Filed under: Google (GOOG), Cisco Systems (CSCO), International Business Machines (IBM), Adobe Systems (ADBE), Small business

While there’s been lots of buzz about Web 2.0, there’s another interesting trend that’s not getting as much noise: Enterprise 2.0. Basically, this is corporate software that uses social approaches, such as blogs, wikis, social networking and so on.

One of the leaders in the space is Socialtext, which snagged $9.5 million in venture capital this week. The investors include Draper Fisher Jurvetson, Omidyar Network, and SAP Ventures.

True, biggie software companies — like IBM (NYSE: IBM) — have been investing in Enterprise 2.0. But as with any trend, it is usually smaller firms that make the critical innovations.

What’s more, Socialtext has a new CEO, Eugene Lee, who was formerly with Adobe Systems Inc. (NASDAQ: ADBE) as well as Cisco Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: CSCO). He will try to expand the firm’s footprint beyond its base of 4,000 customers.

I also see this venture round as a defensive action. After all, Google (NASDAQ: GOOG) purchased Jot.com last year, which is an enterprise wiki/blog developer. Might we see a launch from the search giant?

I certainly think so. In other words, Socialtext will need as much money as it can get.

For more information on other current VC deals, visit DealProfiles.com.

Tom Taulli is the author of various books, including The Complete M&A Handbook and The Edgar On the web Guide to Decoding Financial Statements.

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Filed under: Microsoft (MSFT), Cisco Systems (CSCO), Hewlett-Packard (HPQ), Office Depot (ODP), Small business

Being from L.A., I’ve had to deal with earthquakes and fire (no, it’s not always sunshine here). And, of course, I saw the devastation of the recent fires.

But what about some of the businesses that need to rebuild? Could they have prepared for the fires?

Well, I recently interviewed Jon Toigo, a disaster recovery expert at Toigo Partners International. Over the past 20 years, he has put together nearly 100 disaster recovery plans. His clients include Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT), Cisco Systems (NASDAQ: CSCO), and Hewlett-Packard (NYSE: HPQ). Also, Toigo has a partnership with Office Depot to help businesses deal with disaster preparedness.

“The bottom line in disaster preparedness is to protect your most irreplaceable assets - your people and your data,” said Toigo.

People

Employees will want reassurance and direction. If not, things can fall apart pretty swiftly.

As a result, Toigo suggests building solid contact lists. They should include at least five different points of contact — state, phone numbers, mobile numbers, email, SMS and also information on relatives.

Data

“You may be astonished to learn that almost 20 percent of small businesses don’t back up their data,” stated Toigo. “With businesses relying on technology now more than ever, it’s my job to remind professionals that if you lose your data, you can lose your business.”

Thus, he recommends a data back up at least once a week - and there should also be an off-site storage facility.

Fortunately, storage technology is getting much cheaper. For example, Toigo likes small flash drives like Ativa’s 8GB system (which can store up to 320,000 pages) and can be put in your pocket when you leave the office.

“The truth is, more than one in four businesses will experience a significant crisis in a given year, and of those businesses that experience a disaster and have no emergency plan, 43 percent never reopen,” stated Toigo. “But with a plan in place, the overwhelming feeling should be greatly reduced because you’ll know you’re covered.”

Tom Taulli is the author of various books, including The Complete M&A Handbook and The Edgar On the internet Guide to Decoding Financial Statements.

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On Track Innovations Ltd.  (OTIV ), a global leader in contactless microprocessor-based smart card solutions for homeland security, payments, petroleum payments other applications and machinery, announced disappointing earnings earlier today. This isn’t the first bad quarter investors have been subject to. Revenues came in lower than expected and the company suffered a much bigger […]

On Track Innovations Ltd.  (OTIV ), a global leader in contactless microprocessor-based smart card solutions for homeland security, payments, petroleum payments other applications and machinery, announced disappointing earnings earlier today. This is not the first bad quarter investors have been subject to. Revenues came in lower than expected and the company suffered a much bigger loss than expected.

Commenting on the results, Oded Bashan, Chairman and CEO stated, “Although this is not always reflected in our financial results, we’re making progress in the overall business. The number of projects in the pipeline have increased, the large projects we are involved in are progressing, and we are introducing new products and expanding our IP.”

Mr. Bashan, if it’s not reflected in your financial results, how would we know that the business is “making progress?” For investors, the proof is in the pudding. It’s like saying the win-less Miami Dolphins are getting much better, although they still haven’t won  a single football game this season.  Who cares. Sorry Zack, I couldn’t resist. There will be no getting Jiggy with this stock!

Since late April the stock price has been cut in half. With shrinking margins and lower revenues, no matter how good the technology is and how massive your pipeline is, this seems like a second half 2008 story at ideal. I will add that the one interesting fact here is that they have a strong balance sheet and $40 million in cash, with a total market-cap of $80 million.

For more visit Source:www.straightstocks.com

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Jones Soda Co. (JSDA) today announced that Peter van Stolk will step down from his position as chairman of the board of directors and as chief executive officer at the end of the year. He’ll remain on as a member of the board of directors. Board members Scott Bedbury and Steve Jones will take on […]

Jones Soda Co. (JSDA) this day announced that Peter van Stolk will step down from his position as chairman of the board of directors and as chief executive officer at the end of the year.

He’ll remain on as a member of the board of directors. Board members Scott Bedbury and Steve Jones will take on the interim positions of chairman and CEO respectively while the company conducts a search for a new CEO.

“As I said earlier this year, I planned to step down at the end of 2007,” stated van Stolk. “I’ve worked hard this past year to lay the foundation for future growth with an increased product line and national distribution at the retail level. Recruiting a strong and seasoned CEO is the next step in that process, and utilizing the experience of Scott and Steve in that effort will help ensure a successful outcome. During the up coming weeks, I will be focused on the transition and look forward to working with the board to continue to grow the company to bring it to its full potential.”

“It has been a true honor being so intimately involved with such a special Company like Jones Soda,” stated van Stolk. “Over the past 11 years the Company has grown from a small niche player in the beverage industry into a leading brand with national recognition and powerful portfolio of products. Jones Soda’s success to-date is directly related to the dedication and commitment of its employees and I have been privileged to have worked with an astounding group of extremely talented and passionate people. I’m confident that the company is in excellent leadership hands with Scott and Steve until a new CEO is appointed and I look forward to remaining involved as a board member.”

“Peter has established himself as one of the most successful visionaries and innovators in the beverage business,” Bedbury said. “We are fortunate to have him continue as a member of the board of directors and to help us build shareholder value well into the future.”

Steve Jones spent 17 years with The Coca-Cola Company serving most recently as the corporation’s chief marketing officer and CEO of The Minute Maid Company. Previously Steve had two international operating leadership assignments, first in Great Britain and then as head of Coca-Cola Japan, which is regarded to have one of the most diverse product portfolio and innovative product development approaches in the industry. Jones’ career includes numerous progressive brand management roles in Canada and the U.S., including being brand manager of diet Coke during the brand’s early development stage. As Chief Marketing Officer, Steve was instrumental in reshaping Coke’s contemporary brand relevance around the globe and developing and introducing a strategy to broaden the company’s portfolio that led to the launch of several new products in key markets around the world.

“Steve has been a tremendous asset to our board and brings a wealth of operating, marketing and brand management to the CEO position at a key period for the company,” said Bedbury. “Moving from a niche player to a mainstream brand is a challenging time for any company. I’ve been a part of that process for both Nike and Starbucks, and am confident that Jones Soda will become a highly successful and profitable global brand.”

Scott Bedbury is currently CEO of Brandstream, Inc. an independent brand development consultancy he founded in 1998. Shortly after joining Nike in 1987 Bedbury launched the “Just Do It” campaign, helping take what had been a narrowly positioned brand to number one worldwide. Bedbury joined Starbucks in 1995 as senior vice president of Marketing and Brand Development and oversaw the repositioning of Starbucks as a comfortable, convenient and welcome “third place” between home and work. Bedbury worked closely with CEO Howard Schultz to navigate Starbucks’s growth from several hundred stores to several thousand in three years, and to open its first overseas markets. Bedbury is also the author of “A New Brand World,” published by Viking Press.

Headquartered in Seattle, Washington, Jones Soda Co. manufactures its products and sells them through its distribution network in choose markets across North America. A leader in the premium soda category, Jones is known for its innovative labeling technique that incorporates always-changing photos sent in from its consumers. Jones Soda is sold through traditional beverage retailers and everywhere you’d never anticipate to find a soda.

For more visit Source:www.straightstocks.com

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Baird & Warner purchases brokerages
Chicago Tribune - Baird & Warner Residential Sales on Thursday announced the acquisition of two area real estate brokerages, a sign of the economic pressures created by the slumping market. One of Chicago’s largest realty companies, Baird & Warner said it had bought

SGS 2008 goals tough for lack of mergers - CEO
Reuters - SGS in October stated it was in the final stage of looking at four acquisitions and the four companies would together bring in 200 million francs in revenues. But so far, it has only announced the buy of U.S company FTS Inc, with sales of some $30

No Home Base for NY City Opera in ‘08-09
Philadelphia Inquirer - And the work at the New York State Theater will be suspended for the ballet company’s holiday favorite “The Nutcracker” and its winter and spring performances. The ballet and opera companies’ boards approved the plan Friday. The initial piece of the

Bill buys municipalities time
MSNBC - Association that House Bill 1787 is unconstitutional,” said Scott Elliott, a spokesman for the Cumberland Countybased association that represents about 12,000 home builders, electricians, drywall installers and other housing industry companies.

S & P 500 COMPANIES Stock buybacks surge to record in quarter
Chicago Tribune - NEW YORK—Companies in the Standard & Poor’s 500 index collectively spent a record $172 billion to purchase back their own shares in the third quarter even as earnings declined for the first time in five years. S&P 500 companies increased buyback

Before It Disappears
New York Times - organization was founded by Sting and Trudie Styler in 1989 to help the indigenous people of the world’s rain forests protect their environments. “There are environmentally friendly resorts,” she stated. “This is possible.” Some travel companies

Neumann Homes ready to pay refunds, have houses completed
Chicago Tribune - It is being handled by former Neumann Homes employees and local home-building companies. When sales would resume at its 15 Chicago-area subdivisions is still unclear. The company also has developments in Wisconsin and Colorado. “Neumann Homes still

Point sale talks continue
Baltimore Sun - He declined to name other companies interested in joining the deal. The Justice Department is forcing ArcelorMittal to sell Sparrows Point to satisfy antitrust concerns related to Netherlands-based Mittal’s $38 billion merger with Luxembourg-based

‘Hannah Montana’ Tickets Fuel Lawsuit
Chicago Tribune - Neither of the listed agents for the two companies based in Nashville could be immediately reached for comment Tuesday. Message left for Smiley Miley Inc. were not immediately returned. Cyrus’ publicist, Meghan Prophet, stated in a statement that fan

State it in style
Guardian Unlimited - Nothing demonstrates more the dubious excesses of working practice than the Japanese sokaiya - a blackmailer who has a few shares in a large number of companies and tries to extort money by threatening trouble at the shareholders’ annual general

Terri Irwin, Australia Zoo sued by mystery company
News.com.au - The legal actions involve an intricate web of companies. An investigation has found the lawsuits revolve around a business based on an island tax haven, another raided by tax inspectors in 2006 and an offshore investment bank. Terri Irwin claims to

News in brief
Chicago Tribune - Vegas.com, the travel and booking Web site owned by the Greenspun Family of Companies, launched its “Arrow,” a high-tech alternative that goes door-to-door to hotel-casinos on the Strip and downtown and costs $2.50 per ride. The service will run

Holiday shipping is on the rise
Miami Herald - as the last day to send out parcel post and expect the packages to reach their destination by Dec. 25, although priority mail can be sent up to Thursday and express mail up until the Saturday before Christmas. At the express package-shipping companies

The Fool’s Look Ahead
MSNBC - Investors anticipate earnings at both companies to inch upward during the period. If that proves true, it’s great to know that companies are confident enough about their future to spend more in office accessories — a great proxy for the economy, when

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My early September entry ‘12 Stocks to Purchase on the next Pullback’ has been one of the more popular entries on the blog in its entire history. Since we are now a quarter later, and a lot more info has emerged since, I want to update this entry with a new set of choices for […]

My early September entry ‘12 Stocks to Buy on the next Pullback’ has been one of the more popular entries on the blog in its entire history. Since we are now a quarter later, and a lot more info has emerged since, I want to update this entry with a new set of choices for the coming months.

With the markets at a precarious perch, just below major resistance but certainly with the help of the ‘invisible’ hand could be pushed back above… but assuming the prospects of a Fed with their hands tied by the twin towers of inflation and slowing growth, let’s assume some pullback is coming. What are the most interesting sectors that would be enticing on a pullback? Please note the above list only contains stocks that have yet to ‘correct meaningfully’.

Last time around I focused on the following sectors with a top down approach: (less cyclical) oil service, deep sea oil drilling, solar power, networking, techology - other, global infrastructure, global agriculture, china, and retail.

Many of these same sectors strike my fancy

(Less cyclical) Oil service
I still like this area but aside from National Oilwell Varco (NOV) most still trade below a major resistance area (50 day moving average), so NOV quickly becomes *the* pick as it has recently broke out to $78. A pullback to its 50 day moving average near $71-$72 area would be enticing.

Deep Sea Oil Drilling
This whole group has broken out so it’s a perfect candidate for this sort of “buy on the next pullback” review. With GlobalSantaFe (GSF) now off the table after its merger with Transocean (RIG), we have RIG, Atwood Oceanics (ATW), or Diamond Offshore (DO) as our choices. I prefer the latter two as more of pure plays in deep sea and less on rigs closer to shore… Diamond Offshore has 50 day support in the mid 110s, and Atwood Oceanics around $83. Pick 1.

Solar
A group on FIRE…. the easiest choice in terms of ’safety’ and knowing what you’ll get is Suntech Power (STP). It currently trades at $83, and its 50 day moving average is way down there at $63, so it would take quite a calamity to correct that far. With stocks in such strong uptrends, I try to buy at least a beginning position at the 20 day moving average (currently $75) and then cross fingers for more weakness to add to it. Even with it’s huge move, it is still cheaper than its American counterpart Sunpower (SPWR). First Solar (FSLR) is another candidate but with ‘potential’ for some slower 1st half 2008 guidance due to capacity constraints and a stock priced for more than perfection it might not be the safest to hold going into the next earnings with an investor base that demands perfection.

There are numerous more speculative fare in this sector - literally throw a dart and you hit a stock making a big move.

Technology - Other
Out of all the teflon stocks - Google (GOOG), Apple (AAPL), Research in Motion (RIMM), Baidu.com (BIDU), Apple and Baidu.com have held up the ideal in the past week or two. With the clarity of the Apple roadmap, it just seems too good to pass up. We currently have Apple in the low $190s; any gift such as a pullback to the 50 day moving average ($174) would be very enticing - this will be an Apple Christmas

Global Infrastructure/Energy
I follow 7 names in this sector - the ideal relative strength has been shown by Foster Wheeler (FWLT), Jacobs Engineering (JEC), and Chicago Bridge & Iron (CBI). Literally throw a dart, pick 2, and hope for a pullback to their 50 day moving averages. These stories will be playing out for years, even as investors switch from 1 to another on their short sighted focus simply on the next quarter.

Agriculture
I like fertilizer so much, I’d state pick 2 names - my stocks have been Mosaic (MOS), Potash (POT), and CF Industries (CF). Again, hope for a pullback to their 50 day moving averages (which they did pull back to in November), and this is where we’d want to be buying. Another multi year bull market. The fertilizer side has been much stronger than the equipment side (i.e. tractors) of late.

Financials
Yes you heard me. We’ve two beauties in Blackrock Financial (BLK) and Mastercard (MA). The more messy things get in the financial world, the more business that seems to be flowing to the former, and the more the world goes to plastic the more the latter benefits. If one likes to be in the asset manager business they have the ability to go with Blackrock; if one likes ‘transactions’ they have the ability to go with Mastercard. With Mastercard in the $220s and its 50 day moving average around $183, if the market would correct, this would be currently my choice of these 2.

At this point I don’t see any sufficient names in China, or retail, or networking (areas I covered last time around) so I will have to find 3 new names/sector

Coal
I’ve been a huge bull on this sector for months. We have multiple domestic names - really pick your poison among Peabody Energy (BTU), Consol Energy (CNX), or Massey Energy (MEE). I’d be adding heavily to all of these on a pullback to the 50 day moving averages as we’ve the quietest bull market on the street developing

Foreign non China/India
Two picks here I really like - if mining is more your bent, Mechel (MTL) the Russian coal/iron/steel maker continues to impress. If energy is more your thing we have Brazilian oil giant Petrobras (PBR). Both have pulled back from recent highs, Petrobas at $108 is 14 points above its 50 day moving average of $94. $94 is also where the stock bottomed out in the November correction so we have the ability to hope for a pullback to that level (hope being operative word). Mechel has swiftly pulled back from >$100 to $94, just a bit above its 20 day moving average of $90. It’s 50 day moving average is in the upper $70s and rising quickly so we can hope for a pullback there. Almost made the cut: Millicom International Cellular (MICC), but some slowdown in Latin America cell sales could be an issue - have to monitor this one closely.

India
While Chinese stocks have suffered of late, India has propsered. While I think this recent run needs some correction, that’s exactly what we are hoping for. Multiple picks in India - one can go with the banking sector and find a HDFC Bank (HDB) or ICICI Bank (IBN), or if one wants a more industrial bent there’s copper stock Sterlite Industries (SLT). All 3 names have corrected a bit to their 20 day moving averages but still are far above the 50 days. Pick 1.

******
So there’s a quick and dirty overview of a new dozen…. all made tremendous runs of late when the market was up 5-6% from November lows, and most are holding their own in this post Fed weakness; but if the markets wake up to the fact of potential recession, growing inflation, credit crunch and weakening profits (what a combo!) - the above groups should see correction and make for solid buying opportunities. And if you want to benefit from a coming correction, may I suggest some Ultrashorts…. but that’s another post.

For more visit Source:www.straightstocks.com

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Amazon.com: The Complete TurtleTrader: The Legend, the Lessons, the Results: Books: Michael W. Covel ISBN: 0061241709ISBN-13: 9780061241703 The turtle trading experiment came about after a dispute between Richard Dennis and Bill Eckhardt on the issue of weather great traders were born or made. Dennis had the view that an individual could be taught to be great trader […]

The turtle trading experiment came about after a dispute between Richard Dennis and Bill Eckhardt on the issue of weather great traders were born or made. Dennis had the view that an individual could be taught to be great trader while Eckhardt thought great traders required genetics and aptitude. In order to settle the matter ads were taken out in the Wall Street Journal, New York Times and Barron’s. The ads were for the position of trading apprentices and after an initial training period the trainee would be given an account to trade. Out of a thousand applicants 13 were selected, these trainees were known as the Original Turtles.

In the Complete Turtle Trader Michael Covel investigates the story of the turtles. The book takes a pragmatic and extremely well researched look at not just the turtle experiment in isolation but explores the events that took place directly before and after the turtle experiment.

The Complete Turtle Trader Contents

• Preface
• Acknowledgments
• Chapter 1 - Nurture versus Nature
• Chapter 2 - Prince of the Pit
• Chapter 3 - The Turtles
• Chapter 4 - The Philosophy
• Chapter 5 - The Rules
• Chapter 6 - In the Womb
• Chapter 7 - Who Got What to Trade
• Chapter 8 - Game Over
• Chapter 9 - Out on Their Own
• Chapter 10 - Dennis Comes Back to the Game
• Chapter 11 - Seizing Opportunity
• Chapter 12 - Failure Is a Choice
• Chapter 13 - Second-Generation Turtles
• Chapter 14 - Model Greatness
• Appendix I: Where Are They Now?
• Appendix II: Related Websites
• Appendix III: Turtle Performance Data
• Appendix IV: Turtle Performance While Trading for Richard Dennis
• Endnotes
• Index
• About the Author

In the early chapters, the book investigates the origins of the turtle experiment and the mastermind or “Prince of the Pit” behind the turtle experiment. A look at Dennis’s early life gives a good perspective of his core beliefs and by the age of 24 Dennis had already made $100,000 1973 dollars and was getting attention from the Chicago papers.

The turtle’s selection and training process is discussed at length giving you an almost fly on the wall insight. Dennis’s hiring process seemed to be somewhat unorthodox however given the nature of the interview and questions asked it was clear certain characteristics were required of potential turtles. It is clear from the outset that this was not a serious scientific experiment as the sample size was too small and there was clear sampling bias:

Self-selection bias, which is possible whenever the group of people being studied has any form of control over whether to participate. Participants’ decision to participate might be correlated with traits that affect the study, making the participants a non-representative sample. For example, people who have strong views or substantial knowledge might be more willing to spend time answering a survey than those who don’t.

Source http://wikipedia.org/

The core or middle chapters of the book delve into the philosophy, the rules, the trading experience and the end of the experiment. Covel outlines the original trading rules in the most easy easy to comprehend presentation of the turtle rules I’ve seen to date. These rules are complemented with the eleven “Trade your own account tip[s]”.

The final chapters look at the turtle’s performance when the experiment finished and the second-generation turtles. It is very interesting to see the turtles that continued to trade successfully and those that did not. The addition of the profile of a second-generation turtle adds weight to the turtle story. The fact that someone who was never involved in the original experiment can apply the rules so successfully is a testament to the system.

The Bottom Line

Having read Curtis Faiths book I thought I knew the turtle story, however I couldn’t have been more wrong. If you want to gain an objective well researched and thoroughly enjoyable insight into the turtle trading experiment Michael Covel’s The Complete Turtle Trader is the only book on the market to provide this. Throughout the book, Covel gives the reader a brief historical context of events that occurred in the period that is being discussed. Younger readers like me will find this to be helpful. Although the book is very detailed and well referenced at no time does the pace slow down, even when details of the system are discussed in chapter five. This is a must read trading book and is written so well that it can be read by someone with little trading experience yet it won’t bore the seasoned professional. I should note a great source of resources is the authors blog Turtle Trader.

For more visit Source:traineetrader.com

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