Business Casual

Las Vegas’ MGM Resorts Prepares to Welcome Back Large Scale Conventions

Avoiding high touch surfaces and gathering in large groups spelled trouble for Las Vegas, where conventions and casinos are the driving streams of revenue. The city continues to struggle through a pandemic recovery, but MGM Resorts is confident it can begin to operate conventions again in a safe way. Rapid response testing, socially distanced partitions,…

Disney Parks Cut Labor Force by 28,000 Amid Difficult Recovery

Disney theme parks are becoming a small world after all as the company announces a massive round of layoffs to its part-time employees. According to the BBC, Disney lost 4.7 billion dollars in revenue in just three months of being closed due to the coronavirus pandemic. The layoffs apply to Disney’s US based parks in…

Walmart Moves Forward at Scale with its Shopping Experience Redesign

The pandemic has drastically changed the way we shop, but Walmart already had plans to make changes before COVID-19. According to USA Today, the big-box store plans to roll out a brand new store design and app integration to over 200 locations. Inspired by airport wayfinding, the changes aim to manage large groups of people…

Will Consumers React Well to Ring’s New Drone Security Camera?

The Amazon-owned security camera, Ring, is going airborne with a surprising new offering for homeowners. The recently announced Always Home Cam is a small drone that flies around an owner’s house, providing real-time visuals of any mapped room. With a price point targeted at $250, the Always Home Cam will integrate with Ring devices’ existing…

Epic Games Teams Up with Developers to Take a Bigger Bite out of Apple

In this Business Casual segment, Daniel Litwin and Tyler Kern weigh in on some updates to the public battle between Epic Games & Apple over the latter’s app store prices and practices. In retaliation to Apple’s app store fees, Epic Games and other high profile app developers like Tinder’s Match Group & Spotify formed…

Amazon Pumps the Brakes on Echelon’s “Prime Bike”

When Tuesday’s announcement by Echelon Fitness that their $500 exercise bike, dubbed the ‘Prime Bike,’ would be an Amazon Prime customer exclusive, Peloton’s stock fell as much as 6.7%. Was the at-home fitness market perhaps too early to react? In a bit of a twist, Amazon quickly denied association with the bike, and ordered any…

General Electric Ditches Coal Power in Favor of Offshore Wind

According to CNN Business, General Electric announced Monday it would not buy nor build any more coal power plants. The company’s announcement comes as a shock just 5 short years after it acquired Alstom’s power business for over 9 billion dollars. GE Power CEO, Russel Stokes, said the company is shifting focus to power generation…

Microsoft Upgrades Teams to Meet Remote Work Needs

For well over a quarter of the US labor force, working from home is a semi-permanent reality. That means Zoom meetings aren’t just a passing phenomenon. Microsoft is meeting the needs of many remote workers with their product, “Microsoft Teams.” Engadget recently reported a sweeping update of Teams’ functionality and services. The developments include virtual meeting…

Amazon is Reportedly Stifling Competitor Ads

Amazon is no stranger to scrutiny over its business practices. The online marketplace already has a stronghold over fast delivery of consumer goods. But CNBC reported on a recent investigation by Wall Street Journal, revealing the ecommerce giant may be taking their power a step further. Amazon appears to be blocking competitor ads that compete…

NYC Adds Dining Out Tax in an Effort to Help Restaurants

Small business restaurants have been particularly hard hit by COVID’s lockdown measures. In NYC, a COVID hotspot, restaurants have only recently reopened to limited capacity. As the weather cools and outdoor dining becomes more difficult, restaurants face continued revenue obstacles. According to Food & Wine, the city aims to combat this economic hardship by allowing…

Professional Cheeseburger Taster Job is a Case in Creative Marketing

Everyone has their own definition of “dream job,” but for fans of all-American food, there’s no better job than “Cheeseburger Tester.” According to CNN, the casino review site, BonusFinder, announced the paid “job,” to coincide with National Cheeseburger Day, September 18. The marketing strategy is not new. Ambassadorships, competitions, and payouts have been used to…

Remote Education Struggles to Reach Students in Salt Lake City

As Salt Lake City went back to school this week entirely virtual, the school district saw a major drop in enrollment and a shocking lack of student participation. The cause? Many students lack the equipment needed to log in to class. According to the Salt Lake City Tribune, 14% of the student population had not…

DraftKings Expands its Pro Sports Market Share with New Partnerships

Sports fans have been satiating their craving for the stadium by participating in online sports betting and fantasy sports as the pandemic prevents large gatherings. Virtual sports events are only expected to continue rising in popularity, and DraftKings is betting on it. The company’s new public partnerships with ESPN & the New York Giants…

Parents Struggle to Afford High-Tech Back to School Shopping

73% of the nation’s largest school districts are still educating students remotely this Fall. This means back to school shopping isn’t about that new backpack, but about buying bluetooth headphones, software, and computers to connect to the classroom. Parents are finding equipping their kids with the right tools is pricier than past years. According to…

Oracle Wins Bid for TikTok But Still Seeks Political Approval

The race to buy Gen Z’s favorite social media app, TikTok, has been front and center in the past few weeks. Finally, TikTok’s Chinese parent company, ByteDance, struck a deal with Oracle after turning down bids from Microsoft and Walmart. As President Trump’s ban of TikTok looms this weekend, US officials still need to…

Target Pledges to Hire More Black Employees Over the Next Three Years

Target Corp recently pledged to increase diversity throughout their retail company, focusing on hiring and retaining black employees. Target’s publicly released data showed black employees made up 15% of their workforce last year, according to StarTribune. In the next 3 years, Target aims to increase that by 20%, with a special focus on presenting…

Executives at Mining Company Take the Fall For Destroying Ancient Archeological Site

In pursuit of iron ore, the Australian mining company Rio Tinto, blasted through the historic caves of the Jukkan Gorge. The area is rich in aboriginal heritage dating back almost 50,000 years. Rio Tinto shareholders and investors were outraged, and the public outcry forced top executives to resign, according to CNN. Still, as per their…

Kohl’s Invests Big in Customer Cash Back Loyalty Program

Department store retailer, Kohls, recently got booted from the S&P 500 index, losing its spot to online artisan market, Etsy. In a bold new move, Kohl’s decides to rework its customer reward system, dropping points and going all in on its signature Kohl’s Cash. According to USA today, Kohl’s chief marketing officer said the change…

McDonald’s Revives Celebrity Brand Collaboration with Travis Scott Burger

Twenty eight years ago, McDonald’s partnered with Michael Jordan to brand, market, and sell their meals. The fast-food chain has not attempted a celebrity branded partnership since…until now. On September 8, Variety reported the brand collaboration between McDonald’s and Travis Scott. Fans of Travis’ psychedelic hip-hop can now order his signature McDonald’s meal: a fully…

Peloton Cuts Product Prices in Attempt to Expand Customer Base

Gyms were hit particularly hard by the pandemic, but are beginning to see tentative traffic as business opens back up. Targeting these cautious gym-goers, Peloton creates new, more affordable products aimed at those still wanting to work out from home. After Peloton’s Tuesday announcement, NBC News reported consumer doubts that the company’s marketing tactic would…

Minnesota Icon Surly Beer Hall Permanently Closes Doors

Clinking cold pints on a hot day with friends is a familiar sound of summer. But 2020 has a different summer in store for craft breweries. In Minneapolis, CBS Minnesota reports the Surly Beer Hall will “close indefinitely in November.” This particular beer hall paved the way for other Minnesota craft breweries to serve beer…

Will US Airlines Dropping Change Fees Get Customers Booking Again?

Few industries have been hit as hard by the global pandemic as the airline industry. Even as the U.S. State Department lifts its “Do not travel,” advisory, travel is merely trickling back. With business travelers still not booking, and perhaps never fully coming back, airlines turn to serve leisure travel customers. According to CNN Business,…

Target’s Business Model Proves More Profitable Than Its Competitors: Business Casual

With the pandemic drastically changing the landscape of retail, America’s largest chains have had to pivot on a dime. So who has emerged as the leader? Judging by profits alone, Target far outperformed its competitors. According to The Motley Fool, Target reported a 9.6% operating margin in the second quarter, compared to the respective 5.5%…

Why Uber & Lyft Threatened to Leave California For Good: Business Casual

Uber & Lyft are experiencing serious deja-vu as California cracks down on their business model, similar to when an Austin, TX ballot proposition pushed the ride share companies out in 2016. California, in a well-intentioned effort to get gig-workers better benefits, demanded the Big Tech companies make their freelancers employees, not contractors. In retaliation…

Right around the 25th anniversary of Internet Explorer, Microsoft announces the final end to the company’s hallmark proprietary browser. To take its place, Microsoft offers a new version of Edge, the browser powered by Google open source software, Chromium. Though these changes won’t take effect immediately, the phase out plan eliminates Internet Explorer use completely…

Millennials saw another piece of their childhood die off last year when news revealed the reliable back-to-school staple, Payless Shoesource, was filing for bankruptcy. The affordable shoe store chain could not survive the ecommerce boom and shuttered over 2,000 brick and mortar locations. Powered by RedCircle But, an announcement on Tuesday revealed Payless is making…

Jobs Are Out There But Hiring Data Remains Muddy: Business Casual

The Trump Administration and ADP (Automatic Data Processing Inc.) have varying figures on the Summer’s hiring data, but one thing is for certain: hiring slowed in July, reported the Washington Post. The slowdown coincides with the coronavirus re-gaining momentum, and the disappointing numbers also come at a pivotal moment as Congress deliberates over a…

Apple’s products have been so well designed, the company has acquired over a billion users. With that captive audience, Apple keeps users from straying by creating a single point of sale–the app store. The cost of reaching Apple’s consumer base? A 30% commission. Powered by RedCircle Epic Games claims this is a monopoly that squelches…

The air travel industry took an enormous hit as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. The government rushed to their aid with $50 billion dollars in March, and the airlines managed to continue service. But the air travel industry has hardly bounced back over the Summer, and the pandemic aid is fast approaching expiration on…

On this Business Casual segment, hosts Daniel Litwin and Tyler Kern sourced thoughts from Blue Canary Co-Founder Dan Ryan to highlight an industry leader’s perspective on Southwest Airlines’ recent decision to scale back COVID-19-related cleaning protocols between flights. Powered by RedCircle Blue Canary aims to provide the hospitality industry with access to hospital-grade hygienic standards…

On this Business Casual segment, hosts Daniel Litwin and Tyler Kern explore how America’s biggest retail juggernaut, Walmart, is attempting to keep pace with the I-want-it-now world of modern retail. Powered by RedCircle Walmart and Instacart have teamed up to test same-day delivery services in Los Angeles, San Diego and Tulsa, Oklahoma, with positive results…

On this Business Casual segment, hosts Daniel Litwin and Tyler Kern outline how an already struggling ridesharing industry – Uber reports that it’s lost nearly $2 billion over the past three months – is facing a second reckoning. Powered by RedCircle Officially codified in January, California Assembly Bill 5 looks to more equitably classify workers…

Gyms were particularly hard hit by the coronavirus pandemic. By nature, the facilities share space and touchpoints in high frequency. But gyms are still looking to bounce back. Planet Fitness CEO, Chris Rondeau, recently announced a required mask mandate to quell gym-goer anxiety. Still, the polls show that customers are cautious, with 75% of Americans…

Buffets are an environment that may not fit into the world’s “new normal.” With tight lines, open-air food, and the sharing of utensils, buffets don’t lend well to COVID curtailing efforts. Caesars Entertainment has taken note and acknowledging the fall of the buffet, a fact some competitors are choosing to ignore. The brand announced it…

The latest cars on the market flout high-tech features like lane-assist and auto obstacle detection, alluring modern buyers. This smart software is designed for a safer drive, but recent third-party testing by the American Automobile Association unearths troubling inconsistencies in design and function. Powered by RedCircle On this episode of Business Casual, hosts Daniel Litwin…

Powered by RedCircle Since the coronavirus pandemic swept the globe, movie theaters have had to shut their doors. As a result, theaters are taking a second look at their relationship with production companies. For AMC and Universal, that means shortening the time a film is in theaters, and sharing the revenue once it turns to…

With writers laid off, publications not going to print, and thousands of media professionals furloughed, the world of print media experienced drastic cutbacks as a result of the pandemic. But The New York Times, other than its several lay-offs and furloughs, has somehow remained insulated to the economic effects of the global pandemic as an…

The tech industry’s most astounding innovations often premier on the global stage at CES–the Consumer Electronics Show. Recently the conference organizers, the Consumer Technology Association (CTA), announced the world-famous conference will go virtual in 2021. With an event so heavily focused on networking, how will a virtual experience change and perhaps improve a participant’s experience?…

The coronavirus pandemic ravaged most businesses, but one small sector experienced incredible growth—food delivery service providers. Apps like Uber Eats, Postmates, Seamless, DoorDash and others have become essential services in a socially distanced world. As restaurants slowly creep back to operation, will delivery become a permanent model of their business? Powered by RedCircle Business Casual…

Solar panels have long been the figurehead of the sustainability movement. They are the celebrities of being “off-grid,” representing everything it means to building a lifestyle in harmony with the earth. But how earth-friendly are solar panels? Powered by RedCircle Millions of tonnes of solar panels hit landfills each year, and that number is only…

Google and Facebook have been under increasing scrutiny for their power. Australia aims to confront that power head-on with a recent code drafted by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC). The draft forces the tech giants to pay Australian publishers in order to share their digital content. Powered by RedCircle Australia’s move aims to…

Powered by RedCircle Hard seltzer rocked the beer industry. Now, a new beverage trend is on the rise—non-alcoholic low-calorie beer. Pro athletes are pushing the product as a healthier way to stay social. Dwayne Wade spearheads Budweiser’s launch of Bud Zero, a 50 calorie no sugar, no alcohol beer. But the market for low calorie,…

Powered by RedCircle Online shopping fixture eBay has continued slimming operations, selling its classified ads business to Norwegian retailer Adevinta for nearly $10 billion. This is the latest in a line of similar moves for the company, which split with PayPal in 2015 and offloaded StubHub to Viagogo in 2019. On this Business Casual snippet,…

In the midst of this unprecedented period of uncertainty, the United States’ economy is facing a unique challenge – a coin shortage. On this Business Casual snippet, hosts Daniel Litwin and Tyler Kern outline how the economic downturn due to COVID-19 and more have contributed to this unique shortage and how chains like Texas-based grocer…

Powered by RedCircle The biggest private employer in the United States just announced an unheard-of initiative. For the first time ever, Walmart will close stores on Thanksgiving Day, breaking a tradition of beginning Black Friday deals on Turkey Day and offering employees the chance to be with their families in what’s been a trying year…

Powered by RedCircle Launching their faux chicken version of their product in about 50 locations in Los Angeles, Orange County and San Diego next week, Kentucky Fried Chicken is joining the ranks of burger chains and other restaurants vying for customers that prefer plant-based dietary options. But is the offering as ‘finger lickin’ good’ as…

Powered by RedCircle According to the Environmental Protection Agency, around 50% to 65% of all methane emissions come from human activities, including factory farming. So, in an effort to curtail the methane emissions caused by cattle flatulence by 33% per day, Burger King is adding 100 grams of lemongrass to improve its cows’ low-carb diet….

In December 2019, sweeping all 11 categories, corporate travel professionals in the annual Business Travel News Airline Survey named Delta Air Lines the #1 airline for the ninth consecutive year—the only airline to have earned the top spot for business travel nine years in a row. But in a pandemic-stricken world, numerous industries are declining…

Powered by RedCircle Reminiscent of Rosie the Robot, the robotic housekeeper in the 60’s era space-aged The Jetson’s cartoon, Flippy the frying (and grilling) robot is set to make its debut this September at White Castle, the country’s first fast food burger chain (established in 1921). Created by Miso Robotics and first unveiled in 2018,…

Powered by RedCircle From a global pandemic to police brutality to an economic recession to systemic racism and more, our country is certainly experiencing an age of contention unlike any before—controversy that is bleeding through into our everyday lives and even drilling into the businesses we work for. Earlier this year, Amazon was beleaguered by…

Powered by RedCircle In April, CNBC reported that due to disruptions in supply chains caused by the coronavirus outbreak, global sales of PCs in the first quarter 2020 suffered a sharp slump, with only 51.6 million PC units shipped in the first three months of the year. That figure was down 12.3% from the previous…

Powered by RedCircle The COVID-19 pandemic is raging on, though not everyone is on the same page regarding the precautions needed to help curb the spread of the novel coronavirus in the wake of another period of growth in the number of Americans infected. In fact, some Americans are openly and vocally opposed to being…

Powered by RedCircle The conversation around user data and how it’s collected and shared is louder than ever, and it’s now butting heads with one of the world’s most popular social media platforms. TikTok, a Chinese-based app allowing users to share short videos of themselves dancing, performing skits, commenting on others’ videos and much more,…

Powered by RedCircle As the United States began its reopening efforts, Las Vegas casinos followed suit, with the latest numbers suggesting more than 800 of almost 1,000 U.S. casinos being currently open for business. However, this march toward a new normal hasn’t gone exactly as planned, as cases of COVID-19 began to spike once again….

Powered by RedCircle While around the world, COVID-19 has wreaked havoc on humans, businesses and numerous industries, particularly the restaurant sector, it has conversely proven to be a windfall for food delivery services such as Uber Eats, DoorDash, Grub Hub and Postmates. Although operating in nearly 3,000 U.S. cities, in years past, Postmates grappled to…

Powered by RedCircle From using machine tools that produce fine dusts and particles or silica dust from bricks and concrete, respiratory hazards are common in the construction and engineering fields. A vital component of respiratory protective equipment (RPE), dust masks are used to control respiratory hazards, helping to protect workers from lung and airway diseases…

Facebook Faces Pressure as Advertisers Press Pause on Hate: Business Casual

With 2.5 million monthly active users as of 2020, Facebook is arguably the largest social media site in the world. But is the company doing enough to prevent hate speech on its platform? According to stophateforprofit.org, the answer is no. Long criticized for their laxity in combatting hate speech, facing public pressure, employee unrest…

Powered by RedCircle While Microsoft and Sony have been more than forthcoming about the design, hardware, specs and the games for their next-gen consoles set to release this holiday season, one thing these tech veterans are holding back on is price. In this game of ‘price chicken’, a console battle is looming on the horizon—the…

Person-to-person or peer-to-peer (P2P) social payment apps such as Venmo, PayPal, Square Cash, Zelle and more have become increasingly popular over the last few years, particularly for younger generations. Rather than pulling cash out of your pocket, these P2P apps are tied to your bank account, credit or debit card, allowing users to virtually pay…

Powered by RedCircle After delivering more than half a trillion dollars to millions of employers, the Small Business Administration is set to stop approving government-backed loans as of July 1st. However, in a June 12th report, the Fed told Congress that a multiplicity of data reveals “an alarming picture of small business health during the…

Powered by RedCircle From social distancing to masks to gloves to hand sanitizers, businesses reopening in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic are utilizing unprecedented strategies to limit the spread of the coronavirus and the imminent threat of a second wave. On this snippet, MarketScale’s Business Casual co-hosts Tyler Kern and Daniel Litwin discuss Walmart’s latest…

Powered by RedCircle In today’s Business Casual segment, MarketScale co-hosts Tyler Kern and Daniel Litwin opine on whether or not more action is required by the government to enforce the wearing of masks by passengers while on commercial flights or if this is an issue that should be mandated and imposed by the aviation industry…

Powered by RedCircle On today’s Business Casual segment, brought to you by MarketScale, co-hosts Tyler Kern and Daniel Litwin take on allegations against Apple that have resulted in two antitrust investigations being leveled at the company by the European Commission. In recent months, the EU has launched anti-trust investigations into Google, Amazon and Facebook. And…

Powered by RedCircle While fans and critics may be clashing about the comedic success of the new Steve Carrell and Greg Daniels Space Force series that debuted on May 29th, Netflix is apparently winning the planetary battle against the U.S. military to trademark the show’s name. Starring Carrell as a decorated general tapped to lead…

Powered by RedCircle On June 10th, Greg Glassman stepped down from his position as CEO of CrossFit, and on this segment of Business Casual, Tyler Kern, Taylor Bagley, and Daniel Litwin opine on whether or not this move will be enough to ensure the future of the company as well as many of its affiliate…

Powered by RedCircle On this Business Casual snippet, Tyler Kern, Taylor Bagley and Daniel Litwin discuss an announcement made my IBM on June 8th regarding the tech giant’s intention to stop offering facial recognition software for “mass surveillance or racial profiling”. In 2019, a study conducted by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology found that none…

With virtually every network introducing their own streaming services, it’s no surprise that WarnerMedia has jumped on the streaming bandwagon as well. Boasting a library that includes the entire HBO services, films and TV from Warner Bros.’ 100-year content collection, top content from around the world, DC’s superhero films, classic films from Turner Classic…

At a time when every country should be accelerating a shift to meet ambitious net-zero emission goals to save our planet, Germany is putting the pedal to the metal in the electric car transition. A recent McKinsey report pegs Germany to become the world market leader for electric cars by 2021, with more than…

Spiking in downloads while other “encrypted” messaging platforms like WhatsApp and Telegram stagnate, on this segment of Business Casual, Daniel Litwin, Taylor Bagley and Tyler Kern discuss the unprecedented rise in downloads of the privacy-focused Signal app since the unfortunate and highly-controversial death of George Floyd, a black man who tragically died after a…

Google is facing a hefty lawsuit – three individuals in California have hit Alphabet, Inc. with a class action lawsuit worth $5 billion, alleging that the company has tracked sensitive personal browsing information even while users were engaged in “Incognito” browsing. The complaint asserts that, through Google Analytics, Good Ad Manager and more, Google…

The spread of the novel coronavirus and the COVID-19 pandemic have altered the way we collectively view many aspects of global society, and work is among those aspects being critically examined. However, as a new normal begins to dawn, how much will the world’s workplaces actually change? On this Business Casual snippet, hosts Daniel…

Business Casual: GE Flips the Switch to Off on Lighting Business

For nearly 130 years, General Electric has been bringing good things to light, and throughout the 20th century, the company carried on its founder’s tradition of experimentation and innovation by perfecting the fluorescent bulb, halogen bulb and LED, among other lighting innovations. Founded in 1892 by Thomas Edison, the inventor of the incandescent bulb…

Business Casual: Instagram Experiments with Creator Content Monetization Features & IGTV Ads

During the COVID-19 crisis, as creators embraced Live in new ways, Instagram viewership increased 70% from February to March. Offering new ways for creators to make money through Instagram Live and IGTV, on Wednesday, Instagram launched new tools aimed at boosting revenues for video artistes. While the features are currently in a testing phase,…

Business Casual: NFL and EA Extend Madden Video Game Contract Through 2026

Selling more than 130 million copies since it started in 1989, thus, making it one of two video sports games ever to sell more than 100 million copies, the Madden franchise will continue to be a part of the gaming world for at least the next six years. Recently approving an extension of their…

Warner Music Group Proceeds with IPO, Reflecting a Re-Stabilization of the Music Industry: Business Casual

At one time, the compact disc (CD) was so popular, so profitable that the music industry couldn’t imagine life without it…until it had to. A disruption nobody had foreseen, advances in technology are to blame for the death of the music industry’s biggest money-spinner. Spawned by file-sharing via Napster and Limewire and the launch…

A Peak at Six Flags’ Reopening Approach Mid-Pandemic: Business Casual

Six Flags Frontier City announces planned reopening for June 5th with restrictions in place to keep guests and employees safe. As businesses continue to reopen across the country, children and adrenaline junkies alike have been eagerly anticipating the reopening of the gates at their favorite amusement parks. While Walt Disney World isn’t slated for…

Will Tulsa Woo Tesla? It’s Certainly Trying: Business Casual

The City of Tulsa is pulling out all the stops in its attempt to woo electric vehicle juggernaut Tesla. The city transformed its “Golden Driller” statue, a 75-foot behemoth, into Tesla founder Elon Musk, trying to convince the company to bring its next manufacturing plant to Oklahoma. The plant will produce Tesla Model Y…

How Spotify is Taking Over Podcasting: Business Casual

On the “Secure the Bag” segment of Business Casual, host Daniel Litwin was joined by MarketScale’s Taylor Bagley to ponder a big question – is Spotify the platform to beat when it comes to podcasts? The company recently acquired “The Joe Rogan Experience,” a wildly popular podcast that will now live exclusively on Spotify….

Will Scanning for Elevated Temperatures Really Become a Prerequisite for Doing Business?: Business Casual

As a response to the spread of the novel coronavirus and the ensuing COVID-19 pandemic, many operations have turned to elevated temperature scanning solutions to provide a screening method for their physical gathering spaces. While the technology seems like a no-brainer on the surface, is it as beneficial as it sounds? In some cases,…

Greenpeace Report Puts Distance Between Big Tech and Big Oil: Business Casual

After Tuesday’s Greenpeace report highlighting how Google, Microsoft, and Amazon use AI and warehouse servers to support the location and retrieval of oil and gas deposits from the earth for the likes of Shell, BP, and ExxonMobil—helping big oil profit from climate destruction—a Google spokesperson unloaded a bombshell pledge, confirming that the company “will…

Renewable Sources Lead the Energy Industry During the Pandemic: Business Casual

With roughly 4.2 billion people around the world subject to some form of lockdown in an effort to slow the spread of the coronavirus, the International Energy Agency said it expects global energy demand to plunge this year in what the Paris-based agency called the biggest drop since World War II. Further, according to…

Convenience Versus Community as Consumers Debate Using Third-Party Delivery Apps: Business Casual

For years now, third-party food delivery apps like UberEats, Caviar, GrubHub, and Postmates, as well as the shop and delivery apps owned by eCommerce giants such as Amazon or AliBaba, have gained a foothold in communities around the world, transforming traditional shop-in and dine-in business models by offering an innovative approach to capturing additional…

Germany Kicks Off Post-Pandemic Soccer: Business Casual

When compared to other countries, Germany was surprisingly swift in rolling out widespread coronavirus testing, and today, the nation is admired for its success in containing one of the modern world’s worst pandemics. As the country gradually withdraws from its self-imposed isolation, one monumental move forward is being eagerly anticipated by soccer fans across…

Business Casual: Uber Jumps Ship on Jump

As businesses across the globe try to remain afloat during the COVID-19 pandemic, many are rethinking their business models, implementing contingency plans and adjusting operations to adapt to an uncertain economy in order to mitigate risk during this black swan event. However, some companies, such as Uber, have had to take more drastic measures,…

Business Casual: Looking Forward to the Post-Pandemic Office Landscape

Amid stay at home orders due to the COVID-19 crisis, the daily work lives of people around the world were upended by social distancing, resulting in a large-scale transition to remote workplaces for employees not considered essential. The biggest challenge employers faced was implementing the technology to ensure seamless connectivity and business as usual,…

Business Casual: Pepsi Pops the Top on Online Snacking

During the coronavirus crisis, the divide between online and brick and mortar businesses widened rampantly, amplifying gains for companies that catered to their customers online. And as online purchases continued to gain exponential momentum during these uncertain times, countless companies that relied on in-person browsing were compelled to make a digital shift just to…

Kohl’s Real Estate is Giving it the Leg Up

Though the pandemic has been a hard hit on retailers, Kohl’s is showing surprising confidence in their post-pandemic outlook. Kohl’s announced Thursday morning that it plans to have 25% of its stores reopened by the week of May 11, including in states such as Texas, Alaska, Arkansas, South Carolina, Utah and Oklahoma. According to…

Zoom Returns to New York City Schools after Platform Ban

After the New York City school district banned Zoom as a web conferencing platform due to privacy and security concerns, the ban is now being lifted, putting the pandemic’s leading conferencing solution back into educators’ and students’ hands. The New York City Department of Education was initially concerned about the safety of virtual classrooms…

Kevin Hogan Brings a Fresh Perspective to MarketScale’s EdTech Publication

MarketScale is always growing its network of contributors across industries. On this Business Casual snippet, Voice of B2B Daniel Litwin welcomes Kevin Hogan, MarketScale newest education technology contributor and writer, to shed light on his partnership with MarketScale and the EdTech content to come. A forward thinking media executive with more than 25 years…

CVS’ COVID-19 Response Gave Them Q1 Success

Even with the pandemic, drugstore chain CVS had an sales-heavy Q1. Its same-store pharmacy sales went up 9.3%, and same-story front-of-store sales rose 8%. Prescription volume wasn’t immune to growth either, up by nearly 10%. Why, where as other drugstores are struggling, is CVS succeeding? On this episode of Business Casual’s Secure The Bag,…

Windows Continues OS Domination as Ubuntu, macOS Gain Ground

The major PC operating systems are constantly fighting for market dominance. Though Microsoft’s Windows rarely has its No. 1 position challenged, and continues to see growth and expansion of its OS solutions, the COVID-19 pandemic may have thrown a slight wrench in their continued success. Microsoft, overall, has seen growth in Windows 10 over…

Google Finally Brings Analytics to its Podcast Service

Google Podcasts is working to make its platform as competitive for the future of podcast streaming as Apple Podcasts and Spotify. To give creators more tools and insights on their content, Google has launched its Google Podcasts Manager, a new service for robust podcast data in dashboard form. On this Business Casual snippet, hosts…

Energy Demand During the Pandemic is at a New Low

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, energy demand across the globe is hitting new lows. According to a new International Energy Agency report, energy demand is projected to drop by 6 percent in 2020, which is the most significant dip in recorded human history. On this Business Casual segment, hosts Daniel Litwin, Tyler Kern and…

Unemployed Workforce Turns to Amazon, Gig Economy, and Grocers for Jobs: Business Casual

On this snippet from Business Casual, host Daniel Litwin paints a picture of the potentially massive spike in unemployment around the corner due to coronavirus. As more workers at small businesses or in service industries lose their jobs, large entities in our economy look to hire en masse: grocers, gig economy platforms, and ecommerce giants….

Who Gets To Work From Home and How We Make The Most Of It: Business Casual

On this snippet from Business Casual, host Daniel Litwin takes a look at the positives and the negatives of the new work-from-home reality that many American workers are adjusting to. While many corporate, managerial and administrative jobs are transitioning to remote work, many essential employees have no choice but to come into work. Daniel…

Coronavirus Prompting Big-Box & Gig Job Employers to Tweak Sick-Leave Policies: Business Casual

As the spread of coronavirus continues to spike here in the U.S., both impacting our economy and leaving people sick and/or quarantined for prolonged amounts of time, it’s disconcerting to say the least, that our country has no federal paid sick-leave mandate that ensures affected employees are paid while recovering rather than having to…

Are Bidets a Coronavirus Trend or Here to Stay?: Business Casual

Quarantines are considered a measure of last resort when no preferable means is available to halt the spread of a deadly communicable disease. However, as the number of confirmed coronavirus cases continue to rise in the U.S., many citizens are flocking to stores to buy products that can last them for the long haul…

White House Turns to Big Tech to Fight Coronavirus: Business Casual

On this episode of MarketScale’s Business Casual, hosts Tyler Kern and Voice of B2B Daniel Litwin discuss U.S. Chief Technology Officer Michael Kratsios’ remote conference call to some of the biggest players in tech, requesting their help in mapping out a response plan to the COVID-19 pandemic. So, what exactly is the White House…

The Importance of Women Feeling Confident in a Male-Dominant Field: New Fashioned

This is the inaugural episode of MarketScale’s New Fashioned podcast, hosted by Elise Hansen, where Elise and her guests will take long-form looks at trends in every industry through a young professional’s lens. Our first guest, Debbie Scanlon, partner at BKD, LLP, joined the podcast to talk about International Women’s Day and the importance…

Tito’s Vodka Takes on Twitter Jokesters in Wake of Coronavirus Fears: Business Casual

On this “Secure the Bag” segment of Business Casual with Voice of B2B Daniel Litwin and Tyler Kern, contributor Taylor Bagley took on the recent Twitter performance of Tito’s Vodka, and Austin, Texas-based distiller. Specifically, Tito’s took to the social media platform last week to call out Twitter users jumping on a joke trend…

Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey Under Pressure from New Mega-Donor: Business Casual

Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey has come under fire from a new stakeholder in recent weeks, as Paul Singer of Elliott Management who now owns between 4% and 5% of the social media site, have been vocal in his opposition to the longtime Twitter king. Singer is a major GOP political contributor and venture capitalist,…

Coronavirus Impact Being Felt by Big Tech in Pacific Northwest: Business Casual

On this episode of Business Casual, Voice of B2B Daniel Litwin and host Tyler Kern discuss the continued fallout of the spread of coronavirus and the concerns that come alongside it. As of late, major tech giants in the Pacific Northwest, in particular in Seattle, have had to send employees home to work remotely….

Earlier this week, Disney announced that the CEO of the company, Bob Iger, was stepping down, shocking the media industry as much for its timing (his contract was through the end of 2021) as for its substance. Disney’s CEO for more than 15 years—since Michael Eisner’s departure in 2005—Iger built Disney into one of the…

A Coronavirus Economic Update: Business Casual

With the number of coronavirus cases worldwide approaching 80,000 (most of them in China) with 35 cases already reported in the U.S., and a death toll that now tops 2,600, both American and international companies are apprehensive over the likely economic impacts, warning that reduced flows into and out of the world’s second-largest economy…

Intuit Corners the Personal Finance Market: Business Casual

Set to close in the second half of 2020—if it clears the regulatory process—Intuit’s acquisition of Credit Karma for $7.1 billion in cash and stock will basically limit taxpayers to essentially one key player in the tax filing space. As the parent company of TurboTax, Intuit’s purchase will corner the market to some degree,…

Recapping a Busy Week at CES in Las Vegas on Business Casual

Daniel Litwin is back from CES in Las Vegas! We recapped his busy week by playing audio from two separate interviews he conducted while he was there and discussed some of the major themes of the show. Our first interview was with Gary Mittman, CEO and Executive Chairman of Kerv Interactive. He discussed how technology is…

Business Casual: Can Tesla Pick Up New Customers With It’s Latest Reveal?

On this episode of Business Casual, hosts Geoffrey Short and Taylor Bagley dive into four stories that are changing the business landscape as well as how people travel, eat and stay healthy. Today’s headlines include the unveiling of Tesla’s new ‘cybertruck‘, the implementation of analytics to solve and age-old problem in Las Vegas, and…

On this episode of Business Casual, hosts Geoffrey Short and Daniel Litwin break down the latest news in B2B. Leading this week is the news that Dean Foods has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, solidifying a trend that has seen milk alternatives rise in popularity in recent years. Conversely, Walmart received a major boost through…

On this episode of Business Casual, hosts Geoffrey Short, Ben Thomas and Lauren Farrell discuss the importance of speed and immediacy to customers through three different stories. The trio digs into AirBnb’s partnership with the International Olympic Committee, how retailers are bracing for the holiday rush, and how KFC plans to master the current landscape…

On this episode of Business Casual, hosts Geoffrey Short and Daniel Litwin break down the significance of three important debuts. First, in Oklahoma, a drone flight that could have major implications to retailers everywhere. Later, Amazon expert Kiri Masters joins the show to discuss the retailer’s venture into the grocery store space. Short and Litwin…

Business Casual: Burger, Fries, and a Side of Antibiotics

Each year the Chain Reaction Antibiotics Scorecard is released to give fast and fast casual restaurants a grade for their antibiotics policies regarding meat. Which brands scored highly and which ones didn’t? Find out as Tyler quizzes Daniel on some of the most popular chains in the world. Tune in to MarketScale Radio LIVE…

Business Casual: Did Millennials Kill MillerCoors?

Molson Coors announced a massive restructure that will effectively kill the MillerCoors brand. As a result, the company will be terminating between 400 and 500 salaried positions. One article stated that the reasoning behind this was that millennials are consuming less beer. One our hosts, Tyler Kern, took exception to this explanation and let…

Business Casual: Twitter Bans Political Ads

Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey announced that the social media outlet had decided to ban all political and issue advertisements as of November 22. Is this a wise move in light of the scrutiny Facebook is receiving, or is this a cop out to avoid dealing with the difficult issues of our time? Hear what…

Business Casual: The Past, Present, and Future of the Internet with Gerry Mecca

Gerry Mecca, IT expert and host of the Mecca Minute, joined Business Casual to discuss the 50th birthday of the internet. From the early days of dial up modems and chat rooms to IoT and the cloud, no one could have predicted how the internet was going to develop in its first 50 years. Gerry…

Business Casual: The NCAA Opens the Door for Athletes to be Compensated

The NCAA voted unanimously to allow its players to financially benefit from the use of their image, likeness, and name. This vote comes after the governing body of college sports fought against a similar law being passed in California. Why the change and what are the greater implications for college athletics? Tyler Kern and…

Business Casual: Reaction to Boeing CEO Dennis Muilenburg’s Senate Testimony

Boeing CEO Dennis Muilenburg appeared before the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation on Tuesday to discuss concerns over the 737 Max aircraft and the future of aviation safety. Muilenburg began his testimony with an apology to the families of those who lost their lives in two separate crashes involving the 737…

Business Casual: Is Lyft Keeping Their Drivers in the Dark?

A change to the drivers’ app for Lyft has some wondering if the rideshare company is intentionally keeping their drivers in the dark about the way the company is splitting fares. Where there was once a “Ride Pays” section available for drivers to see on the app, there’s now only a link that directs…

Business Casual: The Current State of the Trade War Between the U.S. and China

Could the trade war between the United States and China be inching towards a resolution? Some indicators are pointing to that answer being yes. But the primary question is: What has this trade war actually achieved? To answer that question, Daniel Litwin and Tyler Kern talked to Phil Levy, Chief Economist for Flexport. Hear…

Business Casual: What a UAW-GM Deal Means for the Auto Industry

As the United Auto Workers and General Motors Co. work to strike a new deal the focus has turned to how this agreement will be set up to accommodate changes that are coming for the auto industry. On this excerpt from Business Casual, Daniel Litwin broke down the proposed changes and what they would mean for the…

Business Casual: Cable-Tec Expo 2019, Uber Helicopters, and Disney+

On this episode of Business Casual with Daniel Litwin and Tyler Kern: We put a bow on our coverage of Cable-Tec Expo 2019 with a montage detailing the thoughts from a number of industry leaders on the impact of 5G and 10G. Disney and Amazon are at odds over Disney’s new streaming platform. Find…

The Tabletop Technology Revolution Isn’t Here Quite Yet: Business Casual

We’ve heard a lot in recent year about the promise of new technology that will radically alter the restaurant experience. Tabletop technology like tablets for ordering and payment have been touted as game-changers for restaurants, allowing for increased ordering and a more efficient waitstaff.  But, not everyone is sold on the revolutionary potential of…

China Says No More U.S. Agriculture: Business Casual

Farmers in the United States got some bad news this week as the Chinese Commerce Ministry announced that China will no longer be buying American agricultural products. As the trade war between the U.S. and China continues to drag on, the growing question is whether or not American farmers can continue to endure it….

Business Casual: Google Takes on Amazon, Starbucks Tries Delivery, and the Telemedicine Argument (July 26, 2019)

On the premiere of Business Casual, hosts Tyler Kern and Daniel Litwin recap the week that was in the business-to-business world. Hear from New York Times bestselling author Bryan Eisenberg who joins the show to discuss whether Google can compete with Amazon in the retail space. Eisenberg explains why price is not the only…