Business Unusual: Tariffs, Boycotts, and Burger Reboots

In a week marked by unexpected moves in business and politics, the Trump administration is seeking to hold on to revenue from tariffs ruled illegal by the Supreme Court, while Burger King is revamping its signature Whopper sandwich in response to customer complaints.

The Supreme Court's decision to strike down President Donald Trump's global tariffs invoked under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act has left the administration scrambling to find ways to keep the revenue already collected. According to sources, officials are considering various options, including discouraging companies from demanding refunds, arguing that revenue collected previously is retroactively legal under new tariffs, and letting claimants skip to the front of the line if they give up a portion of the funds they're owed. (1)

Meanwhile, Burger King is making changes to its iconic Whopper sandwich in response to customer complaints about the quality of ingredients and presentation. The revamped Whopper features a new beef patty, a sweeter bun, and a more efficient cooking process. The changes come after fans of the chain took to social media to express their disappointment with the sandwich's recent quality. (2)

In other business news, NYU professor Scott Galloway is orchestrating a "resist and unsubscribe" boycott of tech platforms and ICE-aligned corporations, urging small businesses to take a stand against unfair practices. Galloway argues that small businesses have the power to effect change by withholding their support from companies that engage in questionable behavior. (3)

In a related vein, Match Group CEO Spencer Rascoff is taking a novel approach to employee feedback by setting up a direct hotline for staff to DM him with ideas, concerns, and suggestions. Rascoff believes that encouraging transparency and open communication is key to creating a successful company, and he's putting his money where his mouth is by taking action on employee feedback. In one notable instance, a Gen Z employee's suggestion led to a change in how Rascoff runs the business. (4)

Finally, a recent article argues that the "time is money" mantra is a flawed starting point for planning and designing infrastructure. While productivity and lost productivity are often cited as key concerns in discussions of traffic congestion and sprawl, the article suggests that this approach neglects the human impact of infrastructure decisions and the importance of prioritizing people over profit. (5)

As these stories illustrate, business as usual is not always the most effective or sustainable approach. By challenging conventional wisdom and embracing innovative solutions, companies and policymakers can create positive change and drive growth.

References:

(1) "The Trump administration is looking for ways to keep revenue from tariffs that were ruled illegal, after telling courts that refunds would be easy" - Politico
(2) "Burger King is making 3 changes to the Whopper. The most important change has nothing to do with the taste" - Fast Company
(3) "Scott Galloway on How Small Businesses and Consumers Can Take the ‘Most Radical Act in a Capitalist Society’" - Fast Company
(4) "Match Group’s CEO set up an employee hotline where staff can DM him anytime—and one Gen Zer’s feedback even changed how he runs the business" - Fast Company
(5) "The ‘time is money’ mantra is a terrible starting point for planning and designing infrastructure" - Fast Company