GM to Sell Car Insurance, Using Data on Your Driving to Set Prices
The Wall Street Journal reports that General Motors Co. is launching a car-insurance business based on the idea its vehicles can remotely track drivers’ behavior and set insurance rates accordingly.
The Detroit-based auto maker will offer insurance plans branded under its OnStar connected-car service, which comes installed on all GM vehicles in North America, the company said Wednesday. Customers who sign up agree to have their driving habits tracked, and those who obey the speed limit, avoid sudden stops and practice other good-driving behavior will be rewarded.
Famous Footwear Reaches First $1 Million Donation to Ticket to Dream Foundation
Famous Footwear has announced today the first $1 million raised for its national charity partner Ticket to Dream Foundation. This donation was made possible by contributions made by customers in Famous Footwear stores throughout the U.S. since July, and will help improve the lives of more than 54,000 foster kids of all ages.
“It’s incredible what our customers have been able to give in just a few short months since our partnership began in July,” says Mike Edwards, incoming president of Famous Footwear. “Our store Associates really embraced this partnership and encouraged support at checkout. In addition to this first monetary donation, to date we have been able to give more than 19,000 pairs of shoes and items just in time for the holidays.”
Faced With Competition, Companies Double Down On Corporate Social Responsibility
When faced with increased competition, one might expect companies to pull back from investments in employee safety training, environmental protections, and their local communities—activities that show them to be good corporate citizens, but might not directly contribute to their financial returns.
Yet a recent analysis of companies representing 90% of world stock market capitalization found the opposite to be true: In the face of intensified competition, companies increase their use of corporate social responsibility (CSR) as a profitable strategy to build loyalty and trust.
“CSR is part of establishing very valuable relationships with workers, suppliers, and customers,” said Prof. Ross Levine, whose new working paper is the first study of how competition shapes companies’ activities related to corporate social responsibility around the world.
Kodak Moments Enhances Consumer Safety with Touch-Free Technology
Kodak Moments, a leading global provider of photo products and services to retailers, consumers, and entertainment properties, announced its new touch-free photo printing technology solution for retailer partners.
The new touch-free technology is already enabled on the company’s Kodak Moments To Go solutions and can be retrofitted into current Kodak Moments retail products, allowing consumers to simply scan a QR code on the kiosk screen and go through the ordering process on their mobile device. Payment and photo fulfillment are then handled by the retailer as normal.
“Our number one priority and concern will always be our customer’s needs and wants,” says Scott Robinson, Director of Strategic Future Products at Kodak Moments.