Ichor Strategies

San Francisco's downtown has taken a hard hit since the pandemic, with small businesses bearing the brunt. Enter the city’s bold "Vacant to Vibrant" program, designed to breathe new life into this once-active area by offering free rent to cafés, shops, and other businesses. Downtowns are the heartbeat of urban life, driving economic growth, and serving as hubs for people to work, play, and connect. In every city and town where Ichor has presence, we see how much a local downtown matters to the well-being of communities, even the ones that are based in suburbs. San Francisco’s initiative underscores the power of community engagement and the transformative potential when local government and businesses join forces. This program isn’t just about revitalizing downtown San Francisco—it’s about creating a fertile ground for local entrepreneurship and setting the stage for a resilient, dynamic urban future. Other cities across the country should take note and follow suit, so we can revitalize our communities and help small businesses flourish again.

During the first week of the Olympics, a Google commercial featuring its AI chatbot, Gemini, helping a young fan draft a letter to her favorite athlete received widespread backlash. The commercial was quickly pulled in response to criticism that Google is enabling a future where AI replaces human creativity. A Google spokesperson said that “the ad tested well before airing,” which begs the question: Who was in those focus groups? I’ve been thinking about conversations my team and I have had with people across the country who’ve felt the digital divide firsthand, or families who’ve faced bias when job hunting or applying for loans online. They may have had a more skeptical response to a commercial like this during testing. This incident serves as a reminder that we need to be active listeners and gather feedback from different kinds of communities. Big corporations – particularly in industries like tech, finance, and healthcare where socioeconomic disparities are prevalent and access to resources varies widely – should seek input from all the communities they serve. Let's reflect on our practices and aim for more inclusive engagement.

We are delighted and proud that Ichor Partner Kenneth Lovett has been included on the 2024 Transportation Power 100 list by City & State New York. Transportation projects are of utmost importance for us at Ichor, and this recognition is a testament to our expertise in an area so critical for New York and New Yorkers. https://hubs.la/Q02Kd-XZ0

Last month, the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), the world’s largest professional HR membership association, rebranded its DEI efforts as I&D, dropping equity from the mix. This is a disappointing move and alarming signal. As a global association, SHRM’s members look to the group for guidance on effective HR policies and processes. SHRM CEO Johnny Taylor denied the change was a response to growing conservative attacks on DEI. Instead, he cited confusion about what equity means – which I’ve talked about before on this platform. We’ve long needed someone to define equity and be explicit about how to create a more equitable society. If SHRM won’t do it, I will: Equity isn’t feel-good statements and transactional philanthropy. Equity is concerted action, mapped out through data utilization, stakeholder engagement, and goal alignment, that delivers real return on investment and ensures our society gives everyone a meaningful chance to get ahead. Equity cannot just be a priority for human resources, corporate social responsibility, or marketing divisions – it must be part of every business function. For business leaders wanting a clear, practical strategy on defining equity within their own organizations, I’m resharing a report my team at Ichor helped me put together that does just that: https://hubs.la/Q02K2xSw0

In today's data-driven world, businesses face the challenge of managing overwhelming data volumes while maintaining clarity and client trust. Ichor tackles this challenge by combining qualitative research with quantitative methods to provide detailed insights into local communities. This approach ensures privacy and effective stakeholder engagement, leveraging advanced analytics to deliver actionable insights and foster meaningful partnerships. Learn how Ichor can help your business: https://hubs.la/Q02K1lX_0 #DataDriven #GIS #StakeholderEngagement

When companies enter new markets, effective community engagement is critical. Ichor helps corporations, government agencies, and non-profits understand and address local needs through tailored strategies. Learn how Ichor can help you: https://hubs.la/Q02JPswg0 #CommunityEngagement #Expansion #WorkforceDevelopment

A recent report by the Global Financial Literacy Excellence Center revealed a stark truth: the majority of young Americans are financially illiterate. The average American across all age groups scored only 48% on a financial literacy test, with Gen Z scoring as low as 37%. These statistics should be a wake-up call for all of us, as financial illiteracy has proven to bear negative consequences on multiple aspects of life. Those with low levels of financial literacy are twice as likely to be saddled with debt and three times more likely to spend 10+ hours per week on personal finance issues, according to the study. However, corporate America can help make a difference. All of corporate America. Improving financial literacy is not within the purview of solely financial services companies. Walmart, for example, offers all of its Associates, and their friends and family, free online financial literacy courses with Khan Academy. Walmart’s approach helps elevate both company employees and the surrounding community members. Companies both large and small across industries should meet their corporate responsibility and look to implement similar programs.

A recent report by the Global Financial Literacy Excellence Center revealed a stark truth: the majority of young Americans are financially illiterate. The average American across all age groups scored only 48% on a financial literacy test, with Gen Z scoring as low as 37%. These statistics should be a wake-up call for all of us, as financial illiteracy has proven to bear negative consequences on multiple aspects of life. Those with low levels of financial literacy are twice as likely to be saddled with debt and three times more likely to spend 10+ hours per week on personal finance issues, according to the study. However, corporate America can help make a difference. All of corporate America. Improving financial literacy is not within the purview of solely financial services companies. Walmart, for example, offers all of its Associates, and their friends and family, free online financial literacy courses with Khan Academy. Walmart’s approach helps elevate both company employees and the surrounding community members. Companies both large and small across industries should meet their corporate responsibility and look to implement similar programs.

On the heels of having a recent Op-Ed published by the Times Union, Ichor Partner, Leecia Eve, spoke with Capital Tonight of Spectrum News 1 about the impact of chips development on communities in Central New York. #CHIPSAct #Semiconductors #CentralNewYork

Ichor’s Ahmed Karrar, JD, MPPA was recently recognized by Northwestern University’s School of Professional Studies for his incredible work in civic engagement and public policy solutions. Way to go, Ahmed! 👏