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The business behind an autistic Barbie doll
Jamaica· 2026-01-25 05:11
Core Perspective - Mattel Inc has introduced an autistic Barbie to celebrate diversity and inclusivity within its product line, which already features dolls representing various disabilities and backgrounds [1][6]. Development Process - The autistic Barbie was developed over 18 months in collaboration with the Autistic Self Advocacy Network to accurately reflect the experiences of autistic individuals [2]. - The development team faced challenges due to the wide range of autism behaviors and traits, which are not always visible [3]. Design Features - The doll's design includes features such as slightly shifted eyes to represent avoidance of direct eye contact and articulated elbows and wrists to acknowledge stimming behaviors [3]. - The chosen outfit is an A-line dress with short sleeves and a flowy skirt to minimize skin contact, along with flat shoes for stability [5]. - Each doll is equipped with a pink finger clip fidget spinner, noise-cancelling headphones, and a pink tablet for communication [5]. Representation and Inclusivity - The autistic Barbie also features facial characteristics inspired by Mattel employees in India, aiming to represent underrepresented segments of the autistic community [6]. - The Barbie Fashionistas line includes dolls with various disabilities and body types, promoting a broader representation of diversity [7]. Market Availability - The autistic Barbie is set to be available online and at Target stores for a suggested retail price of US$11.87, with Walmart expected to carry it starting in March [8]. Autism Prevalence - According to the CDC, the estimated prevalence of autism among eight-year-old children in the U.S. is 1 in 31, with higher rates among certain racial and ethnic groups and a prevalence more than three times higher in boys than girls [9].
Intuit(INTU) - 2026 FY - Earnings Call Transcript
2026-01-22 17:02
Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company scaled its revenue from $9.5 billion in 2021 to nearly $19 billion in the past year, doubling its net income from $2 billion to over $4 billion [49] - Free cash flow also doubled from $3 billion to over $6 billion in the last fiscal year [49] - The stock performance over the last five years has increased more than three times compared to the S&P Software and Services ETF [50] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - TurboTax Live grew 47%, becoming a $2 billion business [39] - QuickBooks Live, which utilizes human intelligence, doubled in growth over the last year [40] - The mid-market segment grew by 40%, indicating strong demand for the Intuit Enterprise Suite [40] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - International revenue currently accounts for 8% of the company's total revenue [53] - The total addressable market is over $300 billion, with significant opportunities in the mid-market segment [19][32] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to create a system of intelligence that does all the work for customers, from lead to cash and credit to wealth [15][28] - The strategy includes three big bets: delivering done-for-you experiences, accelerating money benefits for customers, and focusing on the mid-market segment [29][32] - The company emphasizes the integration of AI and human intelligence to enhance customer experiences [28][35] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the company's growth trajectory, citing a nearly fourfold increase in size from $5 billion to almost $20 billion over the past years [16] - The focus remains on solving complex problems for consumers and businesses, with a commitment to doubling household savings rates and improving business success rates [25][18] - Management acknowledged areas of constructive dissatisfaction, particularly in the growth of Mailchimp and international markets, but expressed confidence in leadership and plans [17] Other Important Information - The company has a strong focus on culture and values, emphasizing integrity and customer-centricity [24][23] - The integration of technology and human intelligence is seen as essential for delivering value to customers [35] Q&A Session Questions and Answers Question: What is the company's current relationship to Human Rights Campaign's corporate index? - The company is rated by various organizations, including those focused on sustainability and the Human Rights Campaign [47] Question: What is Intuit doing to improve the message and increase value for retail investors? - The management team focuses on executing a strategy that has scaled revenue and net income significantly over the past five years, returning two-thirds of free cash flow to shareholders [49][50] Question: What percentage of Intuit's revenue is coming from international markets today, and what is the strategy to increase that? - Currently, 8% of revenue is international, with a global strategy focused on executing unique strategies for different geographies [53] Question: Will AI agents be coming to TurboTax? - Yes, AI agents are already part of the consumer platform and TurboTax, aimed at delivering customer benefits [54] Question: Would a sale or spinoff of QuickBooks' desktop business line be considered in future plans? - No, the company intends to continue serving its desktop customers as part of its integrated platform strategy [60]
Intuit(INTU) - 2026 FY - Earnings Call Transcript
2026-01-22 17:02
Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company scaled its revenue from $9.5 billion in 2021 to nearly $19 billion in the past year, doubling its net income from $2 billion to over $4 billion, and also doubling free cash flow from $3 billion to over $6 billion in the last fiscal year [49][50] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - TurboTax Live, which assists customers with their taxes, grew by 47%, becoming a $2 billion business [39] - QuickBooks Live, which provides human intelligence services, doubled in growth over the last year, while payment services grew by 37% and payroll services by 25% [40] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - International revenue currently accounts for 8% of the company's total revenue, with strategies in place to enhance growth in international markets [53] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to create a system of intelligence that does all the work for customers, focusing on doubling household savings rates for consumers and revenue growth for businesses [14][28] - The strategy includes three big bets: delivering done-for-you experiences, accelerating money benefits for customers, and targeting the mid-market segment [29][32] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - The management expressed confidence in the company's growth trajectory, citing a nearly fourfold increase in company size from $5 billion to almost $20 billion and a doubling of growth rate from 8% to 16% [16] - The management highlighted the importance of addressing complex customer problems and leveraging data, AI, and human intelligence to enhance customer experiences [18][20] Other Important Information - The company has a total addressable market of over $300 billion, with significant opportunities for growth in the mid-market segment [19][32] - The management emphasized the importance of culture and systems in driving the company's strategy and customer focus [42][43] Q&A Session Questions and Answers Question: What is the company's current relationship to Human Rights Campaign's corporate index? - The company is rated by various outside organizations, including those focused on sustainability and the Human Rights Campaign [47] Question: What is Intuit doing to improve the message and increase value for shareholders? - The management highlighted strong execution, with revenue growth and significant returns to shareholders, noting that the stock performance has outpaced the S&P Software and Services ETF [49][50] Question: What percentage of Intuit's revenue is coming from international markets today, and what is the strategy to increase that? - International revenue is currently 8%, with a focus on executing geographically unique strategies to deliver for customers [53] Question: Will AI agents be coming to TurboTax? - Yes, the company has already implemented AI agents that assist customers as part of the TurboTax platform [53][54] Question: Would a sale or spinoff of QuickBooks' desktop business line be considered in future plans? - No, the desktop business is an integrated part of the company's platform, and the goal is to serve these customers while transitioning them to the cloud [60]
Mattel adds an autistic Barbie to doll line
ABC News· 2026-01-12 06:16
Core Perspective - Mattel Inc. is launching an autistic Barbie as part of its initiative to promote diversity and inclusivity within its product line, which already includes dolls representing various disabilities and backgrounds [1][6]. Development Process - The autistic Barbie was developed over 18 months in collaboration with the Autistic Self Advocacy Network, aiming to reflect the experiences of autistic individuals [2]. - The development faced challenges due to the broad spectrum of autism, which manifests in various behaviors and traits that are not always visible [3]. Design Features - The doll features eyes that shift slightly to the side to represent avoidance of direct eye contact, and articulated elbows and wrists to acknowledge stimming behaviors [3]. - The design team chose an A-line dress with short sleeves and flat shoes to accommodate sensory sensitivities and promote ease of movement [5]. - Each doll includes accessories such as a pink finger clip fidget spinner, noise-canceling headphones, and a pink tablet for communication [5]. Representation and Inclusivity - The autistic Barbie also incorporates facial features inspired by Mattel employees in India, aiming to represent underrepresented segments of the autistic community [6]. - The Barbie Fashionistas line includes dolls with various disabilities and body types, reflecting a commitment to diversity [7]. Market Availability - The autistic Barbie is set to be available online and at Target stores for a suggested retail price of $11.87, with Walmart expected to carry it starting in March [8]. Statistical Context - The CDC reported that the prevalence of autism among 8-year-old children in the U.S. is estimated at 1 in 31, with higher rates among certain racial and ethnic groups and a significantly higher prevalence in boys compared to girls [9].
Wells Fargo Sued by Ex-Manager Who Said Bank Faked Diversity
Insurance Journal· 2025-12-22 07:16
Core Viewpoint - Wells Fargo & Co. is facing a lawsuit from a former manager, Joseph Bruno, who alleges he was terminated for advocating for a more diverse workforce and opposing the practice of conducting interviews with minority candidates for positions that were already filled [1][2]. Group 1: Allegations and Lawsuit Details - Joseph Bruno claims he attempted for years to persuade Wells Fargo executives to adhere to the company's diversity and inclusion goals, but faced resistance [1][4]. - Bruno was the first to publicly allege in 2022 that Wells Fargo conducted sham interviews of minority candidates to create an appearance of diversity efforts, leading to a criminal investigation by the US Department of Justice, which was later closed without charges [2][6]. - The lawsuit includes allegations of discrimination and retaliation in violation of federal civil rights law, with Bruno seeking unspecified monetary damages [6]. Group 2: Employment History and Termination - Bruno, who rose to the position of regional manager overseeing 14 branches, claims he was criticized for his efforts to hire more minority applicants and was ultimately fired in 2021 [3][4]. - The bank accused Bruno of retaliating against an employee who alleged he favored Black applicants, which Bruno disputes as defamatory [4][6]. - Bruno faced criticism from a regional president for not adequately defending CEO Charles Scharf against accusations of racism following a controversial Zoom meeting [5]. Group 3: Bank's Response - Wells Fargo has not provided immediate comments on the lawsuit but has previously labeled Bruno's claims as baseless, asserting that any fake interviews were not widespread [3][6]. - The bank attempted to compel Bruno into closed-door arbitration, but the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority allowed him to pursue his claims in open court [6].
Elevating Women | Radhika Bhandari | TEDxAhmedabadIntlSchool
TEDx Talks· 2025-12-19 16:30
सो विथ आवर नेक्स्ट स्पीकर लेट्स सो हाई इंटू द स्काई विथ द इमिनेंट एिएशन डेवलपमेंट्स। प्लीज वेलकम मिस राधिका भंडारी। राधिका भंडारी इज़ अ डायनामिक एिएशन प्रोफेशनल एंड एकेडमिक लीडर करेंटली सर्विंग एस द डीन ऑफ़ एिएशन एट इंडस यूनिवर्सिटी एंड डायरेक्टर ऑफ वेस्टर्न इंडिया इंस्टट्यूट ऑफ़ एरोनॉटिक्स प्राइवेट लिमिटेड। इंडियास ओनली वुमेन लेड एयरक्राफ्ट मेंटेनेंस इंजीनियरिंग इंस्टीट्यूट विथ अ बैकग्राउंड इन मेटोलर्जिकल इंजीनियरिंग एंड अ पोस्ट ग्रेजुएट डिग्री इन मैनेजमेंट फ्रॉम बोबेक बिज़नेस स्कूल यूके शी इज़ डीपली कमिटेड टू ...
The Emotional Cost of Missing Black Hair In Games | Danielle Udogaranya | TEDxLadywood Women
TEDx Talks· 2025-11-21 16:31
Representation in Games - The lack of diverse representation in games, particularly for Black individuals, leads to feelings of erasure and self-discrepancy, impacting self-esteem [2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18] - Games are becoming crucial spaces for identity rehearsal, with over 90% of adolescents playing daily, making representation vital for healthy identity development [6][8][27] - The industry needs to move beyond limited options for Black hair and other cultural representations, recognizing the connection between hair, identity, culture, and empowerment [13][14][23][24][25] - AI in game development risks perpetuating biases if built on biased datasets, highlighting the need for inclusive data and diverse teams [15][16] Industry Initiatives and Solutions - Independent creators and partnerships, such as the Sims and L'Oreal's Dark and Lovely "Play in Color" campaign, demonstrate the possibility of bringing diverse hairstyles to millions [20][21] - Resources like Dove's "Code My Crown" provide free tools and data sets for creating Black hair textures, proving that the barrier to representation is systemic, not technical [22] - Game developers need to actively seek guidance and implement workflows that prioritize diverse representation, rather than avoiding it due to perceived difficulty [24][25] Global Perspective - Investment in Africa's gaming industry, which has surpassed $1 billion, is crucial for ensuring diverse stories and cultural representation, but currently faces limited access to funding and server usage [26] - Parents and carers should ensure young people have access to games that reflect their culture and heritage, as representation is fundamental to identity development [27]
IBA opens the world of science and technology to secondary school girls
Globenewswire· 2025-10-17 05:00
Core Insights - IBA hosted the Innovat'her event to encourage female students to explore careers in STEM, addressing the underrepresentation of women in these fields [1][2][3] Group 1: Event Overview - The Innovat'her event took place in Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium, and welcomed 25 female students from secondary schools [2] - The initiative is part of IBA's broader efforts to promote diversity within its technical teams and reflects its commitment as a certified B Corp [2] Group 2: Objectives and Impact - The event aimed to inspire young women by showcasing the potential of STEM careers to innovate and create positive societal impact [3] - IBA's Head of Cultural Transformation emphasized the importance of diversity and inclusion in STEM, viewing the event as a long-term strategy to strengthen these values [3] Group 3: Activities and Engagement - The program included a guided tour of the IBA Beam Factory and interactive booths where female colleagues shared their career experiences [3] - The student initiative WomIn Tech participated to promote gender diversity in STEM, engaging with the attendees [3] Group 4: Participant Feedback - A fifth-year student expressed that the event helped clarify her career options in science and engineering, finding the discussions with female engineers inspiring [4]
X @Bloomberg
Bloomberg· 2025-10-01 14:30
Funding Halt - The White House is halting $18 billion in New York infrastructure funding [1] Concerns - Concerns are due to "unconstitutional" diversity and inclusion practices [1]
Retention, burnout, DEI are top of mind going into Q4, trends report finds
Yahoo Finance· 2025-09-30 10:02
Group 1 - Employers are focusing on workforce retention rather than hiring, with a report from ManpowerGroup indicating a shift in talent outlook as organizations prepare for Q4 [3][4] - A significant number of employers are considering workforce reductions, with only a small percentage planning to hire more in Q4 2025 [4] - Career growth pathways are identified as the leading driver of employee retention, surpassing trust in senior leadership [4] Group 2 - A report from Workday highlights that top performers are leaving companies due to stalled career growth and a decline in internal promotions [5] - Despite potential backlash, large employers (84%) are more likely to maintain diversity and inclusion initiatives compared to smaller companies (67%), viewing them as stabilizing forces amid economic uncertainty [6] Group 3 - Employee retention and burnout are critical concerns for employers, with two-thirds of over 4,000 surveyed expressing worries about stress and burnout effects [8] - Only a quarter of employers provide mental health training for leaders, indicating a gap in support for managing workforce well-being [8] - A majority of employers (74%) plan to implement inclusion and diversity initiatives in 2025 to strengthen organizational culture and combat high turnover [8]