We’re seeing ‘violent’ incidents in our stores, and it’s costing us millions

Posted on June 22, 2023
Target (TGT) has become a target for major thefts, and it’s taking a huge chunk out of profits. The retailer estimated in its earnings release Wednesday that inventory shrinkage — mostly the theft of merchandise — would clip profits by a whopping $500 million this year. Factoring in an about $700 million profit hit from inventory shrinkage in 2022, the Target is on pace to see $1.2 billion in profits go up in smoke, due primarily to organized retail crime. Target Chairman and CEO Brian Cornell says the problem is getting worse, is nationwide, and across various merchandise departments. “The…

Missouri State, Iowa, Middle Tennessee and more

Posted on June 22, 2023
Buena Vista University Veronica Tapia-Banuelos of Rogers graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in business (marketing track) at the end of the spring 2023 semester at Buena Vista University in Storm Lake, Iowa. Tapia-Banuelos was among more than 300 students who received degrees. Founded in 1891, Buena Vista is a private university affiliated with the Presbyterian Church. __ Mississippi State Among the more than 2,300 students named to the Dean’s List for the spring semester at Mississippi State University were: Jackson Runnels of Fayetteville; and Anna Riggs of Fayetteville; Dean’s List students achieved a grade-point average between 3.5 and 3.79,…

New College of DuPage Gastronomy and Marketing in Hospitality Certificate Helps Businesses, Startups Gain Industry Foothold

Posted on June 22, 2023
Glen Ellyn, Illinois–(Newsfile Corp. – June 6, 2023) – College of DuPage’s Culinary and Hospitality program is helping existing and new businesses expand their industry reach thanks to a new 9-credit-hour certificate program launching this fall. COD’s Gastronomy and Marketing in Hospitality certificate is offered as a single course, allowing students to earn their credential in just one semester. Hospitality and Tourism Professor Mary Beth Leone began conceptualizing the certificate’s curriculum when students told her they wanted to learn more about the marketing side of the industry. “I started to see students during the pandemic doing their own thing,” she…

Adidas is selling Yeezy shoes again after cutting ties with Kanye West

Posted on June 21, 2023
Some of Adidas’ remaining Yeezy shoes are back on sale — months after the German sportswear company cut ties with Ye, the rapper formerly known as Kanye West. Adidas ended its years long partnership with Ye in late October, in light of his antisemitic remarks and other harmful behavior. In the months that followed, the fate of $1.3 billion worth of unsold Yeezys remained unknown — until earlier this month, when Adidas CEO Bjørn Gulden announced the company would be selling a portion of the remaining inventory and donating some of the proceeds to social justice organizations . The first…

Disrupted, or Disruptor? How Do You Actually Innovate?

Posted on June 21, 2023
We’ve all heard the phrase, “innovate or die.” And in the business world, there is a lot of truth in this statement. If we become complacent in what we know, and we stop challenging ourselves to grow, we lose our leadership edge. We become the disrupted instead of the disruptor. Digital transformations are always a reflection of people transformation. People have to change along with (and even ahead of) technology in order to effectively lead and innovate. And yet the one thing we don’t talk about is, where does innovation actually come from? How do we source innovation as leaders…

Instant Brands, maker of Instant Pot and Pyrex cookware, files for bankruptcy

Posted on June 20, 2023
The company that makes kitchen staples like CorningWare, Pyrex and the Instant Pot has entered bankruptcy proceedings in the US and Canada. Illinois-based Instant Brands said Monday that it has “initiated a voluntary court-supervised Chapter 11 process,” due to an unmanageable debt load. “Tightening of credit terms and higher interest rates impacted our liquidity levels and made our capital structure unsustainable,” CEO Ben Gadbois said in a news release. In court filings, the company says it generated operating cash flows of just $17.9 million US in the first three months of the year. That relatively large figure is a sharp…

Business plan, capital is the first step to start any successful business

Posted on June 20, 2023
Starting your own business can be a daunting prospect for many. Here are a few tips to help aspiring entrepreneurs get started on the right track.“So, you want to start your own business…” That’s the dream of many of us. After working at a job or for a company which did not suit their personality or aspirations, almost everyone, whether retired or working, has felt the urge to be out there on their own. Desires for independence, setting your own work hours, achieving a desired work-life balance, and finding work we enjoy doing all these thoughts.Stephen BurrowHowever,…

Reflections on AI and the future of human development

Posted on June 20, 2023
Recent advances in artificial intelligence have sparked both wonder and anxiety as we contemplate its transformative potential. AI holds enormous promise to enrich our lives, but this anticipation comes intertwined with apprehensions about the challenges and risks that may arise. To nurture a future where AI is leveraged to the benefit of people and society, it is crucial to bring together a wide array of voices and perspectives. With this goal in mind, I am honored to present the “AI Anthology,” a compilation of 20 inspiring essays authored by distinguished scholars and professionals from various disciplines. The anthology explores the…