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Utilities Get Good Marks for COVID-19 Response
Learn More: Utilities Get Good Marks for COVID-19 ResponseWhen the pandemic first emerged, Apogee Interactive conducted a survey asking their utility clients to identify their biggest challenges. The most common answer was communicating with their customers, followed by the need to assist customers financially. In response, Apogee offered its personalized video messaging service AT NO COST to any clients that would like to…
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Public Power 101 Webinar Series Covers Benefits and Challenges of Community-owned Utilities
Learn More: Public Power 101 Webinar Series Covers Benefits and Challenges of Community-owned UtilitiesJoin this two-part series by the American Public Power Association to learn about the unique benefits and challenges facing the public power business model, and discuss strategies for the future. Learn what gives public power communities an edge and how we can continue to thrive and serve our communities well amid multiple disruptive trends. Led…
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Use Research to Better Serve Utility Customers and Employees During Challenging Times
Learn More: Use Research to Better Serve Utility Customers and Employees During Challenging TimesCOVID-19 has been tough for everyone, and GreatBlue Research wants to help. Now more than ever, it is critical to stay in contact with your utility customers, both internal and external. By conducting customer satisfaction studies, employee assessments, and operational efficiency studies, you will obtain a better understanding of your customers and employees in order…
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Cybersecurity Is Easier Than You Think
Learn More: Cybersecurity Is Easier Than You ThinkYou don’t need to be an expert in IT or have a huge consulting budget to champion your utility’s cybersecurity program. First and foremost, you must recognize that every city employee, utility employee, and governing official plays a key role in maintaining a cyber defense that protects business operations.
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The Holy Grail of Energy Modeling
Learn More: The Holy Grail of Energy ModelingResidential customers and utilities benefit from varying rate plans. Still, the truth is, many customers don’t understand how their utility rates work or what rate would be best for their lifestyle. In a recent survey conducted by the Smart Energy Consumer Collaborative, 47% of customers didn’t know what their current rate plan was. In the…
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How Customer Research Really Works
Learn More: How Customer Research Really WorksMarket research is imperative to today’s utilities industry. Understanding current and potential customer needs and wants helps us make more informed business decisions and aids in the development of focused business strategies. Customer surveys take the guesswork and the assumptions out of determining what initiatives will likely be successful and cost effective. Consistently working to…
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Industry Veteran Marc Gerken Brings Expertise in Public Power Business Operations to Hometown Connections Staff
Learn More: Industry Veteran Marc Gerken Brings Expertise in Public Power Business Operations to Hometown Connections StaffFollowing a distinguished career that saw him rise from a city engineer in Ohio to helm the nation’s largest public power joint action agency (JAA), Marc Gerken has joined the staff of Hometown Connections, Inc. He retired recently after serving for twenty years as president and chief executive officer of American Municipal Power, Inc. (AMP),…
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Study by GreatBlue Research Shows KUA Earns High Marks for Customer Satisfaction
Learn More: Study by GreatBlue Research Shows KUA Earns High Marks for Customer SatisfactionThe results of the Kissimmee Utility Authority’s recent customer satisfaction survey by GreatBlue Research illustrate how to use customer feedback for continuous improvement and demonstrate why it is so important to consistently ask for feedback. Deciding what to ask your customers can be challenging, but once you identify your target areas, you can focus in…
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Finance Fundamentals are Key to COVID Recovery
Learn More: Finance Fundamentals are Key to COVID RecoveryCurrent financial data on the impact of COVID-19 on community-owned utilities reveals several national trends and the need to factor in case-by-case issues during the analysis. Above all, the data makes clear that the best strategy for a strong recovery is following the fundamentals of utility financial management: develop key financial targets, make a plan…
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Mark Ennis Brings Expertise in Distribution System Management to Hometown Connections Board
Learn More: Mark Ennis Brings Expertise in Distribution System Management to Hometown Connections BoardA public power industry leader with expertise in regulatory compliance and distribution system management, Mark Ennis of the Alabama Municipal Electric Authority (AMEA) has joined the Board of Directors of Hometown Connections, Inc. AMEA is one of six joint action agencies that co-own Hometown Connections. Mr. Ennis is AMEA’s Manager of Compliance and Distribution Services…
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Assess the State of Your Cybersecurity
Learn More: Assess the State of Your CybersecurityCyber-crime is on the rise. Your first line of defense is to know your vulnerabilities. Turn to the Cybersecurity Assessment Solution from Hometown Connections, Inc. It’s the affordable, preliminary step in effective cybersecurity management
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Hometown Connections Launches Public Power Cybersecurity Management Program
Learn More: Hometown Connections Launches Public Power Cybersecurity Management ProgramTo meet public power’s need for cybersecurity solutions that are comprehensive and cost effective, Hometown Connections, Inc. has launched a Cybersecurity Management Program for public power electric, gas, water, and wastewater utilities and other city departments. Hometown Connections is helping community-owned organizations across the United States evaluate their cybersecurity requirements, develop plans for cyber risk…
