Cooperatively Speaking E&I Cooperative Services

E&I Hosts: David Manz, Category Business Manager, Construction, Energy & Facilities and Titus Martin, Executive Director, Supplier Diversity

How does supplier diversity impact a community -- and specifically schools and universities -- both socially and financially? David and Titus (making his debut!) deep dive into the definition of supplier diversity and what it means as a "holistic value creation" for educational institutions and the communities in which they operate.

Helpful Resources:
E&I's ongoing commitment to supplier diversityCooperatively Speaking is hosted by E&I Cooperative Services, the only member-owned, non-profit procurement cooperative exclusively focused on serving the needs of education. Visit our website at www.eandi.org/podcast.

Our E&I Hosts
David Manz, Category Business Manager, Construction, Energy & Facilities Saul Alvarado, Vice President, Construction, Energy & Facilities Joe Castelluccio, Director, Business Development Titus Martin, Executive Director, Supplier Diversity Contact Us
Have questions, comments, or ideas for a future episode? We'd love to hear from you! Contact Cooperatively Speaking at podcast@eandi.org.

E&I Host: Joe Castelluccio, Director, Business Development
Guest: Maria Moore, SVP of Global Marketing and Strategic Alliances at HireRight 

HireRight recently launched its 15th Annual Benchmark Report based on the responses of over 2,300 human resources and risk professionals worldwide who shared their experiences of background screening, talent acquisition, and remote working over the past year, as well as some predictions for the future.

In this episode, Joe and our guest Maria deep dive into the findings of this report to discuss:
Why background screening is important for educational institutionsHow background screening programs vary around the world, and the most common checks conducted by organizationsWhat an employer might discover during a candidate or employee's background checkWhat organizations should look for in a screening providerHow organizations manage their screening programsHow the use of Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) is changingTalent acquisition trends and challenges now and in the futureHelpful Resources:
Download HireRight's 15th Annual Benchmark ReportE&I's competitively solicited HireRight contract for employment screening solutionsCooperatively Speaking is hosted by E&I Cooperative Services, the only member-owned, non-profit procurement cooperative exclusively focused on serving the needs of education. Visit our website at www.eandi.org/podcast.

Our E&I Hosts
David Manz, Category Business Manager, Construction, Energy & Facilities Saul Alvarado, Vice President, Construction, Energy & Facilities Joe Castelluccio, Director, Business Development Titus Martin, Executive Director, Supplier Diversity Contact Us
Have questions, comments, or ideas for a future episode? We'd love to hear from you! Contact Cooperatively Speaking at podcast@eandi.org.

E&I Host: Joe Castelluccio, Director, Business Development
Guests: Deborah Jackson,  Founder and CEO of Arrow Payments

Colleges and universities are like little cities where each department operates with their own business processes and software. Managing the payment systems for each of these locations is extremely complex when you consider all the different ways schools receive payments for things like tuition, dining, libraries, athletics, parking, and donations. It's even harder to ensure all of these locations are following the credit card processing and PCI compliance security requirements. As a result, most higher education leaders are frustrated with the time, experience, and resources necessary to address all of these situations.

In this episode, Joe and our guest Deborah discuss the best ways for schools to reduce costs and streamline payment processing, merchant support, and security to prevent credit card data breaches.

Helpful Resources:
Case Study: Northwestern University Overhauls Payments & PCI With P2PEVisit the Arrow Payments websiteLearn more about E&I's competitively solicited contract with Arrow PaymentsCooperatively Speaking is hosted by E&I Cooperative Services, the only member-owned, non-profit procurement cooperative exclusively focused on serving the needs of education. Visit our website at www.eandi.org/podcast.

Our E&I Hosts
David Manz, Category Business Manager, Construction, Energy & Facilities Saul Alvarado, Vice President, Construction, Energy & Facilities Joe Castelluccio, Director, Business Development Titus Martin, Executive Director, Supplier Diversity Contact Us
Have questions, comments, or ideas for a future episode? We'd love to hear from you! Contact Cooperatively Speaking at podcast@eandi.org.

E&I Host: David Manz, Category Business Manager, Construction, Energy & Facilities
Guests: Brooke Taylor, National Key Account Manager at Duracell, and Scott Ruhl, National Account Manager at Batteries Plus Bulbs

Take a look around you. What's something you know you have a lot of of, but don't often see? How far can you walk through your house, your office, your facilities without walking past a battery?

For many of us, the thought behind which batteries we choose may not go beyond selecting the type that will fit in the device. But actually, choosing the correct battery for the right application goes way beyond a letter on the side and can have a significant impact on time, money, and the environment.

In this episode, David and our guests Brooke and Scott discuss the different types of batteries that should be used for various applications, and why it's so important to take the extra step to select the right product for the proper use from a trusted vendor.

Relevant Links:
Device Map for Education: see recommended solutions for devices across campusProcell Cost Calculator: calculate how much you could saveDownload Brochure: find Procell solutions at Batteries Plus BulbsLearn more about E&I's competitively solicited contract with Batteries Plus BulbsCooperatively Speaking is hosted by E&I Cooperative Services, the only member-owned, non-profit procurement cooperative exclusively focused on serving the needs of education. Visit our website at www.eandi.org/podcast.

Our E&I Hosts
David Manz, Category Business Manager, Construction, Energy & Facilities Saul Alvarado, Vice President, Construction, Energy & Facilities Joe Castelluccio, Director, Business Development Titus Martin, Executive Director, Supplier Diversity Contact Us
Have questions, comments, or ideas for a future episode? We'd love to hear from you! Contact Cooperatively Speaking at podcast@eandi.org.

E&I Host: Joe Castelluccio, Director, Business Development
Guests: Naomi Emmons, Deputy Chief Procurement Officer at the University of Kentucky; Rick Gay, Director of Procurement Services at Spring Branch Independent School District; and Taylor Nemeth, Head of Payments at PaymentWorks

With 74% of organizations reporting they were the target of an actual or attempted payments fraud in 2020, the problem is well known -- but not well understood.

In this episode, Joe (in his debut episode!) and our guests discuss the common ways these frauds are successful using real-world examples from higher education and K-12 institutions. You'll learn why the risk inherent to the vendor master is not solved by traditional cybersecurity, common ways in which fraudsters try to trick AP/procurement into changing bank account information, and the processes in place at Spring Branch ISD and UK that thwarted fraudulent attempts.

Helpful Resources:
Free webinar: Payments Fraud and Your Vendor Master: Uncovering Hidden RisksE&I's competitively solicited PaymentWorks contractFor a limited time, E&I members receive 15% off MSRP from PaymentWorks through 9.30.2022Cooperatively Speaking is hosted by E&I Cooperative Services, the only member-owned, non-profit procurement cooperative exclusively focused on serving the needs of education. Visit our website at www.eandi.org/podcast.

Our E&I Hosts
David Manz, Category Business Manager, Construction, Energy & Facilities Saul Alvarado, Vice President, Construction, Energy & Facilities Joe Castelluccio, Director, Business Development Titus Martin, Executive Director, Supplier Diversity Contact Us
Have questions, comments, or ideas for a future episode? We'd love to hear from you! Contact Cooperatively Speaking at podcast@eandi.org.

E&I Hosts: Saul Alvarado, Vice President, Construction, Energy & Facilities and David Manz, Category Business Manager, Construction, Energy & Facilities
Guest: Matt Robeson, National Enterprise Account Manager for K-20 at Carrier

Since March 2020, Congress has allocated $264.5 billion for private, public, K-12, and higher education spending in response to the pandemic. Much of these funds can be used for your facilities project -- including construction -- if you are able to justify the costs as being necessary to virus mitigation. 

In this episode, David, Saul, and our guest Matt discuss the different kinds of funding available for educational facilities (CARES, CRRSAA, ARPA, GEER, ESSER, HERF) and how they can be used to fund your facilities projects. 

Relevant Links:
Coronavirus Preparedness & Response Supplemental Appropriations Act (CPRSA)Coronavirus Aid, Relief & Economic Security Act (CARES)Coronavirus Response & Relief Supplemental Appropriation Act (CRRSA)American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA)Healthy Buildings:  How Indoor Spaces Drive Performance & Productivity by Joseph G. Allen and John D. MacomberESSER Fund: Frequently Asked QuestionsESSER / GEER: Frequently Asked QuestionsAASA: School District Funding of ARP FundingE&I's competitively solicited Carrier contractCooperatively Speaking is hosted by E&I Cooperative Services, the only member-owned, non-profit procurement cooperative exclusively focused on serving the needs of education. Visit our website at www.eandi.org/podcast.

Our E&I Hosts
David Manz, Category Business Manager, Construction, Energy & Facilities Saul Alvarado, Vice President, Construction, Energy & Facilities Joe Castelluccio, Director, Business Development Titus Martin, Executive Director, Supplier Diversity Contact Us
Have questions, comments, or ideas for a future episode? We'd love to hear from you! Contact Cooperatively Speaking at podcast@eandi.org.