Charity Run Fundraising Logistics

There are always situations in which you need to communicate fast and clearly. Especially in a crisis, in new situations, or when there is time pressure. The STICC protocol helps you achieve this. The STICC Protocol was developed by psychologist Gary Klein as a tool for managing the unexpected. STICC stands for: Situation, Task, Intent, Concerns, Calibrate and is a technique for productive communication about what to do when you face a new, unexpected situation. This is what it means: S - Situation = Here’s what I think we face. The leader summarizes how they see the situation, problem, or crisis at hand. T - Task = Here’s what I think we should do. The leader explains their plan for addressing the situation, problem, or crisis at hand. I - Intent = Here’s why I think this is what we should do. The leader explains the reasons why they think this is the best way of addressing the situation, problem, or crisis at hand. C - Concerns = Here’s what we should keep our eyes on. The leader mentions possible downsides or future consequences of the solution suggested to be taken into account as well. C - Calibrate = Now talk to me and give me your views. The leader asks others in the team to give their feedback and viewpoints, and especially invites them to disagree and add. This technique helps you in managing pressured situations in three ways: First, once something unexpected happens, it helps to develop appropriate responses. The five steps are aimed at discussing with a team what to do in cases that are not familiar. Through its focus on concrete action, on gathering different viewpoints, and on speed, the STICC protocol is a quick way to take appropriate action in new situations. Second, in step 4 (Concerns), you open up the discussion for further uncertainties and other changes that may follow. In this way, you mentally prepare people that there will always remain uncertainties. This helps in developing a crisis-ready mindset that is not only helpful in the current crisis, but also in the next. Third, the fact that a constructive dialogue takes place also facilitates communication and mutual learning. Even though the leader brings the suggestions here, it is the team together that comes to a solution. And while doing that, they learn together and from each other in an open and adaptive way, which helps further prepare them for future crises. My advice: use STICC whenever you have to communicate fast and clearly. === Follow me or subscribe to my Soulful Strategy newsletter for more: https://lnkd.in/e_ytzAgU #communicationtips #agile #teamexercise

𝗔𝗜 𝗔𝗴𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗔𝗿𝗲 𝗚𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗦𝗺𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗲𝗿 — 𝗕𝘂𝘁 𝗢𝗻𝗹𝘆 𝗜𝗳 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝗖𝗮𝗻 𝗧𝗮𝗹𝗸 𝘁𝗼 𝗘𝗮𝗰𝗵 𝗢𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 As AI shifts from single-task assistants to multi-agent systems, what truly powers this transformation isn't just bigger models — it's the rise of 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗮𝗿𝗱𝗶𝘇𝗲𝗱 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗼𝗰𝗼𝗹𝘀. These protocols define how agents communicate, manage memory, invoke tools, and collaborate across ecosystems. To make sense of this emerging landscape, I mapped out 𝟭𝟬 𝗺𝗼𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗻 𝗔𝗜 𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗼𝗰𝗼𝗹𝘀 that are shaping how agents work — together. Here’s a breakdown of what’s included: • 𝗔𝗴𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗼𝗰𝗼𝗹 (𝗜𝗕𝗠): Lifecycle and workflow standardization • 𝗔𝗴𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗚𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘄𝗮𝘆 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗼𝗰𝗼𝗹: Message routing between agents and external systems • 𝗔𝗴𝗲𝗻𝘁-𝘁𝗼-𝗔𝗴𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗼𝗰𝗼𝗹 (𝗚𝗼𝗼𝗴𝗹𝗲): Structured inter-agent collaboration (Gemini & Astra) • 𝗠𝗼𝗱𝗲𝗹 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗲𝘅𝘁 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗼𝗰𝗼𝗹 (𝗔𝗻𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗶𝗰): Unified memory and tool embedding inside LLMs • 𝗧𝗼𝗼𝗹 𝗔𝗯𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗼𝗰𝗼𝗹 (𝗟𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗶𝗻): Standard JSON for tool metadata • 𝗙𝘂𝗻𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗖𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗼𝗰𝗼𝗹 (𝗢𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗔𝗜): Schema-enforced function execution • 𝗧𝗮𝘀𝗸 𝗗𝗲𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁 (𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗱): Declarative task graphs and coordination • 𝗔𝗴𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗢𝗦 𝗥𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲: Managing stateful, long-lived agents in enterprise settings • 𝗥𝗗𝗙 𝗔𝗴𝗲𝗻𝘁 (𝗦𝗲𝗺𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝗪𝗲𝗯): Linked data agent reasoning using SPARQL • 𝗢𝗽𝗲𝗻 𝗔𝗴𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗼𝗰𝗼𝗹: A community push toward cross-framework interoperability    This space is evolving quickly. Protocols like these are quietly becoming the 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗹 𝗶𝗻𝗳𝗿𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 behind the AI agents of tomorrow. Whether you're designing LLM workflows or deploying AI into production systems, these are the interfaces you'll be working with next. Curious which ones you've already explored — or plan to?

Shimla saw 300,000 vehicles in two weeks. 15,000 vehicles per day. Total parking capacity: 6,000. This isn't chaos. This is what happens when 300 million Indians can suddenly afford weekend trips. The infrastructure math is brutal. 2.5x more cars than parking spots. A 30-minute drive now takes 2+ hours. Manali sees 25,000 vehicles daily with the same capacity crunch. Every hill station faces this. Demand exploded, supply didn't. But here's what's interesting. The first destinations to solve this will own India's ₹2.5 lakh crore tourism market. Shimla is building 1,500 new parking spaces with shuttle systems. Multi-storey lots with integrated waste management. Smart traffic systems spreading visitors across multiple entry points. The solution isn't fewer tourists. It's better infrastructure and smarter load distribution. Build infrastructure that protects local culture and environment. Enforce strict rules. Make tourists respect the ecosystem and keep places clean. Circuit tourism connecting nearby villages. Off-season pricing. Alternative destinations within driving distance. Most tourists are having miserable experiences right now. Long jams, no parking, frustrated families. Fix the bottleneck, capture the growth. This is infrastructure-led development done right. Build capacity, preserve the experience, win the market. #tourism

Availblity, Visibility and Accessblity: In FMCG In the FMCG (Fast-Moving Consumer Goods) industry, AVA (Availability, Visibility, and Accessibility) is a strategic framework used to ensure products reach the right customers in the right way, driving sales and brand growth. Here’s a detailed explanation of each component: ✅ 1. Availability:- Ensuring that the product is physically present where customers expect to find it. - Distribution Coverage: Products must be distributed across a wide range of channels (supermarkets, retail shop, etc.). - Stock Management: Preventing stockouts by maintaining optimal inventory levels at both retailer and distributor levels. - Route-to-Market (RTM): Efficient delivery systems ensure products are delivered on time to retail outlets. - Seasonality Considerations: Products should be stocked in higher volumes during peak demand periods (Eg.Soft drinks in summer). - Key Metrics: * On-shelf availability percentage * Out-of-stock rate * Distribution coverage percentage ✅ 2. Visibility:-Making sure the product is noticeable and stands out to customers. - Shelf Placement: Products should be placed at eye level or in premium spots within the store to attract customers. - In-store Merchandising: Use of branded displays, end caps, or standalone shelves to draw attention to the product. - Branding Materials: Point-of-sale (POS) materials like banners, posters, and danglers reinforce brand identity. - Competitor Analysis: Ensuring better or comparable visibility compared to competing products. - Promotions and Campaigns: Highlighting discounts, bundle offers, or special deals in-store. - Key Metrics: * Share of shelf (% of shelf space occupied by the product) * Visibility score (customer perception of the product’s prominence) * Percentage of outlets with branded displays. ✅ 3. Accessibility: Making the product easy for customers to find and purchase. - Store Placement: Products should be in high-traffic zones or conveniently located within the store (e.g., near checkout counters). - Channel Strategy: Ensuring the product is accessible across multiple channels, including physical retail stores, online platforms, and delivery services. - Affordability: Pricing strategies should ensure that the product is within the reach of the target audience. - Geographical Reach: Products should be accessible in urban, semi-urban, and rural areas depending on the target market. - Consumer Feedback: Identifying gaps in accessibility through consumer feedback and addressing them promptly. - Key Metrics: * Percentage of customers reporting easy access * Number of retail touchpoints (stores and channels) In conclusion, AVA (Availability, Visibility, and Accessibility) is a critical framework for success in the FMCG industry. Effective implementation of AVA requires strong distribution networks, impactful in-store marketing, and a deep understanding of customer needs.

🚗 The future of driving is here. Parallel parking, once a stress-inducing task, is becoming effortless thanks to AI and advanced vehicle technologies. Do you have this feature in your car? This technology is called Omnidirectional Wheel Control. By rotating each wheel independently, cars can move sideways, diagonally, or pivot in tight spaces—movements traditional steering can’t achieve. Combined with AI-assisted steering and 360° sensors, vehicles can park themselves in seconds. 🔹 Why it matters for drivers and businesses: + Urban drivers spend 17 hours per year searching for parking; AI parking reduces this to near zero, saving time and fuel. + Parking-related minor collisions drop by up to 40%, reducing insurance claims and repair costs. + Omnidirectional wheels allow maneuvering in spaces 30% smaller, increasing vehicle utilization in urban areas. + Businesses benefit: autonomous fleets (ride-hailing, delivery, logistics) can increase operational efficiency by 15–25%, reducing idle time and optimizing routes. + Real estate impact: smarter parking systems can increase lot capacity by up to 20%, unlocking revenue potential in high-demand urban areas. This isn’t just convenience—it’s a business transformation engine, enabling smarter urban mobility, safer streets, and new revenue opportunities. The question isn’t if AI will change driving—but how fast it will reshape industries. #AI #AutonomousVehicles #SmartMobility #OmnidirectionalWheels #FutureOfDriving #Innovation #UrbanTech #BusinessImpact

The Rule of Threes (in survival): Shelter — Three hours Water — Three days Food — Three weeks In other words, you should assume you can survive without shelter for three hours, without water for three days, and without food for three weeks. In an urban environment, the Rule of Threes still applies. The solutions are just easier to find, probably as close as your nearest Costco. At the very least, go out and purchase the following: Emergency blankets and sleeping bags. Make sure they’re rated for the lowest recorded temperature in your area. In a home robbed of power, “shelter” equals warmth. If you have a chimney, get seasoned wood; if not, get a vent-free gas stove. Don’t forget the fuel. Two weeks’ worth of water. Budget at least one gallon per person per day, and backup water purification tablets are a good idea. If you live close to the ocean, you could also buy a desalinator for turning salt water into potable water. Two weeks’ worth of food with a long shelf life. Lentils, rice, beans, canned vegetables, etc. Protein bars are a good supplement and provide some variety, as do military MREs. Emergency lighting, including a few headlamps, and a ton of batteries. First-aid kit and (for the ambitious) extra antibiotics. Ciprofloxacin (Cipro) and Azithromycin (Z-Paks), while imperfect, are good broad-spectrum antibiotics. This basic prep might seem crazy if you’ve never been caught in a disaster. No one in SF expected the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake, either, but it left thousands without running water for 10 days, and without power for four days.

Google announced Agent2Agent Protocol, how is it related to MCP and what is this all about ? 🤖 𝟏. 𝐌𝐨𝐝𝐞𝐥 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐱𝐭 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐨𝐜𝐨𝐥 (𝐌𝐂𝐏): 𝐌𝐨𝐝𝐞𝐥-𝐭𝐨-𝐓𝐨𝐨𝐥/𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐚 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐏𝐮𝐫𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐞: MCP is designed to be a universal standard for how an AI model (or an application housing a model, sometimes called an "agent" in this context) securely connects to and interacts with external tools, APIs, and data sources (called "MCP servers"). 𝐆𝐨𝐚𝐥: To provide the AI model with necessary "context" (like files, database entries, real-time information) from these external sources and allow the model to trigger actions (like updating a record, sending a message) using those tools. It aims to eliminate the need for custom, one-off integrations for every tool. 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐓𝐲𝐩𝐞: Primarily Client (AI model/app) <-> Server (Tool/API/Data Source). 𝐀𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐲: Think of MCP like a standardized USB port or HTTP protocol for AI. It allows any compatible AI model to "plug into" and use any compatible external tool or data source without needing a special adapter each time. 𝐅𝐨𝐜𝐮𝐬: Enhancing the capabilities of a single AI model/application by giving it secure and standardized access to the outside world. 𝟐. 𝐀𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐭-𝐭𝐨-𝐀𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐭 (𝐀𝟐𝐀) 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐨𝐜𝐨𝐥𝐬: 𝐀𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐭-𝐭𝐨-𝐀𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐏𝐮𝐫𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐞: These protocols define standards for how multiple distinct autonomous AI agents communicate directly with each other to collaborate, coordinate tasks, negotiate, and share information.   𝐆𝐨𝐚𝐥: To enable complex multi-agent systems where agents can work together effectively, delegate tasks, and achieve goals that a single agent couldn't manage alone. This includes agents potentially built by different developers or organizations. 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐓𝐲𝐩𝐞: Agent <-> Agent 𝐌𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐦: Often based on established theories defining message types (inform, request, query), message structures, interaction protocols, and sometimes shared languages/ontologies. Newer protocols like Google's A2A build on web standards (HTTP, JSON-RPC) for interoperability. 𝐀𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐲: Think of A2A protocols as a shared language, grammar, and set of conversational rules (etiquette) that allow different agents to understand each other and work together cooperatively. 𝐅𝐨𝐜𝐮𝐬: Enabling communication, collaboration, and coordination between multiple distinct AI agents. MCP Official: https://lnkd.in/gRMcrwpn A2A Official: https://lnkd.in/g6PCJZWn Follow Arpit Adlakha for more!

Reducing Steel Logistics Costs in India: Strategic Framework Logistics accounts for 10–20% of steel’s delivered cost and up to 28% of factory cost. Reducing this burden is key to improving competitiveness. A multi-pronged strategy involving infrastructure, modal shifts, digital tools, and policy reforms can yield significant savings. 1. Shift to Rail, Water, and Pipelines Road transport, though flexible, is 2–3x costlier. Rail movement via rakes and sidings can cut costs by 20–30%. Inland waterways (e.g., Ganga, Brahmaputra) save 40–60% for long-haul bulk cargo. Slurry pipelines, at Rs. 80–100/tonne for 250 km, are vastly cheaper than rail or road and must be expanded for inland plants. 2. Leverage PFTs and DFCs Private Freight Terminals reduce first/last-mile costs. Eastern and Western DFCs offer faster, reliable movement. Time-tabled rakes and rake-sharing improve predictability and lower costs. 3. Improve First & Last-Mile Efficiency Rail sidings, Ro-Ro services, and containerization reduce handling loss and costs. Better road access to ports via PPPs boosts multimodal efficiency. 4. Upgrade Infrastructure Developing dedicated rail/road corridors and multimodal logistics parks under Bharatmala and Sagarmala enhances connectivity. Coastal hubs at Vizag, Kandla, Paradip allow direct port loading, avoiding double handling. 5. Adopt Technology Use of Transport Management Systems (TMS), GPS tracking, and AI-based route optimization improves asset utilization and reduces fuel use. Automation in loading/unloading cuts turnaround time and damages. 6. Streamline Supply Chain Set up regional hubs near consumption centers. Aggregate demand to enable full-rake dispatch. Just-in-Time (JIT) inventory models cut warehousing and demurrage. Collaborate with 3PLs for cost-effective delivery and tracking. 7. Align with Policy & Incentives Leverage the National Logistics Policy’s aim to reduce logistics costs to 5–6% of GDP. Tap freight subsidies, tax incentives for logistics infra, GST pass-through, and single-window clearance for sidings and terminals. 8. Optimize Last-Mile & Maintenance Route planning tools reduce last-mile costs. Strategically located warehouses shorten delivery time. Preventive maintenance of fleets improves uptime and fuel efficiency. Impact Snapshot Rail over road: 20–30% cost saving Waterways: 40–60% Route optimization/backhauling: 10–15% Terminal/siding access: 5–10% Conclusion Combining modal shift, infrastructure upgrades, tech adoption, and policy alignment can reduce logistics costs by up to 40%. This is critical to meeting India’s steel production target of 255–300 million tonnes by 2030 and boosting global competitiveness.

🎤 Getting Hybrid Conferences Right = Inclusion Done Right In the past month, I’ve been able to actively participate in excellent conferences because they nailed the hybrid model. 👏 When you make conferences accessible online, you open the doors to: ✅ People with disability ✅ People in regional and remote areas ✅ Carers and parents ✅ Anyone who can’t easily travel for so many reasons Done well, hybrid means you can reach a lot more people and include people who so often miss out on being part of the conversation. Hats off to DSC and Centre for Australian Progress who know how to do this well. ✅ Top Tips for Running a Great Hybrid Conference 1. Make Online Participation Equally Valued Give online attendees a visible presence — allow them to ask questions, join breakout rooms, and appear on screen. Assign a dedicated facilitator for online participants to monitor chat, raise questions, and ensure their voices are heard. 2. Invest in Good Tech and Support Use high-quality AV equipment, microphones, and cameras. Have tech support available throughout the event, both on-site and online. Test everything with both in-person and remote attendees. What's holding us back from doing this better? Please share your thoughts and your tips in the comments. #Inclusion #Accessibility #HybridEvents #DisabilityInclusion #Conferences #Leadership #AccessMatters This image is a screenshot from a hybrid conference. It shows disability advocate El Gibbs speaking at a podium, wearing a black T-shirt that reads "THE FUTURE IS ACCESSIBLE" in bold white text. El is wearing glasses and a dark face mask, and is standing in front of a blue banner that reads "LEADERSHIP 2025" with the date and location "JUNE, PARLIAMENT HOUSE" visible. At the top of the image is the Zoom interface, with multiple participants joining the event online, including Dr George Taleporos, Craig Wallace, Peter Bacon MDEA, Alex Kelly, Madi Weston, and others. This layout highlights the hybrid nature of the event — combining in-person and virtual participation at the Centre for Australian Progress #Leadership2025 Conference

There’s only one way to differentiate yourself in the onslaught of AI-created content. —build authentic human connections. AI is changing how people search, discover, and buy, meaning businesses need to think differently about how they engage with their audience. 👉 So, how do businesses build lasting connections if search and discovery are changing? For years, businesses have relied on: 🔹 Google Search – AI-generated results mean fewer people are clicking through to websites. 🔹 Social Media – Algorithm changes mean businesses need to pay to be seen if they want significant reach. 🔹 Paid Ads – are more expensive than ever and often deliver lower returns than they used to.📉 Ad Revenue is Declining-Algorithms shift. Ad blockers rise. Clicks are harder to come by.📉 54% of publishers are worried about declining ad revenue. Thats why we are seeing massive growth in businesses that focus on building direct, unfiltered access to their audience. 💡 This is called a 'Community-First' or 'Owned Audience' approach. This involves: ✅ Growing an Email List – AI changes how people find content but can’t replace direct, meaningful communication. A strong email list ensures you stay connected, no matter how platforms evolve. ✅ Creating a Community, Not Just a Following, using platforms like Substack. AI can't replicate real engagement in private groups, industry networks, and interactive events. A highly engaged community is harder to replace than website traffic. ✅ Investing in Thought Leadership, Not Just Clicks AI can summarise existing knowledge but can’t replace original thought, deep insights, or personal storytelling. The future belongs to those seen as trusted voices in their industry. ✅ Making Engagement a Two-Way Street People don’t build relationships with AI—they build relationships with people. The best way to do that is to encourage conversation, interaction, and authentic human connection. 🔥 So my question is : Are we moving towards a future where a "community-first" approach is more potent than SEO and Social Media reach? What do you think? Have you pivoted to a "Community-First" approach? Leave a comment—I’d love to hear your thoughts!