Latest news with #EnterpriseMobility
Forbes
13-05-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Why Smart Adopters Win: Three Key Considerations For Tech Leaders
Shane Behl is CIO at Enterprise Mobility – a leading provider of mobility solutions to make travel easier and more convenient for customers. When it comes to implementing new technologies, there's a case to be made for the first mover and the fast follower. First movers lead the pack. Fast followers take more time to evaluate technology before investing in it. Both approaches have their pros and cons. Rushing the implementation of a new technology, for example, may lead to discovering its limitations after the fact, resulting in a minimal return on investment. In my line of business, where tens of thousands of team members come to work every day and millions of customers rely on us to help them get to wherever they need to be, we can't afford this kind of interruption. On the other hand, as IT leaders, we have a responsibility to advance innovation and breakthroughs that improve both customer and employee experiences. So, how do you balance agility with thoughtfulness to unlock innovation? Throughout my nearly 30 years working in tech, I've seen the most success come from what I call the 'smart adopter' strategy. The smart adopter strategy helps ensure that new technology happens at the right time for the organization and contributes to success for customers and employees. It maintains a long-term perspective and puts the end user at the center of the transition. To make the most of this smart adopter approach, I encourage leaders to follow three steps before investing in new technology. Keep a pulse on the first movers as well as emerging trends and best practices in your industry. It pays to know the challenges and opportunities other organizations are facing, but you also need to understand the unique needs of your customers and employees. Dedicate time to investing in research and development, exploring new ideas and conducting pilots in a safe environment before launching. Study the market's response to new technologies. This will help you grow your understanding to help prepare customers and employees for adoption. By carefully weighing potential benefits against risks and costs, you can help mitigate risks while still capitalizing on transformative technologies. Many companies are watching strides in generative artificial intelligence (AI) to assess how to apply key learnings to their adoption of the technology. When the timing aligns with the needs of your customers and employees, take strategic action, whether it's at the beginning or toward the end of the hype cycle. According to McKinsey researchers, '70% of complex, large-scale change programs don't reach their stated goals.' As such, it's essential to continuously adapt and learn from the end users and make adjustments as needed. There are many examples of the smart adopter strategy at work across my industry, where success isn't linked to being a first mover or a fast follower but from strategically exploring, engaging and executing to create better, effective solutions. Take, for example, connected vehicles. In the rental industry, many cars and trucks are equipped with technology that transmits vehicle data directly to the rental system. This makes the check-in and checkout process faster by eliminating the need for a rental representative to go inside the vehicle to inspect fuel or mileage. At the start of the hype cycle for this new technology, the aftermarket equipment available was expensive and complex. Instead of rushing to be the first, my organization took a step back to determine how to implement this large-scale change without disrupting customers or team members. We began by evaluating our long-term goals and mapping out a technology trajectory. Then, we tested our approach on a fleet of 1.5 million vehicles, including a control group of non-connected vehicles. This led to the most valuable step in the process: gathering real-time feedback from customers and team members. Their input helped us better understand what was working and what wasn't. After extensive testing and learning, we developed a solution that we were ready to share with the entire organization. For vehicles in our fleet, we can connect through and access information directly from the manufacturer. This has enabled us to reduce customer wait times, assist with proactive maintenance and stay on track to transition more than 750,000 connected vehicles by the end of 2025. Similarly, my organization needed to streamline communications, reduce claims cycle times and automate key operations for its self-insured fleet of vehicles. This led to the development of an integrated software platform that's also used by insurance providers, OEMs and fleet companies. By first testing and deploying this solution internally, we were able to gain firsthand knowledge of workflows and challenges to deliver a market-ready solution. However, the work isn't done. It's crucial to continually update platforms like this as needs evolve and more feedback is provided by end users. As you introduce new technologies and features, the opportunities to bring enhanced experiences to customers and employees will also increase. But in today's rapidly evolving landscape, organizations must strike a balance between agility and caution. The smart adopter strategy is a measured approach, taking into account industry trends, customer and employee needs and strategic implementation. With this mindset, leaders can confidently embrace technology in an era defined by relentless change. Forbes Technology Council is an invitation-only community for world-class CIOs, CTOs and technology executives. Do I qualify?
Business Insider
06-05-2025
- Business
- Business Insider
The 25 richest American families, ranked
Billionaires' wealth has been growing exponentially over the past few years. And even though the United States doesn't have any royal families, it does have family empires with enormous fortunes. There are the Hearst and Newhouse families, who built publishing powerhouses; Estée Lauder, the founder of the cosmetics giant that generated the Lauder family fortune; and the families who created their wealth with retail and hotel empires, such as the Waltons with Walmart and the Pritzkers with Hyatt Hotels. But not all of America's richest families began as entrepreneurs; some were also savvy investors. Below, meet the 25 richest families in the US, ranked from lowest estimated net worth to highest estimated net worth. The rankings were determined using the most up-to-date estimated net worths available from Forbes, which were determined in February 2024. The ranking excluded first-generation fortunes, like those of Jeff Bezos and Bill Gates, as well as fortunes controlled by a single heir. Spoiler alert: The Roy family, of HBO's "Succession," didn't make the cut. 25. Kohler family Net worth: $16.2 billion Source of wealth: Kohler Company The Kohler family's legacy traces back to 1873, when John Michael Kohler founded the Kohler Company as a farm tools manufacturer. Since 1883, the company has focused on manufacturing bathroom fixtures and plumbing. Leadership of the company has been passed down from its founder to his son, former Wisconsin governor Walter J. Kohler Sr., and most recently to longtime CEO Herbert Kohler Jr.'s son, David Kohler. In 2024, the company made $9 billion in revenue, Forbes reported. 24. The Brown family 23. The Dorrance family 22. The du Pont family 21. The Ziff family Net worth: $18.5 billion Source of wealth: Ziff Davis Inc. William Ziff Jr. sold the magazine publisher his father created, Ziff Davis Inc., which published PC Magazine, for $1.4 billion in 1994. Forbes report his sons, Daniel, Robert, and Dirk, grew their inheritance through Ziff Brothers Investments and reportedly invested some of their billions with managers who used to work at their hedge funds. The brothers own several homes in Aspen and have put their money toward philanthropic efforts. 20. The Butt family 19. The Taylor family Net worth: $19 billion The Taylor family controls Enterprise Mobility, the parent company of National Car Rental, Alamo Rent a Car, and Enterprise Rent-A-Car, which was founded by Jack C. Taylor in 1957. Since then, the Taylor family has acquired competitors National Car Rental and Alamo Rent a Car and grown into a powerhouse, with Enterprise Mobility reporting $35 billion in revenue in the 2023 fiscal year, Forbes reported. 18. Millstone-Winter-Heyman families 17. The Smith family Net worth: $19.8 billion Source of wealth: Illinois Tool Works Dating back to Byron Smith's 1889 founding of the financial services company Northern Trust Corporation and his 1912 co-founding of the manufacturing firm Illinois Tool Works, the Smith family has ties to both the tools manufacturing and finance industries. The family now holds at least 9% of Illinois Tool Works and 1% of Northern Trust's shares, according to Forbes. 16. The Reyes Family 15. The Busch family Net worth: $20 billion Source of wealth: Anheuser-Busch The Busch family roots in the beer industry date back to 1876, when Adolphus Busch created what is now known as Budweiser. While the company passed through each family generation, an estimated 25% of the business was sold between 1989 and 2008, and it was fully bought out for $52 billion in 2008, as reported by The New York Times. Roughly 30 members of the family split the fortune. Part of the family got back into the beer business with William K. Busch Brewing, but the company shut down in 2019. 14. The Hearst family Net worth: $22.4 billion Source of wealth: Hearst Corporation About 67 family members share the fortune that William Randolph Hearst created when he took over the San Francisco Examiner in the late 1800s, Forbes reported. Soon after, Hearst acquired other newspapers and expanded into radio and TV, creating the foundation for the media giant, Hearst Corporation, which owns 76 newspapers, nearly 260 magazines, television stations, and stakes in cable TV channels that include A&E and ESPN. Hearst used to own what is now one of the most expensive homes in America. His grandson, William R. Hearst III, is currently the chairman of the company's board. 13. The Newhouse family Net worth: $24.1 billion Source of wealth: Advance Publications The Newhouse family's wealth derives from the publishing giant Sam Newhouse created. Advance Publications owns Condé Nast Publications, whose media properties include Vogue, Vanity Fair, and GQ. As of 2021, the company owned a 30% to 35% stake in Reddit. In April 2016, Sam's sons sold the cable-TV company Bright House Networks for roughly $11.4 billion in cash and stock, per reports. 12. The Hunt family Net worth: $24.8 billion Source of wealth: Hunt Oil Company H.L. Hunt laid the foundation for his family's fortune with Hunt Oil Company. His many heirs (he had 14 children) command several fortunes, from Hunt Oil and Petro-Hunt to Rosewood Hotels & Resorts. His children spend their billions on real estate, like the 6 million-square-foot underground business park SubTropolis, and sports teams. The Hunt family owns the Kansas City Chiefs, which won its fourth Super Bowl in 2024, and they have a minority stake in the Chicago Bulls. 11. The Lauder family Net worth: $25.9 billion Source of wealth: Estée Lauder In 1947, Estée Lauder received her first major order for $800 of skincare products from Saks Fifth Avenue, Bloomberg reported. The company, which sells cosmetics and fragrances through over 20 brands that include MAC and Clinique, brought in over $15 billion of revenue in fiscal year 2024, the company reported. The Lauders are active philanthropists, and Estée Lauder's sons, Leonard and Ronald, are major art collectors. Leonard donated $1 billion worth of paintings and sculptures to the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The family also owns a significant amount of real estate. 10. The Cox family 9. The Duncan family Net worth: $30 billion Source of wealth: Enterprise Products Partners Dan L. Duncan founded the gas and oil company Enterprise Products Partners in 1968 with just $10,000, per Forbes. After he died in 2010, the company remained under family control, and his four children inherited a nearly $10 billion estate. The family fortune has since more than doubled. Randa Duncan Williams is the only one of the children actively involved with the company, serving as a non-executive chairwoman. 8. The Cathy family Net worth: $33.6 billion Source of wealth: Chick-fil-A Samuel Truett Cathy founded the fast-food chain Chick-fil-A in 1967. Since then, the business has remained in the hands of second- and third-generation family members. In 2021, Andrew Truett Cathy, the founder's grandson, took over as CEO from his father, Dan. As of May 2025, Samuel Truett Cathy's sons, Dan and Bubba, each have a net worth of more than $10 billion, per Forbes. Members of the Cathy family have previously generated controversy for donating to causes considered to have anti-LGBTQ+ stances. 7. The SC Johnson family Net worth: $38.5 billion Source of wealth: SC Johnson The Johnson family is behind SC Johnson, which produces cleaning products such as Pledge, Glade, and Windex. The company was founded by its namesake, S.C. Johnson, in 1882 and was eventually taken over by his son Herbert Fisk Johnson. Herbert died in 1928 without a will, and the family feuded over the inheritance until it was eventually divided between his two children, Herbert Fisk Johnson Jr. and Henrietta Johnson Louis. Herbert Fisk Johnson III, a fifth-generation member of the family, is the current CEO and chairman of the company. 6. The Pritzker family Net worth: $41.6 billion Source of wealth: Hyatt hotels A.N. Pritzker and his sons Jay, Donald, and Robert created the family's wealth by founding the Hyatt Hotel chain and investing in holdings such as Marmon Group. Today, the fortune is split among 13 family members, 11 of whom are billionaires, per Forbes. They reportedly spent much of the 2000s arguing over trusts, ultimately dividing up the fortune at the end. Members of the Pritzker family have also been involved in politics. Penny Pritzker, Donald's daughter, is the former US Secretary of Commerce. Her brother, J.B. Pritzker, has served as the governor of Illinois since 2019. Hyatt Hotels reported over $6.65 billion in annual revenue in 2024. 5. The (Edward) Johnson family Net worth: $44.8 billion Source of wealth: Fidelity Edward C. Johnson founded one of the world's largest mutual-fund companies, Fidelity, in 1946, which has been run by three Johnson generations since. It's currently helmed by his granddaughter Abigail Johnson. As of 2020, the family owns 49% of the company, which is shared among six family members, according to Forbes. In 2024, the company generated over $32 billion in revenue, it reported. 4. The Cargill-MacMillan family Net worth: $60.6 billion Source of wealth: Cargill Inc. William W. Cargill founded agribusiness giant Cargill Inc. in 1865. As of 2020, roughly 23 members of the Cargill-MacMillan family owned 88% of the company, Forbes reported, which generated over $160 billion in revenue in 2024. Bloomberg reported in 2022 that the family keeps 80% of Cargill Inc.'s net income inside the company for reinvestment annually. 3. The Koch family Net worth: $116 billion Source of wealth: Koch Industries Brothers Charles and David Koch expanded their father's oil-refinery firm into the conglomerate Koch Industries after their other brothers, Frederick and William, left the business following a failed takeover. Today, Koch Industries generates roughly $125 billion in revenue annually. David Koch stepped down from a leadership position in the company in 2018 and died the following year. Charles Koch has been the company's chairman and CEO since 1967. David Koch's foundation has pledged to contribute more than $1.2 billion to cancer research, hospitals, education, and cultural institutions, Koch's external relations team told Barron's in 2019. The Koch brothers have also used their wealth to reshape conservative politics in a substantial way over the past few decades. Since the 1970s, they donated at least $100 million to fund the fiscally conservative Tea Party movement and fortify the Republican Party, The New York Times reported in 2019. 2. The Mars family Net worth: $117 billion Source of wealth: Mars Inc. Jacqueline and John Mars inherited a stake in the candy empire Mars Inc., which invented M&Ms, Milky Way, and Mars Bars, when their father died in 1999. The company also owns other food brands, such Ben's Original and Dolmio, and petcare brands. In 2024, the company brought in over $50 billion in revenue, per Forbes. The siblings run the Mars Foundation, which donates to educational, environmental, cultural, and health-related causes. 1. The Walton family Net worth: $267 billion Source of wealth: Walmart Sam and Bud Walton founded Walmart in 1962. Following its success, they founded Sam's Club in 1983. In 2024, Walmart brought in $648.1 billion in revenue, the company reported, making it the largest retailer by revenue in the world. The Walton family fortune is dispersed among seven family members, including cofounder Sam Walton's three children, Rob, Jim, and Alice, who is the richest woman in the world.
Telegraph
25-04-2025
- Automotive
- Telegraph
Most Gen Z drivers ask others to park cars for them
Most Gen Z drivers are too anxious to park their own cars, a survey has found. Two thirds of drivers between 18 and 28-years-old have asked parents or friends to park for them, and 96 per said they suffer anxiety about parallel or reverse parking. This is despite the risk of a £5000 fine and six points on their licence if their helpers are not insured for that vehicle. The research, by online British car retailer Cazoo, also found that one in eight younger drivers have been in an accident in the past month. Gen Z drivers, those born between 1997 and 2012, are not alone in their parking anxiety. Twenty-eight per cent of Generation X, aged 45 to 60-years-old, said they had asked someone to park for them, while only 14 per cent of Baby Boomers, 61 to 70-years-old, have done so. 'Genuine source of stress' The types of parking to make Gen Z drivers the most nervous include: 'parking while others are waiting' (47 per cent), ' parking between two cars close together/a small space ' (43 per cent) and parallel parking (40 per cent). Some 97 per cent of Gen Z drivers told Cazoo they would park further away from their destination to find an easier spot to park in. Harry Waring, motoring specialist at Cazoo, said parking anxiety was a real phenomenon for a lot of motorists. He said: 'It's clear that parking isn't just a small worry for many of us – it's a genuine source of stress, with some drivers going to great lengths to avoid tricky spaces. 'From circling for ages to find an easier spot, to walking extra miles or even risk breaking the law, 'park-xiety' is something most drivers can relate to.' But Mr Waring said anxious drivers can be reassured by the fact that most modern cars are equipped with parking assist, reverse cameras and self-parking functionality to help them with the basic task. While Gen Z drivers may be scared of parking, a survey by Enterprise Mobility last year found that Gen Z drivers were driving more than any other generation. It comes as young motorists are choosing to pay thousands extra for an electric car instead of a petrol or diesel model. A recent study has found under-25s are splashing out £16,139 more to buy an EV as their first car.
Business Wire
24-04-2025
- Automotive
- Business Wire
WEX Signs 10-Year Extension with Enterprise Fleet Management
PORTLAND, Maine--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- WEX (NYSE: WEX), the global commerce platform that simplifies the business of running a business, announced a 10-year extension of its relationship with global fleet solutions provider, Enterprise Fleet Management, an affiliate of Enterprise Mobility. The agreement extends the decades-long partnership with WEX that dates back to 1993. WEX will continue to deliver fuel cards to Enterprise Fleet Management customers upon signup to help them monitor and control fuel-related activities and expenses. "WEX's 32-year partnership with Enterprise demonstrates growth and mutual trust between two industry leaders," said Brian Fournier, Americas Senior Vice President & General Manager, Mobility, WEX. "WEX's 32-year partnership with Enterprise demonstrates growth and mutual trust between two industry leaders," said Brian Fournier, Americas Senior Vice President & General Manager, Mobility, WEX. "As part of the comprehensive solutions that Enterprise Fleet Management provides, they continue to utilize WEX to meet the demands of a changing industry. We greatly value their partnership and are pleased to extend it for the next decade.' The partnership began in April 1993, by utilizing WEX's innovative fuel card solutions. Over the decades, Enterprise Mobility has grown into the world's largest fleet operator. Today, WEX fuel cards power a significant portion of Enterprise Mobility's operations, including car rental, truck rental, and fleet management. Enterprise Fleet Management operates a network of more than 60 locations, providing local hands-on account management and supporting a fleet of over 900,000 managed vehicles for companies, government agencies, and other organizations across the United States and Canada. 'Our commitment to delivering world-class service and creating value for our customers through customized fleet strategies is who we are," said Dain Giesie, Vice President of Business Development, Enterprise Fleet Management. "And as a company that places customers and employees at the center of every decision we make, we are pleased to continue our partnership with WEX, a company with a proven history of the same commitment. Our shared service-oriented culture coupled with a commitment to the future, will undoubtedly pave the way for new and innovative solutions for our clients in the years ahead.' About WEX WEX (NYSE: WEX) is the global commerce platform that simplifies the business of running a business. WEX has created a powerful ecosystem that offers seamlessly embedded, personalized solutions for its customers around the world. Through its rich data and specialized expertise in simplifying benefits, reimagining mobility, and paying and getting paid, WEX aims to make it easy for companies to overcome complexity and reach their full potential. For more information, please visit About Enterprise Fleet Management Enterprise Fleet Management operates a network of more than 60 fully staffed offices in the U.S. and Canada, and, together with its affiliate Enterprise Mobility, are leading providers of mobility solutions. Enterprise Fleet Management offers comprehensive fleet management services for companies, government agencies and organizations with fleets. Dedicated local hands-on account management teams provide personalized fleet solutions, tailored to client's business priorities, understanding local market dynamics, financial impact, productivity needs, and brand image. Privately held by the Taylor family of St. Louis, Enterprise Mobility manages the Enterprise Rent-A-Car, National Car Rental and Alamo brands with a diverse fleet of more than 2.4 million vehicles through an integrated network of over 9,500 fully staffed neighborhood and airport rental locations in more than 90 countries and territories. Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements including, but not limited to, statements regarding the expected benefits resulting from the Company's partnership with Enterprise. Any statements in this press release that are not statements of historical facts are forward-looking statements. When used in this press release, the words 'anticipate,' 'believe,' 'continue,' 'could,' 'estimate,' 'expect,' 'intend,' 'may,' 'plan,' 'project,' 'will,' 'positions,' 'confidence,' and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain such words. Forward-looking statements relate to our future plans, objectives, expectations, and intentions and are not historical facts and accordingly involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results or performance to be materially different from future results or performance expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements, including the ability of the Company and customers to realize the expected benefits of the Company's partnership with Enterprise; as well as other risks and uncertainties identified in Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 20, 2025 and subsequent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release and undue reliance should not be placed on these statements. The Company disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.
Associated Press
17-03-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Seven Companies Join Arbor Day Foundation's Effort To Reshape Corporate Sustainability
LINCOLN, Neb., March 17, 2025 /3BL/ - The Arbor Day Foundation celebrates its newest cohort of the Evergreen Alliance, a collective of corporate leaders committed to planting trees in cities and forests to create positive change. 'We are bold enough to believe in better days ahead, because our collaborators are committed to helping make them a reality. This group of forward-thinking leaders has demonstrated a willingness to go above and beyond to shape a better future for us all,' said Dan Lambe, chief executive of the Arbor Day Foundation. 'We've seen the Evergreen Alliance help drive meaningful impact in big ways, and we're eager to see our newest members embody that same ambition.' The Evergreen Alliance 's newly inducted members include Enterprise Mobility, Publix, Truist, PwC, Clayton, Niagara Bottling, and KPMG. There are also several standing members that have committed to continuing their impact through the Evergreen Alliance, including FedEx, Georgia-Pacific, HP, Inc., International Paper, L'Oreal, Marriott International, P&G, Salesforce, and Verizon. The Evergreen Alliance is a select group of Arbor Day Foundation collaborators committed to advancing trees and forests as natural solutions for corporate sustainability and citizenship goals. Members of the Evergreen Alliance contribute to high-impact tree planting projects and help drive innovation, discovery, and action alongside other leading organizations. Corporations have an outsized ability to address some of the biggest challenges facing the planet by making bold investments in reforestation, community engagement, and the voluntary carbon market. Polling data from the Arbor Day Foundation's Canopy Report indicates there's a strong desire from Americans to see companies take a leading role in the fight against climate change. The Arbor Day Foundation has helped hundreds of corporations leverage trees to achieve their sustainability goals. Click here to learn more about how to become a corporate partner of the Arbor Day Foundation. About the Arbor Day Foundation The Arbor Day Foundation is a global nonprofit inspiring people to plant, nurture, and celebrate trees. They foster a growing community of more than 1 million leaders, innovators, planters, and supporters united by their bold belief that a more hopeful future can be shaped through the power of trees. For more than 50 years, they've answered critical need with action, planting more than half a billion trees alongside their partners. And this is only the beginning.
