Recent Articles
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Why micro-fulfillment centers are the future of online grocery shopping
Gail Short Distribution & WarehousingAs many Americans seek to avoid crowded stores to protect themselves from COVID-19, more and more of them are shopping for groceries online. But even before the pandemic, a 2017 report by the Food Marketing Institute (FMI) and the Nielsen Company predicted the trend. It says, "Initial findings from this study show that within the next decade, online food shopping will reach maturation in the U.S., far faster than other industries that have come online before. … The research estimates that in the current climate of technology adoption and evolution, consumer spend on online grocery shopping could reach $100 billion."
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Study: Tracking the evolution of SARS-CoV-2 virus mutations
Dorothy L. Tengler Medical & Allied HealthcareCOVID-19 can go in two different directions once it has infected someone. The immune response can remain stable and regain control over the virus, eventually clearing it through T cell and antibody activity. Or the immune system can freak out and start to overrespond, churning out more and more inflammatory cytokines, in a frantic attempt to wipe out the virus. The second path causes substantial cell death in the lungs, resulting in the most severe infections, acute respiratory distress syndrome, and even death. However, in a new study, University of Illinois researchers and students found that the virus is honing the tactics that may make it more successful and more stable.
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Associations and democracy
Robert C. Harris Association ManagementIt seems appropriate this week to highlight the connection between associations and democracy. I am sharing after learning of the death of our colleague, Belarusian association executive Vladimir Karyagin. He died November 2. He was the founder and CEO of the Republican Confederation of Entrepreneurship and the Minsk Capital Association of Entrepreneurs and Employers. His country does not encourage the formation of business associations. Belarus limits the doctrines enjoyed in the U.S., freedom of speech, assembly, and the right to petition government.
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Interior designers foresee softer demand at year’s end
Michael J. Berens Interior Design, Furnishings & FixturesContinuing the upward trend that began toward the end of the second quarter, interior design activity rebounded to close to 2019 levels in the third quarter. Billings were up nearly twice what they had been in the spring, with demand for residential remodeling and design services leading the way. As the quarter came to a close, though, firms experienced a slowdown in new inquiries and committed projects, a signal that business may taper off slightly in the final months of the year.
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Ringing in your ear? Here are some tips to help
Victoria Fann Medical & Allied HealthcareThere are few things in this world as annoying as a constant ringing sound in one or both ears. I know because I’ve experienced tinnitus, as it’s called, in my right ear for the past four years. It seems to come and go, and I suppose I’ve adjusted to it, but for many people it’s truly unbearable. In fact, there are more people than you might think affected by this auditory phenomenon. Fortunately, only 10% of sufferers of tinnitus need professional help. For the rest of us, we have to learn to live with it, because as of right now, there’s no cure. For our purposes, I will present some simple, no-cost or low-cost tips to help you cope with tinnitus.
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HSA, FSA or HRA: What employees need to know before choosing one
Grace Ferguson Healthcare AdministrationNot to be confused with health insurance, HSAs, FSAs, and HRAs are tax-favored accounts that reimburse employees for eligible healthcare expenses, as defined by the Internal Revenue Service. All three share the common goal of helping employees save on healthcare costs, but in the end, they are separate accounts. Here’s what you need to know before enrolling in an employer’s HSA, FSA, or HRA.
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How key performance indicators can help boost your brand during COVID-19
Lisa Mulcahy MarketingAs a marketer, you know the importance of monitoring your brand's progress as the pandemic continues. Some great ways to achieve this are by using key performance indicators (KPIs) in brand-new and highly effective ways. Freshen up your goal-hitting strategy by looking at your KPIs through a brand-new lens — or put them to use for the very first time. Whichever way you choose to use them, it's crucial to recognize that KPIs can be an amazing growth tool for your brand. How should you be using them right now and after COVID-19? Take these essential, profit-building steps.
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The pros and cons of lean manufacturing: A 2020 perspective
Bambi Majumdar ManufacturingThere is a reason why manufacturers are turning towards lean during these uncertain times. Lean manufacturing became popular during World War II when hardship and uncertainty ruled the world economy. Companies were forced to reduce costs during a time of radical change and yet had meet their customers' quality and delivery needs. So, they learned to optimize their systems and innovate, giving birth to modern-day lean manufacturing technologies. Flash forward to 2020 when an unexpected virus brought the whole world to its knees. Manufacturers have to drive efficiencies and agility in new ways by adjusting, adapting, and persevering in this environment.
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Hawaii inches toward opening for tourism
Lark Gould Travel, Hospitality & Event ManagementTraveling to Hawaii has never been tougher. The Aloha State, which saw visitor numbers nearing 10.5 million in 2019, has seen visitation decrease by some 50% this year so far. In May alone, that was down 98.9%. That number came to 9,116 visitors, and they traveled to Hawaii by air. That figure compared to 841,376 total visitors that entered by air and cruise ships during the same month a year ago. On the upside, a new pre-travel testing program recently began in October that will allow visitors in Hawaii who test negative for COVID-19 to avoid the two weeks of mandatory quarantine Hawaii has had in place since the pandemic began.
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Improving in-person and remote instruction: Critical elements
Howard Margolis EducationRemote teaching alone cannot easily and fully create and sustain many of the critical elements needed to meaningfully advance struggling learners’ academic, social, and emotional progress. These elements include listening and acting with empathy; helping parents successfully address COVID-19’s anxiety producing obstacles and dangers; understanding how to help struggling learners achieve their IEP or section 504 goals; and helping them take well-earned credit for their efforts and accomplishments.