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Are you ready to plug in?

Dave G. Houser Transportation Technology & Automotive

If predictions from auto industry experts are right, your next set of wheels could well be powered by electricity. According to the Edison Electric Institute (EEI), the number of electric vehicles (EVs) on U.S. roads is projected to reach almost 20 million by 2030 — up from just 1 million in 2018. There is no question the future of electric transportation is evolving at a breakneck pace. Incentivizing the adoption of EVs in the U.S. is a federal tax credit for most electric vehicles for up to $7,500. That is, except for Tesla and GM, whose output has exceeded the credit’s cutoff of 200,000 vehicles sold.

Supply chain disruptions are causing havoc in the auto industry

Bambi Majumdar Manufacturing

The global semiconductor chip shortage has sent the auto world into a frenzy. The pandemic and stay-at-home lifestyles have created soaring demand for electronic devices, which has increased the demand for semiconductor chips. Semiconductors form the core of an increasing number of electronic devices, large and small. They help power large machines like space shuttles and automobiles as well as everyday devices like cameras, smartphones, vacuum cleaners, and refrigerators. Automobiles have relied heavily on semiconductors since the 1970s.

On the roads again: Transit after COVID-19

Jeremy Zuker Transportation Technology & Automotive

During the pandemic, many workplaces have switched to telecommuting, schools tried online learning, and theaters, parks, and beaches stood empty while restaurants had to survive on takeout-only transactions. Vehicle miles traveled (VMT) dropped by 16.3% nationwide in July 2020. Now, with vaccination rates growing, entire states have begun lifting emergency measures. As social distancing and mask mandates become a thing of the past, a whole world of cooped-up people will burst back out onto the streets. However, various factors will influence just how transit looks in the post-coronavirus world.

What’s the BIG Idea? Episode 2: Steve Jurash on leading through crisis

Hank Boyer Business Management, Services & Risk Management

In this video, Hank Boyer visits with Steve Jurash, president of the 5,000-plus member Manufacturing Alliance of Philadelphia (MAP). MAP represents several hundred thousand manufacturing employees. In March 2020, Jurash led MAP through an incredibly challenging period of dealing with the COVID-19 crisis, an event that brought manufacturing everywhere to a sudden halt. With several hundred thousand employees' lives affected by his decision-making, Jurash faced one of his most challenging periods of leadership. He shares more than 20 best practices effective leaders use to navigate during periods of crisis.

10 ways to vacation lavishly during the pandemic

Jordan Brown Travel, Hospitality & Event Management

As the world slowly starts to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, travelers are beginnings to set their eyes on luxury travel in 2021. After all, so many of us are overdue for lavish experiences and some much-deserved relaxation. While luxury travel during the pandemic is possible, it is important to remember to follow CDC guidelines to ensure your health and safety. Experts continue to recommend social distancing, wearing masks, taking viral tests before and after traveling, and following local guidelines. In our guide below, we have listed the top 10 travel tips during COVID to ensure you have the safe and lavish vacation you have been dreaming of.

Change to adapt: How businesses will respond to post-pandemic travels

Linchi Kwok Travel, Hospitality & Event Management

Hospitality and tourism companies are ready for the long-awaited travel recovery in 2021. Many have begun hiring. The hospitality sector alone added 355,000 new jobs in February, making up most of the nonfarm payroll gains in the market. Airlines, too, are preparing for recovery; they have resumed hiring and training and plan to buy new airplanes. Post-pandemic travel, however, will very likely look different from what we knew about travel. COVID-19's devastating impact on the hospitality and tourism industry may have changed how these businesses operate forever.

Here are the most oddly named towns in America

Dave G. Houser Travel, Hospitality & Event Management

Virtually every state in the union has one. We're talking oddly named towns. Veteran road-trippers have probably come across some of them — like Chugwater, Wyoming; Intercourse, Pennsylvania; or Waterproof, Louisiana. But some names are rather Bland (Missouri), even Boring (Oregon) or downright Dull (Ohio) compared to some of the truly nutty names we’ve uncovered. Some towns are named for things we eat, like Chili (Wisconsin), Chicken (Alaska), Spuds and Two Egg (Florida), Fries (Virginia), Bacon (Texas) or Sandwich (Massachusetts). And we say Whynot (North Carolina and Mississippi)?

Infographic: Why you need diversity in the supply chain

Brian Wallace Distribution & Warehousing

Why does the supply chain need to be diverse, you ask? There are underserved populations and businesses that are minority-owned who are not getting a seat at the table. According to Avinandan Mukherjee, dean of the Lewis College of Business at Marshall University: "Small companies are at the mercy of larger retail buyers and suppliers sometimes, and they get less focus and attention, especially when production is lower at the other end. So bargaining power definitely creates some risk for smaller companies." Also, large corporations are often missing the mark for their minority suppliers. Diversity needs to be less talk and more action.

Infographic: How to become an entrepreneur

Brian Wallace Business Management, Services & Risk Management

If you go back a few generations in time, entrepreneurs were not all about the glitz and glamor of today. It was actually a looked down upon profession. So, what’s changed in the world? Entrepreneurship only works properly with a contract with society to succeed.

Will hospitality and travel recover in 2021?

Linchi Kwok Travel, Hospitality & Event Management

2020 was a very challenging year for most. Besides lockdowns, many companies let employees work from home permanently. When many business activities were put on a break and supply chains were interrupted, the global economy crashed. COVID-19’s impact on the hospitality and tourism industry has been devastating and unprecedented. This article looks at the damage done to aviation, hotels and restaurants in 2020 because of the pandemic and what can be expected for those sectors in 2021.

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