Breakfast was a bright spot for America’s biggest restaurant chains. Now it’s a problem | CNN

May 7, 2020May 6, 2020 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

Last year, America’s biggest chain restaurants went all in on breakfast.

Companies ranging from Wendy’s to McDonald’s to Dunkin’ invested heavily in the meal, testing out everything from new chicken sandwiches to plant-based options.

Now, with people stuck at home because of the coronavirus pandemic, it’s one of the industry’s worst-performing segments. McDonald’s (MCD) CEO Chris Kempczinski said during the company’s first-quarter analyst call last week that “breakfast is down” compared to other meals.

Similarly, Jose Cil, CEO of Restaurant Brands International (QSR), which owns Burger King, Popeyes and Tim Hortons, said during an earnings call last week that breakfast and snacking “have seen a disproportionate decrease, while lunch and dinner have shown more strength.”

How to see the last supermoon of 2020 | Live Science

May 7, 2020May 6, 2020 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

Even if you’re stuck indoors during the pandemic, you can still catch May’s full moon, the last supermoon of 2020, which will appear full from Tuesday evening through Friday morning (May 5-8).

Technically, the full moon, which will be in the constellation Libra, will last only a moment. That will happen at 6:45 a.m. EDT (1145 GMT) on Thursday, May 7, when the side of the moon that faces Earth is fully illuminated by the sun, according to NASA. Skywatchers may also notice the “evening star” planet Venus, which was shining at its brightest of the year just last week, according to Space.com, a Live Science sister site.

Entry Interviews Are Changing the Onboarding Process | Business News Daily

May 6, 2020May 5, 2020 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

Although many people are familiar with the concept of an exit interview, entry interviews can allow employers to better understand their employees and find the best ways to retain them over time.

Some reasons to conduct entry interviews with all employees is because they help to prevent burnout, can improve company culture, and also help improve the company overall.

During entry interviews, you should be asking questions about the employees’ values, interests, preferences, skills, and aspirations.

4 Steps of Cognitive Restructuring to Help You Think Clearly | Life Hack

May 6, 2020May 5, 2020 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

Humans are guilty of having less than rational thoughts. We do it all the time. We might assume the worst is going to happen or jump to conclusions before we have all the information. Cognitive restructuring helps people become aware of their irrational thoughts so that they can correct them and replace them with more rational ways of thinking. This can help to alleviate symptoms of anxiety, depression, stress, anger, and trauma.

Cognitive restructuring is a major part of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, which was developed by Aaron Beck in the 1960s. Beck linked his patients’ symptoms with their distorted thinking and hypothesized that if he could help his patients recognize their distorted thinking, he could help them alleviate their mental health symptoms. David Burns then popularized Beck’s ideas in the 1980s with his book Feeling Good.

Cognitive restructuring is at the heart of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. It is the four-step process that helps people recognize their distorted thoughts in order to change them.

Halley’s comet meteor shower: Watch live or stream online | Fast Company

May 5, 2020May 4, 2020 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

If you need a break from the relentless tide of data visualizations detailing unemployment rates, coronavirus cases, and deaths of people and businesses, we feel you. And so does the universe.

Monday night into the wee hours of Tuesday morning (May 4-5) will be peak viewing time for a celestial display, when the Earth will be making its way through the Eta Aquariids, one of the meteor showers from Halley’s comet. This is especially true if you live in the Southern Hemisphere.

Best Office Chairs | Forbes

May 5, 2020May 4, 2020 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

Due to the coronavirus outbreak, more and more people are working from home — and many of those people may be working from home for the first time. If that’s you, you probably don’t have a very comprehensive work-from-home setup — and if not, one of the first things you should buy is a decent office chair.

There are a few reasons you should get a good office chair. Not only are office chairs more comfortable than other chairs you might be using in your home, but they’re also much easier on your back, ensuring that you minimize the risk of back problems later in life. Good office chairs will also offer armrests and adjustments to ensure that you’re as comfortable as possible while you’re working.

Can Procrastination Actually Be Good for Your Productivity? | AllBusiness.com

May 4, 2020May 3, 2020 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

Everybody procrastinates from time to time, and most of us are always trying to find ways to procrastinate less. Procrastination is, for the most part, an inherently unproductive action. The basic idea is to avoid or delay a task, usually an unpleasant one, which hurts you in two main ways:

You compromise your ability to complete the task.

In some cases, the task gets harder to complete when you procrastinate; for example, you may have fewer options if you wait longer to complete the task, or you may have less time and fewer resources to work with.

30% Find Resetting Passwords as Stressful as Retiring | Small Business Trends

May 4, 2020May 3, 2020 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

Password Statistics

The study found that 30% of people find resetting passwords to be hugely stressful. So stressful in fact, that it is comparable to the stress of retiring. 67% of respondents agreed that losing passwords is as stressful as dismissal or changing jobs.

Thought of Retirement is Stressful

It is no secret that the thought of retirement is stressful for many. A study conducted in 2018 found that 39% of small business owners say they are not confident they can retire. The research found the principle apprehension about retirement is due to financial reasons. Both small business owners and employees have concerns that they will not be financially prepared for retirement. The majority of respondents said being able to save more would increase their confidence about retirement.

The Difficulty of Password Management

Comparing losing passwords to the stress of retirement acutely shows the apprehension associated with having to reset passwords. NordPass’ study sheds light on why password management is so difficult. 66% of the survey’s respondents say it is because they have too many accounts to manage.

First home solar pavement installed on a driveway | Inhabitat

May 1, 2020 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

Solar tiles aren’t just for roofs anymore. Platio, a Budapest, Hungary-based tech company, has just installed the first solar pavement for use on a residential driveway.

“Roofs are not the only surfaces that can be used for solar energy production,” said Platio co-founder and engineer Imre Sziszák. “Paved areas absorb solar radiation all day long as well. The walkable solar panels of Platio can utilize this new source of clean energy.”

The system consists of interlocking units called Platio solar pavers. Each paver is made from 400 recycled PET plastic bottles for a product more durable than concrete, according to the company’s product video. Pavement can be installed in sizes of 10 to 30 square meters and is suitable for driveways, terraces, balconies and patios.

5 Benefits of Strategic Partnerships | business.com

May 1, 2020 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

Strategic partnerships have mutual benefits and can lead to long-term profits.

Strategic partnerships occur when two businesses combine forces to expand their brand reach.
Co-branding opportunities add value to your company, increase brand awareness and create brand trust.
Successful strategic partnerships include Spotify and Google, Sherwin-Williams and Pottery Barn, and McDonald’s and Coca-Cola.