Private Flyer: May 2020

Sunday, May 31, 2020

FOX NEWS: Parents reveal the plans they're worried coronavirus will ruin for their kids this summer

Parents reveal the plans they're worried coronavirus will ruin for their kids this summer

It’s going to be a long summer for some families.

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New story in Business from Time: Accenture’s Julie Sweet Has The World’s CEOs On Speed Dial. Here’s A Chance To Listen In

(Miss this week’s The Leadership Brief? This interview below was delivered to the inbox of Leadership Brief subscribers on Sunday morning, May 31; to receive weekly emails of conversations with the world’s top CEO’s and business decision makers, click here.)

As CEO of Accenture, Julie Sweet is plugged into how the world’s CEOs are responding to the current moment. Accenture is one of the world’s largest consulting and professional services firms, and its clients include 91 of the Fortune Global 100. Sweet, 52, spends her days as something of a CEO whisperer, talking to chief executives around the world, both downloading and sharing key insights into how companies are adapting to the new reality. And much of what she is hearing (and advising) is surprising.

For one, she warns that companies planning to save money on office space by permanently having some portion of their employees to remote work may be making a big mistake. “Personal engagement remains essential for long-term success,” says Sweet. “Don’t fall in love with the savings on real estate.”

And despite anti-China national political rhetoric and Beijing’s tightening grip on Hong Kong, Sweet says there is a rush to invest in China and Asia, where the crisis hit earlier. “China is being very resilient,” says Sweet. (Accenture has 15,000 employees there and most are back to work.) “We have a lot of companies who are stopping investment here and trying to do more investment there. You see countries like South Korea, Singapore, and Taiwan address the crisis much better. This could be a real boon to the Asia markets.”

Also, she worries about the economy and how much the stimulus spending is masking the extent of the pain. “There’s this thing that’s coming around the corner where unless you believe the economic recovery is going to be fast enough, the stimulus money is going to end before there’s been a recovery, and we cannot predict how that is then going to affect things.”

Sweet grew up in Orange County, Calif. As a student, Sweet was a star debater and went on to Columbia Law School and became one of the early female partners in a New York law firm’s corporate law department. She worked on deals and advising boards, until joining Accenture in 2010 as general counsel. Lawyers are trained to be learners, she says, and each quarter Sweet sets herself a learning goal. Please read on to find what she is teaching herself now.

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(This interview with Accenture CEO Julie Sweet has been condensed and edited for clarity).

You talk to a lot of CEOs. What is the one thing you are consistently hearing from them about the path forward?

It’s how do you outmaneuver uncertainty. Every CEO would tell you right now that what is driving them crazy is real uncertainty that we can’t control.

So that’s the hardest thing for you right now?

The uncertainty. I was just talking to a CEO this morning in Europe. Right now, people are lulled a little bit because of the stimulus. A lot of it really smoothed things both in Europe and in the U.S. because the unemployment has been very generous. He was like, “Look, Julie, soon this is going to end. And people are going to start being laid off.”

Pivoting comes up a lot now, with companies rightly proud of how quickly they have pivoted. Is there a danger in moving too quickly or is this an overdue correction?

On balance, this is good because there are many companies and industries where their survival long-term really required them to be moving faster than they were. So I think that’s great.

So fewer meetings and layers of approval will be one aspect of the new normal?

[CEOs] are saying ‘Wait a minute—my organization, when we were all together, they’d do five prep meetings before they came to talk to me. Now we’re not doing that anymore.’ So the organization is taking out layers and hierarchies. In a distributed workforce, it’s not as easy to say I’m going to have all these different meetings.

Any worries about the current speed of business?

Every CEO would tell you right now that what is driving them crazy is real uncertainty that we can’t control.Here’s my concern. We weren’t ready pre-crisis globally to address the re-skilling need that automation is going to bring. As a reaction to what’s happening, you’re going to have hyper-automation because you have to. If you have to bring your supply chain, your manufacturing, home because you’re now at risk, or for regulation, you’re going to do so in a way that’s highly automated. We are at 15 to 20% of what could be automated. We’re going to see the speed of that rapidly ramp up, and the worry I have is that we weren’t ready beforehand for re-skilling, and we now need to pivot. How are we going to bring government, companies, and not-for-profits together to address that, with equal speed? We’re not seeing that.

Reskilling is hard.

It’s really hard. And no one’s talking about that yet. We have to globally get real focused on this very fast.

Will the consulting model change? When will your teams start working for weeks on end in client offices again?

With density in offices going down, it’s very unclear how fast clients are going to want to be co-creating with their outside partners versus needing the space for their own people in a world where they can’t have as much density.

Will that be a lasting change?

I do think it will be permanently changed. In our mental model, we believe that for a prolonged period of time, what we’ve managed to do quite successfully, which is remote innovation and collaborating with our clients remotely, will continue, with the ability at times to get together. Our business is being changed because patterns of travel amount will be changed.

So remote work and a smaller real estate footprint is the future?

I say this to anyone who will listen, personal engagement face-to-face remains a critical part of success. And we should all be careful to not tilt too much: Don’t fall in love with the savings on real estate. While it was an incredible insight that you can innovate remotely, it is not a long-term answer. Personal engagement remains essential for long-term success.

So you are not ripping up your leases?

No, in fact, we went too far [cutting back on office space] in the ’90s in certain countries like the U.S., and over the last 5 years, we have steadily added to our real estate footprint in order to create innovation spaces with our clients.

Let’s talk about the new sexiest topic in business: supply chains. Do you think we took just-in-time, keeping inventories at low levels, too far? And how do you see that changing?

I don’t think we were wrong in just-in-time. What you now have is you’re going to have much more automation.

What changes are businesses going to make to ensure that they can get the parts and materials they need to make their products?

You basically are going to have four things happening. You’re going to have regulation that forces companies to bring certain things back. The second thing is you’re going to have a different relationship with the smaller suppliers, where you see more financing and more help with security because by definition, if you have to move to suppliers who are near your factories, and they’re not the scaled ones, they have security issues, they have financing issues. The third thing that’s going to happen is you are going to see an acceleration of what were kind of emerging technologies to address different ways of manufacturing, and change those supply chains. 3D printing is a different way of doing just-in-time, right? And the fourth thing that you’re going to see, I believe, is a revisiting of the trade alliances. Mexico became a very important place to manufacture. All the U.S. companies—it’s been there for years but they were using China. Now the conversation is, “We need to go to Mexico. Not move from China.”

What is your CEO network saying about the future of globalization and global trade? Is this a setback for globalization?

The pandemic just emphasized the critical interconnection of our economies, which no one believes is going to truly be unwound.

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Where does China fit in?

China is being very resilient. We have a lot of companies who are stopping investment here and trying to do more investment there. You see countries like South Korea, Singapore, Taiwan address the crisis much better.

This could be a real boon to the Asia markets and people having to pivot to growth and do more investment there. To take advantage of the consumer base there. And so a lot of CEOs—we’re having discussions on what might be some underlying competitiveness changes, and how do we make sure that Europe remains a viable market, right? That the U.S. stays on top of innovation.

You speak Mandarin. You’ve done a lot of business in China: What are you hearing from your sources on the ground there?

We have 15,000 people there. Our operations there are almost completely back to normal. That being said, there’s been a big shock to the system and China manufacturing is heavily dependent still on demand outside of China.

It’s certainly been resilient, and we are seeing demand to access that market.

How do you manage in this stressful, anxious environment?

Calmness is absolutely critical. At the end of the day, we can’t control a lot, and so I’m very direct: “Here’s where I need you to do this because it is within our control.” And then I respond to the other things as “You’ve got to be calm when you get the bad news that you can’t control because it doesn’t help to add more stress.”

Do you get discouraged at being the only woman in meetings? Are you in the room a lot where you’re the only woman in a meeting?

It very much depends on the country. It’s just vastly different in Japan versus the U.S. versus various countries in Europe. Right? So, in the U.S. I’m often not the only woman. The only time I get discouraged is if in fact no one’s talking about it.

How are you doing on gender balance at Accenture?

China is being very resilient. We have a lot of companies who are stopping investment here and trying to do more investment there.We set a goal for 50-50 (of the total work force) by 2025, and we’re on track. We set a goal for 25% of our managing directors to be women by 2025, which is industry leading, and we’re on track. And remember, we’re tech. This is not a walk in the park.

You were a champion debater as a student. Did you like arguing for or against a proposition?

I did like negative more than affirmative. It was more fun. When you’re doing the negative, you have to respond on your feet because the affirmative lays out the case and I just loved the challenge of having to quickly digest and respond. And it’s probably a bit of my DNA, and why I became a lawyer and why I’ve thrived in a world of so much change because I like that challenge.

Speaking of learning, I understand that you assign yourself a learning goal each quarter. What have you focused on previously and what is your current focus?

My first quarter was all about digital manufacturing. The second quarter was 5G, which is a very important technology that just got more important. And right now, I’m going deeper on Cloud because the crisis has so accelerated the journey to the Cloud. I’m learning about hybrid Cloud.

What was your life like growing up and what lessons from your parents do you still find yourself relying on today as you lead a big organization?

I grew up very modestly. My dad did not graduate from high school. My mom graduated from college my freshman year in college. My dad painted cars for a living. But they had an amazing optimism and belief that if you worked hard, you could do anything. And I think that sense of optimism, with a work ethic, has been a really big part of my life. I once coined the phrase, “fearless but prepared.” You don’t just take risks for risk-taking. I’d say that though as a leader today, one of the most important lessons was the one my father gave me when I left school to go to college. I grew up in a very different environment and my dad said, “Don’t be afraid you’re leaving us behind and you’re going to go experience these things. That’s what I want from you. But never forget where you came from.”

And the way I translate that today as a business leader is that we all have to go into these new places: We’ve got to digitize. It’s going to have tough effects on our workforce, on our communities. But we have to do that. But the equivalent of “don’t forget where you came from” is “you cannot forget our people.”

SWEET’S FAVORITES

BUSINESS BOOK: Colin Powell’s It Worked for Me: In Life and Leadership. It’s one of my favorite leadership books.

AUTHOR: Martin Gilbert.

APP: Waze. I am terrible at directions.

[newsletter-leadership]

Friday, May 29, 2020

FOX NEWS: Airports embracing new social distancing technology that can track travelers' movements while in line

Airports embracing new social distancing technology that can track travelers' movements while in line

Fox News shares an exclusive look at the Safe Distance technology, which can help airport officials implement new safety protocols.

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FOX NEWS: Airports embracing an influx of passengers with new social distancing technology

Airports embracing an influx of passengers with new social distancing technology

The new tech is in use just as traffic begins picking up at airports.

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The World in a Jewelry Box

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Thursday, May 28, 2020

FOX NEWS: Siberian zoo sees boom of animal births during lockdown

Siberian zoo sees boom of animal births during lockdown

The zoo might be closed, but the animals apparently aren’t just sitting around.

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Returning, and Awakening, to the Beauty of Rural Alabama

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Camping in the West? Like Everything These Days, It’s Complicated

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Wednesday, May 27, 2020

FOX NEWS: Eastern Airlines has helped thousands of stranded Americans return home

Eastern Airlines has helped thousands of stranded Americans return home

Small companies can do big things.

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FOX NEWS: First Las Vegas casinos to reopen on the strip are revealed

First Las Vegas casinos to reopen on the strip are revealed

Vegas is betting that it’s time to reopen.

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FOX NEWS: 'COVID camper' sales surge before summer amid pandemic: report

'COVID camper' sales surge before summer amid pandemic: report

The open road remains as alluring as ever.

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FOX NEWS: Man caught with over $138,000 in cash at Logan Airport after missing his flight

Man caught with over $138,000 in cash at Logan Airport after missing his flight

Missing a flight is never fun, but for one traveler, it was an incredibly expensive mistake.

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FOX NEWS: Disney World to present reopening plans for theme park

Disney World to present reopening plans for theme park

What magical news.

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Thinking About Flying? Here’s What You Need to Know Now

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Tuesday, May 26, 2020

FOX NEWS: What guests can expect when the Las Vegas Strip reopens

What guests can expect when the Las Vegas Strip reopens

From temperature checks to plastic barriers, how casinos are preparing to reopen and welcome guests back in June.

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FOX NEWS: Rome Colosseum to reopen in June after coronavirus kept it closed for months

Rome Colosseum to reopen in June after coronavirus kept it closed for months

Italy’s Colosseum Archaeological Park in Rome (PArCo) announced Tuesday it will reopen to the public on June 1 after having been closed for three months due to coronavirus restrictions.

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FOX NEWS: Colorado ski resort Arapahoe Basin reopens this week after coronavirus hiatus

Colorado ski resort Arapahoe Basin reopens this week after coronavirus hiatus

At least one resort high in the Colorado Rockies is planning to reopen after a more than two-month hiatus caused by the coronavirus.

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FOX NEWS: Jeh Johnson: The virus is here in US, we need to be focused on the fight here

Jeh Johnson: The virus is here in US, we need to be focused on the fight here

Former Obama-era Department of Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson weighs in on travel bans amid pandemic.

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FOX NEWS: Florida theme park introduces 'skunk ape' mascot to promote social distancing

Florida theme park introduces 'skunk ape' mascot to promote social distancing

That’s one way to keep people distant from each other.

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FOX NEWS: Flying during COVID-19: Staying safe as travel slowly resumes

Flying during COVID-19: Staying safe as travel slowly resumes

Before you get on a plane, there are some things you should consider to keep yourself safe as your travel through the skies.

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FOX NEWS: Tourists stuck in Italy finally visit Pompeii more than 2 months after arriving outside archaeological park

Tourists stuck in Italy finally visit Pompeii more than 2 months after arriving outside archaeological park

“Here we are, we finally made it inside. It only took 2 ½ months,” said Marvin Hewson.

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FOX NEWS: Warsaw Zoo moves bears after visitor is filmed entering enclosure, wrestling with one while allegedly drunk

Warsaw Zoo moves bears after visitor is filmed entering enclosure, wrestling with one while allegedly drunk

The bear he wrestled — Sabrina — was "very stressed" after the incident, zoo officials said.

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FOX NEWS: Latam Airlines, South America's largest carrier, seeks bankruptcy protection amid coronavirus pandemic

Latam Airlines, South America's largest carrier, seeks bankruptcy protection amid coronavirus pandemic

Latam Airlines sought U.S. bankruptcy protection Tuesday as it grapples with a sharp downturn in air travel sparked by the coronavirus pandemic.

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The Latest Trend in Vacation Rentals: Long-Term Stays

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Monday, May 25, 2020

FOX NEWS: Greece reopens restaurants, resumes island ferry service, following coronavirus closures

Greece reopens restaurants, resumes island ferry service, following coronavirus closures

Fancy a holiday?

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Help! One Company Refused to Refund Travelers More Than $100,000.

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Sunday, May 24, 2020

FOX NEWS: Florida baseball stadium listed on Airbnb during coronavirus shutdown

Florida baseball stadium listed on Airbnb during coronavirus shutdown

This rental definitely comes with enough elbow space.

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Saturday, May 23, 2020

FOX NEWS: American airports in a post-pandemic world

American airports in a post-pandemic world

Assistant Professor at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Joseph Allen, joins Arthel Neville to discuss airport health safety post-pandemic.

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FOX NEWS: Hard Rock International CEO Jim Allen on reopening Tampa, Sacramento locations with new safety measures

Hard Rock International CEO Jim Allen on reopening Tampa, Sacramento locations with new safety measures

Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Tampa, Florida and the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Sacramento at Fire Mountain reopen with new 'safe and sound' program guidelines.

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FOX NEWS: Acting Secretary of Homeland Security Chad Wolf on new TSA guidelines for summer travel

Acting Secretary of Homeland Security Chad Wolf on new TSA guidelines for summer travel

TSA rolls out new guidelines for summer travel amid coronavirus pandemic.

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Friday, May 22, 2020

FOX NEWS: AAA skips annual Memorial Day weekend travel forecast amid pandemic

AAA skips annual Memorial Day weekend travel forecast amid pandemic

Travel for Memorial Day weekend expected to be much lighter than usual; Alex Hogan reports.

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FOX NEWS: Universal Orlando Resort sets reopening date; guests to be screened for temperature, required to use sanitizer

Universal Orlando Resort sets reopening date; guests to be screened for temperature, required to use sanitizer

The resort also included a disclaimer about the “inherent risk” of exposure to COVID-19, adding that Universal “cannot guarantee that you will not be exposed during your visit.”

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Pick a Card and Be Transported: 7 Board Games From Around the World

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Thursday, May 21, 2020

FOX NEWS: Global air travel hit hard amid coronavirus fears

Global air travel hit hard amid coronavirus fears

Experts say the COVID-19 pandemic is the most significant crisis that the travel industry has faced; senior foreign affairs correspondent Greg Palkot reports from London.

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FOX NEWS: Universal Orlando reopening plans for June 5 approved by task force: report

Universal Orlando reopening plans for June 5 approved by task force: report

It appears that Universal Studios in Orlando won’t sit out summer after all.

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FOX NEWS: Chicago Pastor on his church being fined for holding Sunday services amid pandemic

Chicago Pastor on his church being fined for holding Sunday services amid pandemic

Chicago has begun fining churches for holding services that do not comply with the statewide stay-at-home order; Pastor Florin Tony Cimpean with the Philadelphia Romanian Church of God shares his story.

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FOX NEWS: Delta Air Lines to install 'safety barriers' at check-in lobbies and gates where carrier operates

Delta Air Lines to install 'safety barriers' at check-in lobbies and gates where carrier operates

Delta Air Lines is planning to “add another layer of safety at airports” by literally adding a layer of plexiglass between customers and crew.

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FOX NEWS: TSA announces updated security protocol, new requirements for travelers in response to coronavirus pandemic

TSA announces updated security protocol, new requirements for travelers in response to coronavirus pandemic

The new efforts are designed to increase physical distancing and decrease physical contact at airport security checkpoints.

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It’s Almost Memorial Day, and I Want to Go to the Beach. Can I Do That Safely?

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Wednesday, May 20, 2020

FOX NEWS: Husband, wife at Denver DoubleTree hotel claim someone may have spied on them during sex

Husband, wife at Denver DoubleTree hotel claim someone may have spied on them during sex

A Texas husband and wife have sued a Denver hotel, claiming someone may have spied on them while they were in their room.

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FOX NEWS: Disney World survey asks guests about their willingness to return amid coronavirus pandemic

Disney World survey asks guests about their willingness to return amid coronavirus pandemic

It’s always a good idea to see what the fans want.

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FOX NEWS: Qatar Airways cabin crew to wear full PPE suits during flights

Qatar Airways cabin crew to wear full PPE suits during flights

Welcome aboard — and don’t mind our PPE.

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A Visual Dispatch From One of the World’s Most Remote Islands

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