Commentary

Starbucks closings 2020: 400 stores to close over next 18 months

by dldamore

Starbucks will close up to 400 stores over the next 18 months while also expanding curbside pickup, Drive-Thru and mobile-only pickup locations.

— Read on www.usatoday.com/story/money/food/2020/06/10/coronavirus-starbucks-closing-stores-expanding-mobile-only-options/5332786002/

*interesting way to reduce store footprint, rent cost. What is lost in Starbucks not actually being a third place to sit and enjoy the company of others? Maybe they will redesign parking lots to be a lot nicer. If you have design ideas for making parking lots more welcoming get to making lots of plans.

If no cafe there there is no indoor coworking space. Certainly not having the clean the cafe is a cost savings. Not having to handle and process payments between two people is helpful too.

Apple’s default Mail app for the iPhone has a severe security flaw, researchers claim – The Verge

by dldamore

Apple’s default Mail app for the iPhone has a severe security flaw, researchers claim – The Verge:

“‘To mitigate these issues — you can use the latest beta available. If using a beta version is not possible, consider disabling Mail application and use Outlook or Gmail that are not vulnerable,’ ZecOps writes.”

*Expect more pressure on Apple to let people change default apps. Even if it turns out that doing so doesn’t provide increased security

Leaked pics from Amazon Ring show potential new surveillance features | Ars Technica

by dldamore

Leaked pics from Amazon Ring show potential new surveillance features | Ars Technica:

“Amazon subsidiary Ring, which has partnerships with almost 1,200 law enforcement agencies nationwide, does not currently include facial recognition or license plate scanning tools in its home surveillance line of consumer products. “

*Thinking facial recognition is a top feature that is missing… Example: this same person has been to three Ring members homes and two had recent incidents. Maybe the network could keep an eye out for the person and when spotted a nearby authority would be informed. Certainly there could be a lot of false positives. Lots of privacy concerns to be worked out too.

Auto Industry Gripped by Fear of Impending Car-Price Collapse – Bloomberg

by dldamore

The auto industry — already fretting lengthy factory shutdowns and depressed new-vehicle demand — is starting to sound the alarm about a potential used-car price collapse that could have far-reaching consequences for manufacturers, lenders and rental companies.
— Read on www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-04-13/fear-of-an-impending-car-price-collapse-grips-the-auto-industry

*How will consumers react? Huge incentives on manufacturers to move more new cars? If the values and prices for gently used cars drop people may feel better buying used rather than new. Many new people without regular income will lead to uncertainty and caution in household expenditures, especially large purchases like automobiles. Home price may also see a reset which could be rather significant. The home price reset may take time to become apparent. Look for a lengthening of days-on-market.

Skies Aren’t Clogged With Drones Yet, but Don’t Rule Them Out – The New York Times

by dldamore

Test programs around the world that use the technology for lifesaving pharmaceuticals as well as for food and even coffee are attempting to prove that delivery by drones is not only safe, but efficient and environmentally sound.
— Read on www.nytimes.com/2019/03/19/technology/drone-deliveries-faa-pilot-programs.html

*Drones are a future technology area to study. See lots of opportunity for people with multiple knowledge bases that relate to drones. A few areas are geography, human population density, legalities related to airspace, and the allocation of scarce resources.

One Man vs. McKinsey: A Billionaire Says the Consultancy Has Rigged the Bankruptcy System – The New York Times

by dldamore

Contrary to the public imagination, bankruptcy courts are not where businesses go to die. In fact, there is potential for creativity and rebirth in Chapter 11, the uniquely American law for corporate reorganizations.

“Most countries just liquidate companies,” said Richard Gitlin, a bankruptcy lawyer specializing in international debt restructurings who has worked with Mr. Alix in the past. “We are the best at restructuring the resources, taking the good part of the business, adding professional management and making it profitable.”
— Read on www.nytimes.com/2019/04/11/business/jay-alix-mckinsey-bankruptcy.html

*Really interesting article. The snippet above is just one of many interesting sections of this article.

With Big Stars and Paid Subscriptions, Luminary Aims to Be the Netflix of Podcasts – The New York Times

by dldamore

With Big Stars and Paid Subscriptions, Luminary Aims to Be the Netflix of Podcasts – The New York Times:

“Most podcasts are free, but the Luminary app — set to arrive by June — will focus on subscriptions. For $8 a month, subscribers will gain access to Luminary’s ad-free lineup. “

*Another monthly subscription to pay for? If people start to add up their subscription costs they might be surprised. 

Wonder if Apple will try something similar with podcasts and have it part of Apple Music with exclusive podcasts. Apple has the cash to try something like this. Perhaps you could even use third party apps to access this service that helps you make playlists and compelling content.

Google Moves to Address Wage Equity, and Finds It’s Underpaying Many Men – The New York Times

by dldamore

Google Moves to Address Wage Equity, and Finds It’s Underpaying Many Men – The New York Times:

“Most significantly, it did not address ingrained issues that, according to workplace experts, cannot be overcome simply by considering how much different people are paid for doing the same job: Women and racial minorities often do not get the same opportunities and they must overcome certain biases when they are hired or compete for promotions.”

*This is hard work and we may never get there completely. It’s important to be aware of invisible bias. Preparing people for future opportunities is important and should be done in a way that enables many people to excel. We hire people to do jobs. Help them grow their careers for company, customer and positive community impact.