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For gyms and bookstores, the coronavirus pandemic means getting creative
Kevin Reynolds Business Management, Services & Risk ManagementIf there will ever be a theme of the coronavirus saga for small businesses, it will probably go something like this: Adapt in ways never thought possible. It has already been well-documented how restaurants, offices and other firms have scrambled to adjust with contactless business for an unscripted amount of time. But for gyms, local bookstores and other outlets with a less obvious transition to a virtual world, it has been a much harder three months.
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US payrolls add 2.5 million jobs amid reopenings; unemployment drops to…
Seth Sandronsky Business Management, Services & Risk ManagementEmployers added 2.5 million nonfarm jobs in May after April's 20.5 million layoffs, according to the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics. May's rate of unemployment dropped to 13.3% versus 14.7% in April. Some economists had spoken of May's unemployment rate reaching 20%, rivaling the depths of the Great Depression. Instead, the labor market improved due to a partial resuming of economic activity after its curtailment in March and April to slow the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, some areas of the economy did not rebound in May.
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Federal agency sets final rule on truckers’ hours of service
Gail Short Transportation Technology & AutomotiveDrivers of large, heavy trucks must regularly meet tight deadlines set by shippers and receivers to deliver goods to warehouses and other customers on time, and fatigue can make truckers' jobs both difficult and risky. To help keep fatigued and drowsy drivers of commercial motor vehicles off the road, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) sets hours of service (HOS) regulations for truck drivers. This spring, the FMCSA presented its final rule on updates to the HOS rules to give drivers more flexibility regarding when and how long they can take breaks.
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Finding the upside of ‘Groundhog Day’
Anne Rose Business Management, Services & Risk ManagementDuring our worldwide quarantine, I've heard numerous groans about every day being "Groundhog Day," a reference to an old Bill Murray movie where every day was a rerun of the previous. But regardless of the lockdown, how many of us run busily through our days, repeating mechanically the previous day’s agenda? If you're going through rote motions of living, then you've already been living through "Groundhog Day." Well, this quarantine forces us to be still, to think. When we are moving mechanically and busily through life, we don’t often take the time to think; we just do.
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Preventing hate crimes: If you see something, say something
Linda Popky Business Management, Services & Risk ManagementAfter 9/11, when it became apparent we had to change our approach to security in the skies, as well as on the ground, the TSA was formed to manage new airport passenger screening protocols. A wave of mass shootings has led to enhanced security systems in public buildings. Because these measures alone can’t stop bad actors, we know we all have to be vigilant to what’s going on around us. If we see something, we have to say something. Now, we need to be on alert for a different type of threat. The number of hate crimes in the United States has risen consistently for the last three years.
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As many struggle, some small businesses are thriving during COVID-19
Kevin Reynolds Business Management, Services & Risk ManagementFor a pandemic that has been particularly bad for small businesses across the country, some sectors of the economy are using these months as a revival of sorts. As the demands of consumers have changed, some stagnant industries are getting a second chance. Economists have noted this trend is not uncommon in times like these. In nearly every major economic downturn, there are some small businesses that manage to provide exactly what the economy needs.
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Chia or flax: Which is better for your health?
Amanda Ghosh Food & BeverageAcai, blueberries, hemp, moringa, cacao, maca, alfalfa...the list goes on and on. It can be difficult to decipher which superfoods you should be investing in with so many on the market. Let’s tackle chia and flax and decide which one is better for you.
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Tips for small business leaders managing social media during COVID-19
Natalie O'Grady MarketingSmall business owners have been hit hard in recent months. From forced closures to staff layoffs and increased pressure to connect with customers authentically, the road has been far from smooth. Many businesses have lost most of their communication avenues with customers except for social media. For those not accustomed to prioritizing social, this has presented a steep learning curve. For businesses that already had a social media strategy, many components of carefully crafted plans have been put on hold or shelved.
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The new normal may be anything but
Linda Popky Business Management, Services & Risk ManagementMaybe we've hit bottom. Three months into the COVID-19 lockdown, it appears that mitigation measures have "flattened the curve." Measures are being taken to reopen the economy on some level in just about every state in America. How far and how fast this will proceed remains to be seen. A common refrain is that we are trying to "get back to normal." There’s only one problem. Those days are gone — if not forever, for a very, very long time.
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Airport concessions in crisis as coronavirus takes toll on air travel
Matt Falcus Travel, Hospitality & Event ManagementVictims of the coronavirus outbreak and its effect on air travel include the thousands of airport concessions across the country, and indeed the world, that have been forced to endure closure and laying off employees or, if still open, next to minimal sales. Now, with airports and airlines receiving funds to help them through these difficult times, airport concessions are also calling on the government to recognize their plight and provide relief before many are forced out of business.
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