Article contributed by Mike Berman, COO, Day & Nite/All Service, with Tia Tassava
Legendary executive Buck Rodgers mid-1980’s book ‘The IBM Way’ is as relevant today as it was when first published, perhaps more. His many insights included Mr. Rodgers encouraging executives to regularly visit college campuses for renewal and emerging leadership exposure. If Buck Rodgers were still alive today, he would most certainly spend a great deal of time at State University New York – Canton.
As more institutions of higher learning are reckoning with rising Covid-19 cases, many on the brink of having to send students home and revert to online classes for the second semester, SUNY Canton’s leadership and culture of innovation is pointing the college–ultimately higher education and the nation– in an entirely different direction. In a public-private sector partnership reminiscent of great technological breakthroughs of decades past, Canton Canino School of Engineering administration, faculty, and students working with top Atmos Air professionals are in the final stages of an extensive research project to validate bi-polar air ionization’s effectiveness against Covid-19 and other dangerous airborne pathogens. Purposeful leadership and innovation of the highest order, with pure intent to better society and our faltering economy.
Andrew Rigie’s sobering “Restaurant Crisis Worsens: Even as Infections Go Down, Restaurant Rent Defaults Go Up” column appearing in this publication on October 9th only calls greater attention to the important research being conducted by SUNY-Canton. Indeed, all indicators and news over the past ten days have been anything but positive. Covid-19 cases are on the rise; cooler weather makes outdoor dining less viable. The economy staggers with very little or nothing in sight to break this awful cycle, except for SUNY-Canton’s vital project.
More than recognizing an abundance of caution is not enough, Canton’s bold leadership is all the more remarkable considering the obvious challenges running a complex organization like a university in this environment. On top of it all, typical funding sources are not as available, putting severe financial stress on higher education as a whole. Rather than waiting around for a miracle cure, rather than pulling back, Canton’s visionary leadership has taken the same initiative our weekly columns have encouraged hospitality professionals to from inception. The school didn’t wait; it acted. More than ever, the hospitality industry must do the same now, especially because nobody should expect help from expected or traditional sources.
The US government ended its fiscal 2020 posting an unfathomable $3.13 trillion deficit, more than double the record deficit set in 2009. These statistics alone size the dimensions of still unfolding problems, especially for those remembering just how bleak 2008-09 was. Even with low-interest rates, the enormous federal deficit portends there will be precious little relief funding regardless of what happens on November 3rd. Hoping for government relief is a most unwise, dangerous course. But just as SUNY-Canton found the right partners to control the school’s destiny, Day & Nite Performance Solutions has taken concrete steps for the hospitality industry.
Very generous and straightforward Section 179 tax deduction incentives make leasing an even more attractive option than nominal monthly payments already are. For reasons we still don’t fully understand, hospitality has historically been forced to outright purchase equipment, limited to painfully few lease options. Day & Nite Performance Solutions offers highly attractive lease payments for bi-polar air ionization and other essential workplace, environmental, food safety equipment. Just days away from SUNY-Canton releasing this most important research, to learn more about how you can best and most affordably protect yourself, employees, and guests with the most secure layer of protection against deadly airborne diseases, email jbf@wearetheone.com.
