Think Systems

Data Centers: Rapid Growth and Challenges

As data centers are rapidly expanding, the demand for electricity is becoming a real concern. Recently, the expansion of data center infrastructure has led to remarkable growth, however this has highlighted critical issues regarding the energy supply.

Data centers consume 10 to 50 times the energy per floor space compared to typical commercial office buildings, according to the U.S. Energy Department. A large data center can require 100 megawatts or more, with some proposals even projecting up to 1,000 megawatts; enough to power 6,000 to 8,000 homes!

Currently, data centers account for over 4% of the total U.S. electricity load but that number could rise to 9% by 2030. A large portion of this growth can be attributed to the rapidly increasing use of AI which demands roughly 10 times the power of traditional internet searches, while generating AI-created music, photos, and videos requires even more. This increasing demand poses a significant challenge for the existing power grid and sustainable development.

As the demand for electricity is becoming greater and greater, significant upgrades to the electrical infrastructure will be required, specifically in areas that are planning data center expansion. Stay tuned...

Emerging Technologies Series: Beta Technologies

BETA TECHNOLOGIES (BETA) is at the forefront of revolutionizing the aviation industry with its cutting-edge electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. Headquartered in Burlington, Vermont, they have quickly emerged as a leader in sustainable aviation solutions, pushing the boundaries of what electric aircraft can achieve.

BETA is dedicated to developing eVTOL aircraft that offer a more sustainable alternative to traditional aviation. Their flagship project, ALIA-250, is a testament to their innovative approach. The ALIA-250 is designed to transport cargo and passengers with zero emissions, making it a crucial player in the transition to cleaner, more efficient air travel.

Their ALIA-250 prototype represents a significant milestone in BETA journey, boasting several unique features:

Vertical Takeoff and Landing: The eVTOL capability allows the ALIA-250 to take off and land in confined spaces, eliminating the need for traditional runways and expanding its operational potential.

Efficient Design: With a fixed-wing design and distributed electric propulsion, the ALIA-250 is optimized for energy efficiency and range. Its innovative design allows it to achieve higher speeds and longer distances than many other eVTOL aircraft.

Battery Technology: The ALIA-250 is powered by advanced lithium-ion batteries that provide the necessary energy density and longevity for commercial operations. BETA is continually researching and developing improved battery systems to enhance performance further.

In 2021, BETA entered a partnership with UPS to develop electric cargo aircraft. This collaboration aims to transform the logistics industry by introducing more sustainable and efficient delivery methods.

Beyond cargo, they are exploring various applications for their eVTOL technology, including medical transport and regional air mobility. These solutions can significantly reduce travel times and emissions for short-to-medium haul flights.

Sustainability has always been at the core of the BETA mission. By developing electric aircraft, they are addressing the aviation industry's environmental impact. Their eVTOL aircraft are designed to operate quietly and efficiently, reducing noise pollution and reliance on fossil fuels.

Moving forward, BETA will continue to innovate and expand its capabilities. With ongoing research and development, their goal is to enhance their eVTOL aircraft's performance, range, and affordability. Their vision is to create a future where electric aviation is commonplace, contributing to a cleaner and more connected world. They are positioned as leaders in the future of aviation, and we’ll be watching!

https://www.beta.team/

Work-Life Balance Friday 🎧🎶

Happy Friday! As we continue our journey toward a balanced and fulfilling life, this week’s tip focuses on relaxation techniques to help you unwind after a busy week. Inspired by , we would like to share the benefits of using music and breathing exercises to unwind after a busy week.

Listening to soothing music or sounds helps to create a peaceful atmosphere to reduce stress. Along with that, practicing deep breathing exercises can further calm your mind and body. Practicing deep breathing regularly can build a consistent sense of calm and relaxation, making it easier to manage anxiety when it arises.

To maximize your relaxation, choose a setting that you are most comfortable in, and let the calming sounds and breathing exercises help you ease into your weekend.

C-Suite Succession Planning

Succession planning for C-Level Executives is a critical organizational function that is often overlooked until it is necessary. In these cases, organizations must scramble to catch up on plans that should have already been implemented.

Succession planning for executives should be a carefully developed organizational plan, creating a strategic, ongoing process to identify and develop existing team members. These plans must align with the board’s vison for the organization and the priorities of the business and should be implemented for all C-level positions in advance, in case of a sudden leadership departure. When the time does arrive to replace a member of the C-suite, internal and external candidates should be evaluated to ensure the successor is the most appropriate executive for the position. Making the wrong hire or promotion can set your organization back months or even years.

Do you have questions about succession planning?

Our team can answer your questions and help build a framework for a successful, strategic succession plan.

Contact the Think team: https://www.thinkconsulting.com/contact/

Here at Think, several times a week, we get the question, “What exactly do you do?”. As simple as that question sounds, the answer usually takes a while!

The reason the answer isn’t as simple as the question is because as Think has continued to grow over our 20 years, our services have as well. Over those years, we’ve come a long way from a few specific offerings to a much larger, more complex lineup of services. Along the way, our team has grown from a small group to a large team with diverse skill sets, industry backgrounds, and experience that gives us the ability to collaborate, solve and execute on our client’s most critical challenges.

Today, our list of services includes:

· Management Consulting & Executive Advisory
· Project Management Office Solutions
· Digital Transformation
· Human Capital Management - Strategic Hiring & Organizational Alignment
· TSA Ex*****on & Integration Management
· Project Rescue
· M&A/ PMI
· Innovation
· Growth & Value Creation
· Sales Transformation & Acceleration

Whatever challenges your organization may be facing, the Think team is ready to roll up our sleeves to move your organization forward.

Contact us directly at: https://www.thinkconsulting.com/contact/


&A

Global Tech Outage

This morning, a WIRED article outlined a massive, global tech outage impacting Microsoft devices that was triggered by a software updated pushed out to customers by cybersecurity company, CrowdStrike. This specific outage is unique for several reasons:

· The size: The outage is massive, impacting users globally
· The reason: The outage does not appear to be malicious cyberattack, rather from a “misconfigured/corrupted update” pushed directly to customers from CrowdStrike.
· The systems impacted: The outage, so far, only appears to be impacting devices running Microsoft Windows, not other operating systems.

Here at Think, our first instinct was to huddle internally to discuss if any of our clients have been impacted and how we can help them. Due to the nature of the outage, our current options are limited to disaster recovery advisory for managing the incident from all angles instead of just the IT facing remediation, similar to how we work with clients that have experienced a breach.

Of course, we’ll continue to monitor the situation and are hopeful that it will be remediated as soon as possible.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our team: https://www.thinkconsulting.com/contact/

https://www.wired.com/story/microsoft-windows-outage-crowdstrike-global-it-probems/

🏆 Nominations for the Champions of Innovation are now OPEN! The Champions of Innovation celebrates organizations that have embraced innovation to achieve operational, human capital management, and/or data and metrics excellence within their organization.
Learn more about how to nominate here: https://hubs.ly/Q01__rRw0

It seems we barely have time to wrap our minds around a new and disruptive innovation before yet another one comes along. Our lives, and especially our work lives, are changing and will continue to change. Let’s take a look at what’s on the horizon, or already here:

Revolutionize the Future: How Disruptive Technology is Changing the Way We Live and Work - Think Innovate Disruptive technology is not a new thing, of course. Depending on how you choose to define “technology,” you could point to the light bulb...

🚨 One week left to save 60% with super summer savings! Don't miss out on the opportunity to be part of Think | INNOVATE 2024. This exclusive offer ends on August 31st.

🔗 Register here: https://hubs.ly/Q01_-ZgF0

Michael Binko and Frank Leone loved meeting 3,000+ leaders at the 2023 MACO Summer Conference this week. It was also, a great opportunity to learn about top policy issues of the day, including workforce recruitment and retention, affordable housing, community construction, and early childhood education, among others.
See how Think Consulting can help you with workforce recruitment and retention:
https://hubs.ly/Q01_v4Zb0

Think Consulting delivers proven expertise in Human Capital Management. If you're looking for solutions that make an immediate impact on your business, contact us today to find out more.

At Think | INNOVATE 2024 connect with like-minded individuals and industry leaders from around the nation. Expand your network and collaborate on groundbreaking ideas. Whether you're an entrepreneur, a tech enthusiast, or simply passionate about driving change, Think | INNOVATE 2024 is the event for you. Register Today and save 60% through August 31: https://hubs.ly/Q01YNT0k0

Getting ready to kick off the Fireside Chat with Jeff Galvin, CEO American Gene Technologies. Join us live here: https://www.youtube.com/live/4NOs9nPXS7w?feature=share

The Think team is Pre-gaming with Maryland Tech Council CEO, Kelly Schulz, at her listening tour at the Lab Grand Opening of 1450 Research Blvd.

Just down the hill from our AGT Think | INNOVATE Fireside Chat ... immediately after her event.

💼Ask the Experts: Think | INNOVATE Industry Exclusive Sponsorship. Become one of our experts, and between now and the main event we will promote you in our IT Factor newsletter, host you on a special section of our website, and give you private meeting space at the capstone event along with a host of other benefits. The sooner you sign-up the more value you receive: https://hubs.ly/Q01YNDs30.

Think is pleased to announce its inaugural innovation recognition program, "The Champions of Innovation" which celebrates organizations that have embraced innovation to achieve operational excellence. Read more:

Think Announces Inaugural Think | INNOVATE Champions of Innovation Program The Champions of Innovation Award celebrates organizations that have embraced innovation to achieve operational excellence.

As we continue a deeper dive into the topic of human capital management (HCM), an overall look at where we’ve come from and where we’re going is in order. Read more: https://hubs.ly/Q01X0sHl0

The Evolving Role of HCM and the Future of Work - Think Systems, Inc. As we continue a deeper dive into the topic of human capital management (HCM), an overall look at where we’ve come from.

Cast your vote for Think as the "Best Consulting Firm" in the Reading Rankings Awards! With our innovative solutions and exceptional team, we've helped countless businesses achieve success. Help us continue to make a difference by showing your support. Vote now and let's take home the trophy! https://hubs.ly/Q01VY1M90

Reader Rankings - Maryland Daily Record Welcome to The Daily Record’s Reader Rankings, celebrating and recognizing the best our community has to offer. Voting opens July 3.

In recent posts we’ve looked at using talent development as a tool for improved HCM, as well as addressing the disconnects between corporate culture and organizational values. Next, a look at how technology can transform every facet of HCM 👉

Leveraging Technology for Effective Human Capital Management Strategies - Think Systems, Inc. Human Capital Management (HCM) continues to occupy center stage for many organizations as the business world in general..

One common thread from those surveyed has been the absence of opportunities to grow in their jobs and advance within their organization, which is why many companies are taking a renewed look at talent development (TD). Read More: https://hubs.ly/Q01VhG7n0

Talent Development: Are You Doing It Wrong? - Think Systems, Inc. The current consensus is that somewhere around half of all employees are ready to move on from their current jobs.

And while many people are still embracing remote work, the Arnolds have doubled down on building a workspace in Eastern Baltimore County. Read more here:

Baltimore’s Industrial Power Couple? Mick and Britt Arnold Have Emerged as a Force in he Hard-Knocks World of Packaging and Construction - Think Systems, Inc. Never mind that the Baltimore native started a construction firm in her 20s and has grown it into a $48 million company.

BIG Thank you to Perlman, Suburban Golf Club, Falkler and our sponsors for making the Think | INNOVATE Ladies on the Green a spectacular event! We were thrilled the weather held out (even if it was 200% humidity) nothing could stop this group from having a great time. Please follow us for upcoming Think | INNOVATE mini-events like this one we will be hosting Exclusive, Quarterly, and Monthly mini-events between now and next May 2024. Sponsorship & Speaking opportunities are available.

Embrace Employee Engagement & Well-being for a Happier, Healthier, and More Productive Work Environment. Invest in Your People's Success and Flourishing Today 👉https://hubs.ly/Q01StGtq0

About to kickoff Think | INNOVATE Ladies on the Green exclusive event. BIG shout out to our sponsors I95 Business, Atkinson Strategic Communications, and Strategic Factory for making it possible.

Maryland Tech Council BBQ on the Bay event was a smashing hit despite the less-than-favorable weather. Amazing food from Annapolis Smokehouse and Tavern, steel drums in the background, and great company. It was nice to catch up with old friends and make some new ones. If you participated in our Think | INNOVATE 2024 Capstone event drawing look out for an email from us with details of how to obtain your complimentary ticket and join the online community.

Your values can’t align with your culture if you don’t know what those values are. Learn more about culture and values here: https://hubs.ly/Q01Twk4m0

Do Your Corporate Culture and Values Align? It’s Time to Take a Fresh Look - Think Systems, Inc. A company’s culture, and the values that provide its underpinning, really do define that company to its own staff and to the marketplace.

Drive Employee Excellence, Optimize Productivity, and Foster a Culture of Continuous Improvement. Elevate Your Organization's Performance Today: https://hubs.ly/Q01RQcY40

We are seeking subject matter experts with previous speaking experience to participate in "Think Innovate 2024." Learn more here: https://hubs.ly/Q01Sz0pW0

Call for Speakers - Think | INNOVATE 2024 We are seeking experienced thought leaders, industry innovators, and dynamic presenters who can engage their audience % %

Join us for an exclusive event, "Ladies on the Green," on June 26 at The Suburban Golf Club. Connect, empower, and inspire each other in a vibrant networking environment. Don't miss this chance to tee off with like-minded trailblazers and shape your career. Sign up now! Limited tickets available: https://hubs.ly/Q01TFhVs0

Talent acquisition is costly, and a hire that doesn’t work out is even costlier. You can improve the odds of a positive outcome with a comprehensive onboarding process. Learn how 👉https://hubs.ly/Q01SRsjr0

The Role of Onboarding in Successful Talent Acquisition - Think Systems, Inc. Talent acquisition is costly, and a hire that doesn’t work out is even costlier. You can improve the odds of a positive outcome.