Posts tagged with "recession"

VULIWEAR inside 360 MAGAZINE.

PAY IT FORWARD

During these tough economic times, we’ve decided to focus on practical, affordable gifts. Thus, we wanted to try to inspire those seeking a thoughtful gift for this period of transition, by compiling a complete menu that is sure to leave a lasting impression.



VULIWEAR

The beautiful array of colors and unique design patterns in an insect’s eyes can only be seen when magnified for the human eye. Their compound eyes are made up of thousands of mini eyes that come together to form patterns that are truly awesome. Stylish yet elegant frames, which are wonderfully crafted for longevity.

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VULIWEAR Eyewear collection via 360 MAGAZINE.



<gaM 063> BY AOHSOA

An exclusive partnership between AOHSOA × 360 MAGAZINE. A high quality tennis shoe perfect for painting the town red with clients. Eclectic prints which mimic a psychedelic, athleisure era – both designed in-house. Ideal for walks, jogging and gymnastics thanks to its visco-elastic better known as memory foam technology.

Rigorously tested for durability, they’re an ultramodern alternative to NIKE, Adidas shell toe and Reebok classics.

With two distinctive colorways that pay homage to The ‘Boogie Down’ Bronx‘s grafitti art scene, these melodic masterpieces possess a modest price point to achieve the unexpected.

Finally, a chic shoe in vibrant hues, combining style and functionality, to be worn in the gym and non-traditional work environments.

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gaM 063 a new sneaker created by AOHSOA and 360 MAGAZINE
<gaM 063> a new sneaker capsule created by AOHSOA and 360 MAGAZINE.

HARD ROCK HOME

From the textile manufacturers over at Sobel Westex, comes an eclectic seven piece bed set inspired by the Hard Rock marquee – a guitar. With designs which embody the essence of the greats such as Johnny Cash and Elvis, these sheets will have you leaping on a bed, strumming your stomach while lip syncing BB King. Fun yet affordable option for a guest room, dorm and/or sleeper. It’s offered in a rustic bandana blue pattern which mimics a pair of prewash. For the cost of a night stay at a modest hotel, it includes: 1 comforter, 2 Shams, 2 euro shams, and 2 decorative pillows. It’s a great purchase for that special someone in need of a slight push to began adultery. And, it makes almost any room feel harmonious. Machine wash, tumble dry, no iron.

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Hard Rock Home bedding listed in 360 MAGAZINE gift guide

ROBOROCK

Roborock is gearing up for this holiday season. From planning and decorating to the cluttered aftermath, Roborock has the cleaning tools to keep their homes tidy!

  • Dyad: Make wet and dry dirt disappear at a stroke with DyadPower this holiday season – The only dual roller motor, multi-roller wet/dry vacuum in the world! The 13000Pa suction vanishes dirty water leaving floors clean yet dry after the entire family has left. What’s more – the folding holder allows it to stand on its own, and the cordless design allows users to freely move from room to room.
  • Q5 Series: Driven by a 5200mAh battery to power longer cleans, the Roborock Q5+ features 2700Pa of suction power to easily suck up dirt and grime into the 2.5L dust bag of the Auto-Empty Dock Pure for hands-free cleaning while you’re busy with everything else. Runs on a PreciSense LiDAR Navigation System, unique to Roborock which creates a 3D map along with custom routines, multi-level mapping, as well as No-Go Zones & Invisible Walls. Compatible with Alexa, Google Home, and Siri, the Q5 utilizes advanced app control to create a customizable clean.
  • S7+ MaxV Ultra: Roborock’s smartest robot combo yet! The S7 MaxV Ultra provides an extremely convenient, totally hands-free cleaning experience. The dock even cleans itself too! The S7+ MaxV Ultra has more suction power than any previous Roborock robot vacuum, generating a maximum of 5100 Pa, picking up debris, hair, dust, and more from hard floors and carpets. Using its camera, this model can now recognize the furniture in your home and place them on the map automatically. It can also identify your floors in each room and recommend cleaning patterns and scrub intensity accordingly.

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Roborock S7 MaxV Ultra robotic vacuum and mop inside 360 MAGAZINE
Roborock S7 MaxV Ultra robotic vacuum and mop inside 360 MAGAZINE

JOHN MAYER ROLEX DAYTONA

Though green watch dials are still trending, the green dial Rolex Daytona hype, thanks to John Mayer, is finally over.

It’s finally the perfect time to invest in the Green Daytona of your dreams from SwissWatchExpo

Selling for over $125,000 at the peak of its popularity, the “John Mayer” Rolex has finally dropped in price to $81,000, making it the perfect time to buy.  

While it remains out of reach for most of us, the lucky few will see this as their time to shine.

Eugene Tutunikov, CEO of pre-owned luxury watch retailer, SwissWatchExpo, has followed this watch for years and finally saw the price of this Daytona fall in the last month after 14 months of its increasing price.  

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In tandem with the launch of the new eyewear, Oakley also released a campaign video lead by pro surfers and Team Oakley athletes, Ethan Ewing and Griffin Colapinto which shows how the Hydra captures the essence of “Good Times Only.” 

JOHN MAYER ROLEX DAYTONA IN 360 MAGAZINE
JOHN MAYER ROLEX DAYTONA IN 360 MAGAZINE

Hydra features semi-rimless sunglasses with a shield lens, similar to the Oakley Razor Blades, the brand’s first foray into surf culture-inspired eyewear from the ‘80s and ‘90s. The new eyewear is accentuated by a modern trigger system design, also reminiscent of Razor Blades’ silhouette, and it has been modernized to include Prizm™ Lens Technology and Unobtainium® no-slip grip nosepads.

ROSE BOX NYC

A new school year is quickly approaching and what better way to get excited than designing your dream dorm with Rose Box NYC! These gorgeous bouquets are completely customizable, letting your personality be expressed through a variety of color combinations and decorative boxes. The best part? These flowers can actually live up to 3 years with the proper care and maintenance!

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MODERN ICE BUCKET

Whether you need ice to whip up cocktails or want to cool a bottle of wine, the TRUE Chill Modern Ice Bucket is the best ice bucket for all of your chilling endeavors.

Roomy, featherlight, and stylized, this modern ice bucket comes party-ready. It’s made of durable acrylic with cut-out handles allowing for easy mobility. Low-cut sides make it easy to swoop in and grab another bottle. Holds 4 wine bottles.

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Crisbi ice bucket in 360 MAGAZINE

CHARCUTERIE BOARD W/ KNIFE

This board will ensure your spread is on point for any occasion. It’s beautifully designed, featuring gorgeous end grain wood and an acacia spreader. The knife fits conveniently in grooves between the two sections. Turn it upside down for the perfect cutting board. Cleans up easily with a damp cloth.

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Charcuterie board by Crisbi via 360 MAGAZINE

ARTISTSCENT CANDLES

Celebrate the coming holidays with luxurious, fall-scented candles. Warm up your home and have it smelling fresh going into the new season with decadent fragrances.

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CHAMPS SPORTS COLLECTION

Today, Champs Sports has launched their new, Eastbay Performance Field Day CollectionChamps Sports developed this new collection, part of the brand’s Eastbay Performance line, for the modern athlete and includes both lifestyle and performance apparel. Philadelphia Eagles QB Jalen Hurts and NIL basketball superstar Jared McCain show off the versatile new products in the collection’s corresponding campaign.  

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GLASS XTR2 + REPAIR PLAN

Glass XTR2 + ZAGG Screen Repair Guarantee Plan for the iPhone 14 family of smartphones. U.S. customers who purchase a Screen Repair Guarantee plan ($10) may register their phone for a one-time screen repair up to $250 if their iPhone 14 screen gets damaged with the XTR2 screen protector on the device. The plan is valid for up to one year from the date of purchase per device, and customers are limited to a one-time screen repair. This plan will also cover all future OEM smartphones for which we will make Glass XTR2. For FAQ click HERE.

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HYPERX CLOUD STINGER 2

Definitively the choice of a player for less than fifty dollars. In fact, a lot of them compare it to $200 versions. Cloud Stinger 2 maintains the fundamentals of the original HyperX Cloud Stinger, while refining them to meet an even wider range of gamers needs. Weighing in at under 300g, the headset is designed for aquality user experience with great sound and lightweight comfort. Cloud Stinger 2 utilizes large 50mm drivers to provide clearer audio, with earcups that rotate 90 degrees for adaptive fit and comfort aroundthe neck during breaks. The headset also features easy-access audio controls on the earcup and a swivel-to-mute, noise-canceling flexible microphone for added convenience, reduced background noise and clearvoice quality.

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HYPERX CLOUD STINGER 2 headset via 360 MAGAZINE
HYPERX CLOUD STINGER 2 headset via 360 MAGAZINE

La Tourangelle

From sourcing quality ingredients to small batch production, La Tourangelle’s products are authentic, sustainable, and crafted locally in California and France using traditional practices, and recently approved by everyone’s favorite tastemaker, Jonathan Van Ness.

  • NEW this year is La Tourangelle’s Black Truffle Infused Oil (250 ml – $24.99), robust and distinctive with complex earthy notes of damp forests and dried mushrooms that are characteristic of the French Périgord Truffle. This September, La Tourangelle will release two-pack gift box of Truffle Oils (price is TBD for now – let us know if you would be interested)with one White Truffle and one Black Truffle Infused Oil, the perfect gift for the home gourmand.
  • Or opt for is the classic stocking stuffer gift sets – the Favorites Trio ($22.99) with Walnut, Avocado, and Sesame oils, or the Infused Gift Trio ($20.99) with Garlic, Herb de Provence, and Basil oil.
  • And for a little something extra this festive season, La Tourangelle’s newest bold and bright launch, Extra Virgin Avocado Oil (250 ml – $11.99), or choose the classic Extra Virgin Olive Oil (500 ml – $9.99) or another new product, for the home cook in your life (or even the friend who can’t cook).
  • All of La Tourangelle’s products fit into the category of  “Gifts that Give Back” – 2% of the company’s profits and 5% of the company’s land in Woodland, Yolo County, CA are dedicated to the La Tourangelle Foundation – founded to support edible gardens within schools, regenerative agriculture, and food banks.

Where to buy? La Tourangelle oils can be purchased at Whole Foods Market, Kroger’s, Safeway, Publix, and Walmart, its website, and on Amazon.

La Tourangelle Avocado Oil featured inside 360 MAGAZINE
La Tourangelle Avocado Oil featured inside 360 MAGAZINE

MONDAINE WIFI WALL CLOCK

With the new MONDAINE stop2go WiFi wall clock, you can hang a piece of Iconic Swiss design culture above your office desk or on your living room wall. In addition to its unique design, the wall clock—featuring an aluminum case with a diameter of 25 cm—also offers sophisticated electronics that do not require yet another app on your phone to set the time. After inserting the batteries, you only have to press two small buttons next to the battery compartment simultaneously to activate the WiFi function. After connecting the watch to your smartphone (via the WiFi settings), it can be adjusted thanks to a user-friendly multilingual operating menu. For example, a different time zone can be selected, or daylight-saving time can be switched on and off.

The new MONDAINE Stop2Go WiFi wall clock will be available from mid-September 2022 at selected specialist retailers and at mondaine.com.

MONDAINE wifi wall clock in 360 MAGAZINE gift guides
MONDAINE wifi wall clock in 360 MAGAZINE gift guide

GUCCI DIVE

Gucci reinvents the GUCCI DIVE collection with the addition of four new watches made with bio-based materials and recycled steel. The choice to use plant-derived
plastic from renewable sources reflects the House’s ongoing commitment to reducing its environmental footprint and generating positive change for people and the planet.

GUCCI DIVE inside 360 MAGAZINE
GUCCI DIVE inside 360 MAGAZINE.

60TH ANNIVERSARY CASHMERE COLLECTION

In celebration of 60 years of the James Bond film franchise, N.PEAL reimagined some of the spy’s most iconic and memorable looks in cashmere whilst revisiting their signature styles that were not just inspired by Bond, but worn by the secret agent in Skyfall (2012), Spectre (2015) and No Time To Die (2021).

N.PEAL James Bond inspired collection featured inside 360 MAGAZINE.
N.PEAL James Bond inspired collection featured inside 360 MAGAZINE.

OAKLEY HYDRA

Hydra features semi-rimless sunglasses with a shield lens, similar to the Oakley Razor Blades, the brand’s first foray into surf culture-inspired eyewear from the ‘80s and ‘90s. The new eyewear is accentuated by a modern trigger system design, also reminiscent of Razor Blades’ silhouette, and it has been modernized to include Prizm™ Lens Technology and Unobtainium® no-slip grip nosepads.

In tandem with the launch of the new eyewear, Oakley also released a campaign video lead by pro surfers and Team Oakley athletes, Ethan Ewing and Griffin Colapinto which shows how the Hydra captures the essence of “Good Times Only.”

Pro-surfer athletes,Ethan Ewing and Griffin Colapinto for OAKLEY via 360 MAGAZINE.
Pro-surfer athletes,Ethan Ewing and Griffin Colapinto for OAKLEY via 360 MAGAZINE.

MNT Gillette ProGlide

In celebration of soccer super fans, Gillette is releasing a limited edition Mexican National Team ProGlide razor, available only at MNTGillette.com. There’s nothing like a clean shave to look your best, feel your best, and cheer on your team to play their best!

The Mexico National Team fanbase always shows up and rallies for El Tri day in and day out. With this limited-edition Gillette ProGlide razor featuring the Mexico National Team logo, superfans can show their team pride in their daily routines and have a keepsake for years to come.

MNT Gillette ProGlide via 360 MAGAZINE.
MNT Gillette ProGlide via 360 MAGAZINE.

Photo: Gillette

Doctor Plotka

Never suffer from that funky old toothbrush taste again, and instead enjoy a deeper clean in the new year with Doctor Plotka’s Mouth Watchers. PLUS! Check out their amazing toothpaste!

$4.99 and up – available:
www.mouthwatchers.com
Amazon.com

Doctor Plotka toothpaste and toothbrushes via 360 MAGAZINE.
Doctor Plotka toothpaste and toothbrushes via 360 MAGAZINE.

LIDS | AMAZON PRIME DAY

Get a head start on your holiday shopping with the latest Amazon Prime Day deals, global sports retailer, Lids has amazing deals that you won’t want to miss for the fashion maven or sports fanatic in your life. See below for the best headwear products for kids and adults from Lids.

Adults

·       Lids Blank Original Adjustable Snapback Hat ($17.99)

·       Lids Pop Culture Foam Trucker Adjustable Snapback Cap ($18.99)

·       Lids Americana Adjustable Strapback Dad Hat ($18.99)

·       Lids Blank Essential Dad Adjustable Strapback Hat ($14.99)

Kids

·       Lids Explore Youth Adjustable Snapback Hat ($17.99)

 

Lids caps for the holidays via 360 MAGAZINE.
Lids caps for the holidays via 360 MAGAZINE.

Reebok has announced the return of its BB 4000 II, a transcendent lifestyle basketball sneaker from the brand’s iconic 1980s “BB” footwear range, dropping October 28.

Reebok BB 4000 II coming soon via 360 MAGAZINE.
Reebok BB 4000 II via 360 MAGAZINE.

LIDS LAMAR VALLEY

Lids latest collection, “Lamar Valley” includes the brand’s newest New Era x MLB colored undervisor hat.

Designed by Lids’ president, Britten Maughan, the “Lamar Valley” collection is inspired by Maughan’s experience of growing up on the western side of the United States and visiting the natural beauty of our nation’s parks and landscapes like the Rocky Mountains and Yellowstone National Park.

Maughan worked with a New Era designer to creatively curate the Lamar Valley colorway, making every detail and decision intentional. The overall hat tells a story and has underling meanings behind the cap’s undertones. The team logos are outlined in blue, signifying the river that flows through the valley. If familiar with Lamar Valley, you know the river isn’t prominent from every view, unlike the earth tones – the browns and greens – that can be seen all-year round. The collection also includes the limited edition MiLB hat, The Buffalo Bisons.

“Lamar Valley” includes the brand’s newest New Era x MLB colored undervisor LIDS hat via 360 MAGAZINE.
“Lamar Valley” includes the brand’s newest New Era x MLB colored undervisor LIDS hat via 360 MAGAZINE.

REEBOK’S BB 4000 II

Reebok’s BB 4000 II lifestyle basketball shoe re-emerges from the brand’s ‘80s basketball archive via Extra Butter (U.S.), Courir (Europe), and Reebok.com, among other select retailers. Creative directed by artist Cam Hicks.

REEBOK'S BB 4000 II lifestyle basketball sneaker via 360 MAGAZINE.
REEBOK’S BB 4000 II lifestyle basketball sneaker via 360 MAGAZINE.

CASIO | The PRW6900YL-5

Casio America, Inc. is excited to expand its PRO TREK line of outdoor timepieces with the PRW6900YL-5.

Geared for outdoor enthusiasts, the new timepiece is inspired by bushcraft, which is the art of learning to find one’s way in the wild. The PRW6900YL-5 features an octagonal metal bezel with sharply tapered edges reminiscent of a wood axe. At the 10 o’clock position, the inset dial indicator hand recalls the blade of a camping knife, and the second-hand features the orange gradation of campfire flames. The base of the dial has a textured cast iron-like surface evoking a Dutch oven, bringing together a design that epitomizes all there is to love about bushcraft.

In keeping with the PRO TREK commitment to be “One with Nature”, the PRW6900YL-5’s case and resin case back are made with biomass plastics, an eco-friendly, green material. The newly developed flame-retardant leather band of the PRW6900YL holds up even when hit by flying sparks.

Equipped with Casio’s V3 Triple Sensor technology, the new watch provides easy measurements of compass bearing, barometric pressure, temperature, and altitude with the push of a button, all necessary for outdoor exploration. Other features include Tough Solar, Multi Band 6, water resistance up to 100 meters, super illuminator, full auto LED, five daily alarms, World Time (29 cities + UTC), and more.

The PRW6900YL-5 is now available for purchase (MSRP: $500) on Casio.com.


PGA TOUR 2K23 x NBA 2K23

2K lines up the perfect putt and slam dunks the game-winner this December with the PGA TOUR 2K23 x NBA 2K23 Bundle. 

The ultimate gift for any sports fan, athlete or gamer, the digital bundle is available for a special introductory holiday price of $49.99 for PlayStation® Plus and Xbox Live Gold subscribers and $39.99 on PC via Steam from December 13 through December 27, 2022*. The perfect last-minute gift features a combined cover depicting stylized images of PGA TOUR 2K23 icon Tiger Woods and NBA 2K23 superstar Devin Booker.


WHATIF FOODS

WhatIF Foods – NoodBoxes and plant based milk – WhatIF Foods is a planet-positive food and beverage company that’s on a  mission to regenerate the planet and its people.

Whatif plant milk via 360 MAGAZINE.
WhatIF plant milk via 360 MAGAZINE.

SOUND BLASTER BLAZE V2

Unparalleled sound at an affordable price point‘ – 360

The Sound Blaster Blaze V2 is a no frills, light-weight over the ear gaming headset.

Precision-tuned 40 mm FullSpectrum Neodymium drivers deliver crisp audio. With Creative app (on Windows), users get to access the Sound Blaster Studio Essential suite to enable sound processing technologies like virtualized 7.1 Surround Sound, Acoustic Engine (with features like Surround, Crystalizer, Smart Volume, Dialog Plus), built-in audio presets for various gaming profiles, movies and music, and CrystalVoice (with features like Acoustic Echo Cancellation, Smart Volume, Microphone Equalizer).

Sound Blaster Blaze V2 is equipped with a detachable, noise-cancelling microphone so that gamers can communicate efficiently without unwanted distractions. A gold-plated 3.5 mm 4-pole combo jack makes connecting easy, with its high-purity oxygen-free copper wire cable helping to transmit distortion-free audio. An inline remote control provides instant access to volume adjustment and mic mute.

Sound Blaster Blaze V2 inside 360 MAGAZINE.
Sound Blaster Blaze V2 inside 360 MAGAZINE.

MANTA SLEEP MASK PRO

Surprise your Valentine with the most advanced sleep mask on the planet! Manta Sleep Mask PRO features true 100% blackout for deeper sleep, C-shaped eye cups for unbeatable side sleep comfort, and zero pressure on the eyelids or lashes. Uncompromisingly engineered for side sleepers, the PRO’s eye cups sit completely flat against your temple without sacrificing eye space. So there’s nothing between your head and your pillow. The eye cups feature a smart “air bubble” that expands to keep light out when switching positions and compresses flat when you lie on your side. So you get a perfect blackout seal with none of the bulk. Featuring an infinitely adjustable fit and cooling perforated foam, this mask offers unmatched breathability and ventilation (powered by advanced material science).

Manta Sleep Mask Pro via 360 MAGAZINE gift guide.
Manta Sleep Mask Pro via 360 MAGAZINE gift guide.

REDEMPTION ROAD COFFEE

Redemption Road Coffee is made with special quality grains of unique origin. Discover one-of-a-kind beans from four parts of the world. Each bag supports a special cause, from family companies to women-owned farms, supporting sustainable emerging entities.
Choose between light, medium, and dark roasts. Comes with beans or pods.

Redemption Road Coffee via 360 MAGAZINE.
Redemption Road Coffee via 360 MAGAZINE.

REEBOK PUMP

Chapter 1 of Reebok’s ‘Pump Universe’ collection (Question Pump and Shaq Victory Pump) drops today, Friday 2/17, from Reebok.com and in-store exclusively from Foot Locker.

Reebok pump release via 360 MAGAZINE.
Reebok pump release via 360 MAGAZINE.

Mina Tocalini, 360 Magazine, Woman at Computer

What happens to the home and economy when women leave the workforce?

The pandemic-induced recession forced many women to drop out of the workforce, with research showing they were much more likely than men to give up jobs so they could take care of children when schools went online.

The consequences of these decisions may go beyond each individual, though. 

“They could have large repercussions for the economy, the home, and society as a whole, says Andi Simon (www.andisimon.com), a corporate anthropologist, founder of Simon Associates Management Consultants, and author of the upcoming book Rethink: Smashing the Myths of Women in Business.

Some ramifications of this 2020 exodus from the workforce for women could include:

  • A drop in consumer spending. When one spouse loses a job, whatever the reason might be, it means an immediate and sudden drop in income for that household. “The impact on household earnings will lead to reduced spending,” Simon says. “That will have ripple effects throughout the economy.”
  • An impact on women’s careers and advancement. Eventually, many of these women will no doubt go back to work, but how well they will be able to just pick up their careers where they left off could be another matter, Simon says. “Will they have lost ground in the line for promotions to men who didn’t take any time away from work?” she asks. “Also, depending on how slow the recovery is, rejoining the workforce might not be that quick and easy.”
  • A reduction in demand for family-related industries. When both spouses work outside the home, couples often need to make use of services that developed or grew because one adult – usually the woman – wasn’t around to take care of certain household duties. For households where a mother is now back in the home, that has changed. “They no longer need to pay someone for childcare services,” Simon says. “In addition, the need for house-cleaning services is likely to drop.”
  • Changes to retail markets. A woman who stays home with the kids has different needs than a woman who commutes to an office each day, and those differences could be reflected in the world of retail, Simon says. Just as an example, there could be a drop in demand for makeup. Sales of business attire for women may plummet – or at least take a hit as more casual, comfortable clothes become more important wardrobe necessities. Restaurants could continue to struggle as people eat out less and cook at home more.
  • Entrepreneurial urges could shift to home businesses. Some women could still keep their career mindsets and try to establish their own businesses run from their homes, Simons says. But she cautions that there are questions about just what those businesses might be since some potential areas – such as marketing, consulting, and business coaching – have seen a downshift in demand for their services. “That leaves you to wonder just how viable setting up a home business might be,” Simon says.

Despite all those concerns, some good can come out of this period as well for women who want a better life both personally and professionally, Simon says.

“If you’ve not been satisfied with your career and your life, this could be an opportunity to rethink and rewrite your personal story,” she says. “You need to imagine what you want to become, focus on how to make that possible, and then begin to take steps to make it happen.”

About Andi Simon

Andi Simon, Ph.D. (www.andisimon.com), author of the upcoming book Rethink: Smashing the Myths of Women in Business, is a corporate anthropologist and founder of Simon Associates Management Consultants (www.simonassociates.net). A trained practitioner in Blue Ocean Strategy®, Simon has conducted several hundred workshops and speeches on the topic as well as consulted with a wide range of clients across the globe. She also is the author of the award-winning book On the Brink: A Fresh Lens to Take Your Business to New Heights. Simon has a successful podcast, On the Brink with Andi Simon, that has more than 125,000 monthly listeners, and is ranked among the top 20 Futurist podcasts and top 200 business podcasts. In addition, Global Advisory Experts named Simons’ firm the Corporate Anthropology Consultancy Firm of the Year in New York – 2020. She has been on Good Morning, America and Bloomberg, and is widely published in the Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, Forbes, Business Week, Becker’s, and American Banker, among others. She has been a guest blogger for Forbes.com, Huffington Post, and Fierce Health.

Digital illustration for 360 Magazine

Brand Building In A Recession

Building Your Brand During A Recession

By Lauren Howe and Teri Uyovbievbo, co-founders of up-and-coming South Bay marketing start-up, The Social Block

The onset of COVID-19 has ultimately ended a decade-long trend of economic growth in the United States. In it’s place, we now have the highest rates of unemployment since the Great Depression. The unprecedented economic downturn has also ushered in the swift demise of formerly successful corporations.

Although COVID-19 has brought difficulty to many businesses, the high rate of unemployment has left many to focus on what was previously their side-hustle or freelance work. A small percentage of job prospects has left us with gig work, using our marketable skills and furthering our educations.

While this is a difficult time to build a brand, it isn’t impossible. In lieu of attending meetings, speaking on panels and networking in the community, placing the focus instead on the company’s current messaging, graphics, website, public relations, social media and marketing efforts is essential. In order to get your brand in the spotlight, you’ll need to create a memorable logo so that people recognize your brand as soon as they see your awesome logo. COVID has thrust the world into a work-from-home, online shopping, and food delivery reality. Building your brand during this time is not only the smartest move for your start-up or business – it is the only move that will keep you competitive in a post-COVID world. The following steps are what we at The Social Block do for ourselves to build our brand, as well as what we would always suggest to clients.

Take relationship building digital

We know that nothing can replace face-to-face interactions and networking, but in a digital world, it’s not enough to just do one. Looking out for media opportunities, offering discounted services to local non-profits to support your community, participating in roundtables, panel discussions and curating a well-managed social media presence are all essential ways to build your brand online.

Social media has been, and is continuing to be, a method of providing customer service and increasing brand loyalty. Although the recession may be limiting those buying or product or using your service, communicating with your target audience, asking for their success stories or feedback, and showing that you listen, care and are engaged, will keep your business top of mind and keep business flowing when the economy stabilizes.

Don’t stop marketing

Depending on your product or service, you can choose from email or mail campaigns, utilizing ad space in relevant publications, or targeting your audience directly through Facebook, Instagram, Twitter or LinkedIn ads. It’s not enough to leave your growth to organic views, shares and customer/client reviews. Getting new traffic in the door and fresh eyes on your business will increase your brand awareness.

Even if COVID may cause a delay in conversions or results, you want to be one of the services or products on your target audience’s list to try after your area has reopened and the economy begins to repair itself.

Assess where your brand is at currently

It may be time to take a hard look at what branding you had going on before COVID, and determine if it is time to make a change. Is your website difficult to navigate wit outdated items? Is your social media active, and is it used to build relationships with potential clients or customers, or is it used almost as a “personal” account, full of successes and company outings? Are you participating in speaking engagements and interacting in you community? Are your graphics, presentations, business cards and logo truly representative of what you do?

Take a hard look at where each area stands, and be honest about what could change. At first glance, are you truly giving off the impression you want?

Times are tough, but it’s an opportunity to pause, reflect and rethink the way you do business.

Kaelen Fenix illustration for homelessness in 360 MAGAZINE

Covid-19 Increasing Homelessness

By Eamonn Burke

A study back in May of this year by a Columbia professor found that the unemployment resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic could increase homelessness by 45%, following a peak unemployment rate in April of 14.7%. Using data from previous recessions as well as current unemployment trends, Dr. Brendan O’Flaherty estimated that another 250,000 people would become homeless this year, bringing the total number of homeless in the country to 800,000. Across the nation, evidence of this narrative coming to fruition is clear. In West Virginia, there are 10,000 homeless students. 125 homeless people have died this year in San Francisco. Homelessness is increasing in Ohio and Texas, and Residents of Long Island are petitioning for another homeless shelter. This is just some of data to show the trend of widespread homelessness as a result of the coronavirus.

Besides taking the lives of many through infection, the coronavirus has caused a massive recession, like likes of which have not been seen since the Great Depression in the 1930s. As of last month, 22 millions Americans are receiving unemployment payments, coming after one of the best economic stretches in American history.

In addition to unemployment benefits, many people were also protected by the moratorium under the Federal CARES Act, which has since expired, allowing evictions to resume. An Aspen Institute study estimates 30-40 million people could be evicted by the end of 2020. This means even more people out on the streets and more vulnerable to getting COVID, which creates a vicious cycle and creates more pressure on emergency services. Shelters are available but often overcrowded and unsanitary.

There is also the issue of those who are older and who have preexisting conditions, who have been identified as higher risk for COVID-19 and who also are becoming more prevalent among homeless populations. Over 100,000 people over 45 years old were estimated to be living outside on an average night in 2019. Another study showed that around 85% of unsheltered people had physical health issues in 2019. Lastly, a Harvard study revealed that roughly 11 million households spend at least half of their income on housing, making them vulnerable in a recession.

There is also a racial undertone of the homelessness crisis from Covid-19, as black and Latinx people make up a large portion of the population and 58% of black and Latinx people lack the sufficient liquid assets to survive a recession. This can lead to greater racial disparity in an already tumultuous period for race relations in the country.

The CARES act also provided $4 billion in funding, which the Center on Budget Policy and Priorities, along with The National Alliance to End Homelessness used to develop a framework for how to use the money to fight homelessness. It focuses on five major points: services for the unsheltered, housing, shelter, prevention and diversion, and improving future systems.

It is expected that the rising homelessness rate with correlate with the projected rising unemployment rate through 2022. The homelessness rate was already rising with overpopulation, and the pandemic is acting as a catalyst for the issue.

Covid and health illustration

COVID-19 Evictions

By Eamonn Burke

The recession caused by Covid-19 has put millions of people out of work and out of income, making it harder for them to pay for their housing. As a result, a heightened importance has been placed on housing and income security in light of the pandemic by the United States government.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has temporarily halted evictions and closures to help ensure housing for families and individuals. These moratoriums are a part of the CARES Act passed on March 27, including 2 Trillion dollars for economic relief. Most of these exceptions truly are temporary, however, and will be lifted when the pandemic is further under control.

Individual states are undertaking efforts to protect housing as well, and these policies can be viewed for every state in a scorecard compiled by the Eviction Lab and Professor Emily Benfer of Columbia’s Law School.

Click here for information about this housing crisis and to find out whether or not you are protected.

Unemployment and Voter Turnout

The “angry voter hypothesis” is a popular narrative that many voters are driven to the polls by economic anxiety. But a new study shows that hundreds of thousands of Americans hit by the 2008 recession actually avoided participating in subsequent elections.

The same phenomenon could happen this November as the United States experiences historic levels of unemployment, said the study’s author, Ben McCartney, an assistant professor of finance at Purdue University and an expert in household finance and voter participation. With so much financial distress on their plate, voting could be the last thing on their minds. “My concern going forward is that this story is going to repeat itself,” he said.

McCartney found that a 10% decline in local home prices decreased the participation rate of an average mortgaged homeowner by 1.6%, amounting to 800,000 potential votes over the course of the 2010 and 2012 national elections. The effect was less intense for renters and particularly severe for homeowners with little to no equity in their homes. He estimated that financial distress from the economic downturn was to blame.

McCartney used North Carolina voter files, housing data and Zillow home values for his analysis. His findings were recently published online as an accepted manuscript in The Review of Financial Studies.

“It’s a case where the opportunity costs now of voting are very high for some people,” he said. “It’s relatively easy for people to say, ‘I’m not going to worry about it this cycle. How do I figure out if I’m registered to vote? Where’s my polling place? Who is running for the various offices? I’ve got too much stuff on my plate, the economy is collapsing and I’m trying not to foreclose. Maybe now I’m taking care of the kids myself instead of sending them to day care, maybe I’m working more hours or working overtime.’ That is the story that I find fits the data better than this angry voter hypothesis.”

Fortunately, home prices have remained stable during the recent economic downturn due to high demand and low housing stock. But Zillow estimates prices to drop by 2%-3% and rebound by next year.

Four of 10 states that held their primary elections on June 2 saw a decline in voter turnout compared with 2016, according to analytics website FiveThirtyEight.com. The expansion of mail-in voting could have contributed to higher turnout in the six other states, according to the report.

McCartney said that potential voters could be more concerned about recovering from closures, furloughs and layoffs due to the COVID-19 pandemic. “Households hit hard by this crisis are going to turn to credit cards and short-term loans,” he said. “Even if the economic ship is somewhat righted by November, a lot of households’ financial situations will have really deteriorated. And, for financially distressed households, voting is something easy to just drop from the to-do list. The implications for voter turnout are worrying.”

Ben McCartney (Courtesy photo)

McCartney is a faculty affiliate in the Purdue University Research Center in Economics. His research was supported by Purdue’s Krannert School of Management and Duke University.

About Purdue University

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