantly forget that AI exists' in her highly technical and safety-critical role, where reliance on AI is limited by liability and trust concerns. Henry worries that over-reliance on AI could stunt creative problem-solving and diminish essential hard skills, underscoring that 'people need to have the knowledge and ability to at least review AI results for correctness.' The sentiment that soft skills are increasingly vital is echoed in how younger workers view career advancement. Karmarkar explains, 'Especially as one gets to a more senior level, these intangibles are what set people apart, since technical skill level becomes the baseline.' She sees soft skills as critical for motivating teams, coaching individuals, and adapting in ways technology cannot replicate. Goldstein reinforces this view, highlighting that while technical skills are 'incredibly important,' anybody can learn them through courses or training. In contrast, she explains, 'it is much more difficult to learn soft skills. Either communication just comes naturally to you, or it's incredibly hard, whether because you get nervous talking in front of people or other reasons.' She stresses the irreplaceable role soft skills play alongside AI: 'The human is the one communicating to other teams and leveraging the soft skills they have in order to disseminate AI across an organization or team.' Henry has witnessed this firsthand through her leadership experience. 'I have held leadership positions where I made decisions on hiring or punitive action in the past, and I have seen time and again where people with the soft skills required for the job have excelled and the reason people have required punitive action is because of the lack of their soft skills,' she shares. Chapman adds that in a landscape flooded with AI-generated content, 'genuine human connection and emotional intelligence become incredibly rare and valuable.' For her, the soft skills of storytelling, empathy, and communication are 'the heart of how we connect with technology,' especially for women navigating workplace challenges. While many companies provide some technical training, the development of soft skills often remains optional or undervalued. 'Soft skill trainings are often viewed as 'nice to have' and not mandatory, where employees aren't incentivized for taking time to cultivate their communication,' says Karmarkar. She advocates for mandatory soft skill modules to complement technical training, ensuring workers are fully equipped to collaborate and lead. Goldstein confirms that employer support for soft skills varies widely: 'It depends on leadership. If leadership cares about those things, you'll see it trickle down to the rest of the organization. If not, you won't.' She emphasizes that investing in soft skills will only strengthen workplaces. 'Investing in soft skills will not only help companies be more successful, but it will help in terms of employee retention.' Henry credits her company's cooperative culture for fostering her soft skills, through opportunities in leadership and teamwork: 'Being a co-owner has helped me build my skills with teamwork, communication, problem-solving, leadership, and many other areas of soft skills.' Yet she acknowledges that many companies may lack sufficient support for this development. Chapman, who has built her personal brand publicly, emphasizes self-driven growth: 'I've developed my soft skills by openly sharing my journey on social media… This practice has naturally boosted my confidence, honed my communication skills, and significantly expanded my network.' She warns that without mindful integration of AI, employees might feel anxiety or fear, rather than empowerment, highlighting a critical gap in workplace training. The message from Gen Z and millennial workers is clear: as AI reshapes the technical landscape, the qualities that make us human—our empathy, leadership, and communication—are the true currency of career progression. These skills not only help individuals use technology more effectively but also build authentic connections that machines cannot replicate. Karmarkar sums it up succinctly: 'Soft skills are what will set candidates apart in their ability to use the tech to unlock new solutions, be able to effectively synthesize the information to align to a long-term vision and compellingly communicate to their intended audiences.' In the end, mastering AI is important, but it's the human touch that remains the defining factor in professional success. You Might Also Like 4 Investment-Worthy Skincare Finds From Sephora The 17 Best Retinol Creams Worth Adding to Your Skin Care Routine
CBS News
an hour ago
- CBS News
Police cast wide net in probe of defunct North Texas car dealership's business practices
Desire Godfrey said it was time for a vehicle upgrade. The Lancaster mother had her eye on a Lexus. "I had a baby, so I'm looking for something reliable for me and a baby," Godfrey said. She searched online and found what she thought was the right vehicle at The Reserve Auto Group in The Colony. She described the sales process in May 2024 as a positive experience. Warranty and GAP insurance issues But an unexpected oil change six months later changed everything. Godfrey, 33, said a Lexus dealership informed her the vehicle was not under warranty. She also discovered her GAP insurance policy didn't exist. "They (Reserve Auto Group) never paid the warranty company the money they were supposed to pay to activate this warranty and this GAP insurance," she said. Car loan charges continue Godfrey said the costs were included in her car note. She filed a report with The Colony Police Department — and she's not alone. Police said they received their first complaint on Jan. 31. According to a news release, police have been investigating multiple fraud claims connected to the dealership since 2023. The business shut down in December 2024, but complaints continue to come in. Alleged auto fraud pattern Investigators said customers were allegedly instructed to write separate checks for aftermarket warranties or GAP insurance policies. Those payments were supposed to go to third-party providers, but police said the dealership allegedly cashed the checks and never forwarded the money — leaving customers without coverage. Another victim comes forward A second alleged victim, who spoke to CBS News Texas anonymously, said she and her husband also bought a Lexus from the dealership. She provided a non-activation letter from DOWC Administrative Services LLC, a company that offers GAP insurance and warranties. The letter stated: "Please be advised that Reserve Auto has failed to remit payment to Us as the Administrator and Provider for your Contract. Consequently, the Contract was not activated in our system." Investigation still ongoing Police have not made any arrests or publicly identified anyone associated with the allegations. Officers said they are continuing to vet additional alleged victims. CBS News Texas is not naming the person listed as the dealership's owner, as police have indicated he did nothing wrong. He spoke briefly by phone, saying he wanted to schedule an appointment to discuss the claims further because he believed "we did not have all the facts." When asked for clarification, he said he didn't have time to explain. Legal team responds Two emails followed the call, and attorneys from Herrin Law introduced themselves. "We have no comment at this time. Thank you for your interest in our client's side of the story," attorney Benjamin Palatiere said. He requested that all future inquiries be directed to him. Buyer left without coverage Meanwhile, Godfrey said the vehicle itself has not had any issues. But she continues to pay for a warranty and insurance that don't exist. "So nobody wants to refinance the loan. Nobody wants to give me GAP insurance," she said. "It's just more so like I'm going to take it or leave it. If I wreck the car, then I would have to figure out a way to pay that car off." Godfrey said she hopes to recover the money one day.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
After its data was wiped, KiranaPro's co-founder cannot rule out an external hack
Indian grocery delivery startup KiranaPro's recent data loss story has more holes than Swiss cheese, as the startup remains unclear whether the incident was an internal breach or an external hack. Last week, the Bengaluru-based startup discovered that it could not access its back-end servers and that all its data, including its app code, had been deleted from GitHub. The startup on Friday blamed a former employee for the breach. However, in an interview, KiranaPro co-founder and CEO Deepak Ravindran conceded that the company had not deactivated the employee's account after they departed the company and cannot rule out the possibility of subsequent malicious misuse of their account. "If we go deeper, we have to do a real forensic investigation. We are going to talk [about] this with our board, the investors, and we are going to get a formal opinion on that also with our legal advisers," Ravindran told TechCrunch. Earlier on Friday, Ravindran claimed in a post on X that the incident that affected its data was an internal breach. "After careful investigation, we conclude that this was not a hack. No external party penetrated our ordering or payment systems, exploited vulnerabilities, or bypassed security protocols," he wrote. The co-founder also explicitly shared a screenshot of a LinkedIn profile of one of KiranaPro's former employees on X on Thursday, alleging that they had deleted the startup's code. (TechCrunch is not sharing the post's link, as the startup has yet to offer concrete proof supporting its position.) "[T]his was an internal data breach. Specifically, it was the result of actions taken by a trusted internal employee who had legitimate access to our systems," the co-founder wrote in his post on Friday. "This individual intentionally deleted critical server logs while they were being tested and/or edited, an action that goes directly against our policies, our principles, and the trust we place in our team." When TechCrunch asked if KiranaPro could rule out whether any third party had maliciously gained access to the former employee's account, Ravindran could not. "We have to do a complete forensic check on the company. We have to do the entire IP scan. We have to look at where the tracks happened. We have to check the computers, MacBooks, and whatever is used. Everything has to be done. Then we have to spend money … so, that's why we decided not to," he told TechCrunch. Then what was the basis of Ravindran's allegation? It was a GitHub response, a copy of which he shared with TechCrunch. The response included a username, which Ravindran said was associated with the former employee. "All we have is the emails that we got from GitHub, stating that [the former employee's username] as an individual is the one who deleted the account. We haven't done the investigation further," Ravindran told TechCrunch. Launched in late 2024, KiranaPro operates as a buyer app on the Indian government's Open Network for Digital Commerce. The startup allows more than 55,000 customers in 50 cities to purchase groceries from their local shops and nearby supermarkets using its voice-based interface. The company also supports local language inputs, including English, Hindi, Malayalam, and Tamil. Ravindran stated that they decided to call out the former employee based on the company's "belief system," as they claim the former employee deleted the data after their sudden termination. However, the startup said it is not aware if there were enough protections on the former employee's devices, such as multi-factor authentication, to restrict malicious third-party access, like malware. The company confirmed it did not remove the employee's access to its data and GitHub account following his departure. "Employee offboarding was not being handled properly because there was no full-time HR," KiranaPro's chief technology officer, Saurav Kumar, confirmed to TechCrunch. Alongside its code saved in GitHub, KiranaPro also lost access to its Amazon Web Services (AWS) account, which included its customer data and their transaction details. Ravindran told TechCrunch that the GitHub data was restored after getting its backup from one of their employees. The startup also regained access to its AWS account along with its customer data. Both the co-founder and CTO said the AWS account was protected by multi-factor authentication, but neither could say how the account was accessed, as nobody else had physical access to Ravindran's phone, which generates the multi-factor code. Nonetheless, Ravindran claimed that the customer data stored in the AWS cloud remained intact and was not accessed by any third parties, nor was it downloaded by the former employee in question. "Because if that is the case, I will get its notification on email or anything [sic]," he said. That said, Ravindran stated that the startup has enough evidence to file a formal complaint with the police, but said that its investigation is ongoing. The startup has also not fully paid its current employees, the company's co-founder confirmed, soon after the company raised a seed round of ₹100 million Indian rupees (about $1.2 million), which Ravindran said has yet to be fully wired. The startup counts Blume Ventures, Unpopular Ventures, and Turbostart among its institutional venture backers, as well as Olympic medalist PV Sindhu and Boston Consulting Group managing director Vikas Taneja among its angel investors. It has 15 employees located in Bengaluru and Kerala. 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