Intel’s Pledge to Women-Owned Businesses

WildFlower International CEO Kimberly deCastro oversees millions of dollars in both government contracts and private sector contracts in several industries, including energy, surveillance, and IT infrastructure. Backed by decades of project management experience, high-profile entrepreneur Kimberly deCastro advocates for investments in women-owned businesses.

In 2017, the multinational IT solutions manufacturer Intel announced plans to create $100 million in vendor contracts with women-owned businesses by 2020. The initiative is part of the company’s Corporate Social Responsibility, which aims to promote diversity within its global supply chain and increase spending to $1 billion annually. 

In a memo released by Jackie Strum, Intel VP of Global Supply Management, the firm stated that Intel will double its initial pledge to $200 million since it hit the $100-million milestone more than a year ahead of schedule. As a result of strategic partnerships with organizations focused on women’s entrepreneurship and women’s economic empowerment, Intel had established its Supplier Diversity and Inclusion program in 20 countries by 2017.

The Benefits of Dog-Friendly Workplaces

As the CEO of computer technology and software procurement firm Wildflower, Ltd., Kimberly deCastro promotes a holistically-focused corporate culture by having several policies that consider the needs of the company’s diverse workforce. As a result of Kimberly deCastro’s dedication to fostering a creative work environment, Wildflower implements dog-friendly policies at its four offices nationwide. 

The percentage of companies that allow employees to bring their dog to the workplace has grown by three percent between 2013 and 2018. This is due to the host of benefits from enacting dog-friendly policies, some of which are outlined below. 

Boosts Morale - When owners are able to bring their dogs to work, it makes the environment more positive for their coworkers. Interacting with dogs can reduce stress, resulting in higher levels of job satisfaction. Additionally, walking a dog several times a day gives employees the opportunity to take breaks throughout the workday, which has been shown to enhance productivity. 

Attracts High Quality Talent - Pet-friendly policies are an attractive incentive for recruiting new talent, especially younger workers. According to a survey of human resources professionals and hiring managers conducted in 2016, more than 60 percent recounted being asked about a company’s pet policy during an interview. These policies also have a positive effect on employee retention rates.

Promotes Collaboration - Dogs can encourage cross-department collaboration by encouraging socialization among employees who may otherwise not communicate with each other. This can increase creativity and innovation within the company.

Enterprise-Wide Agreements with the Department of Energy

Wildflower, Ltd., a successful woman-owned firm based in Santa Fe, was founded by visionary entrepreneur Kimberly deCastro in 1991. Under Kimberly deCastro’s direction, the company mushroomed into a multi-million dollar procurement firm and has secured numerous government contracts, including a Supply Chain Management Center (SCMC) contract for Dell computers.

The SCMC, administered by the Department of Energy (DOE), forms strategic sourcing partnerships with experienced and well-organized small businesses through Enterprise-Wide Agreement contracts. These contracts are grouped by the commodities that DOE agencies require to function efficiently. 

For example, under the umbrella of information technology, small to large-sized business partners may be contracted for the procurement of specific computer hardware or anti-virus and engineering software. These agreements help DOE agencies reduce their costs, streamline the buying process, and gain insight into the best practices in the IT sector. 

As of 2018, 59 companies have Enterprise-Wide Agreement contracts with the DOE through the SCMC, with an average award value of $495 million a year. Small or disadvantaged businesses are encouraged to apply and make up more than 60 percent of current contractors.

The Rise of Women in Business Leadership

Wildflower International Ltd. CEO Kimberly deCastro grew her business from humble beginnings 27 year ago to a multimillion-dollar enterprise. Kimberly deCastro is one of many women executives seeking to change the landscape of business to a more egalitarian playing field.

In the past, culture and society determined gender roles, which limited women’s professional advancement and growth. The “cult of domesticity,” prevalent during the early 19th century, mandated that the proper place for the woman was in the home.

However, changes have taken place, particularly during the last six decades. By the end of World War II, women began to rise to greater prominence in their workforce, having assumed working roles while men fought during the war. Women also started establishing more businesses. Though women still make up less than 5 percent of Fortune 500 CEOs, they currently own in excess of 9 million businesses, with more than 7 million employees and sales of more $1 trillion.

Benefits of Promoting Gratitude in the Workplace

Kimberly deCastro of Wildflower International, Ltd., has been at the helm of the Santa Fe-based company for nearly 30 years. As the founder and CEO, Kimberly deCastro actively promotes the importance of the contributions of colleagues and clients and ensures that gratitude is a foundation of Wildflower International’s company culture. 

Practicing gratitude in the workplace has been shown to boost morale, increase cooperation, and make employees feel fulfilled in their work. Gratitude initiatives can take many forms, but the most effective programs integrate giving thanks and giving back. 

In-company gratitude traditions should start with upper management. This sets the tone for employees and encourages them to recognize the importance of being thankful and paying it forward. 

Some companies publish personalized thank-you notes for employees or offer paid time off for volunteering. Likewise, many companies launch incentive programs that reward employees and customers for their acts of kindness.

What Are ITES-3H Contracts?

Led by founder and CEO Kimberly deCastro, Wildflower, Inc., has provided technology, hardware, and software for government agencies, including the Department of Defense and the U.S. Army. In 1991, Kimberly deCastro launched the company, which has since been awarded several exclusive procurement contracts, including Information Technology Enterprise Solutions-3 Hardware contract (ITES-3H).

ITES-3H contracts streamline the procurement process for the U.S. Army and other authorized buyers. These contracts are essential components of the government supply chain, as government agencies sometimes cannot estimate the amount of services or supplies they require within a contact’s term. 

After a transparent and competitive proposal process, 17 large and small business were awarded ITES-3H contracts that are valid for a set number of years. Awarded companies are authorized to sell a range of hardware and software to Army and Department of Defense programs to meet their technology needs. This includes Unix and non-Unix based servers, storage systems, and workstations. ITES-3H agreements have a $5 billion ceiling and allows for unlimited orders and delivery during the contract’s timeframe.

Animal Welfare 101

Wildflower International, Ltd founder and CEO Kimberly deCastro has spent more than 20 years of managing the affairs of the business. Aside from being a business executive, Kimberly deCastro also advocates for animal welfare.

In its simplest term, animal welfare refers to man’s relationship with animals and his responsibility to care for them in the most humane way. Animal welfare began as early as the Neolithic era when people started domesticating animals. In fact, animal domestication resulted from man’s appreciation and respect for animals. This also gave rise to animal agriculture and husbandry.

During the Neolithic times, people believed that animal welfare helped them achieve their own purpose. Caring for animals gave them mutual benefits because animals cared back. This was the pact that was held on until now that led to the modern-time animal welfare. Today, people still cared for animals like the people of the Neolithic era did.

The challenge to keep animal welfare today is the worldwide shift from agriculture to urbanization. This shift posts a challenge to animal welfare advocates because only 1% of those living in farms in the US practice the occupation of farming.

Industry Applications for Unmanned Aircraft

Wildflower, Inc., founder Kimberly deCastro heads the largest woman-owned business in the State of New Mexico. During Kimberly deCastro’s 25-year tenure as CEO, Wildflower, Inc., has secured government contracts for innovative technological products worth millions of dollars, including unmanned aircraft (UA) produced by SilentFalcon. 

SilentFalcon’s UAs are powered by a solar electric propulsion system. These silent, sturdy aircraft are undetectable after reaching an altitude of 100 meters and can fly for up to five hours. These characteristics combined with the device’s considerable payload capacity mean that SilentFalcon’s UAs are suitable for a range of industries.

Surveillance - UAs can stealthily gather intelligence from hostile or impassable areas. This is ideal for collecting information about enemy positions during war, or surveying the damage and assistance needs after a natural disaster.

Agriculture - UAs provide a bird’s-eye view that can help large agribusinesses manage their crops and watering systems.

Film - UAs can capture angles and viewpoints that may be impossible or too dangerous for manned aircraft. This ability can add interesting perspectives to movies and film, or enable news media outlets provide an up-close view of an unfolding story.

New Mexico Ranks as One of the Best States for Women Entrepreneurs

Successful entrepreneur Kimberly deCastro has been at the helm of IT and business solutions provider Wildflower, Inc., for over 25 years. CEO Kimberly deCastro leads the $250-million-dollar company based in Santa Fe, New Mexico, a state noted for its ideal business climate for female entrepreneurs.

According to a survey conducted in early 2018, New Mexico ranks in the top 10 states for women-led businesses. The rankings were based on a variety of metrics, including the number of employees working in women-owned businesses, the number of new women-led enterprises established daily, and the percentage of a state’s economy that could be attributed to women-owned companies.

In New Mexico, nearly 40 percent of all business are owned by women, the third highest percentage in the nation. It also scores highly on the number of employees in women-run businesses, employing just under 10 percent of workers. Women-owned companies also generate 5.33 percent of the state’s revenue.

Three Common Types of Cloud Computing Services

Successful entrepreneur Kimberly deCastro leads Wildflower International, Ltd., as its president and CEO. She began the information technology (IT) company out of her house in New Mexico and has since grown it into a $250 million corporation employing over 150 people. Under the leadership of Kimberly deCastro, Wildflower International offers a wide range of professional services, including cloud computing.

There are three common types of cloud computing services: infrastructure-as-a-service (IaaS), platform-as-a-service (PaaS), and software-as-a-service (SaaS). Each of these is briefly described below:

IaaS: The most basic of the three types of cloud computing services, IaaS grants users access to computing power and storage. Users rent IT infrastructure, such as storage, virtual machines, and operating systems, from cloud providers on a pay-as-you-go basis, thus making it easier for them to manage workloads.

PaaS: PaaS makes it easy for users to develop and maintain web applications on the Internet by providing them with the basic underlying infrastructure they need. With this type of cloud computing, users do not need to set up storage, servers, databases, or networks to develop applications. Nor do they have to worry about software maintenance and resource procurement.

SaaS: This type of cloud computing is also called “on-demand software” because it grants users access to various software without having to buy the full software license. Once users access this software, they can use it through their web browser. Google Docs, Gmail, and Freshbooks are all examples of SaaS, as are social networking sites.

Santa Fe IT firm gets state money for employee growth

Wildflower International received a $75,000 state economic development grant to refurbish new office space to support employee growth and to help connect to northern New Mexico’s “REDInet” broadband infrastructure.

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