The National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration are investigating a crash involving two Amazon Prime Air delivery drones that struck a crane in Tolleson, Ariz. Amazon temporarily halted drone deliveries but has since resumed service after completing an internal review and finding no fault with the drones or their supporting technology. The company has added enhanced visual landscape inspection processes to better detect moving obstructions.

Core & Main opened a new branch in Conroe, Texas, expanding its presence with its fifth location in the Houston area and its 27th in the state. The facility will supply wastewater, waterworks and geosynthetics products. The company has also finalized its Canada Waterworks acquisition, which was announced early last month.

US ecommerce sales are projected to reach $253.4 billion this holiday season, a 5.3% increase from last year, according to Adobe. AI is expected to have a significant impact, with 53% of consumers using it for research, 40% for product recommendations, and 36% for deal hunting. Social media traffic to retail sites is also expected to rise by 51%.

Despite the partial US government shutdown that began on Oct. 1, the Department of Transportation has said that the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and Federal Highway Administration will continue operations without furloughs, thanks to the Highway Trust Fund. However, the Federal Aviation Administration will furlough 11,322 employees. Business groups, including the US Chamber of Commerce and National Retail Federation, have urged Congress to resolve the shutdown swiftly.

The evolution of supply chains from automation to autonomy, driven by generative AI and robotics, introduces significant security challenges, writes Adetunji Oludele Adebayo. While autonomy enhances efficiency, it also creates vulnerabilities like data poisoning and compromised robotics. Adebayo suggests a security framework based on zero trust, governance councils and digital ethics boards.

Curiosity is a key driver of creativity and business impact, writes Mindy Sears, vice president and group creative director at RAPP, who shares how curiosity can lead to deeper audience insights and more innovative campaigns. "By actively cultivating and championing a curiosity mindset, marketers are able to not only navigate current challenges but also consistently unlock unexpected breakthroughs and drive meaningful results," Sears writes.

Creating meaningful and actionable rituals, such as daily short huddles to increase team collaboration and a 3-question check-in to deepen personal connections, can help leaders build a strong and positive culture, says Alain Hunkins, CEO of the Hunkins Leadership Group. "If you put people before tasks, and create rituals around connection, communication and collaboration, you'll get so much more out of them. This isn't a cost. It's an investment," says Hunkins.

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