Drones: “Fast mile” drone-based delivery services
Drone deliveries to the home, where that works, will mostly make sense for high value density items, but grocery deliveries, not so much.
Social marketing: Brilliant response by North Face to a social media video that went viral
A young woman hiking in the rain in NZ had an issue with her North Face jacket. North Face responded in viral fashion - well done!
Climate economics: Net Zero might not increase employment or reduce costs
Politicians say Net Zero will create jobs, grow the economy, but maybe not - for obvious reasons.
Business: Work-from-home trend has fallen off, and flat-lined
The "days worked from home" has fallen sharply from the peak and is now in a slow decline.
Demographics, Education: Half of companies eliminating 4-year degree requirement
55% of companies eliminated a 4-year degree requirement in 2023 for some jobs, and 45% will eliminate it in 2024.
Business: “Pay tip first” culture has turned tips into bribes
With tipping out of control, tips have turned into bribes: Pay up front or then get crappy service.
Retail: Walmart to have “quiet hours” 8-10 am
Starting Nov 10, Walmart will move to "quiet hours" in stores from 8am to 10 am. This is great for those who have sensory overload issues.
Automation: Starbucks to increase use of automation
Starbucks will improve efficiency by adding more automation.
Business: Beyond Meat to lay off 1 in 5 workers
The business model never made any sense: Beyond lays off 19% of non-production workforce; reevaluates SKUs, China | Alt Meat (alt-meat.net) “Fake meat” sold at 2x to 3x the price…
Business: Oregon UFCW wants to prohibit self serve gas stations
UFCW wants to prohibit self serve gas station in Oregon. Oregon is a nutty state.