The Hometown Connections model to utility modernization addresses:
- leadership
- alignment with the governing body towards a strategic direction
- requirements for the utility to be a high-performing organization
News
Understand Your Leadership at Work
Hometown Connections workshop teaches employees to apply their individual strengths, passions, and work styles to benefit the organization, by Patty Cruz
Leadership training can sound like a nebulous concept. To have a lasting and fruitful impact, it should involve much more than how to motivate and supervise the work of others. Today’s best leadership training addresses every individual regardless of their job title or the number of direct reports. Hometown Connections offers a unique, proven and easy-to-complete process that identifies each person’s strengths, interests, motivators, needs, and most productive work style. This leadership training process also identifies stress behaviors when needs are not met. The assessment results empower employees to build upon their strengths and discover areas they would like to develop. Read More about Understand Your Leadership at Work »
When AMI Goes Wrong
How to Avoid Common Hurdles When Deploying Advanced Metering System
The advantages of AMI are many. Advanced metering infrastructure helps utilities manage outages, service calls, distribution system maintenance, and other key operations much more efficiently. AMI enables utilities to connect and disconnect meters remotely. It helps utilities offer customers innovative new services such as mobile apps for accessing current account information and service status maps. AMI gives everyone information and the flexibility to decrease their energy usage during peak hours and reduce costs. More broadly, if AMI is used wisely, it can be the two-way communications backbone for most utility functions and the enabler of an unlimited number of smart grid and smart city applications. Read More about When AMI Goes Wrong »
Moving Beyond Engagement Toward Empowerment
Nearing the end of the first quarter of 2019, we find ourselves amid an industry in transition. So, we are offering up some thoughts on ways to raise the bar on customer satisfaction and service while addressing some of the most pressing issues faced by utilities today. Read More about Moving Beyond Engagement Toward Empowerment »
Customer Satisfaction Pays
Why does customer satisfaction (CSat) matter to utilities? Several of the leading experts in CSat have concluded that by having satisfied customers, utilities receive more favorable regulatory outcomes. In addition, CSat can be used as both an offensive and defensive strategy. From the offensive perspective, satisfied customers are more likely to buy more products and services. From a defensive perspective, they are less likely to adopt disruptive technologies. Read More about Customer Satisfaction Pays »
MPUA Offers Cybersecurity Monitoring Services to Members
This article presents excerpts from a brochure describing MPUA’s cybersecurity program for members. Download the full brochure here. MPUA is a not-for-profit service organization representing municipally-owned utilities in Missouri, Arkansas, and Kansas.
The utility industry has become increasingly aware of cybersecurity threats. In response, MPUA/MJMEUC launched a Cybersecurity Initiative to offer monitoring services that protect our utilities and show regulators, legislators, and the financial world that the group is doing its due diligence about these risks. Read More about MPUA Offers Cybersecurity Monitoring Services to Members »
Carey Kicks Off AMI Project
The Village of Carey Ohio’s Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) project kicked off on Jan. 15, with American Municipal Power Inc. (AMP) and Hometown Connections Inc. (HCI) personnel visiting the village offices to cover the scope and timeline of the project. As reported by AMP’s Jared Price, Vice President of IT and Chief Technology Officer, the project will install a new RF Mesh system and replace 1,926 electric meters and 1,438 water meters throughout the village. Installation should begin near mid-year and be completed by the end of 2019. Read More about Carey Kicks Off AMI Project »
Apply for RP3 Status — It’s Easier than You Think
From May 1 through September 30, 2019, public power utilities may apply online for designation by the American Public Power Association’s Reliable Public Power Provider (RP3) program. As a career public power professional involved in the program since its founding in 2005, I can attest to the value of the RP3 designation and reassure potential applicants about the process. With a little outside support, your utility is more likely to succeed than you may expect, and the staff time to complete the application is less than you might think. RP3 designation represents a distinguished achievement in public power. Being recognized by the RP3 program demonstrates a utility’s commitment to excellence to customers, community leaders, governing board members, suppliers, and service providers. Read More about Apply for RP3 Status — It’s Easier than You Think »
Al Weber Brings Public Power Smart Grid Sales Expertise to Staff of Hometown Connections
A highly recognized smart grid sales executive with demonstrated leadership success in the utilities market, Al Weber has joined the staff of Hometown Connections as Vice President, Business Development. He has a long and acclaimed track record of managing complex system and software partnerships, product development, market development, account closings, contract negotiations, and project delivery. Read More about Al Weber Brings Public Power Smart Grid Sales Expertise to Staff of Hometown Connections »
10 Types of Cyber Attack Electric Utilities Suffered in 2018
Read More about 10 Types of Cyber Attack Electric Utilities Suffered in 2018 »