How the most agile companies are surviving

INC. THIS MORNING How the most agile companies are surviving Good morning, Fifteen days. That's how long it took for many business to shutter, others to change how they run, and all of us to change how we live day-to-day. That stat is part of a new Yelp report published Tuesday on how the coronavirus pandemic has affected local businesses. Using its collected data on companies, the reviews site tracked economic indicators such as consumer behavior and small business health. Here’s the bad news: Among other conclusions, it found that more than 175,000 businesses on the platform shut down permanently or temporarily between March 1 and April 19. Here’s the good news: The report also showed just how quickly many small companies were able to shift their business models to survive, changing rapidly to accommodate both new consumer behaviors and severe economic pressures. I called up Carl Bialik, Yelp’s data science editor and the author of the report, to discuss his findings. "I'm just marveling at the adaptability of small business owners in the U.S.," he told me. Indeed. Check out the story to [learn what the most agile companies are doing to survive](. And then tell us about your own situation. Inc. wants to better understand how the Covid-19 pandemic has affected the entrepreneurial community. [Take our short survey]( we can show the rest of the country exactly what small businesses can bring to the table in these trying times. HERE'S WHAT ELSE I'M READING TODAY: On the first episode of Inc.’s [What I Know podcast]( lessons on leadership during a crisis from astronaut Captain Scott Kelly. --Inc. Big companies nationwide landed [PPP loans]( and they’ll be back for more in Round 2. --Inc. Related: Another unexpected business has returned millions of PPP dollars meant for small businesses. It’s the [Los Angeles Lakers](. --ESPN Amazon is testing using video calls to [verify third-party sellers]( in an attempt to minimize fraud on its platform. --The Verge Join us Wednesday for a free virtual event with [self-made billionaire John Paul DeJoria]( an expert on finding opportunities during hard times. --Inc. --Cameron Albert-Deitch Reporter, Inc. How are we doing? Send me ideas and feedback for Inc. This Morning at [calbertdeitch@inc.com](mailto:calbertdeitch@inc.com?subject=) or on [Twitter](. [Click here]( to forward to a friend. This email was sent by: Mansueto Ventures 7 World Trade Center, 29th Floor New York, NY, 10007, [Unsubscribe]( • [Update Profile]( • [View in Browser]( • [Privacy Policy](