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Dump your stuff now, before you die
Lisa Cole Mental HealthcareWho amongst us wouldn't like to feel lighter, freer, less encumbered? I would! Maybe due to my time dealing with death as a healthcare professional, being an older U.S. Peace Corps volunteer in Africa, or because of the "gypsy year" I'm in right now, I am convinced we don’t need most of what we think we do. How many of us default to storage units when our home becomes too crowded? What's the inside of our car look like? When will we rid ourselves of all this extra? Or will we? Dump your stuff now, before you die.
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Will the 2020s see the rise of the retail robots?
Katherine Radin RetailGiven the current retail landscape, it comes as no surprise that retailers are diversifying their strategies to avoid closings or losing business to online shoppers. At the National Retail Federation's recent trade show, robots took the spotlight as a solution for retailers looking to improve their inventory management strategies. Some retailers have already been using robots in their distribution centers, and Walmart has recently adopted these high-tech "employees" as well. What does that mean for the industry, retail workers, and in-store shoppers?
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Research: An analysis of travelers’ choices to share or access home-sharing…
Linchi Kwok Travel, Hospitality & Event ManagementOne selling point of a home-sharing service is that it gives travelers unique social interactions with the host. Early literature about home-sharing services also confirms that travelers appreciate the interactions with the local hosts. An argument, however, arises that the "sharing" economy is actually an "access" economy. Some travelers only pay for permission to use someone else's facility with no interest in social interactions. If travelers merely want to "access" a home-sharing facility, the differences between a home-sharing stay and a regular hotel stay become nebulous.
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Creeping prices keep lid on home sales
Michael J. Berens Construction & Building MaterialsLow mortgage rates helped drive home sales in December. At the same time, shrinking inventories combined with increased demand to push home prices higher. That left some buyers, especially those at entry level, with fewer or no options, holding down the number of potential sales. Nevertheless, analysts are optimistic that market conditions will remain positive in 2020. Sales of existing homes rebounded from a 1.7% drop in November, climbing 3.6% month-over-month in December. Much of that gain came from condo and co-op sales, which soared 10.7% for the month.
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Hydrogen hopes burn brightly in the UK
Andrew Gaved Facilities & GroundsThe U.K. is currently exploring the prospect of one of the most radical transformations to its heating infrastructure for half a century. As the country grapples with a target to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, a variety of trials are underway to investigate whether it is possible to replace the national natural gas "grid" with one that runs on hydrogen. The goal is ultimately to run 100% hydrogen in place of the current methane network, but to start with a 20% blend with natural gas. The 2018 provisional U.K. greenhouse gas statistics show gas combustion in all forms (heating and power) accounted for 50% of the country's carbon emissions.
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Spotting ‘hidden’ but dangerous terms in a commercial lease
Kanayo Okwuraiwe Business Management, Services & Risk ManagementSigning a commercial lease agreement is a huge milestone in the life of your business. It can greatly contribute to the success or failure of your business. When signing a commercial lease agreement, it is important to pay close attention to the business as well as the legal terms of the agreement, as it is usually not easy to change or get out of a commercial lease agreement once it has been signed. You should, therefore, speak to an experienced real estate lawyer before you sign any lease agreement. A good real estate lawyer should explain all the terms of the agreement to you in layman’s terms.
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How hospitality will become more sustainable in 2020
Bambi Majumdar Travel, Hospitality & Event ManagementIt seems that hotel sustainability is going to top all hospitality trends in 2020. The industry is adopting a dual approach to become more sustainable, featuring a blend of behavioral change and implementation of relevant technologies. According to research, hotels must reduce their carbon emissions by 66% by 2030 to ensure that growth in the sector is sustainable. Many are using the Hotel Carbon Measurement Initiative (HCMI) to measure and report on their carbon footprint in a consistent way.
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4 reasons why every spa should have its own protocols
Elizabeth Donat RetailWith so many spas and medical spas in business these days, it's hard to keep up with all the amazing menu offerings that are available on the market, including rejuvenating facials; chemical peels; dermalinfusion therapies; and treatments for the hands, neck and scalp. But as spa practitioners and owners, it's not only a good idea to offer incredible services at competitive prices, it's crucial to have the protocols for these services written down and recorded at your spa. Like a chef writes and follows carefully crafted recipes, spa owners and their staff must create and adhere to protocols.
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Feeling the way to better acoustics
Michael J. Berens Interior Design, Furnishings & FixturesDozens, if not hundreds, of studies have demonstrated the negative impact noise has on occupants. Yet, even with advances in materials and technology, noise continues to be a major challenge to designing today’s interior environments. Perhaps the solution lies deeper than controlling for noise. It may have to do with how we respond emotionally to the sounds around us. Much of the controversy concerning noise in interior environments has followed from the widespread adoption of open-plan and active space layouts.
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Construction work begins on JFK’s Terminal 8
Matt Falcus Travel, Hospitality & Event ManagementWork has begun on the expansion and rebuilding of New York JFK’s Terminal 8, a project that will cost $344 million and usher in passenger improvements to the airport. The work is a joint venture between American Airlines and British Airways, who are both Oneworld partners. Once completed, British Airways will move to Terminal 8 from its current Terminal 7, which itself will be closed and redeveloped. Terminal 8 is currently the largest at JFK. It is set to be redeveloped and expanded with five additional wide-body aircraft gates and four additional remote parking stands.
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