According to the New York Times, members of the United Airlines pilots’ union agreed to a collective sacrifice to prevent the airline’s 13,000 pilots from being furloughed until June 2021. Questions: As a contract agreement looms, how many jobs are United Airlines and its pilots’ union planning to save? How much money did the passenger… Read more »
Posts Tagged: COVID-19
Amusement and Theme Park Woes
During 2020, amusement and theme parks have reduced operating days, slashed ticket prices, and closed early for the year because of lower-than-hoped attendance. Questions: In what state have theme and amusement parks been closed since mid-March? What was one of the most surprising issues in the article? Which park has ” social distance squads”? Source:… Read more »
Brave New World: What Will We Lose?
According to this article, there are 9 everyday experiences that we may not see again. Questions: What are these 9 experiences? Are any of these experiences economically essential? Explain. Which experience do you least agree with as being extinct? Why? Which experience would you add to this list? Source: Pincus-Roth, Z. (2020). 9 everyday experiences… Read more »
A new model for distillery owners
Through entrepreneurial spirit, craft distilleries are moving into a new business model during the pandemic. Questions: Roughly, how many craft distilleries are there in the U.S.? Why has the pandemic closed or limited tasting room sales? Based on the entrepreneurial spirit of the craft distilleries and according to the article, what does the new model… Read more »
Cyber Security Breaches increase 300 percent for CPAs during Pandemic
With many accounting practices rushing to provide access for remote employees and clients (without fully understanding security implementations), cyberattacks on CPA practices of all sizes has increased 300 percent during the COVID pandemic. Questions: What do the cybercrimals do as part of a ransomware attack? Why are firewalls and antivirus software no longer enough to… Read more »
Delivery or Eat In?
According to this article, achievers are focused, polished, confident and have a career in their crosshairs. However, the rest of the population usually bounces among jobs and interests for a while, discovering talents and through experimenting, eventually stumble on a ”calling.” This article details one such person. Questions: What business was Shana Greenbaum starting? What… Read more »
Over-Worked and Under-Appreciated
According to the Washington Post, grocery workers across the country say morale is crushingly low as the pandemic wears on with no end in sight. Questions: Why do grocery workers feel a renewed sense of expendability? Why do grocery workers feel like this is a dead end job? What was different in March and April… Read more »
Sometimes Things Don’t End Up the Way they are Planned
According to the New York Times, Delta Airline’s foray into oil refining in 2012 illustrates some of the reasons that the business was in trouble even before the pandemic. Questions: What was the bold experiment that Delta Air tried? What were the flaws in Delta’s strategy? What is the most immediate concern of the refinery… Read more »
IRS makes it easier to tap your retirement account
With no agreement on a second round of stimulus payments, the IRS made it easier for people to pull money from their retirement plans without a costly penalty. Questions: Who makes up the category of individuals who can tap their retirement plan without penalty, according to the IRS’s new guidance? If an employer allows an… Read more »
Accounting for Coronavirus
According to the Washington Post, some companies are adopting an innovative approach to accounting for the impact the coronavirus pandemic has had on their earnings: they’re leaving it out. Questions: What is Ebitda and why is it so important? How does Ebitdac work? Who’s using it? What is your opinion of this practice? Source: Lindell,… Read more »