Five Reads of the Week - June 16, 2017
Showcasing some of my favourite weekly content on startups, sports, marketing, and the world.
There’s A Team That Can Beat The Warriors — It Just Doesn’t Exist Yet
We all knew that Kevin Durant was going to win a ring this year. The only question was how many games were the Warriors going to play in the finals before they win the series? I thought the Cavs would take an extra game from the Warriors, but Golden State thought otherwise and cleaned them up in five.
With talks of Durant passing on signing a max contract to keep the Warriors' core, when will the NBA finally have a legitimate threat against Golden State? It comes down to developing a team with smart, lengthy defenders who can run down the Warriors' shot clock. The Spurs and Bucks seem to be on to something - how about everyone else? (via FiveThirtyEight, by Chris Herring)
Here's How Much Businesses Pay To Get On Those Big Blue Exit Signs
My parents took me and my sister on a road trip down to Oregon 10 years ago, and all I remember from the trip was the countless number of Denny's logos slapped on the highway exit signs. I haven't forgotten about Denny's ever since, and it was only after this article popped on my feed that I realized how brilliant of an advertising opportunity that was to attract hungry families like mine! They're almost impossible to ignore.
Since roadside advertising programs are organized by individual states, there are some strict rules that companies have to follow. A sneak peek: operating hours, amenities... and even how far you're away from the highway. (via Jalopnik, by David Tracy)
Graduates Are Seeking Training Certificates Over Traditional Secondary Education
There's a growing demand for digital skills in a job market that's becoming more challenging for college graduates and professionals. Web development, digital marketing, sales, and analytics are some of the many talents that employers are looking for across many industries. In Vancouver, you see academies such as BrainStation, RED Academy, and Lighthouse Labs running workshops and courses to not only create digital professionals, but actively connect them to opportunities within their field through networking events. Academies like Startup Institute say 93% of its students find employment within six months - if you just finished undergrad, that sounds like a worthy alternative to a master's degree. (via Forbes, by Rich DiTieri)
Why Aren’t American Teenagers Working Anymore?
"Why?" You might ask. Well, in the States, the federal minimum wage is only $7.25. That doesn't go far in paying off tuition and living expenses. 30 years ago, almost 70% of 16- to 19-year-olds were looking for work or employed in July. Last summer, that number was down to 43%.
Data is evidently showing that instead of working, high school students are hitting the books during the summer to improve their college applications. Just over 40% of them were still in class in 2016, a jump from 10% in 1986. Calculus enrollment has tripled since then.
However, they may be missing out on the non-monetary benefits that a job can provide, and admission counselors should promote job-related skills as well. Personally speaking, I feel that learning how to manage your personal finances, deliver in the workplace, and communicate with your co-workers and customers should be as valuable as a grade bump and volunteering. (via Bloomberg, by Ben Steverman)
McDonald's is planning to hire thousands of workers using Snapchat
So high school students don't seem to be working anymore. And if you're a company who relies on temporary and part-time talent (sounds a whole lot like teenagers), what are you to do? My favourite fast-food joint might have found a solution to reach out to them...
"Potential workers can start their application process through "Snaplications," which the company says is a "first-to-market" hiring tool in the US." McDonald's looking to hire 250,000 people for the summer, and I wonder how many applications it will actually receive through Snap. (via Business Insider, by Kate Taylor)
Personal Update - I was commuting to work on Wednesday when I realized that HAIM is coming back with a new album! Want You Back makes me feel like I'm driving to the beach during an early morning, and it's been on repeat for the past two days. Their last album was Days are Gone in 2013 - that was back when I still rocked bangs that covered my eyebrows.
What articles did I miss? Let me know on Twitter.