What We’re Reading
A few good articles the Collab team came across this week …
Mortality
More than 80,000 Americans died of the flu in the winter of 2017-2018, the highest number in over a decade, federal health officials said last week.
Although 90 percent of those deaths were in people over age 65, the flu also killed 180 young children and teenagers, more than in any other year since the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention began using its current surveillance methods.
Profitability
About 83% of U.S.-listed initial public offerings in 2018’s first three quarters involve companies that lost money in the 12 months leading up to their debut, according to data compiled by University of Florida finance professor Jay Ritter. That is the highest proportion on record, according to Mr. Ritter, an IPO expert whose data goes back to 1980.
Growth market
In the last 5 years there were on average 27,000 people online for the first time in their life every single hour.
Efficiency
InVision is a software startup that has 700 employees but no office space … “People always ask, ‘Where does Clark go to work?’” said InVision’s chief people officer, Mark Frein. “Well, he goes to his desk to work. Sometimes at a coffee shop. Sometimes at his home. It’s a very important piece of the puzzle for us, to make sure we all operate the same way. The culture is very strong about leaning into the remote model.”
Survivorship
As the fall season begins this month, 13 shows are entering at least their 10th season, believed to be a modern-day record. That includes such programs as “Grey’s Anatomy,” entering Season 15, and “The Simpsons,” entering Season 30. Viewership for each of these shows is down more than 70 percent from their all-time highs.
Creativity
Have a good weekend.