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Cal Wilson / February 24, 2025

As helium demands steadily rise, ensure your supplier is charging fair rates.

Many businesses and organizations rely on compressed helium to operate. In fact, so many, that the global demand for the gas is expected to nearly double over the next decade. Helium is a finite resource; meaning rising demands may cause a significant supply and demand imbalance that could impact the going market rates for this gas.  

In this article, we take a look at the projections, and what they might mean for organizations reliant on this resource.  

Where is helium used?  

If you’re not in the business of using helium, you may just think of balloons and squeaky voices. But the truth is, it’s a critical resource for many industries our society relies on to function. Its expansive list of uses includes: 

  • Medical imaging, (e.g., MRIs) 
  • Thermal management for batteries 
  • Aerospace engineering 
  • Chemical and pharmaceutical production  
  • Semiconductor manufacturing 
  • Fiber optics 
  • Welding 
  • Other scientific research and pursuits  

According to a report published in IDTechEx, helium’s “high thermal conductivity, chemical inertness, and cryogenic properties uniquely lend itself to its applications with limited or no available alternatives in some cases.” 

The market is rarely steady.  

For such an important resource, it doesn’t command a steady market. Production difficulties often lead to shortages and rising prices. With the global demand for helium skyrocketing from 176 million m3  in 2024 to an estimated 322 million m3 in 2035. In the same time period, the semiconductor market – reliant on helium – is predicted to grow by over 13%. These factors, plus a dwindling supply of the natural resource, means operations reliant on helium can expect costs to soar. 

So, what can you do? 

Given the lack of alternatives, there might not be a lot your business can do but eat the rising costs of helium. Right? Well, yes and no. True, you cannot control the market value of helium. But you can ensure that you’re not being overcharged by your supplier.  

It’s not uncommon for suppliers to hide markups in miscellaneous fees that appear on your invoices. Sometimes, all it takes is a simple call to your vendor to discuss and object to these fees. Likewise, if you’re seeing increases in your helium spending of more than ten percent a year – but no change in volume – it may be worth investigating if you’re paying fair market rates. Especially if you’re signed on to a contract.  

If you’re pressed for time or don’t know where to begin, consider working with a third-party consultant who understands the marketplace, but won’t make recommendations that benefit your vendor more than you.  

In conclusion
 

If projections about the demand for helium are correct, compared to production limitations, prices are going to climb. This might represent a significant added expense for your business, with no alternatives to turn to. However, there are steps you can take to protect your budget from markups and unfair rates.  

Cal Wilson / February 18, 2025

Are consumers cutting back their spending habits in 2025?

One of the compounding challenges to economic uncertainty, as a business owner or manager, can be how your customers respond to it. And, as a consumer yourself, it makes sense, right? When prices may spike, spending less is wise. But that doesn’t necessarily bode well for businesses that rely on that clientele.

With economic uncertainty in our midst, what are some spending trends to look out for this year? In this issue of the Pulse, we take a look.

Are consumers looking to cut back?

There are some indications that consumers are slowing down their purchasing habits. For example, consumer credit utilization rates dropped towards the end of 2024. Likewise, the Bain’s Consumer Health Index noted a 10.8% drop in intent to spend among even high earners, or those whose incomes are $150,000 or more. The Kearney Consumer Stress Index found that the majority of consumers are stressed about prices and inflation, especially when it comes to groceries.

It’s not just big data points discussing this, either. In January, a Washington Post article examined a trend called “No Buy 2025.” Whether or not the majority of consumers are making a conscious effort to spend less, the idea of this shows a pattern towards anxiety over consumption.

Credit card delinquency is at a high.

Another sign that spending may slow down are credit delinquency rates. In the United States, even amongst high earners, consumer delinquency rates are “near a five-year high, rising 130% over the last two years from January 2023 to December 2024.”

This could mean that consumers are more likely to be cautious with purchases made on credit.

Which industries may feel the heat?

As with any period of economic uncertainty, some industries are going to feel the consumer hesitancy more than others. For example, restaurants or other food service businesses may want to keep in mind that 81% of Americans say saving money on food is a priority for them in 2025. Essentially, anything that could be considered “discretionary spending” is potentially at risk.

What does this mean?

To weather a potential downtrend, in 2025, businesses should look into sustainable strategies to keep costs low and avoid layoffs or raising prices. The latter, especially, certainly will not make consumers more likely to spend in this climate.

Jessica Pett / February 10, 2025

How Can You Turn ‘Grease’ Green?

Maybe you’ve cooked some ground beef for taco night or tried your hand at making homemade french fries; if so, then you know how much leftover grease is often produced. Now consider your favourite restaurant and the volume of food waste and grease-producing meals they cook every single day. Where does all of that excess grease and food waste go and what impacts can it have on both the environment and the restaurant’s bottom line? In this article, we’ll discuss. 

The Process 

While some grease can be stored and recycled (yellow grease), not all fats, oils, and grease (FOG) waste can be handled in this way. When a restaurant’s FOG waste goes down the drain, its first stop is the grease trap- a plumbing system that slows the flow of the wastewater and gives the FOG time to separate and rise to the surface, while allowing the water to drain below. The mass that is left is known as ‘brown grease.’ Over time, the grease trap fills up and a waste removal company will be hired to pump out the waste buildup and bring it to a treatment facility. This is an important process, because if not properly handled, the waste can lead to expensive plumbing blockages, environmental pollution, health hazards, and even fines.  

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle 

Both yellow and brown grease can be recycled. Before ever hitting the drain, yellow grease can be stored and then recycled into biodiesel. Biodiesel can run, without modification, in any diesel engine and it burns more efficiently and emits less pollutants than petroleum diesel.  

As for brown grease, the leftover material in a food service grease trap, there are a few ways it can be dealt with. The least productive- and most harmful- being a trip to the landfill. Fortunately, recycling leftover brown grease has become a more common practice. Sometimes, the waste is stored in deep pits where the water and grease can separate, allowing the FOG to solidify. It can then be mixed with other organic matter to be utilized in places like farm fields. Another popular method, still involving the separation of the brown grease from the wastewater, chemically treats it in a way that would produce a fuel called biogas, used mainly used for heating, electricity and mechanical power. 

So, what was once another wasted biproduct destined for the landfill, can now have a second life- one that can benefit your business too. 

Turning the Grease ‘Green’ 

There are multiple clear ways to lower the inherent costs associated with grease traps. Reducing the amount of waste going down the drain overall will then also reduce the frequency of servicing needed and therefore decrease the expenses of service fees. As well, proper regular maintenance of the grease trap will help to avoid costly repairs due to backup and overflow.  

However, as previously mentioned, another financially beneficial solution is to participate in available recycling programs. Many waste removal companies offer rebates for participating in these programs due to the shared benefits they can provide.  

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, “A life cycle analysis completed by Argonne National Laboratory found that emissions for 100% biodiesel (B100) are 74% lower than those from petroleum diesel.”  

While the available rebates can be an excellent profit recovery tool for businesses, the positive environmental impacts like methane emission reduction, waste diversion, resource recovery, and a reduced strain on sewage infrastructure are imperative as well. 

In conclusion, 

The benefits reign supreme when it comes to grease waste recycling. Businesses can reduce their environmental impact, attributable to their waste processes, while reaping the financial rewards too.  

Cal Wilson / February 3, 2025

Become an Organizational Friction Fixer

Unnecessary meetings, micromanagement, overly complex procedures — these are a few common examples of the phenomenon that Organizational Psychologist and Professor, Bob Sutton, calls “organizational friction.” And while friction can feel inevitable, regularly slowing us down and causing frustration, he argues that it doesn’t have to be that way. By eliminating pointless barriers, we can streamline work, sharpen decision-making, and fuel creativity.

Jessica Souza / January 27, 2025

Credit Card Processing: Trends to Watch in 2025

As technology continues shaping the way we shop, pay, and live our lives, credit card processing is evolving to keep pace. With consumers expecting faster, safer, and more convenient payment experiences, businesses must adapt or risk falling behind.

As we step into 2025, the payment processing industry is ready for transformative changes. Here are some key trends businesses and consumers should keep an eye on:

1. Increase in Contactless Payments

Convenience is the key driver of the surge in contactless payments. With Near Field Communication (NFC) technology becoming more widespread, consumers can now make quick and secure transactions by simply tapping their cards or mobile devices. This trend not only speeds up the checkout process but also enhances the overall customer experience.

2. Biometric Authentication

In our fast-paced environment, security is always a concern, and biometric authentication is making a significant impact on all types of transactions. Fingerprint scanning and facial recognition are being integrated into payment systems, providing an extra layer of protection. These methods are expected to replace some traditional ones such as PINs and signatures, making transactions safer and more user-friendly.

3. More AI and Machine Learning, Less Fraud

Artificial intelligence and machine learning are here to stay and are transforming fraud prevention. By analyzing transaction patterns and consumer habits, and detecting anomalies in real-time, these advanced algorithms help minimize losses and maintain consumer trust.

4. More Alternatives on The Market

Following evolving consumer preferences, businesses are incorporating alternative payment methods like digital wallets and cryptocurrencies. These options provide flexibility and cater to different customer needs.

5. Customer Experience Matters

The focus on customer experience is stronger than ever. To build a strong business, the customer’s word matters the most. Businesses are leveraging technology to offer personalized and seamless payment services. From streamlined checkouts to customized offers based on purchase history, the goal is to make every transaction as smooth and satisfying as possible.

Conclusion

Looking ahead to 2025, the credit card processing industry is set for dynamic changes. Advancements in contactless payment, biometric authentication, and the other trends mentioned are revolutionizing how we conduct transactions. Meanwhile, the emphasis on customer experience and stringent security regulations will continue to shape the industry.

By staying informed about these trends and adapting to new technologies, businesses can thrive in the evolving landscape of credit card processing.

Jessica Pett / January 21, 2025

Small Gestures, Big Impact

Communication is not always verbal; we also speak through our actions. As human beings, business owners, and consumers, we are subconsciously drawn to the obvious stuff- the website, the packaging, the social media posts- and the use of small gestures often gets forgotten. In this article, we dive deeper into the ways you can make your clients feel valued using small gestures. 

Pay Attention. 

In order to find the appropriate opportunities, you have to pay attention. Every client interaction is an opportunity to make a personal connection. For example, maybe a barista at a coffee shop has made small talk while taking a customer’s order and learns that it’s their first day at a new job. Taking an extra 10 seconds to write a ‘good luck’ message on the cup will not only put a smile on the customer’s face but will likely have them returning in the future because of this meaningful interaction. Be sure to pay attention and listen closely, there will always be hints within conversation for ways that you can make a positive impact on a person’s day.  

Be Respectfully Personal. 

Think about the ways in which you celebrate your friends and family- we recognize birthdays and anniversaries, praise big accomplishments and check in on their well-being. While these aren’t all cornerstones for business relationships, we can still bring this type of energy to them. However, there is a fine line when it comes to overstepping the professional boundary with your gestures. Sending a client a get well soon card for example, is a great way to show them you care. Sending homemade soup to their personal residence, is over-the-top and frankly, a little creepy. Maintaining professional boundaries while still leaving a lasting impact is key. 

Words are just as impactful. 

Kind gestures don’t always need to mean gift-giving. While sending cards or treats are always well-received, using just your words can also have the same effect. Follow up on a previous conversation- find out if that idea you discussed with your client went smoothly or if there is anything else you can help with. Say thank you- stop by their office or make a quick phone call to a client who referred someone to you. Give a compliment- congratulate someone on a job well-done after you’ve worked together. A kind word is never a bad idea and in business, it will likely benefit both parties involved. 

But what will this cost me? 

A few years ago, a McDonalds employee went viral for sending a personalized note to a customer who had placed their order for delivery to a hospital. In the note, McDonalds wished them well and covered the cost of their order. What did this cost McDonalds? Virtually nothing. What did it take? One eager employee with a keen eye and the power to do something positive. In the grand scheme of things, the minor costs associated with these small acts of kindness will return to your business ten-fold in the form of continued customer and client relationships. 

Business can become a rigid place sometimes, it’s important not to check your human element at the office door. Sending only invoices and requests relays a message of ‘I only care about the next dollar made,’ rather than ‘I care about you; the client who made that transaction happen.’ What will you do to make a client feel special this week? 

Cal Wilson / January 13, 2025

Is your telecom provider phasing out your copper lines?

If your organization is still relying on traditional copper-line phone service – or Plain Old Telephone Service (POTS) – you may be needing to have a conversation with your telecom provider soon.  Across the world, these POTS lines are being phased out slowly but surely, in favor of fiber-optic services. It might be time to look for a new solution.  

In this article, we look at why telecoms are phasing out POTS, what’s replacing it, and what this means for your business or organization.  

Why is POTS being phased out?  

There are several pragmatic reasons why telecom providers are retiring their POTS services. These include: 

  • Aging copper infrastructure is very expensive to maintain and replace. 
  • Offering POTS and digital solutions concurrently isn’t as cost effective for providers, especially as more and more telecom services rely on Internet Protocol (IP).  
  • There is less consumer demand for POTS solutions.  
  • There are more features and opportunities for consumers and providers with IP solutions.  

IP telephony has become the standard.  

In recent years, IP telephony has grown in popularity. VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) has become widely accepted by businesses. The growing need for work-from-home and hybrid employment models has guaranteed that many companies have had to switch to VoIP, which often resulted in cost savings, making it a win-win for business owners.  

Likewise, many consumers have switched their home internet services to fiber-optic and cut the idea of a home phone completely. This means there is simply less and less incentive for telecoms to offer POTS solutions.  

Not everyone is ready for the switch.  

While for many, the adoption of more convenient technology is fantastic, for others, losing the option of POTS is a big concern. For example, businesses and organizations in rural areas don’t often have the benefit of the same infrastructure. Losing POTS services could be detrimental to operations. Likewise, some building emergency systems, fire alarms, and elevators are tied to POTS services; transitioning those presents potential difficulties.  

What if you still rely on POTS? 

If you’re one of the many organizations still reliant on POTS for your communications services, don’t fret. If it’s been working for you thus far, then you haven’t needed to switch. However, you may soon find yourself in a complicated situation.  

With many carriers decommissioning their copper lines, and therefore any POTS offerings, your business may be pressured into signing up for new services to avoid facing major  operational disruptions. This could be a problem for several reasons: 

  • Your existing equipment is designed to work with copper lines, meaning you’ll need upgrades.  
  • Transitioning to a new communications system means a change in invoices and potential downtime. 
  • Employees may require extensive training on new technology and systems. 

Don’t be pressured into signing anything. 

If you find yourself in this position, don’t panic, and don’t rush to sign anything. Avoid agreeing to a contract that’s overpriced or not in your best interest, just to maintain a form of service. Now is a great time to review marketplace options, reach out for quotes, and negotiate rates. Or, even easier, work with a third party consultant who can do this time-consuming labor for you.  

In conclusion
 

With many telecom companies phasing out their traditional copper line services, your organization may find itself needing to transition to IP telephony. This could be an expensive endeavor, so be sure to take your time, look at many options, and not sign the first offer you’re presented with.  

Jessica Pett / January 7, 2025

Start the New Year Strong!

It’s easy to fall victim to setting those New Year’s resolutions only to let our busy lives get in the way of the follow through. This year could be no different if you don’t implement some solid work-related intentions. In this edition of The Pulse, we discuss six helpful ways to start your year off strong.   

Reflection and Redirection 

After spending the month of December preparing for the holidays, spending valuable quality time with family and eating to our hearts’ content, we may also find ourselves reflecting on the past year. The new year can be a perfect time to reassess your professional goals based on the reflection you’ve done. Are the goals you set last year still aligned with what you wish to accomplish in the coming year? Are your intentions still the same; will they still help get you to the result you originally planned for? Do those goals still excite and inspire you? If the answers to questions like these are no longer supporting your vision for the new year, take them time to reassess, you owe it to yourself and your business!  

Once you’ve established a few concrete goals for the new year, it is important to continue to revisit often, maybe monthly, to ensure you’re on track. Without a clear vision for the future ahead, it can be far too easy to fall off track. As you monitor your progress throughout the year, it will become much more apparent when you’ve taken a misstep.  

A Mindset for Growth 

Along the same lines, a plan written down is just that, a plan. Like previously mentioned, it takes constant monitoring and dedication to ensure your goals are being worked toward efficiently, but that is not all. Above all, you have to want to reach that end goal. Set yourself up for success by ensuring that the goals you’ve set are not only achievable but are also something you really want to strive for. Your mindset should match the steps required to achieve your goal. 

Reimagine your Productivity 

A study done by Redbooth outlined when people are the most and least productive. In a typical day, most tasks are completed at around 11:00 a.m. with productivity dropping after lunch with a complete plummet following 4:00. Most tasks are completed at the beginning of the week and (maybe as expected) Fridays are the least impactful. Finally, the highest number of tasks are completed in October, but the least are in January. While these numbers are not universal, because everyone works differently, this information can be helpful in potentially adapting our own schedules in order to achieve the highest levels of productivity. 

Modify your Environment 

Clutter can equal chaos, both mentally and physically. Consider purging your workspace in order to create space. Anyone who has deep cleaned a closet or reorganized a basement knows that there is an instant feeling of relief when the unnecessary clutter has been removed from the space. Once the extra physical room is there, you’ll quickly notice the mental room that has become available. With the extra mental clarity there will be more room for productivity towards your goals. 

Positive Team Engagement 

Whether you’re a leader or a member, engaging with the team you are a part of is necessary for your overall success. A positive workplace environment cultivates productivity, so collaborating and engaging with your team will prove to be a helpful approach to your workday. While putting your head down and getting work done is obviously important, remember to enjoy the social aspects of work too. Get to know your coworkers, we could all use a little comedic relief in our day. 

Prioritize a Work-Life Balance 

It can be difficult to separate ourselves from work after leaving the office. I even sometimes find myself thinking about the workday before I fall asleep. With an increasingly virtual and accessible world, it can be difficult to disconnect at 5:00 p.m. Keep in mind, balance in this case doesn’t always mean 50/50, it should mean a healthy and fulfilling balance that works for you. However, as mentioned before, happy people are productive people and a healthy balance between home life and work life is another facet of that. If you can, try silencing or disabling your work email from your phone in the evenings, schedule yourself breaks if you have a hard time taking them organically and be sure to set and communicate boundaries regarding your availability and be strict about keeping them. These are just a few ways to promote a balance in your life and are definitely easier said than done. Do your best to focus on implementing the tactics that work for you and stay consistent with them.  

In conclusion, 

Implementing these strategies will help you to have a positive and productive start to 2025. Reset those goals where necessary, determine personal strategies that you feel are achievable and ensure you make the time for fun and relaxation alongside your work. The end goal is to feel fulfilled and content in both your work and personal life.  

Jessica Pett / December 16, 2024

Are You Throwing Away Money Due to Illegal Dumping?

Disposing of waste in unauthorized locations like dumpsters on unattended private properties, remote locations, and access roads, has been on the rise and could be negatively affecting your business in more ways than one. It’s been estimated that there are nearly 100 million tons of illegally dumped waste in the world. Americans alone are estimated to illegally dump almost 1.5 million tons of trash each year. In this article, we discuss the ways in which you can prevent having to throw money away at the hands of illegal dumpers.

Dealing with waste is a messy job and the costs associated with that aren’t any more pleasant, so many turn to illegal dumping – placing the financial responsibility and physical work of removal on somebody else. Those who partake in this practice often do so to save money, for convenience, they know that their city or state has lax enforcement around it, and/or they are ignorant of the severity of the potential consequences.

In the United States, the laws and regulations surrounding illegal dumping can vary, but the overall consensus is that it is a felony crime and, in some states, can carry a fine up to $18,000 in extreme cases. The problem is that illegal dumping often occurs during the night in uninhabited or unattended, poorly lit locations, making it difficult to catch the perpetrator. The property owner is then left responsible for the waste and the costs associated with it and the dumper is free to dump another day. The city/state will rarely, if ever, assist in the removal of dumped waste on any private property.

As a business owner, this should be raising a lot of red flags for you.

As previously mentioned, unattended locations in the night are the most common dumping grounds, so businesses with typical operating hours would fall into this category. Once a dump site has been established, it often becomes a recurring issue as it attracts others involved in the same activity- knowing it’s a location people have gotten away with it.

On average, it costs $600 per ton to clean up dumped waste. This can become an extremely costly problem for your business if gone unaddressed. Not to mention, the reputation of your business could take a hit too – it isn’t a good look to the community, being a common dumping ground and it could also portray that your business doesn’t care about the dangerous impacts it could cause, if there is constantly waste lying around your business.

Here are some proven ways to prevent illegal dumping on your property:

Education: Participate in, provide or promote educational programs for the public that inform on the harm caused by illegal dumping in the form of workshops, social media posts, brochures, etc. This can gradually affect change in attitudes and behaviours on the subject.

Ease of disposal: Keep your dumpsters as out of sight as possible but still near your building. Ensure your bins are locked outside of business hours. Hang signage that outlines the fines for illegal dumping and the fact that cameras are monitoring the area.

Legal Enforcement: Be aware of the laws and regulations in place in your state and follow through with reporting on them when incidents occur. While this can be time consuming, it will save you time and money in the long run.

Security monitoring: Cameras, lighting, and physical security are all surefire ways to halt these behaviours. Again, this can be an additional expense but in the long run will be much more cost effective than paying to have the dumped waste cleaned up at every occurrence.

Being proactive in the fight against illegal dumpers in your area is the best and most effective way to change behaviours. Your community will thank you and so will your bottom line.

Jessica Souza / December 10, 2024

Seasonal Productivity: How Daylight Loss Impacts Work Performance

The change of seasons is inevitable. During this time of year, as leaves turn and days grow shorter, we may find ourselves struggling with low energy, reduced focus, or even mood changes. But why?

As temperatures drop, an often-overlooked workplace challenge emerges: seasonal affective disorder, commonly known as SAD. SAD is a type of depression that occurs at specific times of the year and can significantly impact workplace performance.

How to identify SAD?

Here are some common signs and symptoms of SAD:

  • Increased sleep and daytime drowsiness
  • Social withdraw
  • Excessive fatigue
  • Difficulty focusing
  • Impaired clear thinking
  • Physical issues, such as headaches

These symptoms can make it harder for employees to maintain their usual performance levels. Leaders must recognize these patterns and create environments that support mental and emotional well-being.

How can we manage SAD in the workplace?

To help manage SAD in the workplace, consider these wellness strategies:

  1. Seek natural sunlight whenever possible; light therapy can also be effective.
  2. Exercise regularly to invigorate both body and mind.
  3. Connect with friends and family to maintain emotional support.
  4. Prioritize good nutrition and sleep.
  5. Maintain work-life balance by setting clear boundaries.

The most important is to know that SAD is treatable, and recovery is achievable. If you recognize these signs in yourself or others, don’t hesitate to seek help.

In conclusion

Understanding SAD, recognizing its symptoms, and implementing supportive strategies are crucial for fostering a healthy and inclusive work environment. By raising awareness, encouraging open dialogue, and providing appropriate support and resources, employers can help employees manage SAD effectively.