MultiBriefs - Your source for industry specific News Briefs

Plan for 2021 looking on the bright side

Lloyd Princeton Business Management, Services & Risk Management

Mostly sunny with intermittent clouds and showers. That’s my forecast for 2021. It may seem overly optimistic at the moment, what with talk of more shutdowns in the weeks ahead and the standoff in Washington. I am confident, however, that this too shall pass, the ship will get righted, and we will enter calmer waters as the new year gets underway. Having gone through so many months of uncertainty and reversals this year, why should I expect the situation will improve in the next? Despite the recent resurgence of COVID-19 cases in many countries, we are making progress on preventing and treating the virus as well as on producing an effective and safe vaccine.

Why attribution modeling is an effective way to improve your marketing…

Lisa Mulcahy Marketing

As a marketer, you know how important it is for your messaging to resonate in the cost-conscious climate COVID-19 has created. A novel and highly efficient way to make this happen is with attribution modeling. As defined by Call Rail, attribution modeling is a process that lets you break down and assign credit to various key touchpoints that happen during a customer journey. Which initial touchpoints are key to incorporate in the attribution modeling process?

Do the restaurants of the future still need a dining room?

Linchi Kwok Travel, Hospitality & Event Management

It does not seem the coronavirus will be leaving us soon, although we have seen great progress recently for developing a vaccine. In recent weeks, many places have reported a surge of new COVID-19 cases. Some even resumed lockdowns and mask mandates, forcing restaurants to shut down indoor dining services again. As a short-term remedy, restaurants immediately shifted their offerings to curbside pickup and delivery services. Meanwhile, restaurants are testing new concepts to embrace the contactless self-service trend for the future. Here are some examples.

Experts hope plant-based burgers will reduce the need for factory farms

Scott E. Rupp Food & Beverage

Want fries with that? With that plant burger? That’s soon going to be a question for millions around the world at McDonald’s. The upcoming launch of McDonald’s vegan "McPlant" burger could feed many millions. Some think McDonald’s move to veggie burgers (along with many other chains making similar moves) could reduce dependence on factory farming, specifically beef production. In addition to "beef"-like veggie patties, the chain is testing chicken alternatives. The fast-food chain is behind the curve when it comes to rolling out plant-based products.

5 ways to get your website ready for Google’s user experience update

Natalka Antoniuk Marketing

As if 2020 wasn’t bad enough already, Google has let us know about an upcoming algorithm update that will most definitely send SEO gurus into a frenzy. Whenever Google rolls out an update, everyone panics. It’s no wonder when a one-position drop in your search rankings means you can lose 80% of your organic traffic. This time it’s different. Usually, we have no idea when Google is planning to update its algorithm. The SEO tools are pretty good at picking up inferences that suggest an update. But in most cases, we have no time to prepare and no idea as to what the update has changed. This time, we know.

Changing suppliers: When it’s time to cut the ties

Anne Rose Business Management, Services & Risk Management

After some time in business, you’ve likely developed strong relationships with a certain set of suppliers. You know what they can do for you and when, you know their policies and procedures, and you’re comfortable that your goals and values are congruent. All well and good, but unless you periodically analyze the status of your relationships, it’s too easy to fall into complacency and make assumptions that are no longer valid. Then you risk misplaced loyalty. So, here are signs that it is time to critically assess your loyalty to long-standing suppliers, perhaps cut those ties, and look afield for new suppliers.

What is game theory, and why should it matter to your business?

Victoria Fann Business Management, Services & Risk Management

Benjamin Franklin once said, "Games lubricate the body and mind." Maybe it’s time to start seeing business as a game; at least that’s what game theorists might suggest. Developed by mathematician John von Neumann in 1928, game theory, which could loosely be defined as the study of strategic decision-making, was originally associated with a branch of applied mathematics. Now, however, it has expanded to many other areas of study. So, how is it connected with business?

US payrolls add 638,000 jobs; unemployment rate drops to 6.9%

Seth Sandronsky Business Management, Services & Risk Management

U.S. employers added 638,000 nonfarm jobs in October, according to the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics. October’s rate of unemployment fell to 6.9% from September’s 7.9% and August’s 8.4%. The gradual employment improvement is a result of eased COVID-19 restrictions on social movement and resuming of commerce, though the pandemic remains uncontained and prospects for a vaccine available to the public are unclear. "The number of unemployed persons fell by 1.5 million to 11.1 million," according to the BLS. "Both measures have declined for 6 consecutive months but are nearly twice their February levels."

Why micro-fulfillment centers are the future of online grocery shopping

Gail Short Distribution & Warehousing

As 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."

How key performance indicators can help boost your brand during COVID-19

Lisa Mulcahy Marketing

As 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.

Industries