Case Study Feature: A Quiet Storm Ahead
Amidst all the concerns about politics, terrorism, etc. One factor that isn't getting much press these days will affect the global economy in the months and years to come. On January 1st, clothes and textiles will be free from quotas that has bound this industry for the past 30 years. Who will profit from this change in policy, who will be on the losing end, what will be the repercussions to our society?
This article from the Economist website shows the possible implications of lifting textile quotas.
Economist.com | The freeing of the world�s textile trade
Google Answers Research: Conferences and Events about Weblogging
Here is another research that concentrates on building lists. This next research concerns itself of providing a list blogging events (seminars, conferences, etc) for the dates Nov. 2004 and the year 2005.
Google Answers: Conferences and Events about Weblogging
Business News: The sting of Christmas spending
In our next featured article, the author mentions that during Christmas parents spend irrationally for their kids. As a case in pont, he cites his own purchase of an outdoor playset for his kids.
WSJ.com - Love & Money
You might ask... is this really the proper way to celebrate Christmas? Click on the link below.
Let's have a better Christmas
Case Study Feature: The German Hyperinflation of 1923
Our next case study is about the German Hyperinflation of 1923. I am posting here 3 articles for you to read to get to know about this interesting financial story.
The German Hyperinflation of 1923
Commanding Heights : The German Hyperinflation, 1923
Loads of money
Google Answers Research: List of Sites : Free Stuff/Offers/Brochures _Mailed_ to Me
One of the best types of research I like to do is to make lists I find on the web. In our next research work, a clients asks for a list of websites that will snail mail to you free brochures or offers of their products.
Google Answers: List of Sites : Free Stuff/Offers/Brochures _Mailed_ to Me
Business Tips: In Toytown, a New Set of Rules
If you are a specialty toy retailer, then you need to jazz up your store. It will not be enough to compete on price these days against big store discounters.
"By turning their outlets into destinations akin to theme parks, today's stores hope to attract high-end shoppers willing to pay for top-of-the-line toys. Locations must be glitzy and filled with surprises, such as the professional hoofers who tap dance Heart and Soul on the giant, light-up keyboard at the revamped FAO Schwarz on Fifth Avenue. Sure, few customers will make it to the store every week, but the retailer can market to the masses year-round through the Web and catalogs."
In Toytown, a New Set of Rules
Buying tips: This is the best time to buy a Digital Camera
Retail stores are slashing prices for older digital camera models to clear out for higher megapixel devices.
"Digital camera prices fell 7.4 percent to an average of about $192 as manufacturers released new models and discounted older lines to take advantage of expected heavy demand during the holiday season."
Top Technology News Sponsored by Audi | Reuters.com
Business Ideas Corner: Professional Christmas Decorator
Do you want to be a Professional Christmas Decorator? For a fee, you will be tasked to put Christmas decorations in someone's house. This new business idea might be too late for the coming Christmas celebrations but it will be a good business to keep an eye on it for the next year.
StartupJournal | Enterprise
Amidst all the hustle and bustle of Christmas... what does it really mean?
Business News: Google hits the books
Google announces it's newest long-term project of digitizing books from 5 prestigious libraries (New York Public Library, Harvard University, Oxford University, Stanford University and the University of Michigan). With this project Google takes the information race a notch higher. I expect Yahoo and Micrsoft to follow suit with partnership with other libraries.
If and when Google completes this massive undertaking, it will mark the realization of one of the early visions for the Internet of making hundreds of library resources available online.
Google hits the books - The Washington Times: Nation/Politics - December 15, 2004
Case Study Feature: 45 Million Children To Die!
"Unless the world's wealthiest countries comply with their past pledges, some 45 million children in the worlds poor countries will die needlessly over the next decade, according a new report released Monday by British-based development group, Oxfam."
45 Million Children To Die!
Industry Profile: The Business of Basketball
I am a very big fan of basketball and the NBA. This time Forbes.com provides the business sense in this league and in other sports. In this section of Forbes you can find the most valuable team, their income and the primary concerns of the league.
Forbes.com
Business News: Apple says iTunes music store now accepts PayPal
Now you can use your PayPal Account to purchase songs at Apple ITunes Music Store.
Apple says iTunes music store now accepts PayPal - Dec. 10, 2004
Buying Tips How the Airbus A350 and the Boeing 7E7 stack up
In case you want to purchase a plane (instead of a mobile phone), here is a brief comparison between the Airbus A350 and the Boeing 7E7.
Seattle Post-Intelligencer: How the Airbus A350 and the Boeing 7E7 stack up
Google Answers Research: Off shore software development services
On our next research feature, a client from Australia wants to know about the advantages and disadvantages a company gets from outsourcing jobs overseas. Furthermore, he wants to see some tips about outsourcing jobs to different countries.
Google Answers: Off shore software development services
Google Answers Research: What happens to shares when a company is acquired?
In this research, a client asks what happens if the company he invested in was bought? This is a pretty basic investment question but everybody should be familiar with this concept.
Google Answers: What happens to shares when a company is acquired?
Business News: Slowly saying goodbye to paper checks.
Electronic payments have now finally surpassed paper checks in the US.
USATODAY.com - Electronic payments surpass paper checks
Business News: Apple iTunes Store Cost Varies
Why the unequal pricing of song downloads at different Apple iTunes Stores?
"Apple Computer (NASDAQ: AAPL) recently launched its Apple iTunes Store in Canada. But is a website really a store when all the company appears to be doing is charging different rates in each country? If your in Canada, you've got the lowest cost for Apple iTunes, but not if your in the US, UK or Europe. Is Apple's pricing practice fair?"
Technology News: Apple iTunes Store Cost Varies
Business Tip: Using Online Auctions to Make A Living
Startup Journal shows the different basic business models one could use to make online auctions, like Ebay, a source for steady income.
How to Make a Living Auctioning Items Online By PAULETTE THOMAS
Business News: Just How Cheap Is Chinese Labor?
"The cost of Chinese factory labor is a paltry 64 cents an hour. Although that figure is rough, since it's pieced together from sketchy statistics, it's still the most thorough estimate ever compiled."
Just How Cheap Is Chinese Labor?
Google Answers Research: Patent Costs
Have you invented something lately and thinking of protecting your work? It's time to get a patent! My next research shows the cost you have to expect when you apply for a patent.
Google Answers: Patent
Business News: IBM Exits PC Business
Could this be an end to an era? IBM is now exiting the PC Business and will be sold to Lenovo, China's largest PC maker.
IBM puts PC unit up for sale / Chinese company showing interest in desktop segment
Business News: Peter Drucker and Rick Warren
The Forbes website has more tidbits about Rick Warren. It seems odd to many that Peter Drucker and Rick Warren are good friends for many years. Here is an excerpt from Forbes:
"The Drucker-Warren relationship may surprise many readers, but it goes back two decades, to when the young minister came to Drucker for advice. Under Drucker's tutelage, Warren's own success as a spiritual entrepreneur has been considerable. Saddleback has grown to 15,000 members and has helped start another 60 churches throughout the world. Warren's 2001 book, The Purpose-Driven Life, is this decade's best seller with 19.5 million copies sold so far and compiling at the rate of 500,000 per month."
The article actually focuses more on the thoughts of Peter Drucker but this was a rare interview given by the business expert after Rick Warren urged him to grant a request by Forbes magazine.
Forbes.com: Peter Drucker On Leadership
Forbes.com: Purpose Driven
Business Commentary: Rick Warren's "The Purpose Driven Church" - A Great Entrepreneurship Book
Forbes' columnist, Rich Karlgaard, mentions that he is very picky about business books. One of the best business book for him comes not from the world of finance but from a Christian perspective.
Forbes.com: Purpose Driven
Business News: BANNED IN THE USA!
The CNN Money website lists some of the products that are banned in the USA.
Food:
a. Peppercorns
b. Epoisse Cheese
c. Akees
d. Mangosteens
e. Spanish Hams
f. Beluga Caviar
g. Cuban Cigars
Banned in the U.S.A.
Other Products:
a. Industrial Hemp
b. Ivory
c. Turtleshell
d. Imported Parrots
e. Sealskin clothing
Banned across America - Dec. 1, 2004
Case Study Feature: Risks in the Global Economy
The Global economy is doing very well right now but according to some analysts, serious risk factors are looming just around the corner.
"Going forward, he said, there are risks. He pointed to the rise in the cost of oil, which has not been fully priced into financial markets, and stressed the likelihood of rising interest rates and the possibility of inflation spurred by loose monetary policy in the United States and many other countries, including China. Housing markets, which have boomed in the United States and around the world, are vulnerable, with a 'real estate bubble going on practically across the entire globe,' said Neumann. 'Higher interest rates will cause problems in [that sector].'
What, if Anything, Will Sink the Global Economy? - Knowledge@Wharton
Business News: Mergers
Merger activities are once again on the rise to levels of 2001. According to some experts, this is a sign that US companies are expecting the economy to be on the path to recovery.
Money Center - bizjournals.com
However based on a study commissioned by Businessweek, customers hate mergers since it usually leads to lower service quality.
Why Consumers Hate Mergers
Case Study Feature: Airline Industry
One of the best things about the web is finding free business case studies. Although you still need to purchase most of the studies out there, if you search hard enough, you can get good ones for vitually no cost at all.
This free case study sample from Businesscases.org is a good one as it talks about the "no-frills" airline industry.
Reinventing the Airline Business
