Sunday, July 31, 2016

Why It's Hard For Driven People To Take Time Off (And What They Can Do About It)

For workaholics and those suffering from professional FOMO, there's one thing they never plan to do: take leave. But failing to do so can hamstring their companies and prevent them from taking needed time off.

Four Interview Questions To Help You Hire People With Grit

People with grit have the character to succeed because they will think outside the box, solve problems and get the job done. Here are four types of interview questions that can help you identify people with the drive and determination to be great.

Saturday, July 30, 2016

Flipping A PR Flop: These 4 Founders Show How It's Done

These four U.S. founders turned their initial PR mistakes into wins in ways that others can model as well.

Sorry Google And Tesla, FiveAI Will Have The Best Driverless Car

A new UK startup is looking to blow Tesla and Google's driverless technology offerings out of the water. (Or should that be off the road?)

Friday, July 29, 2016

4 Rules Every Storyteller Needs To Know

Stories, when told well, are not mere containers for a brand message, but advocates of brand potential that has yet to be discovered.

Thursday, July 28, 2016

How To Know What Your Brand Experience Is Worth

In principle, measuring return on experience isn't all that complicated. Define the goals at the start of the marketing campaign, set success criteria, execute the campaign, measure and assess results. Simple, right? Well, no, of course not.

Meet The 'Fishmonger' Behind America's Top Celebrity Chefs

I can count the days each year that my wife eats fish on one hand. She doesn't like scales, tails, or bones, and when it comes to the two-eyes up, bottom-dwelling filter feeders you can forget about it.

Wednesday, July 27, 2016

Marketing 101 -- Make Your Customer Service Team An Asset Not A Necessary Evil

Customer service is one of those necessary evils for a lot of business leaders. Part of the reason for this is it costs so much to run an effective customer service team. When a company is thinking about making cuts they will nearly always make reductions in this area first.

Tuesday, July 26, 2016

China Beginning To Sound Like North Korea

Beijing is beginning to sound like the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) when it comes to the way it has been handling the South China Sea disputes

18 Ways To Increase Your Website Traffic

As business owners and marketers, it can sometimes feel like nothing will get the needle to move when it comes to your website's traffic. However, last time I checked, getting discouraged doesn't do anything to drive people to your site. So, instead of hanging your head, you should instead jump into one of these strategies below (or all of them if you really want to see a jump in traffic).

Monday, July 25, 2016

Ultimate HD Golf: Hitting the Links in Total Comfort

It was 98 degrees in Orange County, Calif. today, with unusually high humidity. Yet I decided to play a quick nine holes. And proceeded to, without even breaking a sweat. How so? I headed to the brand-new Ultimate HD Golf that's located inside an L.A. Fitness workout club in Mission Viejo. It's an air-conditioned indoor course simulator that also accommodates lessons, clubfitting and driving range practice time. While there are plenty of sports bars, country clubs and even private residences across America with golf simulators, this is the only one I know of inside a health club.

Sunday, July 24, 2016

Sham Mortgage Loan Flops In Pivaroff

Ivan G. Pivaroff and his wife, Gwendolyn S. Pivaroff, owed Uncle Sam the sum of $8 million in tax liabilities, as a result of a 1998 decision by the U.S. Tax Court. The IRS finally got around to suing the Pivaroffs in 2008 to collect, and place tax liens against the Pivaroff's assets.

Feeding The Mechanisms That Drive Innovation

There's a powerful myth that many people continue to believe in: that innovation comes about through a flash of inspiration, a Eureka! moment. In reality, innovation is fed by a constant diet of relevant and up-to-date information that can be reused and recombined to give shape to new ideas.

Saturday, July 23, 2016

Bangkok tech summit draws thousands, signals Thailand's growing tech ecosystem

Three thousand entrepreneurs, investors, and tech enthusiasts descended on Bangkok this weekend for a meeting of the minds at the Techsauce Summit. Hosted by Techsauce Media, the conference is designed to spur innovation and investment in the Land of Smiles.

'Trump' By Ted Rall: 1968: The Year That Changed Everything. But Not Donald

The 14th in a preview from cartoonist Ted Rall's upcoming graphic biography of Donald Trump, "Trump: A Graphic Biography."

Friday, July 22, 2016

8 Initiatives To Increase Your Business Growth Curve

A common pain of startups after an exhilarating first surge of early adopters is a long and frustrating plateau of slow growth, where it seems like nothing you do will get your business to profitability. Too many entrepreneurs don't know what to do at this point, largely accounting for that disappointing 50 percent of startups that fail in the first five years, according to Gallup.

This Week In Credit Card News: More Americans Now Paying Off Card Balances, Cici's Pizza Data Breach

More Americans Are Paying Off Their Credit Cards Every Month

Thursday, July 21, 2016

Plumber, Swimwear, Dating Site: How PR Evolved These Founders' Careers

These three founders' success in doing their own public relations has evolved their careers.

How To Quit Your Job And Become A Coffee Producer

It's no longer atypical to hear about disillusioned corporate careerists fleeing the hamster wheel for a second calling producing wine, but coffee? Yet coffee offers as much flavor, delicacy and nuance as fermented grapes. Thus, it seems logical for coffee production to follow trends in wine. Read about an entrepreneur who recognized this opportunity and left the U.S. for Panama to grow an award-winning variety called Geisha.

Wednesday, July 20, 2016

Why Chinese Entrepreneurs Thrive In Singapore, But Not In China

Singapore is beating China in global entrepreneurship, according to the recently released 2016 Global Entrepreneurship Index.

Scott Rudin: Management Lessons From A Broadway Producer

Putting people into positions where they can succeed – and supporting them with coaching -- is the ultimate role of every manager. Making it happen requires an ability to know what people can achieve and the discipline to let them do it without interference, at the same time being ready to step in and lend a helping hand.

Tuesday, July 19, 2016

A Very Broad Transaction Tax Might Have Merit

A transaction tax is one of those ideas that keeps popping up.  Earlier this month, Representative Peter DeFazio (D-OR) introduced a bill - Finishing Irresponsible Reckless Speculatnetive Trading - that would apply a tax of 3 basis points (.03%) to most financial trading including stocks, bonds and other transactions. The Joint Committee on Taxation estimates that the bill would raise $417 billion over ten years.  The legislation has support from the AFL-CIO, Americans for Financial Reform, the Center for Economic and Policy Research, the Communications Workers of America, and Public Citizen.

IBM's Magic Number Points To A Solid Turnaround

What Wall Street Is Missing About IBM

Monday, July 18, 2016

Rational Ignorance and the Privacy Paradox

Maybe it's time to consider the possiblity that consumers' revealed privacy preferences are their real privacy preferences.

As Race To Offer First Bitcoin ETF Heats Up, New Company Files To Create An Ether ETF

In the wake of recent activity in the race to launch a Bitcoin ETF, a newly formed company has filed to create an ETF out of another digital currency, ether.

Sunday, July 17, 2016

5 Tips For Small Business Owners Looking To Get A Bank Loan

The economy's continued expansion could have you, like many business owners, optimistic about your company's growth prospects for this year and going forward.

Why Social Investment Is A Threat To Charity Values

Social investment is on the up - held as a panacea to social sector financing challenges it may in fact represent a challenge to all the sector stands for.

Saturday, July 16, 2016

Riding Out Inevitable Storms: Life, Business and More

Lessons learned from weathering the inevitable storms of entrepreneurial life.

By The Time Minimum Wage Reaches $15, There Will Be No Jobs For Cashiers

By the time the minimum wage reaches $15, Wal-Mart, Target, McDonald's, and Panera Bread will be different places.  There will be no cashiers at Wal-Mart, Target and the like; and robots will flip burgers at McDonald's and prepare soups, sandwiches and salads at Panera Bread. The $15 minimum wage movement has a good cause:

Friday, July 15, 2016

7 Steps To Turning Business-As-Usual Into A Moonshot

In this era of accelerating change, business-as-usual is the enemy of every business, new and old. Yet it's an easy rut to fall into, and a tough one to break out of. Every business needs to “reach for the stars” on a regular basis, in much the same way the President Kennedy challenged a nation to put a man on the moon in an impossible timeframe more than fifty years ago.

Healthcare And Pharma Spend Less On Ads But Face Same Problems As Other Marketers

While facing unique challenges of their own, healthcare and pharma marketers also deal with the same issues all marketers face.

Thursday, July 14, 2016

Cisco Collaborates With SwiftStack For Object Storage

OpenStack lives! SwiftStack has partnered with Cisco in a collaboration that brings SwiftStack's object storage into Cisco's Metapod.

Wednesday, July 13, 2016

Nevada Corporation Exists Under IRS Name For Decades

Here is a little tax tip.  If you owe money to the IRS, do not send your check to Department of the Treasury - Internal Revenue Service, 3338 Gypsum Rd,  Reno, NV. That particular entity is a registered domestic corporation in the state of Nevada.  Its president is Peter Tolotti not, you know, Barack Obama. Brant Honkanen is the Treasurer and AR Salman is the Secretary. The all "live at" PO Box 10351 Reno NV.

New Department Of Labor Retirement Standard Creates Opportunity For Millennials

image thumbnail - see full story for attributions
As the Department of Labor's fiduciary rule was being passed into law earlier this year, thousands of people voiced their opposition to a rule designed to improve the retirement security of Americans by improving investment advice from financial advisors. Opponents feared that the new rule would stifle business, increase compliance

Tuesday, July 12, 2016

The Touch-Enabled LED T-Shirt You Can Program: Made In India

Just when you thought the apparel industry couldn't evolve any further – one Indian company is rolling out a line of touch-enabled clothing that wearer's can program to broadcast their mood for the moment. The stable old t-shirt is getting a makeover with technology.

Monday, July 11, 2016

Women May Make Better Entrepreneurs And Here's Why

Women entrepreneurs are articulate, tenacious and ambitious.  To my understanding, a third of all new companies created today are run by women.  Entrepreneurship supports economic growth and so what is good for women is good for the economy.

Caught Speeding? Try The Hillary Clinton Defense

After former President Bill Clinton met with Attorney General Loretta Lynch in a secret meeting, Lynch's Justice Department announced that it would not indict Hillary Clinton for her private email server and destruction of public documents, because she had no obvious intent to break the law, just extreme carelessness for it. Whatever happened to "ignorance of the law is no excuse"? Cartoon by Ted Rall.

Sunday, July 10, 2016

Why A Former Hershey Exec Sold his Porsche To Build A Cashew Business In Mozambique

After making a "spiritual journey" in the woods, Don Larson, a former turnaround specialist at Hershey Company, sold his Porsche, his hot air balloon and his house with a pool to start a social enterprise selling cashews in Mozambique to improve the lives of orphans and the nation's poor farmers. He's learned that selling tasty nuts isn't enough. A social enterprise's back story matters mightily to consumers.

Decentralized Exchange Turns Up 'HEAT' With Blockchain Start-Up Support

The cryptocurrency exchange that previously signalled earlier this summer that it was relaunching as a so-called 'Decentralized Conglomerate' this July to become a hub for diverse business projects, will shortly kickstart its first project, HEAT, a new third-generation blockchain platform from Finland led by veteran software consultant Svante Lehtinen in Helsinki.

Saturday, July 9, 2016

Entrepreneurship Will Crush Your Soul. Here's How To Deal With It.

The real story of entrepreneurship is one of constant rejection, frayed relationships, inevitable betrayal, roller coasters of emotions, and a rocky process whereby "work" and "life" become one. Here are two ways to survive the ride.

Friday, July 8, 2016

8 Ways To Have More Gratitude Every Day

It can be easy to get swept away in the fast lane and forget to stop and show your appreciation for what you do have. A life well lived is one of gratitude and thankfulness. To help you on your gratitude journey, here are 8 ways to have more gratitude in your daily life.

Thursday, July 7, 2016

China, Philippines Agree On One Thing In Tense Maritime Dispute

The U.N. Permanent Court of Arbitration says it will rule Tuesday on the legal basis for China's claim to about 95% of a widely disputed sea off its south coast. The court might say China has no such right because its claim extends beyond the international norm of a 370-km offshore exclusive economic zone. That's why the Philippines, which contests of part of the same ocean, took the case to that U.N. court in The Hague last year. The court may side with Beijing, which cites 2,000 years of historic use as a reason to dominate the South China Sea. Or it may make a softer decision that compels China and the Philippines to work things out on their own.

How To Leverage And Embrace Your Story, From One Author Who Did It

We often underestimate the power of our personal story - but one woman reminds us it can be the ticket to create the life you've always wanted. Read on to learn how you can leverage your own story.

Wednesday, July 6, 2016

Malaysia, A Center Of Moderate Islam, Braces For More ISIS Attacks

Malaysian police announced this month their country's first confirmed attack by the violent Islamic State. Someone in Syria gave orders to bomb the Movida night club in the Malaysian town of Puchong June 28, injuring eight people, according to local media reports. Now some worry that the night club incident will lead a string of Islamic State (ISIS) attacks in Malaysia. The hardcore ISIS resents Malaysia's moderate Islam and the government's condemnation of its violent approach to making believers more puritan. The violent group also sees chances to convert disgruntled low-income Malaysians into future attack planners in the generally well-off country.

Fourth Wife on her 4th Billion: A Love Affair with Real Estate

Angela Leong's property saga, it turns out, doesn't begin or end with her attachment to Stanley Ho.

Tuesday, July 5, 2016

China Wants To Set Its Own Navigation Rules In South China Sea

China wants the South China Sea to be its own sea. And set its own navigation rules in one of the busiest trade regions of the world?most coming from China itself. Just a few days before the ruling of the International Court of Hague (ICH) on the South China Sea disputes, China

How Mobile Ad Tech Pioneer Kim Perell Positions Amobee For Growth

A Series of Forbes Insights Profile of Thought Leaders Changing the Business Landscape:  Kim Perell, President, Amobee

Monday, July 4, 2016

What We Can Learn From 3 Companies Using Technology To Disrupt The Retail Business

Singapore is deemed by some as an idyllic place to foster a new breed of technologically innovative enterprises. As part of the efforts to develop a new breed of technologically innovative global enterprises, many new initiatives promote the inclusion and innovation of technology to make a wave of change to the current technology offerings. We look at 3 companies that are poised to up the ante.

4 Business Tips From The Country Club

You are in business to help others solve a problem of some sort. If you do a good job at that, then you'll make money. The Beatles said it best, “The love you take is equal to the love you make.” The profit you make is equal to the level of the service that you provide.