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Dealers and Brokers Adjust to a New Normal After Record-Breaking Boat Sales

When the pandemic caught the world by surprise, many Americans decided to take refuge on the water, leading to a surge in boat sales. In fact, 2020 and 2021 yielded 800,000 first-time boat buyers. That was good news for the industry as a whole, from boating manufacturers to retailers to marinas, as the recreational boating industry supports more than 690,000 jobs, according to the National Marine Manufacturer’s Association. But a boating market report by Boats Group, issued in February, reported

Eco-friendly, sustainable gifts take center stage

Reduce, reuse, recycle are at the heart of sustainable and eco-friendly trends Sustainability is not just a moment; it’s a movement. Both consumers and brands place value on products that are environmentally friendly and sustainably sourced, and the gift industry is no exception. Green gifting benefits both the giver and the recipient and sends a double message: I care about both you and the environment. And when a gift has a backstory or started life as a different product, that can spark int

Back-Office Job Demand Remains Steady at Fleets

[Stay on top of transportation news: Get TTNews in your inbox.] With a lingering labor shortage affecting drivers for several years, fleets are finding that there’s a steady growth of job demand for operational support roles usually known as back-office jobs. While truck drivers are critical to motor carrier companies, nothing can run efficiently without the employees behind the scenes keeping operations flowing smoothly — dispatchers, dockworkers, platform supervisors and the like. In additio

The Communications of Change - Engage with CMU - Carnegie Mellon University

April 11, 2023 Carnegie Mellon University alumna Sweta Chakraborty would like to talk to the world about climate change. So she appears on major national networks. She gives TEDx Talks; speaks at climate conferences; teams up with celebrities like Nicolaj Coster-Waldeu of “Game of Thrones” fame and hosts events like a “Don’t Choose Extinction” panel discussion at South by Southwest. In June, she’s slated to attend World Environment Day 2023 sponsored by the United Nations. A climate behavioral s

Skin Checkups Important Part of Overall Wellness

When scheduling your doctor visits for the year, you might not think of seeing a dermatologist for a skin checkup, but healthy skin matters and is an important component in overall wellness. “We do recommend skin cancer screening evaluations, also known as a full body skin check,” said Morgan McGuigan, PA-C with UPMC Dermatology-North Hills. The frequency can vary among patients, but those with a history of skin cancer should be seen in a dermatologist’s office more often. Dr. Charles Mount wi

Drivers Become Social Media Influencers

[Stay on top of transportation news: Get TTNews in your inbox.] From encouraging women to enter the trucking industry to sharing a glimpse of her life on the road, Clarissa Rankin has leveraged the power of social media to promote the truck driving profession. The upbeat driver is all about positivity and has accumulated 1.8 million followers on TikTok (@clarissarankin). She even caught the attention of Kelly Clarkson, who invited Rankin on her daytime talk show. Rankin — who has been driving

Swartz Center Gives Diverse Selection of CMU Grad Students Pathways to Entrepreneurship - News - Carnegie Mellon University

Swartz Center Gives Diverse Selection of CMU Grad Students Pathways to Entrepreneurship Before he began his graduate work at Carnegie Mellon University’s Heinz College of Information Systems and Public Policy, Adam Knapp, an active-duty U.S. Army engineer officer, could be found jumping from airplanes — along with heavy equipment — to fix runways in his role performing airborne construction operations. At CMU, he is on firmer ground as a James R. Swartz Entrepreneurial Fellow, one of 12 members

A Passion for Advocacy - Engage with CMU - Carnegie Mellon University

March 02, 2023 Working to change the status quo for marginalized people has always been a goal for Carnegie Mellon University alumna Mahima Arya. And now as potentially the only Tartan in history to be awarded the Copenhagen Fellowship by international nonprofit Humanity in Action, she’s doing just that. “Humanity in Action’s focus is providing young people with human rights education and offering them guidance as they pursue civic engagement projects to advance social justice,” says Mahima, who

All Signs Pointed to CMU - Engage with CMU - Carnegie Mellon University

February 06, 2023 Alumnus Will Johnson creates fintech buzz and increases representation in the business world Growing up in Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University alumnus Will Johnson was aware of the university’s global reputation and had Tepper School of Business’s top-notch MBA program on his radar. But it wasn’t until he was studying for his undergraduate degree in entrepreneurship at Hampton University, a historically Black institution, in Virginia that he knew for sure his future was Tart

The Professor Aiming to Use Architecture to Re-Shape Society | Built

Erica Cochran Hameen’s foundational journey into the world of architecture came from building with blocks, LEGOs and making things out of clay and cardboard as a child—but it’s her interest in larger society that’s triggered her passions in adulthood: sustainability and equity. At her Brooklyn, New York, high school, Cochran Hameen attended an after-school program called Junior Engineer Tech Society to learn about science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) as they relate to archite

Restaurant Franchising Becomes a Vehicle for Diversity and Inclusion

Diversity in the workplace is a goal for many restaurant franchisors, as the benefits are numerous, from attracting more talent to being better able to serve its customers to an improved bottom line. The U.S. Census Bureau reported franchise businesses were more likely to be owned by minorities than non-franchised businesses. Specifically, just over 30 percent are minority-owned, compared to 18.8 percent of non-franchised ones. The good news is there has been a steady and significant increase i

Advertising During a Downturn

As you well know, advertising is crucial for creating awareness of your brand and products, enticing brides to visit your store and, ultimately, selling gowns. But what if business and/or the economy is sluggish? Do the rules change when economic uncertainty and rising prices have many people feeling apprehensive about spending? Is it still worth investing your time…and money…into advertising when your instinct may very well be to hunker down and cut expenses? The answer is a resounding yes!

Skin, Musculoskeletal Health Essential for Truck Drivers

For drivers, especially this summer season, sun overexposure is a constant when driving long hours at a time. (Arndt_Vladimir via Getty Images) [Stay on top of transportation news: Get TTNews in your inbox.] When truck driver health care comes to mind, most think of cardiovascular or weight issues. However, skin care and musculoskeletal well-being are also growing concerns. As for skin care, the amount of exposure to sunlight and ultraviolet (UV) rays is a prominent factor in proper health ma

Connie Yang’s Math of Change - Engage with CMU - Carnegie Mellon University

May 03, 2022 Alumna Connie Yang’s passion for math was evident at an early age. With math backgrounds of their own, her parents nurtured Connie’s love for the subject and inspired her to pursue it, too. So it adds up that she was drawn to Carnegie Mellon University’s new honors math program in the Mellon College of Science during her first year on campus in 2013. “As I actively sought out what my career aspirations could be, I came across the burgeoning field of data science,” says Connie, who g

Over-Hiring for Long-Term Success

It’s no secret that the automotive industry has experienced a significant labor shortage, particularly during the pandemic. At the start of the pandemic, C.J. Paterniti, president of DS Automotive Collision and Restyling in suburban Cleveland, Ohio, had 80 employees. In what seems like a reversal of the norm, Paterniti since has grown his staff to 90. His secret is to take a proactive stance regarding recruitment efforts—even when he doesn’t have any job openings—with a focus on retention strat

Increasing Profits for Paints and Materials

Like most industries, pandemic-related shipping and logistics issues have greatly affected prices on supplies, and the auto body industry is no exception. “Generally speaking, industry-wide materials costs are increasing, and the shipping and stocking issues are all things that are affecting paints and materials cost,” says Brian Stebbins, marketing manager with Sherwin-Williams Automotive. This cost increase in supplies can make a decent profit margin seem even more out of reach than ever. Bu

Food Waste Comes Back Into Focus for Restaurants

The extent of food waste is staggering. Though the figures are dynamic, a report by United Nations Environment Programme published in 2021, estimated 931 million tons of food waste was generated in 2019, globally. Of that figure, 26 percent was derived from food services, particularly in high-income countries. In the U.S., the picture was no better. ReFED, a nonprofit dedicated to ending food loss and waste, noted 35 percent of food in this country went unsold or uneaten, translating into $408

Building a Narrative For Your Body Shop

April 14, 2022—Everybody loves a good story, but what good is a story unless it’s shared? Businesses can have stories too, and when your business’s story is interesting or sets you apart from others, it should be shared with current and potential customers. Building a narrative to promote your shop can be a compelling marketing tool, provided you identify the story you want to tell and convey it effectively. A narrative is a story about your business. Its primary purpose is to connect with you
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