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Defying the odds: These companies actually thrived during the pandemic

gettyimages-1229874949 — Web Summit 2020 showcased the massive growth in tech this year.

Pedro Fiúza/Getty Images

It’s doubtful 2020 will be remembered by any of us as a vintage year for living our best lives. As the coronavirus pandemic has raged around the world, most of us have struggled and just-about-coped rather than thrived.

But there are exceptions to that rule. As we’ve come to rely more heavily than ever on online products and platforms, many of the tech companies behind those offerings have actively thrived over the past 12 months and had their best year yet.

It’s something that was readily apparent this week during Web Summit, Europe’s biggest tech conference, which was held virtually for the first time this year. As CEOs, other top executives, politicians and even a handful of celebrities gathered

Travel

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December 5, 2020

In the Face of a Pandemic, Marriott Leans on Its Values – CIO Journal

The hospitality giant has responded to COVID-19 through the prism of its core beliefs, which begin with taking care of its people.

While the economic devastation COVID-19 has wrought on the hospitality industry is well-documented, its impact extends far beyond any hotel’s front doors.

“What many people don’t realize is that, while we are seen as a big company, our brands are really a collection of small businesses that support other small businesses in the local community,” says Brian King, global officer for Marriott International. “For example, the dry cleaner who comes in every day to pick up the hotel laundry and the person who comes in on Saturdays to DJ weddings, along with the florist—they depend on us as we depend on them.”

The virus has hit Marriott’s larger partners equally hard, from the convention centers, airlines, and car rental agencies to the destination marketing firms.

“If there

Hotel

Posted on December 5, 2020
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December 5, 2020

Tips for buying a house sight-unseen during the pandemic

Most buyers who make sight-unseen offers are familiar with the community or have family members... — Most buyers who make sight-unseen offers are familiar with the community or have family members or friends who already live in the area.

Getty Images

My Aunt Deloris had a bold and adventurous nature. As a young woman, instead of taking a “normal” job in an office like most of her siblings, she accepted a job on a luxury ocean liner and spent the next 25 years traveling around the world, visiting hundreds of ports of call on every continent.

One day she was reading a newspaper that a passenger left behind. In it, she noticed a classified advertisement offering a house for sale in Monticello, a village in the Catskills mountains of upstate New York. The price was $10,000

Vacation

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December 4, 2020

What is college life like for Rutgers players during the COVID-19 pandemic?

Mike Tverdov knows better than anyone what life is like on the Rutgers campus following a big win.

Rutgers’ redshirt junior defensive end witnessed the parties that would light up New Brunswick following Scarlet Knights triumphs in the late 2000s when his brother, Pete, was a standout defensive player. And he has experienced campus life as a student the past three years.

But with most dorms closed and the majority of students taking classes remotely from home this fall, Tverdov and his Rutgers football teammates have seen their college experience get muted as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“It’s certainly crazy times, especially with COVID going on,’’ Tverdov told NJ Advance Media this week. “It’s not stopping some people from living their lives. In the meantime cases are what they are in each state and around the country. We can’t do anything but continue doing what we’re doing, and

Hotel

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December 3, 2020

Pandemic won’t stop these annual Tri-Cities holiday events

Tri-Citians will once again be able to enjoy two Tri-Cities Christmas holiday traditions that date back to the 1960s.

Both can be viewed from the socially-distanced safety of a car like they have been for decades. And they start this weekend.

A light boat parade along the Columbia River launches Friday, Dec. 4, and the decorated yards of Christmas Carol Lane in Kennewick will be ready for viewing starting Saturday, Dec. 5.

The Clover Island Yacht Club called off its official parade for 2020 because the U.S. Coast Guard and sheriff’s office were too short staffed to provide the safety support.

But parade organizer Kent McCue said that didn’t stop a group of boat owners from coming together to continue the tradition started in 1964.

About 10 lighted boats will set sail at 6 p.m. Friday and again on Saturday.

The parade starts under the cable bridge at Clover Island,

Recreation

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December 3, 2020

English whisky? A spirits pioneer tries to survive the pandemic and Brexit

Daniel Szor is doing something unusual: making whisky in England.

The native New Yorker founded Cotswolds Distillery six years ago after realizing the picturesque area of southern England had an abundance of barley, and tourists who might be looking for a local, premium beverage to sample while on vacation.

“In the beginning, the local village was probably thinking who the hell is this Yank coming in and wanting to make whisky of all things?” Szor told CNN Business.

But Szor was onto something. Despite being overshadowed by huge Scottish operations that pump out millions of liters of whisky a year, as well as Japanese and American imports, there are now 24 distilleries in England trying to carve out a market niche and survive the coronavirus pandemic and trade uncertainty caused by Brexit. (Wales has a handful of craft distillers, too).

The nascent industry has even given rise to Exploring English

Vacation

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December 2, 2020

In This Pandemic, These 5 Stocks Are My Highest-Conviction Holdings

The coronavirus pandemic may have been somewhat brought under control this summer, but this winter it’s back and bigger than ever. The number of new daily cases diagnosed within the U.S. just hit yet another record, spurring chatter of another round of shutdowns. In fact, some new mandated restrictions are already in place across much of the country. It remains to be seen how much — or even if — these measures will crimp the economy.

Given the uncertainty ahead, investors may want to consider stocking up on names that are unlikely to be impacted by this headwind. In fact, a handful of companies may be able to benefit from the pandemic’s fallout. Here are my top five picks that fit that description.

Woman's hand placing 5 gold stars on a board.

Image source: Getty Images.

1. Walmart

Although its roots aren’t in the grocery business, more than half of Walmart‘s (NYSE:WMT) revenue comes from sales of food.

Vacation

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December 2, 2020

Here’s how airports are trying to make flying feel safe during the pandemic

After an anxious flight to Texas for a business trip, Orange County artist Patrice Miller vowed to stay clear of airports and airlines for the foreseeable future.

It made her nervous to see passengers on her flight from John Wayne Airport to McAllen International Airport seated with no physical distancing, many refusing to wear masks.

But she said she was most unnerved about her hourlong stopover at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, where travelers mingled together around eateries and crowded into retail stores, about half of them not wearing masks.

“I’m going to another conference next week, but I’m driving,” Miller said.

Airport operators across the country say such dread by airline passengers has helped push air travel demand down by nearly 65% compared with last year. In response, they

Travel

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December 2, 2020

‘A leap of faith’ | Three businesses make their debut amid pandemic | Coverstories

Opening a new business can be a daunting, stressful and exhilarating adventure under normal circumstances. Imagine adding a pandemic and a set of debilitating and ever-changing restrictions that come with it into the mix — not exactly an ideal recipe for success.

How do you build a customer base, get established in the community, or quite frankly, survive your first year while adhering to mandated guidelines and dealing with all the uncertainty that stems from COVID-19?

My Little Valley Customs & Tattoos, Yarn Bird and Green Motion EBikes were all poised to open their doors in the spring, armed with startup financing, business plans and, in some cases, lease agreements. The shutdowns ordered in March to prevent the spread of the virus changed their opening dates, but not their willingness to move forward as soon as guidelines allowed.

Recent rollbacks on restrictions to combat a statewide surge in cases hints

Adventure

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December 1, 2020

How to help on Giving Tuesday during the coronavirus pandemic

The U.S. is seeing an alarming new surge in coronavirus cases, with the number of hospitalizations shattering records across the country. About 26 million people say they don’t have enough to eat as the pandemic worsens. Congress has stalled on its efforts to deliver another stimulus package, and as many as 12 million Americans could lose their unemployment benefits before the new year. As we approach the holidays, here are ways you can help.

Stay home and limit travel

One of the best ways you can help is to reduce the spread of the coronavirus — and that largely means staying home and limiting travel. On Nov. 19, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued guidance discouraging holiday travel, encouraging virtual celebrations or gathering only with those in your own household.

If you still decide to travel or host a gathering with people who live outside your home, read

Travel

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December 1, 2020

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Blog Archive

Editors’ top picks

Most buyers who make sight-unseen offers are familiar with the community or have family members or friends who already live in the area.

1. Walmart

Stay home and limit travel