Archive for May, 2008
Posted by: in Your Business
A lot of younger workers are standing around wondering if we baby boomers are ever going to retire. After all, they have the ability to do the jobs so much better and faster, and youth trumps experience, right?
But it looks like the recession, tight housing market, and health care concerns are keeping baby boomers from retiring. A recent Business Week article focuses on why baby boomers aren’t retiring as expected.
The biggest reason: We can’t afford it. With higher prices, falling retirement fund values, higher costs of health care, it just doesn’t make economic sense for a lot of people.
We should all step up and retire to help the economy and make room for those young people who need jobs.
OR, we could quit our jobs and begin new businesses. I’m on a mission to encourage more baby boomers to begin businesses.
Tags: baby boomers, healthcare, retirement planning, retiring
Share This
Share This
Share This
 No Comments »
LG, Haier Might Bid for GE Appliances Unit, Immelt Says (Update2) - Bloomberg
Might 28 (Bloomberg) — LG Electronics Inc. and Haier Group Corp. are among the companies that may acquire General Electric Co.’s century-old appliances division, said Jeffrey Immelt , chief executive officer of the U.S. company. “The players become
BAM FY construction margin around 2007 level; co to buy in NL, UK - CNBC
AMSTERDAM (Thomson Financial) - Royal BAM Group N.V. sees the full year margin before tax at its construction division equalling or maybe lightly surpassing 2007’s 2.3 percent. “The 4.0 percent margin before tax at Construction seen this quarter does
Green is good - Detroit Free Press
Auto companies, retailers and hotels aren’t the only ones hopping on the green bandwagon these days. Companies that sell services to other companies are also getting into the act. And it’s not just architects, engineers and consultants. In Michigan
Steel Partners, Shareholders Oust Aderans’ Management (Update1) - Bloomberg
May 29 (Bloomberg) — Shareholders led by Warren Lichtenstein ’s Steel Partners ousted the management of Japan’s biggest wigmaker as investors in the world’s second-largest economy demand more influence over how companies are run. Chief Executive
China earthquake shows say role in business - Newsday
SHANGHAI, China - China’s devastating earthquake will mean large write-offs for China’s state-run banks. For refiners, it means export profits foregone for the sake of keeping domestic supplies steady. In China, large business means state-owned business
Overseas companies eye GE appliance unit - Louisville Courier-Journal
General Electric Chief Executive Jeffrey Immelt stated yesterday that companies in South Korea, Mexico and China are among the potential bidders for GE’s appliance business. LG Electronics, based in South Korea, is “clearly one of the leading
Iran mulling swap of Repsol, Shell gas projects - Forbes
TEHRAN (Thomson Financial) - Iran is negotiating with Repsol YPF SA and Royal Dutch Shell to to switch their gas exploration blocs in the South Pars offshore gasfield in the Gulf, said minister of petroleum Gholamhossein Nozari. ‘Blocks 15, 16, 20
Fuel prices might rise next week - Hindustan Times
The government is expected to take a decision on petrol and diesel prices next week, officials said on Tuesday as state-owned oil marketing companies mounted pressure for a steep hike in retail prices of the auto fuels. A hike in government
EU inquiry deadline for STMicroelectronics, NXP jv June 27 - CNBC
BRUSSELS (Thomson Financial) - The European Commission said the deadline for its inquiry into semiconductor chipmaker STMicroelectronics’ proposed wireless joint venture with Dutch competitor NXP is set for June 27. The two companies plan to combine
The rush is on for oil, gas rights - Allentown Morning Call
Unsuspecting property owners around the country are getting trampled in an old-fashioned land rush by natural gas companies and speculators trying to lock up long-ignored drilling rights swiftly and cheaply. Stories of fast-talking industry
Share This
Share This
No Comments »
Posted by: in Small Business
Filed under: Competitive strategy, Marketing and advertising, Limited Brands (LTD), Small business
 If the current rash of courtroom events surrounding Victoria’s Secret is what CEO Sharen Turney had in mind when she indicated that the company might have become “too sexy”, I think there might be trouble in store for that flagship name of Limited Brands Inc. (NYSE: LTD). I don’t know about you, but I find courtroom litigation anything but sexy. Unless of course, we’re talking about the assistant district attorneys they cast for Law and Order.
First, Victoria’s Secret pulled an ‘Atomic Wedgie” on Kentucky couple, Victor and Cathy Moseley, by gaining a court order to block the couple from using a truncated version of The Victoria’s Secret name. It’s no big deal really because it was fairly obvious that the names “Victor’s Secret” and “Victor’s Tiny Secret” were pretty flagrant abuses of a trademarked name which deserves secure protection. The one tiny triumph which came out of that decade-long legal tussle was that the court determined that plaintiffs in trademark infringement cases do not need to show that the infringement actually cost them money, as revealed in a decidedly not sexy Associated Press news blurb.
Next, we find out that Juicy Couture has grabbed Victoria’s Secret by the seat of the pants, regarding alleged product marketing infringement. It seems that Juicy thinks that Vicky has infringed on various aspects of packaging, color schemes and logo placement, as explained by blogger Bruce Watson. Personally, I haven’t analyzed the claimed offenses. I’ll leave that to the courts. I do however find the whole thing to be a bit blown out of proportion — and very un-sexy.
Finally, an MSNBC report briefly examines a trademark complaint against Victoria’s Secret by Sexy Hair Concepts. In that fight, Victoria’s Secret has now launched a challenge against a federal Trademark Trial and Appeal Board ruling in favor of Sexy Hair Concepts LLC. The whole matter centers around the word “sexy” and who has the right to use that word for advertising purposes and/or how it may be used. Victoria’s Secret claims that the word sexy does not attach to brand recognition in the minds of but a few consumers, and the company cites a study it conducted of 308 hair product purchasers. Victoria’s Secret states that only 5 of the 308 individuals studied, associated the word sexy with a specific company’s products. So, I guess “sexy” is fair game for anyone, in a manner of speaking.
I’ll tell you my friends, the whole thing is not very sexy to me. If Victoria’s Secret’s Turney wanted to reduce the company’s level of sexiness, she sure got her wish without even trying. All this bickering and finger wagging has really turned me off of the company. In a consumer environment where frilly, lacy and high end garments are low on the priority list, this just isn’t the ideal time for Victoria’s Secret to have legal briefs be the only briefs the company is making news with. If Victoria’s Secret wants my view, right about now a good dose of real sexy is exactly what the company needs. All this courtroom banter is just leaving me out in the cold.
Share This
Share This
No Comments »
Filed under: Estates
We don’t have any interior pictures on this one but you won’t be spending millions of dollars for a 2,500-square-foot, three-bedroom home anyway. With Upper Mesa Ranch, located in the San Juan National Forest in Archuleta County, Colorado, the worth is the land. The property is 340 acres with water rights and it includes a two-acre, trout-stocked pond, ample horse property, trails for riding, hiking and cross-country skiing and a wide variety of wildlife that includes elk, eagles, turkey and bears. It is located 30 minutes from the town of Pagosa Springs.
The home is knotless-cedar custom home with a 500-square-foot loft, three-car garage and covered deck for taking in the views over the unspoiled landscape. The property also includes a horse barn with three stalls, tack room, porch and outdoor corral and a gazebo. It is listed at $8,000,000.
%Gallery-23597%
Continue reading Upper Mesa Ranch, Estate of the Day
Read
Share This
Share This
No Comments »
PimpYourWork.com
First off, I’d like to mention that I edited the ‘About Pimp Your Work‘ page. Hopefully, the new page is a superior reflection of what this blog is all about. Please let me know what you think of the edited page, and I’ll think about your comments/ suggestions. After all, this blog is for YOU.
While editing the ‘About’ page, I realized that I’d also written several productivity articles for other blogs, but never got the chance to share them here. So this week’s Pimping Bookmarks is a collection of productivity and workplace articles I’ve written that I think you readers would be interested in:
Why You Should Define Your Worst Project - You know those projects that you don’t want to include in your portfolio and they make you cringe each time you remember them? This article is about why you need to take a second look at those mistakes from your past.
What to Do About That Huge Project You’ve Been Putting Off - Ever had a BIG project that just kept being delayed and pushed into the background? Here are some tips that can help you take on these projects much easier.
Procrastination Can Be Your Ally - Usually, procrastination is every working person’s worst enemy. However, it can be your ally if you know how to deal with it.
8 Ways to Use a Whiteboard - Got a whiteboard? Here’s a list of different uses it can serve.
The Perfect Productivity System - Does it even exist? If so, how do you find it?
Leveraging the Virtual Workspace During a Recession - This article discusses how to maximize a virtual workspace during an economic downturn (a.k.a. now).
Convincing Supervisors About the Benefits of Telecommuting - If you want to telecommute, here’s a short guide on how you can get your boss to approve it.
How Web 2.0 Changed Workplace Culture - This article is about how our new internet tools changed the workplace forever.
Helping Your Team Adjust to On the web Collaboration - If you’re team isn’t used to collaborating online, this article has some steps you can follow to make the transition much easier for them.
Pic Credit: Image from Celine Roque from Blue Rabbit Media
Share This
Share This
Share This
No Comments »
New Ethos for Swansea Technium companies - ic Wales
|
No Comments »
Filed under: Estates, Celebrity Shopping
 No one seems to know whether they are buying or leasing but various sources concur that Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie are settling into a chateau on the French Riviera. This is no surprise, the couple has been looking at various spots in the region for at least a year. Now they’ve reportedly settled into Chateau Miraval, a $70 million estate in the little village of Brignol in the Var. The big estate includes a castle with 35 bedrooms, perfect for all the kids and the entourage as well as 20 fountains, aqueducts, a lake, a swimming pool, and a thriving vineyard. It’s also surrounded by a big forest and has a three mile driveway offering this couple the most valued feature of all, privacy.
Read
Share This
Share This
No Comments »
Posted by: in Your Business
This month’s contest on the Business Channel at b5media is about “taking chances.” I’m ready to take the chance, to “retire” and work full-time from home.
Have you thought about “retiring” and starting a new business, at home or elsewhere?
There is a lot of fear associated with massive life changes, like changing jobs, starting a business, being at home (with your spouse!). What is stopping you? What are you waiting for? Being terrified isn’t an excuse.
What is the FIRST STEP you need to take - the “throw your hat over the fence so you’ve to go over and get it” step?
Photo source: www.newscom.com
Tags: baby boomers, home businesses, retirement
Share This
Share This
Share This
No Comments »
Treasury prices fall amid blended economic data - Forbes
Treasury prices slid Tuesday as stocks moved higher and investors were unable to shake their inflation worries despite a drop in oil prices. Crude prices eased Tuesday after briefly passing $135 a barrel last week; the move higher had stoked concerns
Stocks rise on lower oil, rebound in new-homes sales - USA Today
NEW YORK — Wall Street advanced in uneven trading Tuesday after a drop in oil prices and an unexpected gain in new home sales encouraged investors to put money back into the market. Stocks gained momentum late in the session as oil prices drifted
Banks weigh on Europe stocks; SABMiller cheers - Reuters
LONDON, Might 27 (Reuters) - European stocks fell by midday on Tuesday as investors turned edgy about financial worries at banks battered by a credit market crisis, while brewer SABMiller (SAB.L: Quote , Profile , Research ) surged on acquisition speak
Tech Stocks Lead Gains on Wall Street - Street.Com
Updated from 3:11 p.m. EDT Stocks in the U.S. closed a jagged session higher Tuesday as investors latched on to the reassurance of retreating oil prices and picked up equities despite blended economic and corporate news. The Dow Jones Industrial
Europe shares cut losses as US data buoys stocks - Reuters
LONDON, Might 27 (Reuters) - European shares reversed losses to turn positive in mid-afternoon trade on Tuesday, driven by a drop in crude oil futures CLc1 and U.S. data that showed the first monthly increase in new home sales since October. By 1410
Tech jump, oil drop lifts stocks; AMR skids late - Washington Post
Resize Text NEW YORK (Reuters) - Stocks rose on Tuesday, led by Apple Inc (AAPL.O) and other technology bellwethers, as investors bet that a sharp drop in oil prices will help shore up consumer and business spending. A drop of almost 3 percent in
Stocks higher after home sales data, lower oil - Forbes
Wall Street advanced in uneven trading Tuesday after a drop in oil prices and an unexpected gain in new home sales encouraged investors to put money back into the market. Stocks picked up momentum late in the session as oil prices drifted below $129
Top Rocket Stocks: Coldwater Creek - Street.Com
Updated from 5:34 a.m. EDT Don’t even think about playing in the Beat the Street trading contest if you’re going to trade the Wal-Marts WMT or Microsofts MSFT of the world. While I believe both could be solid long-term investments, the key in a
US stocks rally on falling oil - News.com.au
US stocks shut in positive territory this day as oil prices fell, bringing inflation relief after hitting record highs above $US135 a barrel last week. The Dow Jones Industrial Average advanced 67.74 points (0.54 per cent) to 12,547.37 after the
Share This
Share This
No Comments »
|
|
Entries (RSS)