China Provided An Example Of Technological Solutions To The Pandemic
China--the first country to contend with the coronavirus--afforded us several case-studies for how technology can be leveraged to deal with pandemics. The prodigious cloud-computing resources of tech companies like Tencent and DiDi were used by researchers to expedite...
read moreAI Is Playing A Role In Handling The Pandemic
The better we can track the virus, the better we can fight it. AI is indispensable to this endeavor. AI technology is ideally positioned to identify, track and forecast outbreaks. By analyzing news reports, social media platforms, and government documents, AI can...
read moreThe Importance Of Networking To Deal With The Pandemic-induced Economic Downturn
Pandemic planning is distinct from traditional continuity planning; as companies are forced to analyze how a pandemic would adversely impact commerce. The key is to manage threats--which include absentee-ism and loss of vital public services (utilities and...
read moreSystemic Solutions For Systemic Problems
As companies start to address the current exigencies, they’re learning that a pandemic is fundamentally different from more conventional threats to business continuity. Plans are usually designed to help companies respond to localized threats--not to global...
read moreWell-positioned Companies Assist Faltering Businesses
Retail is floundering in the U.S. By the end of March, 20% of middle-class workers had already been temporarily furloughed or suspended; over 700,000 positions had vanished; and 10 million workers had filed for unemployment benefits (in just those last two weeks). (At...
read moreTechnology’s Role In Boosting Business
The connectivity now afforded to us by Smartphone apps, data analytics, and AI gives us ways to fight pandemics in ways we never previously thought possible. In the midst of the corona-virus outbreak, it has become all-the-more imperative to marshal our technological...
read moreMajor Chain Stores Take a Huge Hit in 2020
Due to the economic downturn induced by the coronavirus pandemic, as many as 12,000 major chain stores could close by the end of the year (2020). Among the casualties are Hallmark, GNC, Walgreens, and Gamestop. Brooks Brothers filed for bankruptcy in July. Some stores...
read moreMore Store Closings Due to 2020 Pandemic
When it comes to retail, more than 6,300 stores will be closing in 2020 as a result of the pandemic-induced consumer downturn. Stein Mart, Lord & Taylor, JC Penney, Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, Tailored Brands (Men’s Wearhouse), as well as Bed, Bath & Beyond are among...
read moreMajor Brands That Have Taken a Hit Seek Capital Funding
Now more than ever, capital infusion is being sought by major brands that have taken a major hit due to social distancing protocols. Bankruptcies have afflicted entertainment companies like Apex Parks, which owns fourteen family entertainment venues--including water...
read moreSocial Distancing and its Effects on Consumer Spending
Social distancing protocols have led to a drastic reduction in consumer spending. As the economy is stimulated from the demand side, this has severely hampered commerce in certain sectors. Consequently, restaurants that are unable to accommodate patrons are suffering....
read morePandemic Fallout Continues to Wreak Havoc on the Retail Industry
Due to pandemic mitigation measures (shelter in place, social distancing, and mandatory shut-downs), falling consumer demand continues to take a toll on the retail industry, forcing many businesses to file for chapter 11. While this is an unwelcome disruption to the...
read moreSmall Businesses in Dire Need of Private Sector Funding
During the Covid-19 crisis, various industry groups are rallying to help their constituents. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is providing some resources for small businesses; but it isn’t enough. The National Federation of Independent Businesses is also getting involved;...
read moreNew Sources of Capital for Businesses Struggling During The Pandemic
There are few small businesses that possess the credit rating or collateral to secure a conventional bank loan. Now, in the midst of the pandemic lockdown, as small businesses and startups are struggling to get financing, entrepreneurs are seeking alternate sources of...
read moreChinese Startups Are Now Looking For New Sources Of Capital
Chinese startups saw their funding decline by more than 50% just in the first two months of the coronavirus outbreak in China. Almost half of startups in China lost between 50% and 100% of revenues since the pandemic. (Even so, another 26% actually saw their revenues...
read moreVulnerable Tech Startups Are Feeling The Heat
On the surface, startups seemed to be minimally affected by the pandemic--primarily due to the ability of many employees to telecommute. However, some investors are holding back on funds for startups that show any risk...at least until the economic climate takes a...
read moreTech Startups Focused On Smaller Enterprises Have An Advantage
Silicon Valley and other centers of tech startups may seem largely undeterred by the COVID-19 pandemic. After all, many in the tech world are already accustomed to working digitally. For most tech workers, it was relatively easy to transition to tele-commuting as...
read moreBusinesses Are Having Trouble Recruiting CFO’s During The Pandemic
Businesses with CFO vacancies are struggling to find replacements, as many prospects are getting cold feet in the wake of the economic downturn. Otherwise, everything is in a holding pattern. Some finance chiefs feel they cannot leave their current employers in the...
read moreStimulus Money Is Not Reaching Small Businesses In Need of Help
The idea of the PPP was simple: Loans to keep businesses afloat would be forgiven insofar as the funds were used to cover payroll, utilities, and rent. According to the SBA (the nation’s small businesses association), the U.S. has 30.2 million small businesses (those...
read moreFederal Stimulation Is Inadequate For Shoring Up Struggling Businesses
The stimulus package proffered by the U.S. government overwhelmingly favored large corporations (in the form of subsidies and tax abatements), meaning that loans to sustain overhead for smaller businesses (the “Paycheck Protection Program”) were somewhat limited....
read moreEconomic Downturn Imposes Marketing Constraints
Marketing (including SEO and lead generation) is typically seen as a luxury for companies. So this is often one of the first things to be cut when a business experiences budgetary constraints. For companies with a well-established customer base or a unique (specialty)...
read moreResilient Sectors Persist Amidst the Economic Downturn
The demand from essential businesses in foodservice and medical fields is expected to keep major wholesalers in full operation. The medical sector’s three major suppliers are McKesson Corporation, AmerisourceBergen Corporation, and Cardinal Health. Such operations...
read moreMarketing Sector Struggles Amidst Economic Downturn
Marketing (including SEO and lead generation) is typically seen as a luxury for companies. So this is often one of the first things to be cut when a business experiences budgetary constraints. For companies with a well-established customer base or a unique (specialty)...
read moreLess Demand Leads To Drastic Rise In Unemployment
The pandemic-induced economic downturn has created a catch-22 with consumer demand vis a vis companies’ ability to employ workers. Small to medium-sized businesses are particularly vulnerable to the pandemic-induced economic downturn. Loss of business prompts budget...
read moreStrategies For Companies To Weather The Storm
The reduced availability of credit makes it impossible for small businesses to overcome temporary deprivations by simply borrowing in the conventional manner. Consequently, companies without an adequate support structure cannot continue operating. The key is to find...
read moreDire Repercussions of the Pandemic-induced Economic Downturn
During a recession, small businesses are typically hit the hardest; as they operate on a strictly-controlled cash-flow; which entails very limited adaptability. This is due to the fact that they typically do not have extensive resources available to them. Month to...
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