Bruce Yacko | Exeleon Magazine | Most Transformational Business Leaders to Follow in 2024

EXELEON SPOTLIGHT

THE KEYS TO MAINTAINING OPTIMISM AS AN ENTREPRENEUR

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BREAKING LANGUAGE BARRIERS, BOOSTING GLOBAL BUSINESS

Exeleon Outlook HOW MANY BILLIONAIRES ARE IN THE USA? EXPLORING THE LANDSCAPE OF WEALTH

DYNAMIC LEADERS 2024

EDITORIAL NOTE

In this edition of Exeleon Magazine, we delve into the essence of what truly defines transformational leadership. Our focus is not merely on the success achieved by these leaders but on the profound impact they have on their industries, their teams, and the broader community.

At the heart of transformational leadership lies the ability to inspire and motivate. Leaders like Bruce Yacko, featured on our cover, exemplify this quality. They are catalysts for change, fostering environments where creativity and innovation thrive. They challenge the status quo and push boundaries, turning obstacles into opportunities for growth and learning.

These leaders also possess an intrinsic ability to connect with people. They build trust and loyalty through authentic engagement, demonstrating empathy and a genuine concern for the wellbeing of others. This human-centric approach is pivotal in their ability to drive change and achieve sustainable results.

Within these pages, you will find a series of compelling stories, insightful interviews, and expert analyses focusing on a diverse group of business leaders and entrepreneurs. Each profile delves into the strategies that have set these individuals apart and examines the impact of their work on their companies and society at large.

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BRUCE YACKO 12

MELANIE POWERS 32

COLIN S. LEVY

Bruce Y acko

Transformational

Leaders are not content with maintaining the status quo; they're visionaries who challenge existing norms and strive to empower the ones around them. These leaders stand out for their ability to inspire change, foster innovation, and lead by example.

Bruce Yacko, Founder and CEO of JAWS International, exempliies the essence of transformational leadership.

With a lifelong commitment to thoughtful change and environmental sustainability, Bruce has not only impacted the cleaning industry but has also set a new standard for what it means to lead with purpose and integrity.

Under his leadership, JAWS International has become a pioneer in providing concentrated, safer cleaning solutions that signiicantly reduce plastic waste and carbon emissions. For him and his team, the guiding principle narrows down to a simple yet effective statement - "Stop Shipping Water. It's the Right Thing to Do."

Moreover, Bruce's leadership extends beyond his business achievements. He is a mentor, a community leader, and a family man who values work-life balance and personal growth. His approach to leadership is not about wielding

power but about empowering others, challenging them to think creatively, and fostering a culture of collaboration and respect.

Fittingly, Bruce Yacko features on the Cover of Exeleon's Most Transformational Business Leaders to Follow in 2024.

THE EARLY INSPIRATION

Deeply inluenced by the stories and experiences of his grandfather – Moss, Bruce's entrepreneurial spirit was ignited from a very young age. He fondly recalls, "Growing up, I loved listening to my

grandfather tell stories about his life."

According to him, Moss was not just a storyteller but a living example of entrepreneurship, having started his own tree surgery business at the age of 14. Armed with basic tools and a strong work ethic, he and his team braved the heights of Aspen trees in Colorado, turning their labor into a livelihood.

“As a kid, I rode my bike to my grandfather's house early on Saturday mornings to go to work

with him. Not only did I earn allowance money, but I also learned about the rewards of running your own business, hard work, and other life lessons.” This early exposure to entrepreneurship left an indelible mark on young Bruce, planting the seeds of ambition and a desire to carve his own path.

FROM INSPIRATION TO INNOVATION

As Bruce grew, so did his entrepreneurial ventures. From a humble job stocking shelves at

Publix, he ventured into selfemployment as a tennis instructor, quickly realizing the rewards of working for oneself. He notes, "I earned much more money as a selfemployed tennis instructor and enjoyed much more working for myself." His passion for tennis not only provided inancial independence but also introduced him to a network of successful corporate leaders who became his mentors. Their wisdom and guidance further fueled his aspirations, setting the stage for his future endeavors.

The pivotal moment in Bruce's journey came when he joined Canberra Corporation in 1978. As a young leader, he faced resistance from the previous owner, who was content with the status quo.

Undeterred, Bruce advocated for innovation and expansion, proposing the introduction of new products and an expanded R&D team. He recounts, "I wanted to expand our R&D Team and broaden our product line by offering highly innovative formulas to the marketplace. He was vehemently opposed."

His persistence paid off when he successfully acquired the company from the previous owner, transforming it from a provider of three domestic products to a global powerhouse offering over 600 different formulas. One of these products, born from Bruce's vision, is now used by over 84% of hotels worldwide.

Revolutionizing Cleaning with JAWS

Under the umbrella of Canberra Corporation, Bruce Yacko founded JAWS International Ltd. in 2002, with a mission to transform the cleaning industry. He embarked on a journey to develop highly concentrated cleaning products for both commercial clients and consumers, utilizing patented cartridge technologies. His

vision was clear: to encourage consumers to rethink the way they clean with JAWS.

At the heart of JAWS International Ltd. lies a commitment to providing safer, highly concentrated cleaning solutions packaged in compact, child-resistant cartridges. Bruce explains, "We developed JAWS, Just Add Water System, a patented cleaning system designed to reduce the environmental impact of packaging used in conventional spray cleaners." The system not only conserves resources but also addresses the pressing issue of plastic pollution. "With the Paciic Ocean Garbage patch growing to the geographic size of Texas, we felt compelled to offer an innovative product line to help address this global catastrophe," he states.

The JAWS System includes a durable, reusable bottle and commercial-grade sprayer, designed to eliminate the waste and pollution from single-use plastic bottles. The cartridges themselves are a marvel of eficiency, containing super concentrated cleaner in a compact form. "One truckload of JAWS Cartridges is equivalent to 30 truckloads of Ready-To-Use (RTU) bottles," Bruce highlights the system's environmental and logistical advantages.

Recognizing the importance of

empirical evidence, Bruce and his team commissioned an extensive Environmental Impact Study by Dr. Selke at Michigan State University. The results were astounding, further incentivizing investment in formula development, and the expansion of production facilities.

Beyond environmental considerations, JAWS International Ltd. has invested in the EPA's Safer Choice Certiication Program, ensuring that JAWS formulas are safer for people, pets, and the environment without sacriicing performance. "Every ingredient has been evaluated by EPA scientists," he notes.

As the leader and chief visionary for JAWS, Bruce remains dedicated to creating sustainable, economically friendly cleaning products, changing the way the world cleans on both commercial and consumer levels.

Environmental Impact of JAWS

According to Bruce, JAWS Just Add Water System offers many environmental impacts, including:

1.Each JAWS reill Saves approximately 83% of plastic versus traditional spray bottles. Every time someone reills their bottle

“AtJawsInternationalLtd., ourmissionistoprovide highlyconcentrated, safercleaningsolutionspackaged incompact, child-resistantcartridges.”

“Agoodideabecomesagreat idea and an even better execution whenweworktogetherto challengeeachotherthrough collective mindshare.”

1.with water and uses a JAWS reill, they use less plastic and save another bottle from going to a landill.

2.JAWS reill pods are compact and lightweight - only .05 oz. This saves on postage and freight costs and results in less trucks on the road.

3.JAWS reill cartridges are child resistant. The concentrate won't release until the reill is inserted into the neck of the bottle and the sprayer is twisted on. There is no worry about coming into direct contact with the concentrate.

4.Consumers have water at home. Why ship full bottles of mostly water when consumers and businesses can easily add the water at home or on site?

5.The JAWS bottle and reill are pre-measured for precise dilution. There is no measuring, no pouring, and no spilling and reduces the chance for product waste.

DRIVING CHANGE

As the Owner and CEO of JAWS International Ltd., Bruce Yacko plays a pivotal role in steering the company towards its global mission. He eloquently states, "My job is to remain focused and committed to keeping the excitement alive, inspire employees to continue to execute on our Global Mission, and to provide the funding necessary to 'Change the Way People Clean & Make a Better World a Better Place.'" Under his leadership, the company has lourished, driven by a team of

talented, engaged, and capable employees.

Bruce's tenure at Canberra Corporation spans over 45 years, during which he has seen the company grow from a budding enterprise to a global leader in the cleaning industry. Yet, he humbly remarks, "I believe we have just planted a bulb in the ground and will in the years ahead, with God's continued grace, grow a beautiful lower." This metaphor encapsulates his vision for the organization's future growth and his enduring commitment to its success.

Central to Bruce's leadership philosophy is the concept of collective mindshare. He explains, "A good idea becomes a great idea and an even better execution when we work together to challenge each other through collective mindshare." By fostering a culture of openness and encouragement, he ensures that every employee feels comfortable sharing their ideas, thereby unlocking the full potential of the team's collective intellect.

Furthermore, achieving a work-life balance is a priority for Bruce, who cherishes time spent with his wife, family, and grandchildren. He notes, "Our kids have joined our business and hold important, impactful roles."

Despite his many interests, including church, tennis, squash, golf, ishing, travel, and spending time with family, Bruce ensures that he takes the time to enjoy them all. He quips, "If I get hit by a bus tomorrow, throw a party because I have lived an amazing life, illed with love, friendships, and

fulillment from running a business illed with exceptional people who I enjoy and respect."

EXPANDING REACH

As JAWS International looks to the future, the company is poised for continued growth and innovation under Bruce Yacko. The primary goal is to expand the reach of JAWS products to consumers globally, with a focus on building trust among e-commerce customers and subscribers while simultaneously establishing a solid base of brickand-mortar retailers worldwide.

Bruce emphasizes the company's commitment to product innovation, stating, "We have a roadmap of new formulas we plan to introduce that will meet safer choice certiication requirements and innovative new delivery systems."

In addition to product innovation, the company plans to increase its manufacturing capacity, which currently exceeds 60 million cartridges per year. With over 160 million cartridges sold to commercial customers and consumers to date, JAWS International is just beginning to tap into its potential.

The research and development (R&D) pipeline at JAWS International are bustling with activity, promising to deliver innovative programs that will beneit both the company and its customers well into the future. Bruce's vision for the company is clear: "We are committed to expanding our reach to consumers globally who we hope will love Jaws as much as we do.”

For more information about JAWS International and its mission to change the way the world cleans, Bruce invites interested parties to visit the company’s website. He expresses a heartfelt appreciation

for the company's consumer and professional customer relationships, urging others to join the "Stop Shipping Water, It's the Right Thing to Do" movement.

With JAWS concentrates being "Simply and Safely Delivered," the future of cleaning looks brighter and more sustainable than ever.

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The Keys to Maintaining Optimism as an Entrepreneur

Written by Abid Salahi

Optimism for entrepreneurs is almost a necessity for survival, at least in the beginning. It's had a rough go in the business world, where the concept is more preferably attributed with resilience and perseverance than pure optimism. It's worth noting that leaders who claim to be optimistic in the business world often are only “cautiously” so. It reminds me of the long stretch of time in the beginning where my company continuously generated no revenue but we stayed the course regardless of the challenges.

UNDERSTANDING THE ENTREPRENEURIAL MINDSET

What sets you apart as an entrepreneur isn't that you necessarily have innovative and new ideas but are willing to execute on them and see them to the end regardless of the outcome. This is all while making sacriices in your daily life, whether it be missing

social events with friends or simply having time to yourself.

Optimism isn't just a personality trait but rather a crucial element in entrepreneurial success. Research in psychology and business studies has revealed that optimism helps entrepreneurs perceive opportunities where others see obstacles.

THE IMPORTANCE OF OPTIMISM FOR ENTREPRENEURS

Optimism helps you maintain a positive outlook despite numerous setbacks and uncertainties that are all too common while building a business from scratch. I started building my intech with a “cool” app idea that essentially generated no revenue in the beginning. To top it up, it wasn't free to build and had many monthly costs which I selffunded right from the start.

Essentially, with optimism you get entrepreneurs who are willing to invest more effort and focus on their projects to actually make it successful. Now how do you deine success?

A study based out of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on dispositional optimism was able to ind a correlation between entrepreneurial success and dispositional optimism. This is where individuals take proactive steps to improve and protect their health while maintaining an expectation of future success across life domains.

Key Strategies for Maintaining Optimism

These are some of the strategies that I live by in order to maintain a positive outlook in my entrepreneurial journey:

FOCUS ON SMALL WINS

This one is quite signiicant. Instead of going for moonshots and hitting setbacks constantly, try to aim for smaller achievements which in turn will give you small victories. Everyone has big goals for their business and a certain vision of what it could be like one day far in the future, but that can also make your current smaller wins look insigniicant and not worth celebrating.

STAY FLEXIBLE AND OPEN TO PIVOT

I didn't know I would need to go through 3 different product iterations and completely deprecate initial builds of my product when I started out. What helped me get through it is staying resilient in the process and keeping an open mind. Being willing to adapt to different business models or strategies based on market feedback is an essential part of the journey. Why?

Just because you make a cool new product, it doesn't mean others will ind it necessarily useful. Changing strategies and focus can lead to a lot of success down the road if done correctly. After we pivoted our strategy, we started seeing a ton more trafic and user growth on our website, going from ~100 visitors per month to now over ~10,000.

INVEST IN YOUR HEALTH

This one is probably obvious but it's essential to keep a healthy lifestyle while continuing your entrepreneurial journey. That means working out regularly, staying active while also continuing to remain social with your friends and family, although the social part might get reduced.

By keeping your mind clear and your body healthy, you're naturally more resilient to setbacks in your business and are more willing to maintain a positive outlook. This has personally helped me a lot!

FINAL THOUGHTS

As an entrepreneur, staying optimistic isn't just nice to have; it's pretty much a must, especially at the start. It's funny how in business, people talk a lot about being tough and pushing through, but they don't always talk about just being optimistic. In my own journey, there were times when it seemed like we weren't making any money at all. But we kept going, believing things would get better and the expenses were justiied.

Being an entrepreneur means you're willing to jump in and do the work, trying to make your big idea a reality. And sure, it means you might miss out on hanging out with friends or just chilling by yourself sometimes. But that's where being optimistic makes a big difference. It's not just about feeling good; it helps you see chances to succeed where others might just see problems.

I started with a cool app idea that didn't make money right away. It cost a lot to get going, and I was paying for everything myself. But being optimistic meant I kept working hard, looking forward to making it a success. And success? Well, it turns out that people who are optimistic tend to do better, because they're always looking for ways to improve and expecting good things to happen.

To stay optimistic, I focus on the small wins, stay lexible and ready to change my plan, and I make sure to take care of my health. Celebrating the little victories keeps you moving forward. Being open to changing your plan can lead to big wins later on. And keeping healthy helps you bounce back from the tough times.

So, remember, being optimistic as an entrepreneur helps a lot. It keeps you going through the hard times, ready to catch the next opportunity. And for me? After we changed our approach, more people started visiting our website—going from about 100 visitors a month to over 10,000. That's what staying optimistic can do.

About the Author

I'm Abid, one of the co-founders of a intech startup that helps Canadians compare and ind credit cards best for them as accurately as possible. Starting this wasn't easy, especially because when you have no web trafic, no brand takes you seriously, translating to no money. But, I stayed optimistic, worked hard, and learned a lot along the way. Now, I like to share my experiences and tips with other entrepreneurs, hoping to make their journeys a bit easier.

Transforming Dreams into Franchisee Companies

A Tale of Responsible Entrepreneurship

By Aaron Harper, CEO of Rolling Suds and Responsible Franchising Expert

In the realm of entrepreneurship, one often faces pivotal moments that demand a leap of faith. For me, that moment arrived when I decided to leave a stable job, where I earned a guaranteed income of $600k and enjoyed high regard. The choice to embark on a journey of selfemployment, despite a tempting double salary offer, seemed audacious, especially with my wife eight months pregnant and relying on COBRA for healthcare coverage.

This gamble was not just about pursuing my dream but about inding the right business that could be franchised responsibly, scaling rapidly while maintaining integrity. My chosen path led me to

the power washing industry, a domain I knew little about but aligned seamlessly with my franchise checklist. By building a franchise around a single location's successful business model, we achieved remarkable growthexpanding to 128 units across 24 states within just 12 months.

This bold move not only transformed my life but also opened entrepreneurial opportunities for others, empowering them to take the leap into business ownership. What made this risk pay off was not just the speed of expansion but the impact we were making. I prioritized what I term 'Responsible Franchising,' ensuring

fairness and support for all involved. Today, we are more than just a successful business; we are a franchisee company, prioritizing the well-being of our franchisees above all.

Beyond personal success, I irmly believe in the fundamental role entrepreneurship plays in driving economic growth. Entrepreneurs are the architects of genuine economic expansion, creating job opportunities, fostering innovation, and stimulating market competition. By encouraging individuals to take the entrepreneurial lead, we contribute not only to our success but also to the prosperity of society as a whole.

In my journey, I've witnessed the transformative power of a single entrepreneurial venture executed responsibly. By supporting aspiring entrepreneurs, we contribute to the prosperity of individuals, families, and communities. As we set our sights on becoming the largest powerwashing franchise in the world by 2025, I am conident that our commitment to responsible franchising will continue to positively impact lives.

The essence of my journey lies in building a business that goes beyond inancial success, creating a ripple effect of positive change.

While the decision to leave a stable job was undoubtedly challenging, the positive outcomes have far exceeded my expectations. As we forge ahead, I am excited about the future we are building, not just for Rolling Suds but for the countless individuals inding their entrepreneurial path through responsible franchising.

In conclusion, responsible entrepreneurship is not just about inancial gains; it's about building a legacy of positive impact and empowering others to realize their dreams. Aspiring entrepreneurs should consider not only the potential for inancial success but

also the transformative impact their ventures can have on individuals and communities.

You can learn more about Rolling suds at www.rollingsudsfranchise.com and follow Aaron's journey in real-time where he shares valuable insights on his Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter/X.

About the Author

Aaron Harper's journey from the competitive world of ilm and television led him to franchising, driven by a passion to empower others and simplify the path to business ownership. After a successful period with Patch Boys, where he opened over 400 territories in only a few years, Aaron decided to build something similar on his own, venturing out to transform Rolling Suds, a successful family-owned power washing business, into a franchise.

His approach, rooted in Responsible Franchising, emphasized transparent communication, and tailored solutions. He focused on an adaptive, solution-driven methodology, particularly in areas like technology, scaling, and marketing support, ensuring that Rolling Suds continues to remain agile and responsive to the evolving needs of its franchisees. By focusing on individual growth and rejecting applicants misaligned with their values, Aaron has rapidly expanded Rolling Suds, selling over 100 units in less than a year.

INTERVIEW WITH

President and CEO of Goodberlet Home Services

eet Melanie Powers, a trailblazer in the home services space and the dynamic President and CEO of Goodberlet Home Services. With a background that bridges interior design and technical sales, Melanie's journey from Columbia College to the helm of a leading home services company is as inspiring as it is unique.

In this exclusive interview, Melanie shares the challenges she faced as a woman in a male-dominated ield, her strategic vision that fueled Goodberlet Home Services' exponential growth, and her commitment to fostering a culture of excellence and innovation.

Can you share your journey from studying Interior Design at Columbia College to becoming the President and CEO of Goodberlet Home Services?

The careers offered to people starting out in design, at that time, were low paid with no beneits. I needed to be able to support myself and I wanted beneits like health

insurance. So, I set off on a different course and went into sales and ended up in software and hardware sales. I enjoyed the technical side of the products I was working with, but still wanted to do something in the building trades, so I took a position as an HVAC project manager.

As a female leader in a predominantly male industry, what challenges have you faced and how have you overcome them?

The irst challenge I faced was getting a path into the building trades. As young women being presented with career options, these types of trade jobs are only offered to men. Luckily, I interviewed someone in HVAC that saw my technical sales skills as an asset.

Once I began the position as a HVAC project manager, I faced male customers that would refuse to deal with a woman, or other men working in the industry that would ask me why they would send the secretary to a boiler installation class, or they would assume that my dad or husband owned the company, because they couldn't imagine a world where a woman could earn the position on her own merit. I just kept pushing forward, working and taking as many classes as I could to improve my knowledge.

Under your leadership, Goodberlet Home Services experienced a 600% growth in revenue. What strategies did you implement to achieve this growth?

When I assumed the position as president at Goodberlet Home Services, I saw a gap in the services we were providing. Many of our HVAC customers also had plumbing and electrical needs. We began illing in and providing those services. We also expanded our territory to cover all of Chicagoland and just recently into Indianapolis.

How do you see the role of women evolving in the home services industry?

I see the role of women expanding in HVAC with groups like www.womeninhbacr.org. There is still a long way to go as only 1.5% of HVAC jobs are held by women according to the U.S Bureau of Labor.

In what ways do you foster a culture of excellence and innovation at Goodberlet Home Services?

Our company culture is family oriented. We want our people to provide exceptional service to our clients, but to do that, they need to feel that they have work/life balance. We offer lexible schedules so that our employees

can take time out for their families when needed. We want them to be able to coach their child's baseball team or attend a school play. Working in home services can be a demanding career, as you are always responding to emergencies, and we want to make sure our employees have time to also take care of themselves when needed.

What are your long-term goals for Goodberlet Home Services, and how do you plan to achieve them?

Our long-term goals are to continue to grow our market share in greater Chicagoland and Indianapolis. We offer a solid solution to home mechanical needs. Our staff consists of knowledgeable professionals with decades of experience in plumbing, heating and air conditioning, and electrical services. We intend to facilitate that growth by continuing on our path of excellent customer service, staying at the forefront of new technologies and providing our employees with the tools to succeed.

Bridging Law & Technology with Colin S. Levy

With a career dedicated to demystifying the complexities of legal technology for professionals and laypeople alike, Colin S. Levy has carved out a niche that bridges the gap between traditional legal practice and cutting-edge technological advancements.

Colin's latest book, "The Legal Tech Ecosystem: Innovation, Advancement & the Future of Law Practice," offers a comprehensive look into the future of legal services, underscored by his belief in the power of authenticity and human connection.

In this exclusive interview Colin shares his journey of integrating authenticity into leadership, the inspiration behind his book, and the key themes that he believes will shape the future of legal practice.

What according to you makes one impactful? How do you integrate the same thought into your leadership?

I view impact through the lens of authenticity. Humans want to be heard, they want to be listened to, they want to be seen. This all boils down to one powerful thing – a recognition of our inherent humanity. Accordingly, I see myself and my content as both successful and as impactful if I see that what I am doing resonates through the comments and reception that I or the content I create receives. I have long sought to be simply who I am –imperfections and all. I do not shy

away from admitting weakness, from sharing things that make me feel uncomfortable or that give me pause. I have noticed that these imperfections are not mine alone to bear but are shared by others. This brings people together – the knowledge of not being alone and sharing things.

Can you provide an overview of your new book, "The Legal Tech Ecosystem: Innovation, Advancement & the Future of Law Practice," and the key themes it explores regarding the intersection of law and emerging technologies?

The intent of the book is to provide the reader with an accessible nontechnical introduction to the world of legal tech. It features numerous leading innovators and creators in the space to show the reader what has and is being done with technology to help lawyers, legal professionals, and those in needs of legal services. The book explores several key themes that underlie legal tech including A) technology alone is not enough – it needs to be aligned with the business and those who will be using it; B) the breadth and depth of the space; and C) The interdependence of people, process, and tech and how each can inluence and impact the others. Please check out the book here!

"The Legal Tech Ecosystem" emphasizes that technology alone is not suficient; legal departments must undergo a fundamental digital

transformation. Can you discuss the key aspects of this transformation, including rethinking structures, processes, and approaches?

The evolving landscape of technology is becoming a catalyst for fundamental changes in organizational structures, particularly highlighting the limitations and ineficiencies of rigid, traditional business hierarchies and silos. As technology continues to advance, it is becoming increasingly clear that businesses need to transition towards more lexible, adaptive models that prioritize cross-functional collaboration and leverage technological innovations. This transformation involves a comprehensive integration of technological tools into business processes, aiming to enhance eficiency through streamlining and automation. It's not just about the adoption of new tools; it also necessitates a cultural shift within organizations, where there is an open embrace of learning, experimentation, and adaptability over clinging to longstanding traditions and historical ways of working.

Furthermore, this shift underscores the importance of embracing Generative AI, a technology that is rapidly reshaping the business landscape. Generative AI is altering how operations are conducted, inluencing decision-making processes, and redeining the skill sets required for the workforce. By

integrating Generative AI into their operations, businesses can unlock new levels of creativity, innovation, and eficiency, ensuring they remain competitive in a rapidly evolving market. This means being proactive in understanding the capabilities and applications of Generative AI, and how it can be leveraged to create value, solve complex problems, and meet emerging business needs. Ultimately, the call to action for businesses is clear: to thrive in the digital age, they must be willing to rethink their structures, embrace technological advancements, and foster a culture that is open to change and innovation.

As a leading voice in legal technology, what effective solutions do you see emerging to address the challenges faced by legal professionals in the current environment?

Technology should be making your job easier and making you more productive. Tools that can make those time-consuming tasks you need to do each day less timeconsuming are likely to have the greatest impact. For example, if you are tasked with managing outside counsel spend, there are tools to help you do that. Same with legal research or drafting documents. I would be remiss if I didn't mention that Generative AI has and will continue to make each the tools that can help do them more powerful.

What proactive steps can legal professionals take to stay ahead of the curve in the era of Web 3.0?

For those who may not know what

Web 3.0 is, it is the next evolution of the internet based on decentralization, higher interactivity, and artiicial intelligence. As for being proactive when it comes to Web 3.0, the irst step is to learn about it, what it is, its current state, and uses cases for it. One of the key voices I'd suggest turning to learn is my friend Mitch Jackson.

Finally, what does the future look like for you, both professionally and personally? What are you most excited about?

The future for me is exciting. I see it being more ever more involved in

the legal tech community with the goal of informing and inspiring others. I potentially could publish another book or two as things evolve. Personally, I am excited to be learning more and expanding my perspective and worldview. I am, of course, most excited about the rise of Generative Artiicial Intelligence and the tremendous potential it holds for so much of society.

Breaking Language Barriers, Boosting Global Business

Written by Sergio Guillén

The business landscape in 2024 is a crucible of dynamism. Exciting opportunities abound, but so do pressing challenges. Technological advancements are rapidly shrinking the world, pushing companies to expand their reach beyond traditional borders. To thrive in this interconnected ecosystem, dismantling language barriers and fostering seamless communication across diverse cultures is no longer a nice-tohave—it's a necessity.

This year, several key business trends will converge, creating a ripple effect that intensiies the need for effortless communication across borders and languages. The irst is the widespread integration of AI. Next, a focus on skills development will be crucial for a changing workforce. Additionally, the rise of remote work models presents both opportunities and challenges for geographically dispersed teams. Finally, increasing

pressure to prioritize sustainability and personalize the customer experience for a global audience will further necessitate clear and effective communication across cultures.

AI INTEGRATION: A STRATEGIC IMPERATIVE

Artiicial intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming industries, and the business world is no exception. In 2024, we can expect to see a signiicant rise in AI adoption across various business functions. From automating tasks and streamlining processes to personalizing customer experiences, AI offers a plethora of beneits. A critical aspect of AI integration for global businesses is its role in language translation.

Machine translation (MT) powered by AI has made signiicant strides in recent years, offering businesses a cost-effective and eficient way to bridge the language gap. However,

it's important to remember that AI is not a silver bullet. Human expertise in translation and localization remains essential, especially when dealing with nuanced cultural contexts and idiomatic expressions. Businesses should focus on strategically leveraging AI to complement human translators, fostering a collaborative approach that leverages the strengths of both.

FOCUS ON SKILLS: BUILDING A FUTURE-READY WORKFORCE

The future of work is rapidly evolving, demanding a workforce equipped with the skills to navigate an increasingly digital and globalized landscape. In 2024, businesses will prioritize skillsbased hiring over traditional degree qualiications. This shift relects the growing importance of soft skills such as critical thinking, problemsolving, and communication—all of which are crucial for effective collaboration across cultures.

Furthermore, as digital luency becomes a baseline requirement, the ability to leverage technology tools for communication and translation will be a valuable asset. Businesses can invest in training programs that equip their employees with these essential skills, fostering a culture of continuous learning and adaptation.

THE EVOLVING WORKPLACE: EMBRACING FLEXIBILITY AND WELL-BEING

The concept of a traditional 9-to-5 workday is quickly becoming a relic of the past. The rise of remote work models presents both opportunities and challenges for businesses in 2024. While remote work offers numerous beneits, such as increased employee productivity and a wider talent pool, it can also lead to communication silos and hinder collaboration across teams, especially those in geographically dispersed locations.

To address these challenges, businesses need to invest in robust communication tools and strategies that bridge geographical divides and foster a sense of team spirit.

Here, multilingual communication platforms and AI-powered translation tools can play a vital role in ensuring seamless collaboration, regardless of location or language spoken.

SUSTAINABILITY: A BUSINESS IMPERATIVE

Environmental, social, and governance (ESG) considerations are no longer a niche concern, but a core business priority in 2024. Consumers are increasingly making purchasing decisions based on a company's commitment to sustainability, and regulations around environmental practices are becoming stricter.

For businesses with global operations, this translates to a need for transparent communication about their ESG efforts across all their markets. This necessitates the creation of multilingual sustainability reports and marketing materials that effectively communicate a company's commitment to environmental responsibility to a diverse audience.

CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE: PERSONALIZATION IS KEY

About the Author

Sergio Guillén, CEO of Accelingo, is a nearly twodecade veteran of the language industry, bringing a unique blend of translation, linguistics, and engineering expertise. From mastering video game localization at SEGA Europe to propelling Schletterer Consult's Spanish expansion, Sergio's journey is one of innovation and growth.

As a self-taught thinker and localization visionary,

In today's hyper-competitive marketplace, customer experience reigns supreme. In 2024, businesses will prioritize personalization and localization to cater to the speciic needs and preferences of their global customer base. This requires not just translating marketing materials and websites into different languages, but also understanding and catering to cultural nuances in messaging and design. AI-powered customer service chatbots with multilingual capabilities can play a signiicant role in providing a seamless and personalized experience for customers around the world.

By embracing these key trends and prioritizing effective global communication, businesses can unlock a world of opportunity in 2024. As the world continues to shrink and language barriers crumble, businesses that can foster a culture of mutual understanding and collaboration across cultures will be the ones poised for longterm success.

he's worn many hats—freelance translator, vendor manager, marketer, and entrepreneur. In 2016, Sergio founded Accelingo, driven by a passion for empowering global businesses with exceptional language solutions. Renowned for his entrepreneurial spirit and deep industry knowledge, Sergio is dedicated to helping businesses thrive globally.

How Many Billionaires Are in the USA?

Exploring the Landscape of Wealth

The United States, renowned for its vibrant capitalist

economy and substantial middle-class market, is a hotbed for billionaires for years. According to the latest data by Harun Global Rich List 2024, the USA is home to 800 billionaires.

This igure underscores the country's dominant position in the global wealth spectrum, as it hosts 9 of the top 10 richest people worldwide. The exception being Bernard Arnault of France, who tops the global rich list due to the remarkable performance of his luxury goods empire, LVMH.

Global Context

Globally, there are 3,279 billionaires, marking a 5%

increase from the previous year, as per The Hurun Global Rich List 2024. This rise relects the ongoing expansion of wealth at the highest echelons. The U.S. contributes signiicantly to this number, showcasing its role as a leading hub of wealth and entrepreneurship.

Why the U.S. Harbors So Many Billionaires

Several factors contribute to the high number of billionaires in the U.S.:

• Economic Structure: The U.S. has the largest middle-class market globally, offering vast opportunities for businesses to scale. Additionally, as the world's largest capitalist economy, it provides an

environment conducive to wealth creation and accumulation.

• Wealth Growth: The 2024 USA Wealth Report highlights that over 5.5 million Americans now have liquid assets exceeding $1 million, a 62% increase over the past decade and well above the global growth rate of 38%.

• Millionaire Growth Rate: The past ive years have seen a 35% increase in the U.S. millionaire population, nearly twice the rate observed in China. The U.S. is now home to 37% of the world's millionaires.

• Public Sentiment: A Harris Poll survey reveals that 44% of U.S. adults believe they have the tools to become billionaires, with many leveraging speculative investments such as cryptocurrencies.

Wealth Accumulation and Entrepreneurship

The U.S. sees a signiicant yearly addition to its billionaire count, with the latest Hurun Global Rich List adding 132 new American billionaires. Key sectors fostering this wealth include Financial Services, Media & Entertainment, and Software & Services. The average age of these billionaires is 67, illustrating a blend of experience and innovation at the helm of wealth creation.

The Shift in Global Wealth

Despite its strong position, the U.S. recently lost its status as the country with the most billionaires to China. This shift is largely due to China's economic liberalization and high growth rates. However, North America still leads in terms of ultra-high-net-worth individuals, those worth over ifty million U.S. dollars.

Gender Disparity and Wealth Distribution

The billionaire community remains predominantly male, relecting broader global economic disparities. The conversation around

EXELEON OUTLOOK

wealth distribution is intensifying, with increasing scrutiny over the concentration of wealth in the hands of a few.

Billionaire Density by U.S. State

A recent study by The Digital Project Manager pinpointed the top U.S. states where one is most likely to encounter a billionaire. Wyoming leads with the highest number of billionaires per capita, followed by Hawaii and Nevada. These indings are fascinating as they illustrate the geographical diversity of wealth in the U.S., transcending beyond the conventional inancial centers like New York and California.

• Wyoming: Known for igures like John Mars of Mars, Incorporated, and Christy Walton of Walmart.

• Hawaii: Hosts billionaires like Larry Ellison of Oracle, highlighting the state's allure to top-tier wealth.

• Nevada and Beyond: Home to tech entrepreneurs like David Dufield and notable igures in traditional industries such as Harold Hamm in Oklahoma.

Conclusion:

The landscape of American billionaires is a testament to the United States' robust economic framework and its capacity to nurture and sustain immense wealth.

While the U.S. continues to be a leading force in global wealth, the rise of other economies and the evolving global economic dynamics pose new challenges and opportunities for wealth creation and distribution. As the number of billionaires grows, so does the dialogue on economic equality and the responsibilities of wealth.

Amplifier

Security emerges

from stealth to bridge divide between the workforce and security with AI copilot and human-in-the-loop automation

Security teams rely on an evergrowing stack of security tools to keep their organization safe. Yet, coverage gaps and alerts across these tools do not get proper and timely attention because of the dificulty engaging company employees busy with their daily work to ix them. Today, Ampliier Security has launched from stealth with a $3.3m investment and the industry's irst AI-powered human-in-the-loop automation and security copilot that connects the dots between an organization's existing security stack and their people.

The pre-seed funding round was led by Cota Capital with participation from WestWave Capital and Shift Left Ventures, and included angel investments from industry luminaries and founders of Slack, MobileIron, Centrify, PeopleNet, Skylow and Mercury.

Enforcing security controls through

automation gets pushback from users whose work is disrupted, for example, when a security patch update forces a system reboot during a critical workstream. Triaging security tool alerts means closing the loop with the end user to determine true versus false positives before taking disruptive actions - a truly burdensome process for everyone. Security teams do their best to navigate this complex situation — but it often leads to a strained relationship with the workforce. The Ampliier Security solution extends the value and effectiveness of existing security tools by empowering the entire company to work together towards a much faster response time that dramatically increases the security health and culture of an organization.

Ampliier provides an engagement layer between existing security tools and the workforce through Ampy - a trusted copilot that acts as an AI security buddy who helps employees understand the risk they are creating for the organization and solves their security issues while balancing their productivity. Building on the experiences people are used to, for example with credit card companies verifying suspicious transactions, Ampy engages with employees, guiding them through security protocols based on real-time insights. This approach not only speeds up response times but also signiicantly boosts an organization's security posture by involving employees directly in the security process. Ampliier enhances the compliance of existing deployed tools like identity

security, MFA, endpoint security, vulnerability scanning and management, SaaS and cloud security, SIEM and security training; and makes adaptive human protection a reality for organizations. The platform delivers the following capabilities and beneits:

Ÿ Security Data Fabric that creates a real-time security knowledge graph with data parsed and mapped across a company's best of breed security stack. This creates a single source of truth for each employee across security tools which is otherwise hard to build and triangulate across multiple sources.

Ÿ Enforcement of 100% security tooling coverage across every employee and their endpoints through user-centric visualization of posture and usage in every security tool. The lack of tracking real-time tooling coverage causes anxiety for security teams as it only takes one tooling gap to turn into a breach.

Ÿ AI Security Buddy with personalized engagements that help employees triage alerts and self-heal security issues with context and actionable information. Omni-channel conversational engagements meet employees where they already work such as Slack, Chrome, Email or Teams.

Ÿ Security Hub that contextualizes and prioritizes security risks and vulnerabilities to help organizations translate the indings into actionable remediation engagements.

Ÿ Engagement Studio that transcends no-code worklows, where security teams can design and manage end-user engagements through intuitive generative AI prompts. This ofloads countless hours of manual work to correlate data in spreadsheets, chasing down employees to triage alerts, getting users to maintain their security hygiene, and resolves security issues at record speed.

Ÿ Helps every CISO, their security teams, departmental leaders and individuals understand their security posture through intuitive personalized health scores and dashboards. Using natural language queries, they can research security indings across all their tools by severity, issue type, user role and activity to identify compounded risk for individuals.

Ampliier Security was founded by Shreyas Sadalgi, CEO and Thomas Donnelly, CTO and President, who both have two decades of experience in enterprise security, IT and automation. Donnelly is a three-time CISO and CIO with over a decade of experience leveraging human-centric approaches and technology that transformed security in organizations. He irmly believes that in today's dynamic and decentralized workplaces, CISOs need to completely rethink how their teams operate by allowing users to self heal their own security issues. Rather than security operating in the background and interrupting employee productivity at inopportune times, Ampliier delivers an incredible user experience that drives everyone in the workforce to participate in their own security.

“There is a massive gap in the market that is preventing security practitioners from being successful. Most security tools aren't built to

engage users, as they're always meant to work in the background.” said Shreyas Sadalgi, CEO and cofounder at Ampliier Security. “Ampliier lips the script by engaging employees on behalf of all security tools in a more human-friendly way, where every end-user interaction is a two-way conversation with the right tonality, context, empathy and actionable information based on the security inding and the user role. Our mission with Ampliier is to shift the cybersecurity focus to include both technology and the people who use it, creating a balanced and more secure environment for businesses.”

Ampliier has been engaged with security teams at over 15 companies as its marquee design partners; many who have been using its product in private betas and seeing daily value — hours saved every week toiling in spreadsheets, quick identiication of tooling gaps in their environments, and the ability to self-heal common security issues.

“Most organizations haven't signiicantly changed their approach to threat management – keeping the old silos between those responsible for security monitoring and those responding to the rest of the employee base.” said Steve Mancini, Head of Security at Guardant Health . “Security teams can no longer operate this way. Security has to be embedded in every function, and that means empowering all employees to participate in security. Even with all the security automations, our employees are the best sensors of the unusual or anomalous at every level of our business. They enable us to quickly get context when we notice suspicious behavior and identify incidents faster based on their proactive observations.”

Cal Henderson, co-founder of Slack added: “The way we operated our

corporate security engineering program closely aligns with the design principles at the core of Ampliier Security's vision. I'm a irm believer that engaging the workforce for security automation with a productivity platform like Slack is the only modern way to solve today's dynamic cybersecurity threat landscape.”

Aditya Singh, Partner at Cota Capital commented: “Security is fundamentally about both people and technology, yet the industry has largely built security tools focused solely on the technology element. Everyone knows that when it comes to cybersecurity in workplaces, engaging humans is the biggest opportunity. Ampliier answers the bell with its unique human-in-theloop solution. We believe they are uniquely positioned to turn this trend into a movement that forwardthinking CISOs will embrace so that they can more eficiently and effectively manage enterprise security.”

Gaurav Manglik, Partner at WestWave Capital said: “The lack of human engagement in security automation is a missed opportunity to educate people on the why behind the risk of each security inding. Because of today's hybrid and dynamic workplaces where everyone is moving fast in the spirit of hyperproductivity, this problem has become harder to solve at scale. After assessing the market for many years, Ampliier has done the best execution we've seen from a product and team perspective thus far.”

Companies interested in amplifying their security can sign up here. The Ampliier team will also be on site at the 2024 RSA Conference in San Francisco to meet for a live demo.

APP Joins the World Business Council for Sustainable Development

APP Group has joined more

than 200 leading global companies as the newest World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) member.

APP Group oversees multiple pulp and paper manufacturing and forestry enterprises in Indonesia to meeting the growing global demand for tissue, packaging, and paper products in over 150 countries.

By joining forces with other industry leaders within WBCSD, APP is set to further enhance its sustainable development efforts and integrate these principles into its business operations, aligned with WBCSD's mission to accelerate the required transformation of businesses, their value chains, and the systems in which they operate, to limit the impact of the climate crisis, restore nature and tackle inequality.

APP has implemented a comprehensive sustainability approach and is committed to

transparent ESG disclosures. Its ERM aligns with key ESG risks. APP's participation as a WBCSD member also aims to advance progress toward achieving its ambitious sustainability goalsincluding net-zero emissions by 2050, setting targets for forest conservation, upholding human rights, promoting inclusion and diversity, and maintaining transparency in accordance with the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD).

“Joining the WBCSD is a crucial step for APP Group in reinforcing our dedication to environmental and social responsibility and assuring our stakeholders of our commitment to not only meet but exceed global standards. This collaboration aligns with our goals, set out in our Sustainability Roadmap Vision 2030, and enables us to further enhance our capacity to implement effective solutions for a sustainable future,” stated Andrie Setiawan Yapsir, Director of APP Group.

"We're excited to welcome APP as our newest member to the WBCSD network. Their dedication to sustainability, exempliied through their Sustainability Roadmap, aligns with our mission to drive the transition toward a world where 9+ billion people can live well, within planetary boundaries. We eagerly anticipate the collaborative impact APP will bring to our network, strengthening our collective endeavour to transform industries and societies toward a sustainable future,” said WBCSD President & CEO, Peter Bakker.

Looking ahead APP remains determined to translate its sustainability ambitions into concrete actions. For APP, joining the WBCSD is more than just a membership; it is a commitment to lead, innovate, and transform. Together with the WBCSD and its members, APP is dedicated to contributing to a global agenda that balances the needs of both people and the planet.