Despite the feeling that 2020 was an equal-opportunity disaster for the business world, the pandemic and its fallout impacted different sectors of the market in unique ways. Innovative business leaders are finding ways to survive and thrive in some of the most difficult times they have faced. The one thing that most industry leaders can agree upon is that things will be different, though in different ways. Read on to see how some of the top names in commercial real estate, law, and dining see their industry’s outlook in 2021.
Michael Ablon
Principal, PegasusAblon
“Dallas will continue to grow with an in-migration accelerated in the post-pandemic environment. Neighborhoods that succeed will be those whose real focus is on a sense of place; places providing each of us a feeling of meaning, personal identity, access, and relevance. If the ’80s and ’90s were about mass-commodification, successful real estate in the ’20s will be about placemaking—being responsive to our cultural desires for mass-personalization.”
Hilda Galvan
Partner-in-Charge, Dallas Jones Day
“The legal industry has seen increased activity driven by issues related to COVID-19, including employment, regulatory, and intellectual property issues. The resulting economic uncertainty has led to more disputes between parties and a corresponding increase in litigation. Some practice areas, however, are experiencing a decrease in activity due to the uncertainty, including M&A, energy, and whistleblower-based investigations.”
Wyman Roberts
President and CEO, Brinker International
“I’m confident about the future of casual dining. By leveraging scale, technology, value, and convenience, all while prioritizing safety, Brinker and its brands saw an increase in off-premise guests. With the launch of It’s Just Wings, the industry’s first virtual brand at its scale, we embraced off-premise. We’ll continue to use digital and direct channels to build awareness and drive traffic, whether it’s in our dining rooms or to-go.”
