MultiBriefs - Your source for industry specific News Briefs

The ABCs of cargo insurance

Gail Short Distribution & Warehousing

As COVID-19 swept through Wuhan earlier this year, China fought to contain the spread of the virus by locking down the city and closing the port of Fuzhou from vessels from several foreign countries, including the United States. Subsequently, exports to the United States fell sharply. But even before the COVID-19 pandemic, shipping freight has always been a venture full of risk. The potential disasters and mishaps include theft, hurricanes, train derailments, truck collisions and containers jettisoned or lost at sea as well as corruption and political unrest in foreign nations.

Coronavirus restrictions are easing, but cautionary measures should not

Linchi Kwok Travel, Hospitality & Event Management

People are eager to get back to their normal routines. Businesses are preparing for post-pandemic travel. Governments have begun easing coronavirus restrictions. Do you see the light at the end of the tunnel already? Possibly, but the pandemic is not over yet. So, please remain cautious even as stay-at-home restrictions are lifted.

Innovation, cloud solutions will drive the future of manufacturing

Bambi Majumdar Manufacturing

Historically a conservative industry, the manufacturing sector must now be more agile and innovate at a higher level in the years to come. The industry has been bombarded with new and unprecedented challenges and has had to pivot in record time during the coronavirus pandemic. There have been supply chain disruptions, factory closures due to COVID-19 cases, and delayed launch schedules. Some oversight processes have been stalled and raise quality issues that need to be solved immediately.

Even the FBI recommends using a VPN, and here’s why

Daniel Markuson Science & Technology

Free public Wi-Fi is now one of the most prevalent cybersecurity threats. The risks are becoming so common that even the FBI recommends avoiding free internet hotspots. Along with that, it advises using a virtual private network (VPN) as a precautionary measure. In an official video, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) informs about the risks of public internet networks. The main reason is that users can "control the security standards of a public Wi-Fi network." But even the Bureau has to admit that sometimes it’s more than essential to access the web, especially when traveling or working remotely.

How leaders can help employees feel safe

Simma Lieberman Business Management, Services & Risk Management

As recently as February, it was easy to think that what happened in the "outside world" was not relevant to the business world. That's no longer true. Lines between work, home and community are blurred because our homes are our workplaces and our workplaces are in our homes. Even essential workers who work on-site for the most part go home at the end of their shift and stay there. Even as cities and states begin to open up, people will still spend most of their time inside for now.

Who sets the metrics?

Robert C. Harris Association Management

"What's measured improves," said Peter Drucker, management consultant and author. Identifying metrics improves the strategic planning process. Metrics are the expected outcomes, data, timelines and assignments to carry out the mission. "How will we measure success?" should be a frequent question at planning and board meetings. Recommendations without metrics will be difficult to gauge achievements. During strategic planning, ask leaders to consider performance, including measurables, assignments and timelines.

Experts indicate small business debt could be worse than anticipated

Kevin Reynolds Business Management, Services & Risk Management

Recent studies by the Society for Human Resource Management and economic experts at the University of Chicago have predicted that debt levels for small businesses might be even larger than originally anticipated. The coronavirus pandemic, while it abruptly shuttered most businesses in early March, was originally met with a level of optimism by economists. But as the days have continued to pass, those same experts are seeing signs of an economic recovery that is more closely akin to the 2008 recession.

All decisions are risky, so it’s time to stop talking about ‘risk-based…

Dr. David Hillson Business Management, Services & Risk Management

The idea of "risk-based decision-making" is becoming increasingly popular, and decision-makers at all levels are keen to ensure that their decisions take risk properly into account. But perhaps the term "risk-based decision-making" is mistaken. Surely all decisions are risk-based, by definition? Whenever we encounter a situation where we need to make a decision, two vital characteristics are always present. Every decision involves uncertainty, and the outcome of every decision matters.

Infographic: What comes after passwords?

Dylan Press Science & Technology

Ninety-one percent of people know they shouldn't reuse passwords, but 66% do it anyway. This infographic outlines the history of passwords as well as what might come after passwords. As Netscape co-founder Jim Clark says, "All it takes is the breach of a site [to be compromised]."

Infographic: Managing momentum at work

Brian Wallace Business Management, Services & Risk Management

Life is easier when our goals are completed, but 88% of workers spend at least one hour per day procrastinating on a task. When you feel stuck, it's hard to get started again. However, even taking a small step forward can help. This infographic outlines how to manage momentum and keep moving forward, even when there are bumps in the road.

Industries