Year-End Reminder
As we head into the final week of 2017, I just wanted to take this opportunity to remind you that we are currently accepting nominations for GPN’s 40 Under 40 Class of 2018.
The deadline for nominations is Jan. 22, but, if you’ve got a little spare time on your hands over the next couple of days and you were planning on nominating someone in the new year, why not do it now?
In the May issue of GPN we will introduce you to our seventh 40 Under 40 class. So far, we have recognized 240 young professionals who are or will be instrumental to the future success of our industry.
We are looking for the next crop of up-and-comers who are really making things happen in horticulture.
The previous six classes are full of passionate, innovative, creative, intelligent, fun-loving men and women — and we are looking for more!
Anyone working in the horticulture industry is eligible to be nominated as long as they are under the age of 40 on Jan, 31, 2018. Individuals previously nominated, but who did not make the final 40, can be nominated again this year.
It’s really easy to nominate someone. Just click here and fill out the form.
Happy Holidays!
Lowe’s Hires Former Amazon Exec to Be CDO
Lowe’s has named Vikram Singh as the company’s new senior vice president, chief digital officer. The move is effective Jan. 4, 2018. The newly created role will report to Michael P. McDermott, chief customer officer, and will further accelerate Lowe’s digital evolution and “drive a holistic integrated strategy” to make shopping more flexible, convenient and intuitive across its store, online, mobile, call center and in-home/on-site channels.
Walmart Offers New Financial Services to Employees
Walmart is now offering a suite of new financial wellness services to more than 1.4 million of its associates. The joint solution allows Walmart associates to automatically plan ahead for bills and savings goals, eliminating the work of figuring out how much money is okay to spend. When unexpected expenses occur, associates can access earned wages ahead of scheduled paychecks using an “Instapay” feature, providing greater flexibility and helping them avoid overdrafts, high-fee funding or credit options. The new offering was created with Silicon Valley-based financial technology startups Even and PayActiv.
Kmart to Raise Funds for St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital with Ugly Sweater Campaign
Kmart has launched #UglySweaterforBetter — a social media campaign asking people to show off their favorite ugly holiday sweaters in selfies, photos and videos — to benefit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Through December 24, Kmart will donate $1 to St. Jude (up to $50,000) for every qualifying Facebook, Instagram or Twitter post that tags @Kmart and @stjude and includes the campaign hashtag #UglySweaterforBetter. Backing this campaign is a wide array of Kmart and St. Jude celebrity supporters/donors, who will challenge other celebrities, family members, friends and fans to give back this holiday season.
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