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How concerning is it when contactless self-service pushes people out of…

Linchi Kwok Travel, Hospitality & Event Management

COVID-19 has accelerated a few foreseeable changes that the service industry expected for the future. For example, more consumers have wanted delivery service since the pandemic hit in March. Restaurants, hotels, airlines, retailers, and shopping malls have extended their current contactless self-service offerings through mobile apps, kiosks, facial recognition, and palm recognition technologies. To embrace the growing demand for delivery and contactless self-service, many fast-food chains also introduced new restaurant designs, featuring double- or triple-drive-thru lanes, conveyor belt delivery, and food lockers for pickup orders.

Survey: Firms fight to operate during COVID-19

Seth Sandronsky Business Management, Services & Risk Management

The breadth and depth of the pandemic’s effects on private businesses has surfaced in new government data collected from July 20 through Sept. 30, 2020. In these numbers, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics conveys how businesses big and small operated. Spoiler alert: the BLS data on employment, wages, job openings and terminations, employer-provided benefits, and safety and health paints a tough picture of firms fighting to stay afloat. Nationally, 52% of surveyed businesses, or 4.4 million, told their workers to avoid work (paid or not) for some time.

Hindsight is 2020: Putting the year in perspective

Linda Popky Business Management, Services & Risk Management

Admit it. If two years ago someone had walked into your office with a movie script containing half of the things that happened in 2020, you would have laughed them out of there. Or perhaps suggested they needed psychological help. None of us saw this coming. Yes, the infectious disease experts warned we should be on the lookout for a viral pandemic, but they couldn’t tell us how or when this would arrive or the impact it would have on our society. Now that we’re getting close to the end of this tumultuous year, what learning can we take forward for the future?

The best places to ring in 2021 with social distancing

Dave G. Houser Recreation & Leisure

New Year’s Eve is going to look a little different this year. Social distancing and roving shutdowns promise more subdued celebrations as organizers try to stage events that minimize the spread of the coronavirus. Outdoor events, such as concerts, parades and fireworks, will take precedence, but mostly on a smaller scale than in years past. We’ve identified six NYE celebrations across the country that guarantee a good time while keeping partygoers as safe as possible.

The cure for pandemic fatigue in your organization

Linda Popky Business Management, Services & Risk Management

COVID-19 cases are surging across the U.S. and in many other parts of the world. Even as the prospect of effective vaccines gets closer and closer, hospital ICUs are overfilling, leading to round after round of restrictions and shutdowns in many locations. One thing is for certain: We’re tired of all of this. We want to be able to move freely — to eat in restaurants, gather at sporting events, and celebrate holidays with families. But to quote the Rolling Stones, you can’t always get what you want — unfortunately. From a business perspective, we need to keep our organizations focused and on track. As we approach the end of the year, here are a few considerations to keep in mind.

Washington Reagan National’s perimeter rule to stay

Matt Falcus Travel, Hospitality & Event Management

Washington Reagan National (DCA) is one of three airports serving the Washington, D.C., area. Its location close to the downtown area, the Potomac River and government buildings such as the White House and United States Capitol give it a unique and somewhat restricted operation. Always popular with business, leisure and government travelers, owing to its central location, DCA is heavily slot-controlled by the FAA, limiting the number of daily movements. Airlines must also use their slots at least 80% of the time or risk losing them. It is also restricted, since 1966, by a rule limiting the distance over which flights can operate.

10 of America’s great campsites

Cindy Belt Recreation & Leisure

We’ve been able to stay at so many great parks that have wonderful views, hikes, and other activities. Many of these have good campsites, but this article features 10 outstanding campsites where you can sit with some privacy and enjoy a terrific view and/or observe animals or birds without having to travel to other portions of the park. Given the coronavirus situation, these campsites can be an amazing place to stay. Of course, please check for current availability and status.

US economy gains 245,000 jobs; unemployment rate drops to 6.7%

Seth Sandronsky Business Management, Services & Risk Management

U.S. employers added 245,000 nonfarm jobs in November after 638,000 new hires in October and 661,000 in September, according to the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics. November’s unemployment rate dropped to 6.7% from October’s 6.9% and September’s 7.9%. The November federal jobs report reflects an easing of COVID-19 restrictions to slow coronavirus transmission, which have been unsuccessful as local and state governments resume restraints on gatherings of businesses and public places. November’s national nonfarm jobless rate has decreased 8.0 percentage points from an April high. However, November’s rate is 3.2 percentage points higher than February’s figure.

Optimizing your business’ ability to pivot

Indiana Lee Business Management, Services & Risk Management

2020 has been a challenging year for everyone, businesses and individuals alike. What makes it so unusual is that the impact has been universal. Every nation around the world has been impacted by COVID-19 and the economic uncertainty that followed. What has become clear is that companies need to be more agile and flexible than ever. You never know what challenges will come, and a business’s ability to pivot can mean the difference between success and failure. How do you optimize your company’s ability to stay competitive in challenging situations? Here are some tips you can use.

How subscription-based marketing can be a key tool in your digital strategy

Lisa Mulcahy Marketing

As a digital/social media marketer, you know that an especially crucial task for your brand, as it moves through the pandemic and beyond, is customer retention. Your goal in this respect is to engage your existing demographic's interest in your products and services so they stay loyal and give you the repeat business you need. You also want to keep attracting new eyeballs to what you have on offer. An excellent way to accomplish all of this is with a subscription-based marketing strategy.

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