Predictions are always risky if you’re a perfectionist, but since I’m not, here is some “food for thought” from my vantage point. I’m not requesting you agree, only that you think about them.

• About 25% of every business will permanently change because of what’s been experienced or implemented (Example: Dedicated food take-out process in even high-end restaurants.)

• An insistence that no one (or very few, depending on industry) permanently work remotely because of the morale, communication, and productivity problems.

• A cessation of flights and long distance train service from smaller cities which now have them. 

• A growth in financial services due to individuals and small businesses having learned the importance of cash reserves.

• A rise in entrepreneurism and business start-ups as people seek to rely on themselves and prevent losing a job because of a lack of control. (Most of these will fail.)

• As in Asia, predominantly, a continuation of many to wear masks in public settings long after they are no longer required. This will also involve a refusal to shake hands, hug, or otherwise come in contact with others.

• An increase in concierge doctors, dentists, lawyers, and accountants to ensure rapid access when needed.

• A dependable vaccine will emerge early next year but there will be trepidation about being among the first to take it, people will await any side-effects, so it’s impact will be delayed.

• Countless lawsuits will be filed over the handling of crisis, especially regarding nursing homes and congested neighborhoods, and Congress will initiate countless investigations to try to pin the blame on someone.

• The regular flu season approaching will further complicate COVID identification, treatment, and statistics (and therefore the local responses to those statistics).

• Ultimately, we’ll be somewhat better prepared in the future. But I have to admit that that’s not a prediction, just a prayer.

• Why does Massachusetts insist on a negative COVID test within 72 hours of vacationing there, but maintains zero enforcement or random testing?

• Who hires school bus monitors who are supposed to look under the bus to ensure no child is under there, but who are so overweight that they can’t bend more than 20 degrees and can’t see under the bus?

• What makes anyone think that after a customer purchases something that they’ll develop loyalty based on besieging them with email marketing daily?

• Why doesn’t any politician of any party move away from bloviation and platitudes and speak honestly and answer a “yes or no” question with a “yes or no”?

• Why do people with no greater learning, experience, or credentials than the rest of us feel that we’re inferior merely because we disagree with them?

• Why don’t people who understand the businesses that are regulated during COVID (restaurants, gyms, salons, etc.) create the rules, instead of people who clearly have no clue?

• Why is my car dealer’s service area more immaculate than most medical practices offices?

• Why is it that women can wear bras daily—which I’m told seldom fit well and are often uncomfortable (and I see women tugging at them frequently)—but people can't wear a simple mask for parts of the day when required?

• Why do we “warehouse” kids in schools that are using a learning environment that is hundreds of years old instead of allowing them to progress according to their abilities and accomplishments?

• Why can restaurants consistently produce hot, delicious take-out food but can’t always create the same result for people dining there?

• Why do the arrogant, profit-hungry, non-responsive airlines think they can demand bailouts ahead of others who serve the public so much more responsively?

• Why is it that so many people seem to be lecturing me instead of talking with me?

Personal Power and Success

I’m facilitating an 8-week, group coaching experience for a small group beginning in November at the same time each week. One half of the hour I’ll use to talk about contemporary events and opportunities, and the other half I’ll use to discuss individual issues with the full group for mutual learning. The first registrants will help to decide the day and time.

Deep Secrets

I’m offering “Deep Secrets” for business and personal improvement on a weekly basis, with a brief video containing my best business and interpersonal techniques, and a brief audio demonstrating the correct use of tricky language and how to sound (and BE) learned and sophisticated. Would you like to know how to quickly determine which of only five categories of issues your buyer is concerned about, and provide clarity on the spot? There’s a process for doing that.

Or would it be important to be able to read The Wall Street Journal (or an equivalent publication) with relevant comprehension in just 20 minutes? There’s a technique for doing that. Would you like to write a 500-word article in 30 minutes instead of 30 days? Guess what, you can.