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How tech trends will affect homebuyers

Terri Williams Interior Design, Furnishings & Fixtures

When searching for a home, buyers used to have three options. They could search the classified section, drive around neighborhoods looking for sale signs, or enlist a realtor to find available properties. However, these methods were time-consuming and often produced high failure rates — in part because sellers and their agents were likely to highlight a home's positives and downplay any negative features. "But now, homebuyers have so many new ways to search for their perfect home," says Jerry Clum, founder and CEO at Hommati.com, a searchable real estate website that uses technology to help agents promote their listings to potential buyers.

Remodelers ride a wave of consumer optimism

Michael J. Berens Construction & Building Materials

Consumers have a lot to be happy about. Job growth is strong, household incomes are increasing, inflation and interest rates are low, and the economy keeps chugging along, defying warnings of bubbles bursting and an impending recession. That optimism has been good for remodelers, who are benefitting from consumers’ willingness to spend and invest in their homes. Spending on home improvement surged in the month of December, according to recent reports.

Infographic: It’s 2020, is your business AI-ready?

Brian Wallace Science & Technology

One in three business leaders believe AI will have the greatest impact on their business in the next year, but few are acting on this knowledge. So, how can your enterprise get ahead of the competition with artificial intelligence? Find out more with this infographic.

Study: Why wood pallets are better for the environment than plastic

Scott E. Rupp Distribution & Warehousing

If you've ever wondered whether wood or plastic shipping pallets are more eco-friendly, the fight is over, and a winner has been declared. Wood is better for the environment. This is according to Penn State researchers, who, after conducting a series of detailed comparisons, say that the shipping pallets made of wood are slightly more environmentally friendly and sustainable than those made of plastic. "Few people realize the significance of this issue — there are about 700 million pallets produced and recycled each year in the United States alone," said Chuck Ray, associate professor of ecosystem science and management.

Elevated camping in an Airstream treehouse

Dave G. Houser Recreation & Leisure

Treehouses have long been a source of youthful fantasy, promising a leafy escape from earthly demands. Today, RV camping enthusiasts can relive such reverie with a treetop stay in a brilliantly repurposed Airstream trailer. That's the rare opportunity awaiting travelers who tie up at The Mohicans, a unique collection of treehouses and cabins nestled in the quiet woods of Ohio’s Amish country 70 miles northeast of Columbus. Owners Kevin and Laura Mooney conceived this novel resort concept in 2011 following Kevin’s retirement from a career in banking.

US employers add 225,000 jobs; unemployment ticks up to 3.6%

Seth Sandronsky Business Management, Services & Risk Management

In January, U.S. nonfarm payrolls grew by a total of 225,000 after December's gain of 145,000, while the rate of unemployment rose to 3.6% from 3.5% the previous month, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. In 2019, the average monthly gain of jobs was 175,000. The total number of unemployed persons rose to 5.9 million in January from 5.8 million in December. January's data showed that unemployment among major worker groups experienced little or no change versus December's numbers.

Coronavirus: A reminder for employers to have contingency plans for health…

D. Albert Brannen Business Management, Services & Risk Management

The recent outbreak of coronavirus in China reminds us that employers need to take certain actions to be prepared for public health crises in general. This article outlines some of the basic steps that employers can take now to get ready for a rapid spread of flu, coronavirus or some other pandemic threat. For example, you should strive to keep your safety policies and practices up to date. Consider what policies or practices you can adopt now that may come into play if there is a pandemic or major outbreak.

Single women homebuyers are a growing market niche

Michael J. Berens Interior Design, Furnishings & Fixtures

Women have long been the primary client — or in the case of couples, the primary decision-maker — for residential interior design services. Due to some recent demographic trends, a new subgroup of potential women clients is emerging — the single homebuyer. As might be expected, these homeowners have different priorities for what they want in a home and how they want it to function. Although overall women still earn substantially less than men, as a group they are making inroads into higher-paying, traditionally male-dominated fields.

Workplace fatalities are at their highest levels since 2008. What’s…

Terri Williams Business Management, Services & Risk Management

In December 2019, the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics released workplace injury data from 2018. There were 5,250 fatal workplace injuries, which represents a 2% increase over 2017. This is also the highest amount since 2008, and it should be noted that from 2009-15, workplace fatalities were in the 4,500 to 4,600 range. Two particular causes of workplace fatalities increased significantly. Deaths from unintentional overdoses as a result of nonmedical consumption of drugs or alcohol while at work increased 12%. Work-related suicides increased by 11%.

How Greece is improving its airports for the future

Matt Falcus Transportation Technology & Automotive

In Greece, a sweeping range of airport improvements and upgrades has just been approved by way of two major projects that will see a huge investment in the country's largest and busiest airport, and a brand-new airport for one of the country's main tourist destinations. Athens Eleftherios Venizelos International will celebrate its 20th anniversary next year, having opened in March 2001 to replace the older, crowded Ellinikon Airport. Now, in work estimated to cost around €700 million, the airport will be given space to grow and handle the expected future numbers of passengers and movements.

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