#the levels of normalcy are unprecedented on this blog

[kindahoping4forever]

Via the boy photo book

[abdulazizomani]

Elevator and Escalator Market: Current Situation and Future Ahead

Elevators and Escalators (E&E) are enablers of modern-day urbanism. They are known as portable mass transit systems and are installed in public and commercial places such as shopping malls, hotels, hospitals, offices, construction sites, airports, etc. as well as residential buildings.

Elevators and Escalators Market ScenarioThe Elevators and Escalators industry is closely linked to the construction industry. 

The slightest movement in the construction industry (positive or negative) have a direct impact on the E&E market. The current COVID-19 pandemic initially affected the Asia-Pacific construction industry, the impact of which later spread to all regions of the world. The pandemic headed to the temporary halt of production plants in many countries, as well as the closure of construction sites.

Long-term restrictions on people's freedom of movement made it difficult to finish the contracts for new projects and to continue work on existing orders. This particularly impacted the new installation and modernization businesses unit of elevator manufacturers. Though E&E service business continued to fetch business for companies even in this unfavorable environment and is registering growth. Prior to the outbreak of the coronavirus (COVID-19) it had been predicted that the Elevator market will register a 1.1% CAGR in terms of revenue, the global market size will reach USD 32870 million by 2025, from USD 31410 million in 2019. But this scenario has been changed after the COVID. (Source:

Global Elevator Market Growth 2020-2025) Global Construction Industry Scenario

Prior to the outbreak of the coronavirus (COVID-19), it had been predicted by analysts that there would be an acceleration in the pace of growth in the global construction industry, to 3.1% from 2.6% in 2019. However, given the severe disruption in China and other leading economies worldwide following the outbreak, the forecast for growth in 2020 has now been revised down to 0.5%. The current forecast assumes that the outbreak is contained across all major markets by the end of the second quarter, following which, conditions would allow for a return to normalcy in terms of economic activity and freedom of movement in the second half of the year. However, there will be a lingering and potentially heavy impact on private investment owing to the financial toll that inflicted upon businesses and investors across a wide range of sectors.

The construction work on major commercial projects in key countries has been greatly affected. The disruption caused by the pandemic is likely to be prolonged in the leisure and hospitality buildings sector, reflecting the likely downturn in both domestic and foreign tourism, which could reduce investment in new hotel projects. The residential sector is facing a high risk of a sharp downturn with major developers recording sharp drops in new sales. (Source: Global Construction Outlook to 2024 (COVID-19 Impact)

Especially in China, underlying drivers of growth include ongoing urbanization and the government’s efforts to renovate aging urban residential buildings, years of high levels of investment in real estate have resulted in oversupply, undermining the demand for new space. In January-March 2020, real estate investment in residential buildings had dropped by 7.2% year on year, with the sharpest drop being recorded in the central region, at -16.9%. (Source: Construction in China - Forecast Update)

Impact of COVID-19 on top Elevator manufacturers. 

Otis Worldwide Corporation

reported first-quarter 2020 net sales of USD 3.0 billion, a decrease of 2.1% organically versus the prior year. Otis delivered a strong first quarter while navigating COVID-19 related challenges. The strength of the company's business was demonstrated by continued organic Service sales growth, New Equipment backlog growth, and margin expansion in both the New Equipment and Service segments. During this unprecedented global health crisis, the company's workforce rose to the occasion, providing essential services to their customers. (Source: Company Presentation)

2. Mitsubishi Electric Corporation

's revenue for fiscal 2020 dropped by 57.4 billion yen from the previous fiscal year to 4,462.5 billion yen due primarily to a decrease in revenue of Industrial Automation Systems segment. The company has reported an operating profit of 259.6 billion yen an 11% decrease from the previous fiscal year.

The current forecast reflects the sluggish markets in various countries and regions and following recovery process, and is based on the assumption that COVID-19 continues to have an impact on revenue and operating profit until the second quarter. The amount of the impact is expected to be a decrease in revenue by 440.0 billion yen and a loss of operating profit by 135.0 billion yen. The current forecast may be modified depending on the global and local situation of the containment of COVID-19. (Source: Company Presentation).3. Schindler Holding Ltd For the first quarter of 2020,

3. Schindler Holding Ltd

confirms revenue of CHF 2447 million which is declined by 5.2% compared to last year. As the impact from the COVID-19 pandemic has expanded globally, Schindler's order intake in the first quarter of 2020 declined 8.4% to CHF 2720 million (–3.2% in local currencies).  Depending on the severity and duration of government measures worldwide to contain the COVID-19 pandemic spread, revenue growth is expected to be contained between 0% and –10% in local currencies. With higher restructuring costs, net profit for the year should be expected to come in below 2019, in the order of magnitude of 20%. (Source: Company Presentation).

4. KONE Corporation

’s sales of the first quarter of 2020, was impacted due to COVID-19. The Company's revenue got hit because of China, India, and South Europe's wide-ranging restrictions. While its performance seemed stable in Central and North Europe and the Americas were very strong. In January–March 2020, sales were declined by 0.5% (EUR 2198.3), New equipment sales declined by 5.1% and  Maintenance sales grew by 6.4%.

KONE estimates that in 2020, its sales will decline (by 5-10%) or be stable at best at comparable exchange rates as compared to 2019. (Source: Company Presentation).5. Thyssenkrupp AG

5. Thyssenkrupp AG

’s performance in the 1st half of the current fiscal year 2019-2020 was largely affected by the coronavirus pandemic. In order to mitigate the cash crunch of the company has sold its crown jewel, the elevator business, and started implementing the steel strategy. The sold elevator business recorded growth in both order intake (2%) and sales (3%) in the 1st half resulting mainly from new installations and service business in the USA. The 2nd quarter saw a decline in both key figures in China and in sales in Europe, also as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

The elevator division was sold in February to a consortium of Advent, Cinven, and Germany's RAG foundation for 17.2 billion euros in order to ease financial pressure on the conglomerate which has struggled for years after a downturn in steel and a series of failed investments.  (Source: Company Presentation).

6. Fujitec Co., Ltd.

Fujitec's performance for FY 2019-20 has shown a 6.1% growth compared to FY 2018-19. Due to the COVID effect, the company expects a 9% decline in revenue for FY 2020-21.

Touchless technology is a new buzz in Japan, as the Covid-19 crisis is intensifying, a new trend emerged that positively affects the sensor technology players. Taking cues from the trend, Fujitec has launched a model with an optional add-on contactless panel feature that uses infrared sensors to select a destination floor based on the position of the hand on the dashboard. The model was intended for hospitals, pharmaceuticals, manufacturers, and food companies.7. Hitachi, Ltd.

6. Hitachi, Ltd

has postponed the announcement of consolidated financial results for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2020 due to ongoing pandemic. On the elevator front, Hitachi has now begun a full-scale global release of the remote elevator monitoring/maintenance service, providing approximately 180,000 elevators in the domestic market. The service has been introduced in the Republic of Singapore in October 2019, after which it is being released progressively in Asia and elsewhere around the world.

source: https://www.marketresearchreports.com/blog/2020/05/27/elevator-and-escalator-market-current-situation-and-future-ahead

[thedesperatehousehusband]

The Bitch is Back

Friends, Family, Loved Ones, Casual Acquaintances…….The Desperate Househusband is back after a very long, unexpected and completely surreal hiatus.

I have not blogged since the Oscars. That was my last post. The end of February. As luck would have it and completely miraculously, the week after the Oscars we went to Mexico for a wedding. An absolutely amazing wedding where our friends, Alicia and Juan Carlos, tied the knot in a gorgeous ceremony and unbelievable reception. We traveled with our friends, Christine and Scott. And we had a ball with them. It was incredible and, in retrospect, one of the last specks of normalcy of 2020. By the time we left for Mexico, the Rona was a thing. But still just a blip on the radar.

We arrived back from Mexico on March 2nd and then I immediately went to Boston for work, which turned out to be the burgeoning epicenter of the Rona in ‘Merica. A bunch of people at a BioGen meeting tested positive and I’m confident I was on a plane with someone who had the Rona. I came back from Boston on the 5th and went to the office on the 6th.

On March 7th, Marty came to visit and we went to the Cabaret to see Jessica Vosk. Holy shitballs, was that incredible. And, again, in retrospect, really fucking special for about 10,000,000 reasons. On the evening of March 8th, we started to receive frantic communications from tons of co-workers and then official communications from our CEO. And just like that, it all ended. On March 9th, we started working from home and ain’t been back to the office since.

And just like that, I really fell off the blogging train. Honestly, I didn’t have much to say. Or at least that’s how I felt. I just didn’t have it in me. Everything, and I mean EVERYTHING, was too much. For the first few weeks, I was really fragile. I still have moments of extreme fragility even today. It comes in waves. It can come in the same day. I may wake up feeling great and then for no reason at all sometime in the afternoon I am completely over it and just do not give a shit. I’ve accepted this as normal. 

The Rona is motherfucker. That much I know to be true. I hate everything about the Rona. I hate everything that has been politicized about the Rona. Why, just, why? I simply do not understand it. Selfishly, I hate all the Rona has taken away from me. From Juan. From us. The shit we were supposed in 2020 was fucking epic. Like, y’all, we was going to get our happy asses over to Tokyo and attend the Olympics. Nope. Not in 2020 because the Rona has other plans for all the motherfuckers on this here planet. At least with the Olympics, everything just shifted so we’ll just go next year. Hopefully. How do you even look forward to something at this point? It’s very difficult to comprehend.

So now, we work from home. We attempt to enjoy some level of social life with outdoor dining, seeing a friend or two, a road trip to CHQ, a road trip to Grand Rapids. It’s fine. We’ve had fun. We’ve consumed ALLLLLL the alcohol. Juan has become quite the mixologist and we have about every random bottle of booze that exists. Like absinthe, benedictine, St. Germain and cocchi americano. Which sort of sounds like hoochie coochie. Which makes me think of Charo. I wonder how she is riding out the Rona?

Working from home is not my thing. I don’t like it. I have never liked. I will be so bold as to say I hate it. It just isn’t for me. I’m less productive. I’m less focused. I know I’m not the only one but this is about me, dammit. Also, everything takes sooooooooo.muuuuuch.loooooonger. It’s very difficult to be efficient. I will say, on a positive note, that I have fallen in love with Teams. I adore that Microsoft gift from the gods. Early on, I was on a call at work and someone unironically said that “We’re moving at the speed of COVID.” I puked. Literally projectile barf vomit spewing from my mouth like The Exorcist. I couldn’t take it. What does that even mean? Who says these things? Am I supposed to take nonsense like that seriously? Where do people come up with this shit? I literally can’t even with people sometimes. So now our joke at home is that we’re moving at the speed of Rona. Which means whatever the fuck we want it to mean.

Life is very different than it was in February. But we are surviving and trying to live our best lives regardless of the circumstances. We can’t have it any other way. We deserve nice things even if nice things are defined differently.

#wearesummer is in full effect. It’s a state of mind, as you will know. Now more than ever and in these unprecedented times, it is very much in full effect. To be clear, I hate, detest and loathe everything about the first phrase of the previous sentence. Anyone who says “now more than ever” in a non-ironic way deserves to be thrown to the wolves. Anyone who utters or writes “unprecedented times” in a non-ironic way should be immediately sent to the hoosegow. It’s cheap. It’s pandering. Don’t say that shit.

But you know what you can say? #ronacansuckit. Because it can.

[douglassmiith]

Your customers arent interested in your COVID messaging anymore what now?

Even though the coronavirus is far from fully under control, there’s evidence of COVID fatigue everywhere you look. It casually appeared in late April and then in the crowded Wisconsin bar scenes and packed Alabama and Florida beaches of Memorial Day weekend. People are ready for the outbreak to be over, which extends to content from brands.

Mounting Evidence of Fatigue

As early as mid-April, roughly three weeks into state lockdowns, there was evidence of COVID-fatigue showing up in audience-engagement data from Chartbeat and Taboola, as well as survey data collected by the Harris Poll (for GCI Health) and communications firm Mitto. The Harris survey found that 93% of respondents were interested in hearing about non-COVID topics and that 66% were feeling overwhelmed by all the coronavirus coverage. Roughly 40% wanted to see “stories of hope and inspiration” instead.

The Mitto survey, which polled 7,000 people in the US, China, Australia Spain and several other countries, found a general appreciation for earlier brand communications about COVID-19. According to the survey, “77% said that the messages they received from brands over the past few weeks have made them feel like brands care about their well-being.” However, 41% of respondents, in mid-April, were then ready to hear from brands about topics unrelated to COVID-19.

The steady stream of “important messages” from CEOs, tips for dealing with “the new normal” and premature cheerleading about “recovery,” created a cacophony of often generic-sounding content. Accordingly, in early April, I wrote about how marketers and brands could differentiate their efforts from the sea of coronavirus content being produced.

Navigating a Complex Audience Landscape

The new challenge is how to move beyond coronavirus communication but not pretend the outbreak is truly over. There’s also the challenge of industry specific issues (dentist vs. restaurant), regional differences, politics and audience age differences. All these variables make brand communication more difficult coming out of the lockdowns than going in.

(The killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis on May 25 has created a new and vastly more charged issue for brands to now address, which is an important but separate topic.)

For some practical perspective on how to deal with COVID-fatigue and content going forward, I turned to Amy Bishop, Owner Cultivative, Michelle Morgan, Director of Client Services, Clix marketing agency and Monina Wagner, Social Media and Community Manager at Content marketing agency Institute.

Michelle Morgan

My general rule (at this point) is to think about how customers interact with your company. They only want/need to hear about COVID if it will impact their experience of working with you. If you’re a restaurant, you likely need to address COVID since there are guidelines in place and a patron’s experience will be different from normal whether in person or pick up. It doesn’t have to be heavy handed, but there likely needs to be some expectation setting.

On the other hand, if you’re an online retailer that ships electronics direct to consumers, you can likely shift back to more “evergreen” messaging and get back to that sense of normalcy since your customer’s experience is probably the same as it was prior to COVID.   

Amy Bishop

I think it depends on the brand. I’ve seen a few brands taking a stance on social distancing and that makes sense for some, depending on their market’s values but it can also be risky. While I wouldn’t necessarily advise to act like COVID is over, I think there are ways to sidestep without referencing it in messaging.

I would still stick to visuals where folks are social distancing (and wearing masks, where applicable). For companies that prefer not to take a stance, it’s best to stick to solution-focused messaging, as that’s always relevant. 

Monina Wagner

I’d be OK if I didn’t hear the phrase “unprecedented times” ever again. The COVID burnout is real. Yet fatigue or not, the pandemic is not over. Marketers must be sensitive to the current crisis. We should not make assumptions about where are customers are and what they need right now. Marketers must remember: we are not our audience.

Content marketing agency is about creating and distributing valuable content. To do this, it’s important to demonstrate a level of empathy towards our customers. This is critical to what we do. Ask your audience how you can help. Then, when they feel comfortable, follow their lead. Encourage them to get back out there. Take this opportunity to inspire them with your content.

This does not mean we have to shy away from topics related to COVID. Just approach it thoughtfully. It does not mean we have to throw out any pre-pandemic content. Analyze what you have then perform an audit to help ensure your work conveys awareness. And if our audience desires new content, we must produce it responsibly.

Many marketers feel pressured to move forward with short-term pivots. But we should be thinking about a long-term strategy to navigate us though this new landscape. COVID has left a lasting impact on us all. But marketers are resilient. We assess. We adapt. And we push forward.

About The Author

Greg Sterling is a Contributing Editor to Search Engine Land, a member of the programming team for SMX events and the VP, Market Insights at Uberall.

Website Design & SEO Delray Beach by DBL07.co

Delray Beach SEO

Via http://www.scpie.org/your-customers-arent-interested-in-your-covid-messaging-anymore-what-now/

source https://scpie.weebly.com/blog/your-customers-arent-interested-in-your-covid-messaging-anymore-what-now

[synergypharmaceuticals]

New Herpes Cure Developed by Synergy Pharmaceuticals Could Lend Alternative Medicine New Credibility

Groundbreaking results reinforce the power of natural treatments despite pushback from medical community

Sydney, Australia – There’s a long history of division and infighting between supporters of alternative medicine and the more traditional medical community.  Patients turn to holistic treatments for several reasons – among them, alternative medicines align with their beliefs, values, and philosophical approaches to health and life [1].  They also believe that medications with natural ingredients are healthier and safer [2].  However, medical professionals question their efficacy, often discrediting the alternative medicine community as one that relies more on hopes and irrational beliefs than science.  But a new, viable herpes cure from Synergy Pharmaceuticals in Australia could shift the dynamic of the argument, giving alternative medicine a much-needed vote of confidence.

A natural cure for herpes

On Synergy Pharmaceuticals’ official website [https://www.herpessimplex.com/], there are several testimonials from happy consumers.  One customer, Troy, tested negative for herpes after just three months on the company’s Combination Herpes Treatment.  Shamira K. tested negative for herpes simplex virus 2 (HSV-2) before she reached the 90-day mark.  Jennifer M. was herpes-free after 7 months.  More and more people are springing up on social media, courageous enough to tell their personal ordeal and success stories. At what seems a groundswell of newly cured cases every day.

The Combination Herpes Treatment, a natural, five-ingredient medication, has not only suppressed herpes symptoms in patients – it has completely removed the virus from their bloodstreams.  It’s an especially impressive achievement given that herpes has always been viewed as a life sentence.

For those living with herpes, their only option for treatment has been antiviral medications.  But these aren’t entirely effective because it’s difficult to know when flareups will occur.  Herpes is an “on-again-off-again” virus that goes through periods of latency and reactivation.  Standard antiviral medications would work if the virus stayed active consistently, but its unpredictable nature means that results aren’t guaranteed.  That means herpes sufferers either have to take medication year-round and hope for the best, or keep medication on-hand to take at the first sign of a flareup.

The Combination Herpes Treatment has removed the guesswork and found incredible success amongst patients who’ve used it.  But, despite this revolutionary breakthrough, the traditional medical community hasn’t been as enthusiastic

Conventional medical professionals take aim

Because of long-held beliefs in the medical community, there is a reluctance to embrace Synergy Pharmaceuticals’ treatment.  Official organizations and experts would prefer a treatment breakthrough that aligns with the current standard of treatment or at least travels through the normal channels.  

There has also been more open skepticism from medical organizations.  The American Council on Science and Health went after Synergy in a March 2019 blog post, writing off the Combination Herpes Treatment as a run-of-the-mill supplement.  Many of the objections raised in the piece stemmed from the misdirection of the FDA towards the former Synergy Pharmaceuticals based in New York. Understandably, critics like Josh Bloom come as no surprise given his longstanding employment with Wyeth and then Pfizer.  What is more starting is Josh was himself a supporter and advocate for the Rational Vaccine study that was later brought under federal criminal investigation.  

The criticisms present an interesting conundrum. Synergy Pharmaceuticals has succeeded at curing herpes by embracing alternative medicine and working outside of the parameters of the traditional medical community.  But in maintaining its bias against non-pharmaceutical treatments, said community has made a conscious effort to delegitimize the treatment, a decision that isn’t in the best interests of the more than 4 billion people who suffer from HSV-1 and HSV-2 infections worldwide.

Why Synergy Pharmaceuticals’ cure matters

For herpes sufferers, the Combination Herpes Treatment could provide a level of relief and normalcy that isn’t possible with the current antiviral medications prescribed by medical professionals.  Synergy’s solution offers patients a way to improve life today and beyond.

And for the alternative medicine community, Synergy Pharmaceuticals’ success can provide a boost of credibility.  The results from Synergy’s customers and its clinical trials are indisputable – there’s true evidence of the Combination Herpes Treatment’s efficacy.  This is a treatment that seems to debunk the biggest criticisms about the alternative medicine community – that its medications don’t work and that its approach to health isn’t based in science.

Looking ahead

To hold onto its legitimacy, Synergy Pharmaceuticals will need to bolster its operations and fend off its critics as well as those who threaten its success.  

The company will need to form and maintain strong partnerships across Europe to scale its business.  Additionally, it may need to be prepared to battle its bigger pharmaceutical rivals.  Where some in the medical field may simply try to discredit Synergy, companies that view Synergy as a threat may take a more aggressive approach and attempt to buy out the company and shelve the Combination Herpes Treatment.

Even though Synergy’s medication is achieving unprecedented results and finding success where so many other companies have failed, the company has a greater responsibility than simply helping customers and delivering a quality product.  It has to fight an age-old stigma about alternative medicine, a battle that could have long-lasting implications for Synergy – and the entire alternative medicine community. Further reference at www.synergy-pharmaceuticals.com

1. Synergy Pharmaceuticals’ official website: Retrieved from: https://www.treatment4herpes.com/testimonials/

2. Astin, John A. (May 20, 1998). Why Patients Use Alternative Medicine. Retrieved from: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/187543

3. Lickerman, Alex. (September 10, 2010). The Problem with Alternative Medicine. Retrieved from:

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/happiness-in-world/201009/the-problem-alternative-medicine