Hy-Vee, which plans to expand into four states, has been changing up store formats to include things such as store-within-a-store displays for nontraditional offerings such as nail salons, apparel and fitness gear, Hy-Vee Chair, President and CEO Randy Edeker says in a podcast. "The consumer is spread all over the place today, so we're just trying to find the formats that are driven by customers' lifestyles," Edeker says.

Distributors can track inventory more accurately and effectively by using mobile barcoding, writes Rob Brice, president and chief technology officer of RFgen. Mobile barcoding also allows for improved field mobility, traceability and stock reliability, Brice writes.

Artificial intelligence-based robotics systems that automate trailer loading and unloading can speed up the process, free up human workers for other jobs and improve safety, writes Roberto Michel. Such systems also reduce the risk of product damage, Michel writes.

Companies can improve their marketing by expanding the use of artificial-intelligence marketing as well as mixed reality and hyper-personalization, but they will lose the use of cookies later this year, writes business adviser Bernard Marr. Despite the loss of those web-tracking codes, "marketers will have more tools than ever at their disposal, powered by increasingly sophisticated AI and analytics," Marr writes.

Tech marketer Omri Hurwitz outlines five key considerations for contemporary PR campaigns to help executives avoid using outdated methods and irrelevant data. Hurwitz suggests marketers focus more heavily on thought leadership and viewing "PR as a long-term strategy."

A Twilio survey of marketers revealed 96% believe they're somewhat prepared and 45% are fully prepared for a future void of third-party cookies, with 46% of respondents using an equal amount of third- and first-party customer data. When cookies sunset, 42% of respondents anticipate ad spending will yield lower returns, 42% expect a decreased ability to measure campaign efficiency and 37% expect it to become more challenging to acquire new customers.

Getting back into the flow requires not thinking about how it all gets done and instead taking the next logical step, focusing on what brings you joy and looking inside for inspiration, writes Barbara Nixon. "[L]imit the amount of stuff you're consuming to people that really resonate with you, and make the space to listen to yourself," Nixon writes.

Especially in stressful times, busy professionals may hit a wall and feel too overwhelmed to go on, writes consultant Lisa Kohn. When that happens, it can be helpful to rethink priorities, lighten your to-do list, pace yourself to conserve energy, rest regularly for greater stamina and mindfulness, and take time for self-care.