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Competency Frameworks Drive Organizational Success – Here’s How, According to McLean & Company

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A new research snapshot from McLean & Company, a globally recognized HR research and advisory firm, explores the impact of well-structured competency frameworks on talent management and organizational success. The firm’s findings highlight how a clear and consistent approach to defining employee skills and behaviors strengthens HR practices, enhances workforce alignment with business goals, and fosters a culture of continuous development and performance excellence

TORONTO, March 11, 2025 /CNW/ – As organizations navigate an evolving talent landscape, HR leaders are seeking structured and scalable ways to strengthen recruitment, enhance employee development, and cultivate effective leadership. In its latest research snapshot, Develop Core and Leadership Competencies, McLean & Company underscores the crucial role of competency frameworks in providing a clear, consistent, and strategic foundation for talent management.

A competency framework serves as an organization’s ultimate HR reference tool by defining the knowledge, skills, and attributes employees need to perform successfully in their roles. The firm explains in the new research snapshot that by establishing core, leadership, and functional competencies, organizations can streamline key HR functions, including talent acquisition, performance management, succession planning, and employee development. This structured approach not only improves organizational performance but also creates a more engaged and motivated workforce.

Competency Frameworks Address Key HR Priorities
According to HR Trends 2025, organizations that implement competency frameworks are better positioned to address their most pressing workforce priorities, including:

Developing Leaders: A structured leadership competency model provides organizations with a clear roadmap for identifying, developing, and retaining high-potential leaders. By establishing defined leadership competencies, organizations can create targeted development programs, ensure leadership continuity, and foster a culture of strong, strategic decision-making at all levels. This approach is essential for organizations looking to cultivate resilient leadership pipelines that align with evolving business needs.Retaining Talent: As employees seek greater clarity in career progression and professional development, well-defined competency frameworks help organizations establish transparent expectations for performance and growth. By linking competencies to career paths, training opportunities, and succession planning, organizations can create a more engaging and motivating work environment. This not only supports talent retention but also enhances workforce agility and overall job satisfaction, reducing turnover and strengthening long-term organizational stability.

“Competency frameworks provide HR leaders with a structured approach to talent management by defining the knowledge, skills, and attributes that drive success across all levels of an organization,” says Karen Mann, senior vice president, Human Resources Research, Learning & Advisory Services at McLean & Company. “When designed and implemented effectively, these frameworks enhance decision-making across HR functions and contribute to long-term organizational success.”

The Key Characteristics of an Effective Competency Framework
To be successful, competency frameworks must be structured to ensure clarity, relevance, and applicability across the organization. McLean & Company’s research identifies the core characteristics of an effective framework as being:

Relevant: Directly aligned with real-world job functions and business objectives.Objective: Clearly defined to ensure consistency and prevent misinterpretation.Measurable: Tied to performance benchmarks with defined proficiency levels.Manageable: Streamlined to include a limited number of competencies for ease of adoption.Applied: Actively used by managers and employees to inform hiring, development, and performance evaluations.

The firm’s findings highlight that organizations that successfully implement competency frameworks not only create a common language for employee expectations but also foster an environment where professional growth and organizational needs align.

Enabling HR Leaders With Actionable Research and Tools
McLean & Company provides a range of resources, including guided implementation support, competency libraries, and hands-on workshops, to help organizations build and implement a competency framework tailored to their needs. Through its Develop Core and Leadership Competencies research, HR professionals gain access to proven methodologies for strengthening talent management strategies. For more information on how organizations can enhance HR effectiveness through competency frameworks, explore the Develop Core and Leadership Competencies workshop.

HR professionals can access the research and explore related resources, including templates and tools, by visiting McLean & Company’s website or contacting Communications Manager Katie Tame at ktame@infotech.com.

About McLean & Company
McLean & Company pairs evidence-based research and immediately applicable tools with deep HR expertise to position organizations to meet today’s needs and prepare for the future. The global HR research and advisory firm’s member organizations enjoy comprehensive resources, full-service diagnostics, workshops, action plans, and advisory services for all levels of HR professionals, from executive leadership to HR leaders to HR team members, that help shape workplaces where everyone thrives.

McLean & Company is a division of Info-Tech Research Group.

Media professionals can register for unrestricted access to research across IT, HR, and software and hundreds of industry analysts through the firm’s Media Insiders program. To gain access, contact ktame@infotech.com.

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Kenda Tire Chosen as OEM Supplier for Slate Auto’s All-New Blank Slate Electric Pickup

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KLEVER S/T EV tires were engineered specifically to support the performance, efficiency and value proposition of Slate’s upcoming electric pickup

AKRON, Ohio, Oct. 28, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Kenda, a global leader in tire and wheel manufacturing, has been selected by Slate Auto as the official original equipment (OE) tire supplier for the company’s new electric pickup, The Blank Slate. Through the partnership, Kenda will provide its KLEVER S/T EV tire, developed specifically to meet the unique performance, efficiency and durability requirements of Slate’s highly anticipated electric vehicle.

More than a traditional supply agreement, the collaboration brings together engineering teams from both companies to research, develop and manufacture a tire solution tailored to the Slate truck’s weight, torque characteristics, efficiency targets, ride and handling requirements, and anticipated driving conditions. Kenda has also been selected as the supplier for Slate’s accessory tire offerings, helping customers personalize their vehicles while maintaining the performance, safety and quality standards established for the platform.

“As the automotive industry continues to evolve, Kenda remains committed to delivering innovative tire technologies that meet the needs of both manufacturers and its consumers,” said Jimmy Yang, Global President, CEO and Chairman of Kenda Industrial. “Our collaboration with Slate Auto represents an exciting opportunity to support a company that is reimagining electric mobility through accessibility, personalization and practicality. We are proud to contribute our engineering and production expertise with our EV-focused technology to help bring The Blank Slate to market.”

Slate Auto has generated significant attention across the automotive industry for its unique approach to electric vehicle ownership, focusing on affordability, simplicity and personalization. As the company moves toward production, selecting a dedicated OE tire supplier marks an important milestone in establishing a production-ready vehicle and supply chain.

The KLEVER S/T EV tire was engineered specifically for the Slate truck application and incorporated features designed to address the vehicle weight and instant torque associated with EVs. The tire utilizes a low rolling resistance design to help maximize efficiency and driving range, while reinforced construction supports durability, handling performance and tread life. Development of the tire has been supported by Kenda’s American Technical Center in Akron, Ohio, where engineers work closely with automotive manufacturers to create customized solutions for emerging mobility platforms.

“This partnership reflects Kenda’s continued growth in the original equipment automotive market and our ability to develop purpose-built solutions for next-generation vehicles,” said Brandon Stotsenburg, Vice President of Automotive for American Kenda Rubber. “The KLEVER S/T EV was designed to address the specific challenges EVs present, from increased vehicle weight and instant torque to efficiency and ride comfort requirements. Working alongside Slate throughout the development process has allowed us to create a tire solution that complements the vehicle’s performance while supporting its affordability and personalization goals.”

The Kenda KLEVER S/T EV tire will launch as original equipment on The Blank Slate when the vehicle enters production in November 2026, with availability aligned to Slate Auto’s production schedule.

For more information on Kenda, visit www.kendatire.com. To learn more about Slate Auto or to start your customizable preorder, head to www.slate.auto.

About Kenda

Founded in 1962, Kenda is a global leader in tire development and manufacturing. With over 14,000 employees and factories worldwide, Kenda continues to expand product offerings in the automotive, bicycle, powersports, trailer/specialty, and wheelchair markets. Kenda takes pride in operating under the core values of honesty, innovation, quality, and customer service to provide the highest level of products and services to customers across the globe. For more information, please visit www.kendatire.com

About Slate Auto

Slate is a new American company building vehicles that people can afford, personalize, and love. Established in 2022, Slate was founded on a disruptive business model of simplifying the manufacturing process and reindustrializing America. Slates are designed to achieve the highest safety ratings, and will be assembled at a reindustrialized factory in Warsaw, Ind. Slate will invest nearly $400 million into the factory, create 2000+ jobs in Warsaw, and contribute up to $39 billion to Indiana’s economy over 20 years. For more information, visit www.slate.auto.

The Zimmerman Agency
Kenda@Zimmerman.com 

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SOURCE Kenda Tire

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Doppel Named to Fortune Cyber 60 for Second Consecutive Year

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Recognition underscores Doppel’s continued growth and leadership in Social Engineering Defense as AI transforms the threat landscape

SAN FRANCISCO , Oct. 28, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Doppel, the Frontier AI Social Engineering Defense (SED) platform, today announced it has been named to the 2026 – 2027 Fortune Cyber 60 list for the second year in a row. Produced in partnership with Fortune editors, Lightspeed Venture Partners, and AWS, the annual list recognizes 60 of the most important venture-backed startups shaping the future of cybersecurity. Selection is based on financial performance, business operations, growth, and cybersecurity market research.

The recognition comes as AI makes phishing and other social engineering attacks more sophisticated, personalized, and easier to scale across multiple channels, exposing the limitations of legacy cybersecurity defenses. Doppel was founded as an agentic platform built to address this new environment and protect organizations across the entire social engineering attack chain. Powered by agentic AI, the platform unifies Digital Risk Protection, Human Risk Management, and Email Security to detect and connect attacks across channels, disrupt the infrastructure behind attacks, and strengthen employee resilience against evolving tactics.

“Being named to the Fortune Cyber 60 for the second consecutive year is a significant moment for our team and a reflection of the progress we’ve made as a company,” said Kevin Tian, co-founder and CEO of Doppel. “As we’ve seen in recent weeks, phishing techniques are becoming more sophisticated, and attackers are more capable than ever before. We’re at an inflection point in cybersecurity. As an industry, we have a responsibility to equip defenders with the technology and resources they need to stay ahead of these threats. I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished so far, and we’re only getting started.”

The recognition adds to a year of continued growth and expansion for Doppel. In 2026, the company expanded its global presence in Japan and Toronto, introduced new capabilities across its Social Engineering Defense platform, including Email Security, and officially surpassed 300 employees. Doppel was also named to Fast Company’s 2026 Best Workplaces for Innovators list and won a 2026 SiliconANGLE TechForward Award in the AI-Powered Threat Detection category.

Fortune Cyber 60 Methodology: The Fortune Cyber 60™ list, developed in partnership with Lightspeed Venture Partners and AWS, recognizes 60 of the most important venture-backed cybersecurity startups that have not yet undergone an IPO, acquisition, or other significant exit. Companies are grouped into three categories of 20—Early Stage, Early Growth Stage, and Growth Stage—and listed alphabetically within each category. Selection is based on financial performance, growth, business operations, and cybersecurity market research, with the final list reviewed and validated by Fortune. The full methodology can be found here.

To learn more about Doppel and how its Frontier AI Social Engineering Defense platform helps organizations detect and disrupt social engineering attacks across channels, visit doppel.com.

About the Cyber 60
The Fortune Cyber 60 identifies significant venture-backed cybersecurity startups that have not completed an IPO, acquisition, or other major exit. Companies are grouped by stage rather than ranked, reflecting the distinct opportunities and challenges facing businesses at different points in their development.

About Doppel
Doppel is the Frontier AI platform for Social Engineering Defense (SED), protecting people and brands from AI-powered impersonation, phishing, fraud, and deception through three solutions running on the Doppel Superintelligence Layer. Digital Risk Protection (DRP) sees attacks forming, mapping attacker infrastructure across channels and dismantling it before launch. Email Security defends the inbox, judging every message by the infrastructure behind it and taking that infrastructure down so the campaign can’t retarget. Human Risk Management (HRM) hardens the people attackers target, turning live threats into simulations and training and measuring risk by user and team. Every signal flows through a shared Threat Graph, so a threat seen anywhere strengthens defenses everywhere, and self-healing agents patch every missed detection. Together, they break the social engineering attack chain, advancing Doppel’s mission to protect the world from social engineering attacks every day.

Follow Doppel on X, LinkedIn, YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram.

Media Contacts
Keenan Emery, Doppel
Comms@Doppel.com 

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Deloitte is named a Leader in the ISG Provider Lens™: Workday Ecosystem Services 2026 for the fourth time in the US and Europe and the second time in APAC

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NEW YORK, Oct. 28, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Deloitte has been recognized as a Leader in the ISG Provider Lens™: Workday Ecosystem Services 2026 study across the United States, Europe, and Asia Pacific (APAC). Deloitte was recognized across all four quadrants: Transformation Services, Deployment and Integration Services, Performance and Optimization Services, and Innovation on Workday. This is the fourth time Deloitte has been recognized as a Leader in the US and Europe and the second time in APAC (which was added as a reported region in 2025).

The ISG Provider Lens™ study evaluates Workday ecosystem service providers and helps enterprises assess provider capabilities, market presence, and delivery strengths. The research covers services supporting Workday-enabled transformation, implementation, optimization, and innovation initiatives. According to the assessment, Deloitte strengthened its positioning across multiple quadrants compared to the previous year’s study, with notable progress in Deployment and Integration Services in the US and Performance and Optimization Services in Europe. Across many regions, Innovation on Workday emerged as one of Deloitte’s strongest positions in the 2026 study.

The report highlighted how:

“Deloitte focuses on redesigning work, roles and operating models for AI-enabled human-machine teams. Its consultants build outcome-focused roadmaps that address workforce experience, operational efficiency, governance, and adoption before implementation. Deloitte emphasizes aligning technology decisions to measurable business outcomes rather than treating Workday as a standalone system deployment.”

“We are honored to be recognized as a Leader across every Workday services category and region assessed by ISG. This recognition reflects the strength of our global collaboration with Workday, the trust our clients place in us, and the dedication of our people around the world. As AI continues to reshape the future of work, we remain focused on helping clients achieve continuous transformation and lasting business outcomes through our close collaboration with Workday and ongoing investments in innovation, agentic capabilities, and industry solutions,” says Jannine Zucker, Workday Alliance Chief Commercial Officer, Deloitte Consulting LLP.

To learn more, access the ISG Provider Lens™: Workday Ecosystem Services 2026 report and explore Deloitte’s Workday capabilities.

For more information about Deloitte Analyst Relations, please visit our Analyst Relations page.

About ISG

ISG (Information Services Group) (Nasdaq: III) is a leading global technology research and advisory firm. A trusted business partner to more than 900 clients, including more than 75 of the world’s top 100 enterprises, ISG is committed to helping corporations, public sector organizations, and service and technology providers achieve operational excellence and faster growth. The firm specializes in digital transformation services, including automation, cloud and data analytics; sourcing advisory; managed governance and risk services; network carrier services; strategy and operations design; change management; market intelligence and technology research and analysis. Founded in 2006, and based in Stamford, Conn., ISG employs more than 1,600 digital-ready professionals operating in more than 20 countries—a global team known for its innovative thinking, market influence, deep industry and technology expertise, and world-class research and analytical capabilities based on the industry’s most comprehensive marketplace data. For more information, visit www.isg-one.com.

About Deloitte

Deloitte refers to one or more of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited (DTTL), its global network of member firms, and their related entities (collectively, the “Deloitte organization”). DTTL (also referred to as “Deloitte Global”) and each of its member firms and related entities are legally separate and independent entities, which cannot obligate or bind each other in respect of third parties. DTTL and each DTTL member firm and related entity is liable only for its own acts and omissions, and not those of each other. DTTL does not provide services to clients. Please see www.deloitte.com/about to learn more.

Deloitte provides leading professional services to nearly 90% of the Fortune Global 500® and thousands of private companies. Our people deliver measurable and lasting results that help reinforce public trust in capital markets and enable clients to transform and thrive. Building on its 180+-year history, Deloitte spans more than 150 countries and territories. Learn how Deloitte’s nearly 500,000 people worldwide work together every day to make an impact that matters at www.deloitte.com.

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SOURCE Deloitte Global

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