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I learned very early in my professional life that there are two paths to career success. Become an expert at one specific thing. Or master a few skills and leverage them simultaneously.The second option is working for me. Becoming a skills-powered professional is how I can survive the future of work. The narrow expert path doesnt work for everyone. New research from McKinsey shows that 44% of Americans want to switch careers, but nearly half say their biggest obstacle is a lack of skills. The biggest skills gap isnt a lack of technical knowledge; its a lack of adaptability. Employers want people who learn fast, wear different hats, and solve cross-functional problems. In short, they want generalists. Just be enough You dont need to be everything. You just need to be enough of many things. You cant master everything. Thats not the point. A generalist is strategically skilled in diverse areas. They are able to connect the dots others dont see. As David Epstein writes in his bestselling book Range, Modern work demands knowledge transferthe ability to apply knowledge to new situations and domains. To thrive in the future of work, think of yourself as a Swiss Army knife, built for the complexity of the productive environment. Skill stacking What you can do now is stack your skills. Then make them talk to each other. What makes you indispensable isnt in any one ability. Its a combination of transferable skills. Lets say youre decent at writing, coding, and psychology. Individually, none of those put you at the top. But together? You might be the professional an employer needs to design an app with a better user interface. And human behavior knowledge is integrated into every interaction. Skill stacking can raise your market value by making you proficient (if not necessarily exceptional) in multiple areas. Make peace with not being the best In any room, theres always someone who knows more about something. Becoming a generalist means focusing on what fits you. It means letting go of being the best at one thing, especially when the rules keep changing. Become the most adaptable. The most curious. The most useful in unexpected ways. Employers want people with a diverse skill set who can adapt to the changing demands of work. A generalist has a beginners mindset Every new skill you learn humbles you. It teaches you to learn faster, listen better, and synthesize across departments. Over time, you stop pursuing titles and start stacking tools that can help you become adaptable. Right now, talent is everywhere. AI can out-code us. Specialists can outshine in narrow fields. But no one else can have your exact set of skills, experiences, and insights. Your generalist path can become your defence against becoming obsolete. Dont just pursue a career. Build capability Careers are changing fast. Roles are disappearing. Even titles are evolving. But capabilities stick. Learn how to write clearly. Think critically. And present ideas. Invest in survival skills. Theyre what employers really want. Being good at many things, combined with the ability to switch context fast, is now a competitive edge. Im not saying reject mastery. If something makes you come alive, by all means, hone in on it. But be open to building a bridge across many domains. You dont need to fit into one box The world of work wont stop changing. Professionals like you who adapt, connect, and evolve will be ready for the uncertainties. Its how you stay useful when the rules change. The more skills you build, the more freedom you earn. Freedom to switch, lead, and secure your career. Stack your skills. You dont need to out-specialize anyone. You just need to be able to connect the dots that matter. And solve problems from multiple angles. A generalist knows how to learn, pivot, and apply knowledge across fields. Get into what excites you Become what psychologist Carl Rogers calls the fully functioning person. Someone open to experience and always evolving. The best generalists are not just jacks-of-all-trades; theyre masters of reinvention. Specialists see the trees. Generalists see the forest and the paths between them. You can offer both skills and perspective. Thats why companies now prioritize learning ability over fixed expertise. Stay curious. Stay flexible. The future isnt about what you know. Its about how fast you can learn. Like Bruce Lee said, Be water, my friend. Thats how generalists win.
Category:
E-Commerce
If you travel outside of the country a lot, youll know many airports in foreign countries offer automated border control (ABC) systems, better colloquially known as eGates. eGates speed passengers through various checkpoints, including boarding checkpoints and border control. Yet American airports lack eGates, meaning passengers spend longer navigating the airport, trying to get to their destination. But now thats changingat least at a few airportsthanks to a partnership between the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and security identity company CLEAR. eGates are finally coming to America. Heres what that means for travelers. What is an eGate? eGates are checkpoints used at border crossings and security checkpoints in many foreign airports around the world. Instead of waiting in long lines for manual passport and boarding pass checks by a human official, passengers can opt to proceed via an eGate. These automated eGates are equipped with cameras, passport readers, and biometric scanners. When a passenger enters an eGate, the system reads their passport and identifies them via their biometrics (via a facial scan or fingerprint scan). If everything checks out, the eGates open automatically and the passenger is permitted throughno human checks of their documents needed. eGates can significantly reduce processing times for arrivals and departures, thereby decreasing wait times and enabling people to reach their final destinations more quickly. Now security screening service CLEAR has announced it will bring the eGate to select airports in America starting this month. And while these eGates will be limited to checking the security and boarding credentials of CLEAR Plus travelers on domestic flights only (instead of being used to usher international travelers through border control), they should still help decrease the time it takes for some passengers to navigate the airport. [Photo: Clear] Why are eGates finally being rolled out in the United States? The rollout of eGates at select U.S. airports is being done for a few reasons. The first is to help modernize the infrastructure at American airports. Faster processing of passengers benefits everyone, from travelers who now have more time to catch connecting flights to airports that can streamline the security screening process. But there is another factor in the eGate rollout: the 2026 World Cup that is being held in the United States. That sporting event is expected to attract tens of millions of soccer fans from around the world to the United States next year. The massive influx of tourists threatens to overwhelm American airports traditional, manual security procedures. Now that Clear Plus members can use eGates in select airports, it should free up some space in the long lines that people stand in to have their documents manually checked by a TSA official. Which airports are eGates rolling out at? Its important to note that eGates arent coming to all American airports this year. As a matter of fact, the partnership announced between the TSA and CLEAR will see three airports gain eGates at first. Those three airports are: Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA) SeattleTacoma International Airport (SEA) CLEAR says that after the initial trial at the three airports listed above, the company expects to roll out its eGate technology across its network of airports nationwide.
Category:
E-Commerce
Chipotle Mexican Grill announced today, August 19, that its launching a new rewards program, Chipotle U Rewards, for students heading back to campus this fall, to “recognize and celebrate . . . various milestones of their higher education journey and bring more value to Gen Z students.” Chipotle’s focus on college towns and loyalty programs aimed at students is part of its strategy to increase growth and retain younger customers at a time when many fast-food and fast-casual chains are facing declining sales and slow growth fueled by higher prices, inflation, tariff fears, and changing customer habits. (In the first quarter of 2025, Chipotle not only missed revenue estimates but also said same-store sales dropped for the first time since 2020, as Fast Company previously reported.) Chipotle, like other chains, is targeting college students and a younger demographic because they are dining out often, and also to build long-term loyalty, according to Avada Commerce, an e-commerce solutions provider. According to Chipotle, college-age Chipotle Rewards members spend more annually, driven by more frequent visits; plus, they have a higher retention rate, based on five years of data. There are more than 250 Chipotle restaurants within 2 miles of college campuses. With the introduction of Chipotle U Rewards, weve created a new personalized digital experience for Gen Z students who are craving real food and real value, Curt Garner, president and chief strategy and technology officer of Chipotle, said in a statement sent to Fast Company. How Chipotle’s new loyalty program works The loyalty program allows students to earn points for signing up, and subsequently for every dollar spent, which can be redeemed for free food like burritos, bowls, tacos, and salads. Students will score 1,000 bonus points for signing up, and 20% more points on every purchase than the regular loyalty program offers, with surprise drops around college milestones like finals and graduation. College students can enroll in Chipotle U Rewards at chipotle.com/chipotle-u-rewards. Once logged in, students must validate their college enrollment through ID.me. Chipotle collab with Urban Outfitters To celebrate the launch, Chipotle teamed up with Urban Outfitters to design the limited-edition A Little Extra dorm collection, inspired by the fast-casual chain’s menu. It’s set to roll out online and at select Urban Outfitters locations in college towns on August 20. Highlights include beanbag chairs inspired by black and pinto beans, a throw blanket that looks like a foil-wrapped tortilla, and a desk light shaped like a chip bag. Here’s a list of collection items and prices: Chipotle Water cup tumbler ($16) Chipotle Is My Life catchall ($19) Chipotle delivery doormat ($29) Chipotle chip bag light ($59) A Little Extra” embroidered pillow ($59) Chipotle burrito throw blanket ($99) Black bean beanbag chair ($299) Pinto bean beanbag chair ($299) Chipotle by the numbers Second-quarter earnings for Chipotle (NYSE: CMGY) for the period ending June 30, 2025, included adjusted earnings per share of $0.33, meeting analysts’ expectations. However, revenue for the period came in at $3.06 billion, below expectations of $3.11 billion. Comparable restaurant sales fell 4% year over year, compared to a 11.1% increase in the second quarter of 2024, driven by a 4.9% decline in transactions.
Category:
E-Commerce
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