Amman, May 31, 2009 - Piracy of software on personal computers (PC) in Jordan fell by two percentage points, from 2007 to 2008 second only to Qatar and Tunisia, while half of the 110 countries studied saw piracy rates drop and only 15% increased. Industry losses, due to software piracy, in Jordan rose to USD 22 Million in 2008.
These are among the findings of the sixth annual global PC software piracy study released today by the Business Software Alliance (BSA), an international association representing the global software industry. The study covers 110 countries and was conducted independently by IDCIDC, the information technology (IT) industry's leading global market research and forecasting firm.
"This report demonstrates the impact that the public/private partnership between the Business Software Alliance and the Department of the National Library are making in Jordan to further reduce software piracy," said Aly Harakeh, Spokesperson, Eastern Mediterranean BSA committee chair. "In these uncertain economic times it is vital that companies do not skip corners and use unlicensed software, as this would increase the detrimental impact on those businesses, consumers as well as the local and global economy." (more)
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Small Business Trends: Riches in Niches: A Book Review
By Ivana Taylor
The biggest mistake we small business owners can make is being too general and trying to be all things to all people. It seems counter-intuitive to focus your sales and marketing on one segment and appear to ignore or reject another.
But if you want to be successful, that’s what you have to do. Find a niche and serve it.
But how are you supposed to do that? This has always caused me frustration – and I do this for a living! So when I heard about this new book “Riches in Niches,” I had to get it. At first, I was giddy with anticipation to get the book because I always think that the next book that lands in my mailbox will be the holy grail of marketing. (I know. It’s a problem.) (more)
The biggest mistake we small business owners can make is being too general and trying to be all things to all people. It seems counter-intuitive to focus your sales and marketing on one segment and appear to ignore or reject another.
But if you want to be successful, that’s what you have to do. Find a niche and serve it.
But how are you supposed to do that? This has always caused me frustration – and I do this for a living! So when I heard about this new book “Riches in Niches,” I had to get it. At first, I was giddy with anticipation to get the book because I always think that the next book that lands in my mailbox will be the holy grail of marketing. (I know. It’s a problem.) (more)
Entrepreneur: The Secret to a Good Business Name
By: Jennifer Wang
For entrepreneurs, "Rumplestiltskin" probably ranks low on the list of required reading, but one lesson should come through loud and clear: names are serious business. In fact, coming up with the right name is probably the single-most important branding concern for a business, says Jay Jurisich, creative director of San Francisco-based naming and branding agency Igor. He is also the founder of WordLab, a website that offers free naming resources and discussion forums.
According to Jurisich, a good name demonstrates your brand and your values. A bad name forces you to resort to explaining and advertising. In the Igor Naming Guide, Jurisich breaks down naming pros and cons in four broad categories, showing why some are powerful and others are just plain yawn-inducing. (more)
For entrepreneurs, "Rumplestiltskin" probably ranks low on the list of required reading, but one lesson should come through loud and clear: names are serious business. In fact, coming up with the right name is probably the single-most important branding concern for a business, says Jay Jurisich, creative director of San Francisco-based naming and branding agency Igor. He is also the founder of WordLab, a website that offers free naming resources and discussion forums.
According to Jurisich, a good name demonstrates your brand and your values. A bad name forces you to resort to explaining and advertising. In the Igor Naming Guide, Jurisich breaks down naming pros and cons in four broad categories, showing why some are powerful and others are just plain yawn-inducing. (more)
The Entrepreneurial Mind: Entrepreneurship in Germany
By Jeff Cornwall
The last stop on our visit to Europe brings us to Germany -- specifically Dresden, which was part of East Germany before the 1990 unification. The students will be staying with family hosts while we are here.
Entrepreneurship is part economic and part cultural. One of the most striking forces against entrepreneurship in Germany is its culture. Individual enterprise is not a part of the historic culture of Germany.
Young Germans seem to be continuing this non-entrepreneurial value. From the website International Entrepreneurship: (more)
The last stop on our visit to Europe brings us to Germany -- specifically Dresden, which was part of East Germany before the 1990 unification. The students will be staying with family hosts while we are here.
Entrepreneurship is part economic and part cultural. One of the most striking forces against entrepreneurship in Germany is its culture. Individual enterprise is not a part of the historic culture of Germany.
Young Germans seem to be continuing this non-entrepreneurial value. From the website International Entrepreneurship: (more)
The Trump Blog: Education vs. Experience
By Donald Trump
Here’s a topic that can be argued positively from both sides. My father, Fred C. Trump, didn’t have the advantage of a college education yet he became very successful. He was smart, focused and he worked hard every day. But he knew the advantages of having a good education. He put his younger brother through college, and my uncle went on to get his Ph.D. from M.I.T. and became a professor of physics. Education was stressed when I was growing up, and my father made sure we had the best education possible.
While I had the great advantage of attending Wharton, one of the great business schools in the world, I learned a great deal from my father. The combination of my education and his experience was a tremendous situation for me to be in when I started to work with him after college. I also watched him work hard while I was growing up and I visited construction sites with him often. (more)
Here’s a topic that can be argued positively from both sides. My father, Fred C. Trump, didn’t have the advantage of a college education yet he became very successful. He was smart, focused and he worked hard every day. But he knew the advantages of having a good education. He put his younger brother through college, and my uncle went on to get his Ph.D. from M.I.T. and became a professor of physics. Education was stressed when I was growing up, and my father made sure we had the best education possible.
While I had the great advantage of attending Wharton, one of the great business schools in the world, I learned a great deal from my father. The combination of my education and his experience was a tremendous situation for me to be in when I started to work with him after college. I also watched him work hard while I was growing up and I visited construction sites with him often. (more)
The Daily Star: Time for the private sector to step up
By Zafar Sobhan
I'LL admit that I was less than enthused to learn that an integral part of a recent conference that I was attending in Jordan was a field trip to learn something about the activities of one of the country's most prominent NGOs.
I mean, honestly. Bangladesh is the land of NGOs, and I have spent my fair share of time seeing, and I will concede, being inspired by, the activities of NGOs in Bangladesh. I figured that it would be more of the same in Amman, except dustier. How wrong I was.
In the first place, the truth is that however jaded or been-there-done-that we might feel about touring NGOs, it never, in actual fact, fails to impress when one actually witnesses first-hand the work they do and speaks with both those who dedicate their lives to the service of others and those whose lives have been transformed by the helping hand they have received.
Ruwwad was no expection. It is run by Fadi Ghandour, whose day job is founder and CEO of Aramex, the Federal Express/DHL of the Arab world. He has built his business from nothing into one of the best and most widely respected companies in the Middle East. As an entrepreneur and business executive alone, Fadi would merit plaudits, as a pioneer and visionary who has brought first-world standards of service to the developing world and whose business is a model of excellence for the region. (more)
I'LL admit that I was less than enthused to learn that an integral part of a recent conference that I was attending in Jordan was a field trip to learn something about the activities of one of the country's most prominent NGOs.
I mean, honestly. Bangladesh is the land of NGOs, and I have spent my fair share of time seeing, and I will concede, being inspired by, the activities of NGOs in Bangladesh. I figured that it would be more of the same in Amman, except dustier. How wrong I was.
In the first place, the truth is that however jaded or been-there-done-that we might feel about touring NGOs, it never, in actual fact, fails to impress when one actually witnesses first-hand the work they do and speaks with both those who dedicate their lives to the service of others and those whose lives have been transformed by the helping hand they have received.
Ruwwad was no expection. It is run by Fadi Ghandour, whose day job is founder and CEO of Aramex, the Federal Express/DHL of the Arab world. He has built his business from nothing into one of the best and most widely respected companies in the Middle East. As an entrepreneur and business executive alone, Fadi would merit plaudits, as a pioneer and visionary who has brought first-world standards of service to the developing world and whose business is a model of excellence for the region. (more)
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Young Entrepreneur: Should You Advertise On Twitter Posts?
By Adam Toren
I’m going back and forth about the concept of advertising on Twitter posts. From an entrepreneurial standpoint, it’s a good advertising vehicle and a good way to make some extra money. But there is a bit of apprehension because you wonder if you’re selling your relatives, friends and business associates short. Will they continue to follow your tweets if they know you’re making money from your posts? It’s something to consider as we explore REVTWT.com (formerly TWTAD.com) and TWITTAD.com, the two major providers of Twitter advertising programs.
While Twitter itself doesn’t offer a formal advertising program, there are two social media networks that are built off Twitter’s open API. Both advertising programs provide opportunities to profit from tweets and each offers entrepreneurs a cost-effective means of advertising on one of the most popular Internet and mobile phone applications.
I’m going back and forth about the concept of advertising on Twitter posts. From an entrepreneurial standpoint, it’s a good advertising vehicle and a good way to make some extra money. But there is a bit of apprehension because you wonder if you’re selling your relatives, friends and business associates short. Will they continue to follow your tweets if they know you’re making money from your posts? It’s something to consider as we explore REVTWT.com (formerly TWTAD.com) and TWITTAD.com, the two major providers of Twitter advertising programs.
While Twitter itself doesn’t offer a formal advertising program, there are two social media networks that are built off Twitter’s open API. Both advertising programs provide opportunities to profit from tweets and each offers entrepreneurs a cost-effective means of advertising on one of the most popular Internet and mobile phone applications.
Venture Beat: Time-warp to 2004, pay $4,500 and get Twitter.com
By Eric Eldon
For the entrepreneur out there building a time machine, here’s a way to put your device to profitable use. Go back to 2004 and buy the domain Twitter.com for $4,500.
A reader recently pointed me to the Internet Archive entries for the site — here’s the domain for sale in all its latent glory.
Twitter, of course, didn’t even start with its current name. It launched with the more Web 2.0-y and much harder-to pronounce Twttr name, back in July of 2006. It changed its name to Twitter shortly thereafter. I’m not sure how much it ended up paying for the domain. But, by the time I started hearing local buzz about Twitter in the winter of 2007, the Twttr name was long gone.
For the entrepreneur out there building a time machine, here’s a way to put your device to profitable use. Go back to 2004 and buy the domain Twitter.com for $4,500.
A reader recently pointed me to the Internet Archive entries for the site — here’s the domain for sale in all its latent glory.
Twitter, of course, didn’t even start with its current name. It launched with the more Web 2.0-y and much harder-to pronounce Twttr name, back in July of 2006. It changed its name to Twitter shortly thereafter. I’m not sure how much it ended up paying for the domain. But, by the time I started hearing local buzz about Twitter in the winter of 2007, the Twttr name was long gone.
NYT: To Get a Business Loan, Know How the Bank Thinks
By Scott Mendintz
To hear some small-business owners talk, getting a loan remains all but impossible. And yet, many bankers claim that their small-business loan volume is up significantly. So, is the small-business credit crisis over or not?
At first blush, the evidence seems contradictory. On one hand, many national banks have drastically cut back small-business lending. In addition, Advanta, a major issuer of small-business credit cards, declared on May 12 that it was closing customer accounts to new charges.
On the other hand, the Federal Reserve’s April survey of lending practices showed credit conditions have loosened. The Small Business Administration says the weekly volume of loans to small businesses is up more than 25 percent since March. And community banks, those smallish, old-fashioned institutions that make up the vast majority of the country’s 8,300 banks, say that they are ready to take back customers from the national lenders. (more)
To hear some small-business owners talk, getting a loan remains all but impossible. And yet, many bankers claim that their small-business loan volume is up significantly. So, is the small-business credit crisis over or not?
At first blush, the evidence seems contradictory. On one hand, many national banks have drastically cut back small-business lending. In addition, Advanta, a major issuer of small-business credit cards, declared on May 12 that it was closing customer accounts to new charges.
On the other hand, the Federal Reserve’s April survey of lending practices showed credit conditions have loosened. The Small Business Administration says the weekly volume of loans to small businesses is up more than 25 percent since March. And community banks, those smallish, old-fashioned institutions that make up the vast majority of the country’s 8,300 banks, say that they are ready to take back customers from the national lenders. (more)
Knowledge @ Wharton: Entrepreneur Elon Musk: Why It's Important to Pinch Pennies on the Road to Riches
At 38, Elon Musk has been a co-founder of PayPal, which he and his partners sold to eBay for $1.5 billion; and rocket builder SpaceX, which aims to commercialize the launching of payloads into orbit. He is also an initial investor in electric-car pioneer Tesla Motors, where he designs cars in addition to guiding the business; and solar energy company SolarCity, which sells and services solar energy equipment. In a two-part interview, Musk discussed luck, innovation and the fundamentals of starting a business. The first half of that interview, conducted by Wharton management professor John Paul MacDuffie, appeared in Knowledge@Wharton on May 13. You can find it here, along with an article about his recent visit with University of Pennsylvania students. In the second half, arranged by Wharton Entrepreneurial Programs, he tells Knowledge@Wharton the story of his entrepreneurial beginnings and what he learned about the value of pinching pennies.
An edited transcript of the interview follows: (more)
An edited transcript of the interview follows: (more)
Knowledge @ Wharton: Muhammad Yunus: Lifting People Worldwide out of Poverty
What began with a loan of $27 to 42 women in a small village 33 years ago has grown into a global microcredit movement that has changed the lives of millions of poor people around the world. Muhammad Yunus, founder and managing director of Bangladesh's Grameen Bank, was the guest speaker at Wharton's MBA commencement on May 17 and the recipient of an honorary doctor of laws degree during the University of Pennsylvania's commencement on May 18. Yunus spoke with Knowledge@Wharton about his successes, challenges and upcoming initiatives.
An edited version of the transcript follows. (more)
An edited version of the transcript follows. (more)
Harvard Business: How to Debate Without Further Dividing People
by Nick Morgan
How do you argue your side of an emotional, contentious issue in a way that doesn't further divide people? President Obama's recent speech, "Protecting Our Security and Our Values," delivered at the National Archives on May 21, 2009, was an example of a well-argued speech that unfortunately will only inflame the debate further.
The speech is a clearly constructed brief on what the Obama Administration has done to keep America safe — and how it has diverged from the previous administration's attempts to do exactly the same thing. However you feel about the politics of the matter, if Obama was hoping to still the debate, here's where he went wrong: (more)
How do you argue your side of an emotional, contentious issue in a way that doesn't further divide people? President Obama's recent speech, "Protecting Our Security and Our Values," delivered at the National Archives on May 21, 2009, was an example of a well-argued speech that unfortunately will only inflame the debate further.
The speech is a clearly constructed brief on what the Obama Administration has done to keep America safe — and how it has diverged from the previous administration's attempts to do exactly the same thing. However you feel about the politics of the matter, if Obama was hoping to still the debate, here's where he went wrong: (more)
ecorner: Why Do Ventures Require Dynamic Leaders?
By Tom Byers
Byers strongly believes that entrepreneurs have to evolve with their organization. He uses a metaphor to compare entrepreneurs to three kinds of dogs: retriever, bloodhound, and husky, as they evole into the role of CEOs. (more)
Byers strongly believes that entrepreneurs have to evolve with their organization. He uses a metaphor to compare entrepreneurs to three kinds of dogs: retriever, bloodhound, and husky, as they evole into the role of CEOs. (more)
CNNMoney: Training entrepreneurs to save cities
By Sheena Harrison
DETROIT (CNNMoney.com) -- In the midst of a struggling economy, the Small Business Administration is hoping to create jobs and generate wealth in hard-hit urban communities by boosting small-business growth through its Emerging 200 initiative.
The six-month program, which launched last year and began its second session a month ago, aims to provide training to small-business owners in 15 major metropolitan areas that have experienced flat or negative job growth rates in recent years. Initially intended to train 200 entrepreneurs per session, the program has attracted enough interest that around 215 companies have been accepted for 2009.
The project's goal is to provide talented entrepreneurs with the skills and contacts they need to grow their companies and create more jobs in their communities. (more)
DETROIT (CNNMoney.com) -- In the midst of a struggling economy, the Small Business Administration is hoping to create jobs and generate wealth in hard-hit urban communities by boosting small-business growth through its Emerging 200 initiative.
The six-month program, which launched last year and began its second session a month ago, aims to provide training to small-business owners in 15 major metropolitan areas that have experienced flat or negative job growth rates in recent years. Initially intended to train 200 entrepreneurs per session, the program has attracted enough interest that around 215 companies have been accepted for 2009.
The project's goal is to provide talented entrepreneurs with the skills and contacts they need to grow their companies and create more jobs in their communities. (more)
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Arabian Business: Orange only bidder for Jordan's 3G mobile licence
By George Bevir
Orange Jordan has emerged as the only operator to bid for a 3G mobile licence in the country.
The licencing process was due to take place last year but it was postponed after three of the four mobile operators in Jordan; Zain, Orange Jordan and XPress Telecom asked for more time to complete their business plans, according to the country’s regulator. (more)
Orange Jordan has emerged as the only operator to bid for a 3G mobile licence in the country.
The licencing process was due to take place last year but it was postponed after three of the four mobile operators in Jordan; Zain, Orange Jordan and XPress Telecom asked for more time to complete their business plans, according to the country’s regulator. (more)
Business Week: 'Super Angels' Shake Up Venture Capital
By Spencer E. Ante
As large VC firms cut back, a hungry bunch of seed-stage investors are helping entrepreneurs get their ideas off the ground
Earlier this year, as the stock market plunged, most bankers and other financiers hoarded capital and throttled back on new deals. But not Josh Kopelman. Even in the bleakest months, the co-founder of the venture capital firm First Round Capital hustled after startups to write them checks.
Take one sunny morning in February. Kopelman sits in the San Francisco loft of First Round's West Coast office across a table from Gary Briggs. A veteran entrepreneur, Briggs just took over as CEO at Plastic Jungle, a startup building an online marketplace where consumers can buy, sell, or trade gift cards. "There's about $40 billion of unused gift cards on retailers' balance sheets," says Briggs, so focused he doesn't touch the salad ordered in for his lunch. (more)
As large VC firms cut back, a hungry bunch of seed-stage investors are helping entrepreneurs get their ideas off the ground
Earlier this year, as the stock market plunged, most bankers and other financiers hoarded capital and throttled back on new deals. But not Josh Kopelman. Even in the bleakest months, the co-founder of the venture capital firm First Round Capital hustled after startups to write them checks.
Take one sunny morning in February. Kopelman sits in the San Francisco loft of First Round's West Coast office across a table from Gary Briggs. A veteran entrepreneur, Briggs just took over as CEO at Plastic Jungle, a startup building an online marketplace where consumers can buy, sell, or trade gift cards. "There's about $40 billion of unused gift cards on retailers' balance sheets," says Briggs, so focused he doesn't touch the salad ordered in for his lunch. (more)
Entrepreneur: Entrepreneurial Confidence Slides
By Dennis Romero
Discover Small Business Watch's monthly survey of small business owners finds that, after a few months of rising expectations, their economic confidence is facing a dimmer reality.
Cash-flow concerns and lower business development spending contributed to a 10-point drop in the Discover Small Business Watch index, which fell to 78.1 for the month of May. (more)
Discover Small Business Watch's monthly survey of small business owners finds that, after a few months of rising expectations, their economic confidence is facing a dimmer reality.
Cash-flow concerns and lower business development spending contributed to a 10-point drop in the Discover Small Business Watch index, which fell to 78.1 for the month of May. (more)
Jordan Times: Women empowerment come under focus today
By Omar Obeidat
AMMAN –– Business and professional women from across the Kingdom will take part on Wednesday in a conference to discuss the challenges that encounter women empowerment in Jordan.
The two-day event, under the patronage of Her Majesty Queen Rania, will address several issues including professional and labour legislations, difficulties that face businesswomen and their participation in the decision-making process.
Experts and participants will also look into means to increase the number of profession-oriented women as well as local market needs and best practices in various professions, according to Rania Khatib, chief executive officer of Jordan Forum for Business and Professional Women (JFBPW) which is organising the conference. (more)
AMMAN –– Business and professional women from across the Kingdom will take part on Wednesday in a conference to discuss the challenges that encounter women empowerment in Jordan.
The two-day event, under the patronage of Her Majesty Queen Rania, will address several issues including professional and labour legislations, difficulties that face businesswomen and their participation in the decision-making process.
Experts and participants will also look into means to increase the number of profession-oriented women as well as local market needs and best practices in various professions, according to Rania Khatib, chief executive officer of Jordan Forum for Business and Professional Women (JFBPW) which is organising the conference. (more)
FT: Rough diamonds dazzle as entrepreneurs
By Luke Johnson
have spent more than two decades working with entrepreneurs and I have noticed certain common traits. My conclusions are not based on detailed studies, but observation and personal experience.
A minority of entrepreneurs does well at school and university. Many rebel and get bored in classrooms. They tend not to enjoy the rigidity of organised learning, the hierarchy of educational establishments and the theoretical nature of academia. They do not like rules, they enjoy independence and they want action, not dry words or formulas.
Lots of entrepreneurs suffer from learning difficulties. But by overcoming such challenges they can learn coping skills and develop persistence in their formative years: both valuable qualities for building companies. (more)
have spent more than two decades working with entrepreneurs and I have noticed certain common traits. My conclusions are not based on detailed studies, but observation and personal experience.
A minority of entrepreneurs does well at school and university. Many rebel and get bored in classrooms. They tend not to enjoy the rigidity of organised learning, the hierarchy of educational establishments and the theoretical nature of academia. They do not like rules, they enjoy independence and they want action, not dry words or formulas.
Lots of entrepreneurs suffer from learning difficulties. But by overcoming such challenges they can learn coping skills and develop persistence in their formative years: both valuable qualities for building companies. (more)
NYT: Reading for Hard Times
By Paul B. Brown
As the recession continues, small businesses and entrepreneurs can use all the ideas, suggestions and tips they can get.
The nation’s publishers are trying to oblige. Here are some nuggets worth considering, from a crop of books that have just gone on sale. (more)
As the recession continues, small businesses and entrepreneurs can use all the ideas, suggestions and tips they can get.
The nation’s publishers are trying to oblige. Here are some nuggets worth considering, from a crop of books that have just gone on sale. (more)
Young Entrepreneur: Famous Companies That Got Their Start During A Recession
By Matthew Toren
Here’s some inspiration for entrepreneurs who are second-guessing whether to start up their companies during a recession. These well-known companies are fine examples that there is hope and success if you believe in your product and have sound business practices.
Depressions, recessions, slumping economies. These economic conditions are nothing new. For ages, economic times have had an ebb and flow cycle. For those starting up a business, you can wait for the good times to come around, or you can do what these famous companies did and move full steam ahead despite an economic recession. (more)
Here’s some inspiration for entrepreneurs who are second-guessing whether to start up their companies during a recession. These well-known companies are fine examples that there is hope and success if you believe in your product and have sound business practices.
Depressions, recessions, slumping economies. These economic conditions are nothing new. For ages, economic times have had an ebb and flow cycle. For those starting up a business, you can wait for the good times to come around, or you can do what these famous companies did and move full steam ahead despite an economic recession. (more)
Arabian Business: Middle East IT industry sees pay fall by up to 40%
By Joanna Hartley
Those working in the technology sector in the Middle East have seen their salaries drop by between 20 and 40 percent during the past year, it was reported on Wednesday.
Lower starting salaries, pay freezes and cut backs in perks and bonuses have had to be brought in as a result of the global crisis, according to HR managers and recruitment specialists.
A senior consultant from Dubai-based Lobo Management Services speaking to UAE daily Emirates Business reported that salaries and perks had declined up to 40 percent. (more)
Those working in the technology sector in the Middle East have seen their salaries drop by between 20 and 40 percent during the past year, it was reported on Wednesday.
Lower starting salaries, pay freezes and cut backs in perks and bonuses have had to be brought in as a result of the global crisis, according to HR managers and recruitment specialists.
A senior consultant from Dubai-based Lobo Management Services speaking to UAE daily Emirates Business reported that salaries and perks had declined up to 40 percent. (more)
Business Writing: When Plain Speech Becomes Sloppy Writing
By Lynn Gaertner-Johnston
have been reading my health plan's new description of plans and benefits, which came in the mail recently. The company is raising health care premiums 13 percent. As someone who already pays over $800 each month for coverage for our family of three, I am reading the information carefully in search of ways to cut our costs responsibly.
In my careful reading, I came across these folksy headings:
"Here's the stuff you need to know so there are no surprises down the road."
"Yes, here's more fine print, but please give it a read. It's important stuff."
Stuff? Give it a read? Important stuff?
I am all for a breezy, informal style. I nearly always use one on this blog, but I am not writing to customers about health care benefits and costs. (more)
have been reading my health plan's new description of plans and benefits, which came in the mail recently. The company is raising health care premiums 13 percent. As someone who already pays over $800 each month for coverage for our family of three, I am reading the information carefully in search of ways to cut our costs responsibly.
In my careful reading, I came across these folksy headings:
"Here's the stuff you need to know so there are no surprises down the road."
"Yes, here's more fine print, but please give it a read. It's important stuff."
Stuff? Give it a read? Important stuff?
I am all for a breezy, informal style. I nearly always use one on this blog, but I am not writing to customers about health care benefits and costs. (more)
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
NYT: Slumdog Entrepreneurs
By Edward L. Glaeser
Over the last five years, Mumbai has been blessed with two significant depictions. In 2004, Suketu Mehta wrote “Maximum City,” which was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize and is one of the best books about a great city in recent years. In 2008, “Slumdog Millionaire,” a romantic tale of urban poverty and quiz show success, sold millions of tickets and won a bucketful of Oscars. Both capture the energy and diversity of Mumbai but neither adequately captures the economic energy that makes the city so exciting.
Mumbai is not ancient; it is roughly as old as New York. It was a Portuguese port given as a Queen’s Dowry to the King of England and then rented to the British East India Company.
Like New York, Mumbai grew great by shipping the products of a rural hinterland, like cotton, to the markets of Europe. The connection between the two cities became particularly obvious during the American Civil War, when the decline in exports of Southern Cotton provided a great boost to the commerce of what was then Bombay. Industry grew up around commerce in both cities, and poor people flocked to the opportunities that come from urban innovation.
The defining characteristic of Mumbai is not crime or Bollywood, but entrepreneurship, even in the city’s slums. (more)
Over the last five years, Mumbai has been blessed with two significant depictions. In 2004, Suketu Mehta wrote “Maximum City,” which was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize and is one of the best books about a great city in recent years. In 2008, “Slumdog Millionaire,” a romantic tale of urban poverty and quiz show success, sold millions of tickets and won a bucketful of Oscars. Both capture the energy and diversity of Mumbai but neither adequately captures the economic energy that makes the city so exciting.
Mumbai is not ancient; it is roughly as old as New York. It was a Portuguese port given as a Queen’s Dowry to the King of England and then rented to the British East India Company.
Like New York, Mumbai grew great by shipping the products of a rural hinterland, like cotton, to the markets of Europe. The connection between the two cities became particularly obvious during the American Civil War, when the decline in exports of Southern Cotton provided a great boost to the commerce of what was then Bombay. Industry grew up around commerce in both cities, and poor people flocked to the opportunities that come from urban innovation.
The defining characteristic of Mumbai is not crime or Bollywood, but entrepreneurship, even in the city’s slums. (more)
FT: Outside advice doesn’t always aid growth
By Jonathan Moules
If you want your business to blossom during its early years, do not seek help from anyone else, except perhaps your banker.
This is the conclusion of a study of 1,800 businesses by Delta Economics, which discovered that the businesses that did not seek outside advice expanded their turnover 20 per cent faster than those that did.
Founders who had taken business advice from nobody were 6 per cent more likely to have higher growth than those that sought advice. And this growth was 100 per cent higher for founders with companies that had been trading for less than five years. (more)
If you want your business to blossom during its early years, do not seek help from anyone else, except perhaps your banker.
This is the conclusion of a study of 1,800 businesses by Delta Economics, which discovered that the businesses that did not seek outside advice expanded their turnover 20 per cent faster than those that did.
Founders who had taken business advice from nobody were 6 per cent more likely to have higher growth than those that sought advice. And this growth was 100 per cent higher for founders with companies that had been trading for less than five years. (more)
Zawya: Sawtouna Starts to Tackle "Silence is Consent" Rule with First Discussion Session
Amman, Jordan - 26 May 2009: Sawtouna [Our Voice] held its first session discussing "Silence is Consent" (SIC) rule at the Arab Business Consultancy and Development offices. Rawafed, Sawtouna's consultants, presented the topic of "silence is consent" to members of the Young Entrepreneurs Association (YEA) and stakeholders from the private sector. After the presentation, an open discussion took place regarding the topic. The audience's feedback will be incorporated into Sawtouna's research paper that will lobby for the "silence is consent" rule in Jordan. (more)
Arabian Business: Dubai sees world's biggest real estate reverse - study
By Andy Sambidge
Dubai suffered the biggest reversal among global housing markets in the wake of the global economic crisis, a new report reveals.The research by London-based property broker Knight Frank said house prices in Dubai fell 32 percent in the 12 months ended March 31, compared to a rise of 48 percent the previous year.
“A lot will depend on developers and how long they can hold on before getting into fire-sale territory,” said Nick Barnes, head of international residential research at Knight Frank in comments reported by newswire Bloomberg on Tuesday.
Dubai suffered the biggest reversal among global housing markets in the wake of the global economic crisis, a new report reveals.The research by London-based property broker Knight Frank said house prices in Dubai fell 32 percent in the 12 months ended March 31, compared to a rise of 48 percent the previous year.
“A lot will depend on developers and how long they can hold on before getting into fire-sale territory,” said Nick Barnes, head of international residential research at Knight Frank in comments reported by newswire Bloomberg on Tuesday.
Trade Arabia: 500 executives to attend telecom conference
By TradeArabia News Service
Around 500 senior executives will attend a major media and telecommunications conference to discuss market trends and growth strategies, and the boundaries between media and telecom operators, said the organisers.
The sixth annual Media and Telecommunications Convergence Conference (MTCC) 2009 will take place on June 1 and 2 in Amman at the Four Seasons Hotel. (more)
Around 500 senior executives will attend a major media and telecommunications conference to discuss market trends and growth strategies, and the boundaries between media and telecom operators, said the organisers.
The sixth annual Media and Telecommunications Convergence Conference (MTCC) 2009 will take place on June 1 and 2 in Amman at the Four Seasons Hotel. (more)
Harvard Business: An Open Letter to 20th Century Business
By Umair Haque
Dear 20th Century Business,
You blew it. Instead of doing stuff that mattered, you ended up doing stuff like this:
"The Jonas Brothers sat backstage recently at the El Rey Theater here, politely answering questions from a small cluster of reporters about their new CD....
...The band's outside efforts include a line of branded energy drinks and starring roles in "Walter the Farting Dog," a movie for 20th Century Fox based on the best-selling children's book."
That's an amazing sentence. Everything that's wrong with 20th century business (and 20th century economics) is perfectly encapsulated in it. (more)
Dear 20th Century Business,
You blew it. Instead of doing stuff that mattered, you ended up doing stuff like this:
"The Jonas Brothers sat backstage recently at the El Rey Theater here, politely answering questions from a small cluster of reporters about their new CD....
...The band's outside efforts include a line of branded energy drinks and starring roles in "Walter the Farting Dog," a movie for 20th Century Fox based on the best-selling children's book."
That's an amazing sentence. Everything that's wrong with 20th century business (and 20th century economics) is perfectly encapsulated in it. (more)
Small Business Trends: If I Were Launching a New Small Biz Web Site Today
By Matt McGee
It’s true what Lisa Barone wrote: Now is the best time to start a small business. And if you do, chances are good that you’ll build a web site and use the Internet to help grow your business. Heck, the web site and Internet might actually be your business.
Either way, the hard work is only beginning when your web site is done. That’s when the marketing and promotion kicks in. How would you do that? How would you spread the word about your new small business and web site? (more)
It’s true what Lisa Barone wrote: Now is the best time to start a small business. And if you do, chances are good that you’ll build a web site and use the Internet to help grow your business. Heck, the web site and Internet might actually be your business.
Either way, the hard work is only beginning when your web site is done. That’s when the marketing and promotion kicks in. How would you do that? How would you spread the word about your new small business and web site? (more)
Young Entrepreneur: Everybody Goes Through An Incredibly Difficult Time In A Start-Up.
By Adam Toren
Everybody Goes Through An Incredibly Difficult Time In A Start-Up. If You Don’t Have The ‘Stick-To-It-Iveness,’ Then You’re Not Cut Out For That.
That’s realistic and tough advice from Dragon Den’s opinionated investor Kevin O’Leary. In business, he has gained the reputation for telling it the way it is, even if it comes across as offensive. There’s no sugar coated, inspiring words of wisdom from this successful investor. “The path to wealth is paved with pain and grief and one closed door after another. I think it’s very, very important that life deal a reality check every day. To give false hope to a stupid idea is a crime. You need to say, ‘That’s a horrible idea. I forbid you to go on. Don’t ever think about it again. Go on to something else.’ ”
Everybody Goes Through An Incredibly Difficult Time In A Start-Up. If You Don’t Have The ‘Stick-To-It-Iveness,’ Then You’re Not Cut Out For That.
That’s realistic and tough advice from Dragon Den’s opinionated investor Kevin O’Leary. In business, he has gained the reputation for telling it the way it is, even if it comes across as offensive. There’s no sugar coated, inspiring words of wisdom from this successful investor. “The path to wealth is paved with pain and grief and one closed door after another. I think it’s very, very important that life deal a reality check every day. To give false hope to a stupid idea is a crime. You need to say, ‘That’s a horrible idea. I forbid you to go on. Don’t ever think about it again. Go on to something else.’ ”
Small Business Trends: No Need to be Cookie Cutter Entrepreneurs, Say These 20 Women
By Anita Campbell
Last month saw the release of the first edition of Women of Personality: 20 Inspiring Women And Their Stories Of Success. It’s a website and also a free downloadable ebook (PDF).
The project profiles women entrepreneurs who have used the influence of their personality to achieve success in business. The ebook is from Rohit Bhargava of the Influential Marketing Blog, and an executive at Ogilvy, the world-renowned marketing firm. He’s also the author of the book, Personality Not Included.
I was included as one of the 20 women. We each discuss how we have let our personalities shine through.
You see, that’s one of the best parts of owning your own business — that you can let your personality shine through. A colleague of mine says that small business owners are “characters,” because we let our personalities out of the box. I agree with that. And have you noticed how it’s not just the business owners who have personality, but their small businesses do too?
Here are the 20 women included in the ebook (congratulations, ladies): (more)
Last month saw the release of the first edition of Women of Personality: 20 Inspiring Women And Their Stories Of Success. It’s a website and also a free downloadable ebook (PDF).
The project profiles women entrepreneurs who have used the influence of their personality to achieve success in business. The ebook is from Rohit Bhargava of the Influential Marketing Blog, and an executive at Ogilvy, the world-renowned marketing firm. He’s also the author of the book, Personality Not Included.
I was included as one of the 20 women. We each discuss how we have let our personalities shine through.
You see, that’s one of the best parts of owning your own business — that you can let your personality shine through. A colleague of mine says that small business owners are “characters,” because we let our personalities out of the box. I agree with that. And have you noticed how it’s not just the business owners who have personality, but their small businesses do too?
Here are the 20 women included in the ebook (congratulations, ladies): (more)
Monday, May 25, 2009
NYT: First Quarter Was New Low for World’s Developed Economies
By David Jolly
PARIS — The economies of the developed world turned in their worst quarterly showing ever in the first three months of 2009, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development said Monday.
The combined gross domestic products of the 30 countries in the organization fell by 2.1 percent in the January-March period from the previous quarter. If that preliminary estimate holds, it would be the largest drop since 1960, when records were first kept. The G.D.P. of member countries fell 2 percent in the last quarter of 2008. (more)
PARIS — The economies of the developed world turned in their worst quarterly showing ever in the first three months of 2009, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development said Monday.
The combined gross domestic products of the 30 countries in the organization fell by 2.1 percent in the January-March period from the previous quarter. If that preliminary estimate holds, it would be the largest drop since 1960, when records were first kept. The G.D.P. of member countries fell 2 percent in the last quarter of 2008. (more)
Zawya: The continued boom in Broadband Internet in the Arab World is set to boost convergence-based services
Amman, May 25th 2009
Under the royal patronage of HRH Princess Sumaya Bint Al Hassan, the sixth Annual Media and Telecommunications Convergence Conference, set to take place in Amman on the 1st and 2nd of June, comes as the Arab World's telecommunications and broadcast entertainment markets continue to experience strong growth in telecom subscribers and more competition, according to regional research house and conference organizer Arab Advisors Group, a member of the Arab Jordan Investment Bank Group. The official opening ceremony will include addresses by HRH Princess Sumaya Bint Al Hassan, HE Eng. Bassem Al Rousan (Jordan's Minister of ICT), Dr. Diar Ahmad (CEO, AsiaCell), Dr. Saad Al-Barrak (Deputy Chairman and Managing Director (CEO), Zain Group), Mr. Mickael Ghossein (CEO of Jordan Telecom Group - Orange Jordan), Dr. Abdulmalik Jaber (Vice Chairman & CEO Paltel Group), Mr. Mohammad Omran (Chairman, Etisalat), and Mr. Osman Sultan (CEO, DU), Mr. Sam Barnett (COO, MBC) and Mr. Guido Baumhauer (Director of Strategy, Marketing and Distribution, Deutsche Welle). (more)
Under the royal patronage of HRH Princess Sumaya Bint Al Hassan, the sixth Annual Media and Telecommunications Convergence Conference, set to take place in Amman on the 1st and 2nd of June, comes as the Arab World's telecommunications and broadcast entertainment markets continue to experience strong growth in telecom subscribers and more competition, according to regional research house and conference organizer Arab Advisors Group, a member of the Arab Jordan Investment Bank Group. The official opening ceremony will include addresses by HRH Princess Sumaya Bint Al Hassan, HE Eng. Bassem Al Rousan (Jordan's Minister of ICT), Dr. Diar Ahmad (CEO, AsiaCell), Dr. Saad Al-Barrak (Deputy Chairman and Managing Director (CEO), Zain Group), Mr. Mickael Ghossein (CEO of Jordan Telecom Group - Orange Jordan), Dr. Abdulmalik Jaber (Vice Chairman & CEO Paltel Group), Mr. Mohammad Omran (Chairman, Etisalat), and Mr. Osman Sultan (CEO, DU), Mr. Sam Barnett (COO, MBC) and Mr. Guido Baumhauer (Director of Strategy, Marketing and Distribution, Deutsche Welle). (more)
NYT: Two Technology Offerings Find Favor on Wall Street
By Claire Cain Miller
SAN FRANCISCO — The dry spell in initial public offerings for venture-backed technology companies may be over. This week, two of those companies went public: OpenTable, the online restaurant reservation service, and SolarWinds, which makes network management software.
Investors gave both of them warm receptions. Shares of OpenTable, which began trading Thursday on Nasdaq, were originally priced at $20 and jumped 60 percent to close at $31.89. Shares of SolarWinds, which began trading Wednesday on the New York Stock Exchange, closed Thursday at $13.79, 10 percent above their offering price of $12.50.
The offerings could unclog the “moldy I.P.O. pipeline,” where some companies have been languishing for more than a year, said Scott Sweet, senior managing partner at I.P.O. Boutique, a research and advisory firm. (more)
SAN FRANCISCO — The dry spell in initial public offerings for venture-backed technology companies may be over. This week, two of those companies went public: OpenTable, the online restaurant reservation service, and SolarWinds, which makes network management software.
Investors gave both of them warm receptions. Shares of OpenTable, which began trading Thursday on Nasdaq, were originally priced at $20 and jumped 60 percent to close at $31.89. Shares of SolarWinds, which began trading Wednesday on the New York Stock Exchange, closed Thursday at $13.79, 10 percent above their offering price of $12.50.
The offerings could unclog the “moldy I.P.O. pipeline,” where some companies have been languishing for more than a year, said Scott Sweet, senior managing partner at I.P.O. Boutique, a research and advisory firm. (more)
NYT: That Freshman Course Won’t Be Quite the Same
By N. Gregory Mankiw
MY day job is teaching introductory economics to about 700 Harvard undergraduates a year. Lately, when people hear that, they often ask how the economic crisis is changing what’s offered in a freshman course.
They’re usually disappointed with my first answer: not as much as you might think. Events have been changing so quickly that we teachers are having trouble keeping up. Syllabuses are often planned months in advance, and textbooks are revised only every few years.
But there is another, more fundamental reason: Despite the enormity of recent events, the principles of economics are largely unchanged. Students still need to learn about the gains from trade, supply and demand, the efficiency properties of market outcomes, and so on. These topics will remain the bread-and-butter of introductory courses.
Nonetheless, the teaching of basic economics will need to change in some subtle ways in response to recent events. Here are four: (more)
MY day job is teaching introductory economics to about 700 Harvard undergraduates a year. Lately, when people hear that, they often ask how the economic crisis is changing what’s offered in a freshman course.
They’re usually disappointed with my first answer: not as much as you might think. Events have been changing so quickly that we teachers are having trouble keeping up. Syllabuses are often planned months in advance, and textbooks are revised only every few years.
But there is another, more fundamental reason: Despite the enormity of recent events, the principles of economics are largely unchanged. Students still need to learn about the gains from trade, supply and demand, the efficiency properties of market outcomes, and so on. These topics will remain the bread-and-butter of introductory courses.
Nonetheless, the teaching of basic economics will need to change in some subtle ways in response to recent events. Here are four: (more)
University World News: Middle East: Regional reform to tackle economic crisis
By Wagdy Sawahel
In a bid to enhance the impact of educational reforms on social and economic development in the Middle East, a new regional reform roadmap has been developed that combines higher education, research and private investment for promoting innovation-based development.This roadmap was formulated by leading scientists from the region, the diaspora, top executives, science and technology ministers and leading decision-makers at a World Economic Forum on the Middle East held in Dead Sea in Jordan 15-17 May. The theme of the meeting was
Implications of the Global Economic Crisis for the Middle East: Home-grown strategies for global success. The forum is the region's foremost annual gathering of government, business and civil society leaders and will be held next year on 22-24 October in Marrakech, Morocco.In addition to the hard skills that need to be taught at universities such as science, mathematics, technology and writing, the roadmap focuses on introducing entrepreneurship and innovation into teaching programmes and critical soft skills including curiosity, problem-solving, collaboration, creative and critical thinking. Social skills such as risk-taking, allowance of failure, and acceptance of the unknown are also seen as important for educational and entrepreneurial development. (more)
In a bid to enhance the impact of educational reforms on social and economic development in the Middle East, a new regional reform roadmap has been developed that combines higher education, research and private investment for promoting innovation-based development.This roadmap was formulated by leading scientists from the region, the diaspora, top executives, science and technology ministers and leading decision-makers at a World Economic Forum on the Middle East held in Dead Sea in Jordan 15-17 May. The theme of the meeting was
Implications of the Global Economic Crisis for the Middle East: Home-grown strategies for global success. The forum is the region's foremost annual gathering of government, business and civil society leaders and will be held next year on 22-24 October in Marrakech, Morocco.In addition to the hard skills that need to be taught at universities such as science, mathematics, technology and writing, the roadmap focuses on introducing entrepreneurship and innovation into teaching programmes and critical soft skills including curiosity, problem-solving, collaboration, creative and critical thinking. Social skills such as risk-taking, allowance of failure, and acceptance of the unknown are also seen as important for educational and entrepreneurial development. (more)
Seth Godin: On becoming a household name
By Seth Godin
The guidance office at the high school has a big poster for Wellesley College hanging by the door. It's just a picture of a building, no features, no benefits, no text at all.
Kids apply to schools (a quarter of a million dollar investment) for crazy reasons. A big one: "Well, I've heard of it."
Gonzaga University features basketball players on their home page. No doubt a few people attend to play basketball, but my guess is that the school believes that the fame of their school will somehow get someone who doesn't play to attend.
It's completely irrational and it's also what your customers do every day. (more)
The guidance office at the high school has a big poster for Wellesley College hanging by the door. It's just a picture of a building, no features, no benefits, no text at all.
Kids apply to schools (a quarter of a million dollar investment) for crazy reasons. A big one: "Well, I've heard of it."
Gonzaga University features basketball players on their home page. No doubt a few people attend to play basketball, but my guess is that the school believes that the fame of their school will somehow get someone who doesn't play to attend.
It's completely irrational and it's also what your customers do every day. (more)
Young Entrepreneur: SproutBox Invest in Entrepreneurs
By Matthew Toren
SproutBox came to my attention the other day because of the really great work it is doing investing in startup companies. But as it helps out entrepreneurs, not to be overlooked is how entrepreneurial it is in offering a new approach to venture capital.
When the SproutBox founders established the entrepreneur investment firm, they knew they didn’t want to be just another venture capitalist that simply wrote a check. So they set out to redefine the term by actually investing their expertise into the company’s success. (more)
SproutBox came to my attention the other day because of the really great work it is doing investing in startup companies. But as it helps out entrepreneurs, not to be overlooked is how entrepreneurial it is in offering a new approach to venture capital.
When the SproutBox founders established the entrepreneur investment firm, they knew they didn’t want to be just another venture capitalist that simply wrote a check. So they set out to redefine the term by actually investing their expertise into the company’s success. (more)
Saturday, May 23, 2009
Harvard Business: Is Your Email Businesslike — or Brusque?
By David Silerman
A reader writes with the following query:
"I manage 15 staff who are scattered about. I email them since it's the easiest way for me to communicate with all of them at the same time. Often my emails are very short and to the point. It's business. Two staff see that as my being harsh and have no problem letting me know that. Example: "Would you please update these primary care providers in the database, including addresses and phone numbers?"Six days later, I sent the following email as follow up to my initial request: "I would like this taken care of by Thursday this week. If you are having trouble getting this done, please let me know."
In return, my employee sent me a lengthy 4 paragraph response on how insulted she was by my follow up email. I would like your opinion."
Business Writing: The Awkward "Please"
By Lynn Gaertner-Johnston
Adam wrote to me about the use of the word please in his company. A word that is supposed to warm up a message is making him question people's motives.
Adam shared these examples, which I have disguised slightly. He is wondering whether they seem manipulative. What do you think?
(more)
MenaFN: Jordanian businessman's huge cash injection for landmine clearance
(MENAFN Press) A UK-based anti-landmine foundation has announced the appointment of a new patron, whose financial support will bring about a renewed effort in both deployment of landmine detection technology and victim support.
The Mineseeker Foundation has welcomed on board Dr Majid Alsadi, who joins their elite list of patrons which includes founder patron Nelson Mandela, Queen Noor of Jordan, Sir Richard Branson, Dame Graça Machel, Lord Attenborough, Brad Pitt and John Paul DeJoria.
Jordan-based businessman Dr Alsadi has already agreed a cash injection of £600,000 for the Mineseeker project in a bid to help the organisation achieve its goals. (more)
The Mineseeker Foundation has welcomed on board Dr Majid Alsadi, who joins their elite list of patrons which includes founder patron Nelson Mandela, Queen Noor of Jordan, Sir Richard Branson, Dame Graça Machel, Lord Attenborough, Brad Pitt and John Paul DeJoria.
Jordan-based businessman Dr Alsadi has already agreed a cash injection of £600,000 for the Mineseeker project in a bid to help the organisation achieve its goals. (more)
Thursday, May 21, 2009
TechCrunch: An Interview With Queen Rania of Jordan On How Twitter Can Help Change The World
by Roi Carthy
The fundamental shift we are experiencing in how the Web is consumed (streams vs. pages) is also impacting our ability to engage with those we thought were beyond our reach. Consider this anecdote: When I was a teenager there was no chance I would have been able to communicate with a Jordanian monarch, and the closest I got to my favorite rock band—Guns n’ Roses—was getting crushed in the first row of their concerts in Budapest and Vienna.
Seventeen years later I am able not only to reach out to Her Majesty Queen Rania of Jordan, I am also one of the 46 users followed by Duff McKagen (@duff64), Gn’R’s former bass player. What made these things possible was Twitter (of course). The piping for 140-character thought bursts is what today connects an everyday, common Israeli, with the Queen of Jordan and a rock star.
In a recent post we wrote about Her Majesty joining twitter (follow her handle @QueenRania). We followed up with an interview request to find out how she is using Twitter both personally and to help change the world, and she graciously accepted. “Of course, I tweet,” she says. But unlike most of us, she tweets about taking her family to meet the Pope and working to give every child an education. (more)
The fundamental shift we are experiencing in how the Web is consumed (streams vs. pages) is also impacting our ability to engage with those we thought were beyond our reach. Consider this anecdote: When I was a teenager there was no chance I would have been able to communicate with a Jordanian monarch, and the closest I got to my favorite rock band—Guns n’ Roses—was getting crushed in the first row of their concerts in Budapest and Vienna.
Seventeen years later I am able not only to reach out to Her Majesty Queen Rania of Jordan, I am also one of the 46 users followed by Duff McKagen (@duff64), Gn’R’s former bass player. What made these things possible was Twitter (of course). The piping for 140-character thought bursts is what today connects an everyday, common Israeli, with the Queen of Jordan and a rock star.
In a recent post we wrote about Her Majesty joining twitter (follow her handle @QueenRania). We followed up with an interview request to find out how she is using Twitter both personally and to help change the world, and she graciously accepted. “Of course, I tweet,” she says. But unlike most of us, she tweets about taking her family to meet the Pope and working to give every child an education. (more)
Korea IT Times: SK Telecom Exports WiMax (WiBro) Technology to Jordan
SK Telecom (NYSE:SKM) announced that it signed an additional consulting agreement and a LOI with Kulacom Broadband Investment Company (Kulacom or KBIC), a UAE based telecommunications services company that operates high-speed wireless internet service and VoIP in the Middle East.
On May 20, SK Telecom Executive Vice President Young-Chan Nam and Kulacom CEO Michael Penner attended the signing ceremony held in Amman, Jordan to sign a USD 4.38 million consulting agreement and a USD 2.18 million LOI. The companies agreed to actively cooperate in Kulacom’s WiMAX business in the Middle East and Eastern Europe. (more)
On May 20, SK Telecom Executive Vice President Young-Chan Nam and Kulacom CEO Michael Penner attended the signing ceremony held in Amman, Jordan to sign a USD 4.38 million consulting agreement and a USD 2.18 million LOI. The companies agreed to actively cooperate in Kulacom’s WiMAX business in the Middle East and Eastern Europe. (more)
Arabian Business: Gulf states pledge to continue with monetary union
By Joanna Hartley
Monetary union in the Gulf will continue despite the withdrawal of the UAE, the four remaining GCC countries signed up to the single currency plan have pledged.
Speaking in the aftermath of the UAE’s decision on Wednesday to pull out of the 10 year-old plan, official sources for the GCC, Kuwait, Qatar and Saudi said the union would go ahead.
However, they agreed that the union would be weakened by the move, with the UAE being the second GCC member to opt out of the union after Oman pulled out in 2007.
Monetary union in the Gulf will continue despite the withdrawal of the UAE, the four remaining GCC countries signed up to the single currency plan have pledged.
Speaking in the aftermath of the UAE’s decision on Wednesday to pull out of the 10 year-old plan, official sources for the GCC, Kuwait, Qatar and Saudi said the union would go ahead.
However, they agreed that the union would be weakened by the move, with the UAE being the second GCC member to opt out of the union after Oman pulled out in 2007.
Entrepreneur: PR Nightmares: How Franchises Face Them
By: Tracy Stapp
You remember that TV theme song from the 80's, "You take the good, you take the bad, you take them both and there you have, the facts of... franchising"? Okay, so maybe that's not exactly how it went. But it does ring true. One of the big selling points of joining a franchise is that you get to reap the benefits of a well-known brand with a built-in reputation.
Unfortunately, the corollary to that is that if something happens to hurt that reputation--fairly or not--you reap the damages, too. Remember the woman who "found" part of a finger in her chili at a Wendy's in San Jose? Even though it was soon proven that she had planted the offending digit, the damage was already done. Wendy's stores across the country suffered an average 2-2.5% decrease in sales, with franchises in the Bay Area especially hard hit. (more)
You remember that TV theme song from the 80's, "You take the good, you take the bad, you take them both and there you have, the facts of... franchising"? Okay, so maybe that's not exactly how it went. But it does ring true. One of the big selling points of joining a franchise is that you get to reap the benefits of a well-known brand with a built-in reputation.
Unfortunately, the corollary to that is that if something happens to hurt that reputation--fairly or not--you reap the damages, too. Remember the woman who "found" part of a finger in her chili at a Wendy's in San Jose? Even though it was soon proven that she had planted the offending digit, the damage was already done. Wendy's stores across the country suffered an average 2-2.5% decrease in sales, with franchises in the Bay Area especially hard hit. (more)
Venture Beat: Video: How can business-to-business services benefit from social networking platforms?
By Eric Eldon
Social networking platforms have created lots of new opportunities for consumer entertainment, like casual games, but what about the opportunities for businesses that serve other businesses, like Lexis Nexis and its data services? Earlier this month, I moderated a panel with a few people working on that problem at the SIIA NetGain conference, a trade conference for professional service and content companies.
Watch the video below for more. Salesforce social networking director and author Clara Shih talks about combining Facebook and Salesforce data within companies. (more)
Social networking platforms have created lots of new opportunities for consumer entertainment, like casual games, but what about the opportunities for businesses that serve other businesses, like Lexis Nexis and its data services? Earlier this month, I moderated a panel with a few people working on that problem at the SIIA NetGain conference, a trade conference for professional service and content companies.
Watch the video below for more. Salesforce social networking director and author Clara Shih talks about combining Facebook and Salesforce data within companies. (more)
Business Writing: Your Help Please With "As Per"
By Lynn Gaertner-Johnston
Dear Technical Writers,
Would you please help me with a question about "as per"?
In a business writing class in San Diego, a participant wanted to help her team write better technical instructions. Their instructions are wordy, use overly sophisticated language, and do not follow a consistent format.
She made good progress toward her goal, but she--and I--got stuck on "as per." Is "as per" acceptable in technical writing as a substitute for "according to"? Or is there a better way of communicating something like this sentence, which I have made up:
Attach the plate to the rod as per Instruction 3231 on plate-rod assembly.
The idea is that some steps in the instructions refer to other instructions.
(more)
Dear Technical Writers,
Would you please help me with a question about "as per"?
In a business writing class in San Diego, a participant wanted to help her team write better technical instructions. Their instructions are wordy, use overly sophisticated language, and do not follow a consistent format.
She made good progress toward her goal, but she--and I--got stuck on "as per." Is "as per" acceptable in technical writing as a substitute for "according to"? Or is there a better way of communicating something like this sentence, which I have made up:
Attach the plate to the rod as per Instruction 3231 on plate-rod assembly.
The idea is that some steps in the instructions refer to other instructions.
(more)
Harvard Business: Book Review: Jim Collins' How the Mighty Fall
by Julia Kirby
Jim Collins' latest volume of management thinking, How the Mighty Fall ... and Why Some Companies Never Give In, begins with Collins recalling the advice of his mentor, Stanford professor Bill Lazier: "Don't try to come up with the right answers; focus on coming up with good questions." And certainly that describes Collins' achievement here. Why do leading companies, seemingly in possession of every competitive advantage, so often manage to blow it? That's surely a good question.
So good, in fact, that the last management researchers to tackle it in a serious way won last year's McKinsey Award for the best article published by Harvard Business Review. "When Growth Stalls," by Matt Olson, Derek van Bever, and Seth Verry, summarized the results from the Corporate Executive Board's extensive inquiry into the downfalls of formerly high-flying companies. (more)
Jim Collins' latest volume of management thinking, How the Mighty Fall ... and Why Some Companies Never Give In, begins with Collins recalling the advice of his mentor, Stanford professor Bill Lazier: "Don't try to come up with the right answers; focus on coming up with good questions." And certainly that describes Collins' achievement here. Why do leading companies, seemingly in possession of every competitive advantage, so often manage to blow it? That's surely a good question.
So good, in fact, that the last management researchers to tackle it in a serious way won last year's McKinsey Award for the best article published by Harvard Business Review. "When Growth Stalls," by Matt Olson, Derek van Bever, and Seth Verry, summarized the results from the Corporate Executive Board's extensive inquiry into the downfalls of formerly high-flying companies. (more)
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Fast Company: The 100 Most Creative People in Business
There are no rules about creativity. Which made constructing our list of the 100 Most Creative People in Business a tricky task. We looked for dazzling new thinkers, rising stars, and boldface names who couldn't be ignored. We avoided people we've profiled in the recent past. We emphasized those whose creativity addresses a larger issue -- from the future of our energy infrastructure to the evolution of philanthropy to next-generation media and entertainment. So read on. Enjoy. Quibble. Complain. (more)
Zawya:The MENA Region: The Hub of World Hope
New York: The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region is to be the centre of attention for US investment institutions for two days in New York on the 18th and 19th May, 2009. Beltone Financial is hosting the MENA First Day at the New York Stock Exchange on Monday 18th May, 2009, following on from Beltone's highly successful Egypt Day, in February 2008, and then on the 19th May, 2009 when the MENA region's business leaders will meet many American institutional investors directly.
For the first time in New York, the chief executives of four of the MENA region's stock exchanges and many of its business leaders will highlight the many investment opportunities across the MENA region to Beltone Enclave's institutional client base across the USA and Canada.
Mr Aladdin Saba, Beltone Financial's CEO notes: "The MENA region has many variables which act to underpin the fundamental attraction of the investment opportunities which we continue to present to our clients on a daily basis." He notes that "The MENA region has a young demographic structure which calls for extensive infrastructure spending from transport to healthcare and education, which is being funded by strong, long term revenue streams from hydrocarbon exports. (more)
For the first time in New York, the chief executives of four of the MENA region's stock exchanges and many of its business leaders will highlight the many investment opportunities across the MENA region to Beltone Enclave's institutional client base across the USA and Canada.
Mr Aladdin Saba, Beltone Financial's CEO notes: "The MENA region has many variables which act to underpin the fundamental attraction of the investment opportunities which we continue to present to our clients on a daily basis." He notes that "The MENA region has a young demographic structure which calls for extensive infrastructure spending from transport to healthcare and education, which is being funded by strong, long term revenue streams from hydrocarbon exports. (more)
FT: This crisis is a moment, but is it a defining one?
By Martin Wolf
Is the current crisis a watershed, with market-led globalisation, financial capitalism and western domination on the one side and protectionism, regulation and Asian predominance on the other? Or will historians judge it, instead, as an event caused by fools, signifying little? My own guess is that it will end up in between. It is neither a Great Depression, because the policy response has been so determined, nor capitalism’s 1989.
Let us examine what we know and do not know of its impact on the economy, finance, capitalism, the state, globalisation and geopolitics. (more)
Is the current crisis a watershed, with market-led globalisation, financial capitalism and western domination on the one side and protectionism, regulation and Asian predominance on the other? Or will historians judge it, instead, as an event caused by fools, signifying little? My own guess is that it will end up in between. It is neither a Great Depression, because the policy response has been so determined, nor capitalism’s 1989.
Let us examine what we know and do not know of its impact on the economy, finance, capitalism, the state, globalisation and geopolitics. (more)
Tynan.net: Book Review: The E-Myth Revisited
By Tynan
I just read a book that is challenging a how I see the world, like the Dip did many months ago. Like the dip, this book talked a lot about things I knew I SHOULD be doing, but didn’t really understand why. I’m a stubborn person, so understanding the "Why?" is really important for me to actually make changes.
The book is called "The E-Myth Revisited". I’d heard about it and had it recommended to me over the years, but hadn’t gotten around to reading it because the name sounded absolutely terrible. That’s my stubbornness, again.
In a nutshell, the book is about how to to organize, run, and think about your small business. Different examples in the book actually made me nervous because it was as if they were describing me personally. Problems that I’ve run into were described with psychic accuracy, and solutions were described which made me think, "oh, of course!". Needless to say, I will probably be making some big changes as a result of the book. (more)
I just read a book that is challenging a how I see the world, like the Dip did many months ago. Like the dip, this book talked a lot about things I knew I SHOULD be doing, but didn’t really understand why. I’m a stubborn person, so understanding the "Why?" is really important for me to actually make changes.
The book is called "The E-Myth Revisited". I’d heard about it and had it recommended to me over the years, but hadn’t gotten around to reading it because the name sounded absolutely terrible. That’s my stubbornness, again.
In a nutshell, the book is about how to to organize, run, and think about your small business. Different examples in the book actually made me nervous because it was as if they were describing me personally. Problems that I’ve run into were described with psychic accuracy, and solutions were described which made me think, "oh, of course!". Needless to say, I will probably be making some big changes as a result of the book. (more)
Zawya: The Queen Rania Center for Entrepreneurship and Al-Ahli Grp. Launch the Global Business Opportunities Program
19 May 2009
Amman, Jordan
Under the patronage of HRH Princess Sumaya Bint El-Hassan, the Emirati Al-Ahli Holding Group has launched, in partnership with the Queen Rania Center for Entrepreneurship (QRCE), the second version of the Global Business Opportunities program. The program aims to train a group of young entrepreneurs of various nationalities in order to prepare them for the launch of global companies. The opening ceremony was attended by a number of prominent figures, businesspeople, ambassadors and participating delegations from Jordan, Argentina and South Africa. (more)
Amman, Jordan
Under the patronage of HRH Princess Sumaya Bint El-Hassan, the Emirati Al-Ahli Holding Group has launched, in partnership with the Queen Rania Center for Entrepreneurship (QRCE), the second version of the Global Business Opportunities program. The program aims to train a group of young entrepreneurs of various nationalities in order to prepare them for the launch of global companies. The opening ceremony was attended by a number of prominent figures, businesspeople, ambassadors and participating delegations from Jordan, Argentina and South Africa. (more)
FT: Cash from cheerfulness
By Rebecca Knight
When brothers Bert and John Jacobs were in their early 20s, they bought a beat-up old Plymouth Voyager minivan – nicknamed “the Enterprise” – stocked it full of T-shirts they had designed, and went on road trips up and down the east coast selling their wares on college campuses.
They covered their costs selling the shirts for about $10 apiece, but it was a meagre existence. They slept in the van, lived on peanut butter and jam sandwiches and every so often would scrounge to buy a pizza or rely on one of their customers to sneak them into a school cafeteria.
“People say, ‘Oh that must have been tough.’ But it wasn’t that tough, we were young and strong,” shrugs John, the younger by three years. “There was a hope it would lead to something big, but we were doing something we liked to do. We were selling our artwork, travelling, meeting new people, and watching the girls go by. On slow days, if the weather was decent, we’d toss around a Frisbee.” (more)
When brothers Bert and John Jacobs were in their early 20s, they bought a beat-up old Plymouth Voyager minivan – nicknamed “the Enterprise” – stocked it full of T-shirts they had designed, and went on road trips up and down the east coast selling their wares on college campuses.
They covered their costs selling the shirts for about $10 apiece, but it was a meagre existence. They slept in the van, lived on peanut butter and jam sandwiches and every so often would scrounge to buy a pizza or rely on one of their customers to sneak them into a school cafeteria.
“People say, ‘Oh that must have been tough.’ But it wasn’t that tough, we were young and strong,” shrugs John, the younger by three years. “There was a hope it would lead to something big, but we were doing something we liked to do. We were selling our artwork, travelling, meeting new people, and watching the girls go by. On slow days, if the weather was decent, we’d toss around a Frisbee.” (more)
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Book Review: "Be the Solution," by Michael Strong
By Max Borders
Most people think politics boils down to different answers to the question: how do we make the world a better place? According to idealist Michael Strong, step one is to ditch the politics. The second step to making the world better -- that is, making global progress in areas like human well-being, environmental health and individual happiness -- is to shed what can only be described as some of our cultural baggage.
Consider what we'll call the "Zero-sum Three":
Manichaeism—People are good or evil and the world is black and white;
Pessimism—The glass is half empty (and it's usually somebody else's fault); and
Statism—Government can and should solve all of our problems. It's easier to hope and pray (to bureaucracies) than to "just do it".
Be the Solution, a new book by FLOW co-founder Michael Strong, is as much about unleashing entrepreneurship as it is a serious critique of the Zero-sum Three. And in Strong's view, entrepreneurship is more than just making money. Much more. Drucker and Hayek? Meet Maslow and the Mahatma. (more)
Most people think politics boils down to different answers to the question: how do we make the world a better place? According to idealist Michael Strong, step one is to ditch the politics. The second step to making the world better -- that is, making global progress in areas like human well-being, environmental health and individual happiness -- is to shed what can only be described as some of our cultural baggage.
Consider what we'll call the "Zero-sum Three":
Manichaeism—People are good or evil and the world is black and white;
Pessimism—The glass is half empty (and it's usually somebody else's fault); and
Statism—Government can and should solve all of our problems. It's easier to hope and pray (to bureaucracies) than to "just do it".
Be the Solution, a new book by FLOW co-founder Michael Strong, is as much about unleashing entrepreneurship as it is a serious critique of the Zero-sum Three. And in Strong's view, entrepreneurship is more than just making money. Much more. Drucker and Hayek? Meet Maslow and the Mahatma. (more)
Harvard Business: The Case Against Stock Options
By Freek Vermeulen
Any idea why we continue to reward top executives with stock options? We accept it, nowadays, as a given, but why do we have that practice in the first place?
You might say "because it constitutes performance-related pay; through them, you financially reward top managers for their achievements". Fair enough. Because for many of us mortals our pay depends to some extent on our performance. However, do realize that for CEOs, for example, this component is often as high as eighty percent. Eighty percent! Do you know many people (employed in the same large corporations that these executives head) whose salary is eighty percent dependent on some measure of their achievements? Not many I suspect. (more)
Any idea why we continue to reward top executives with stock options? We accept it, nowadays, as a given, but why do we have that practice in the first place?
You might say "because it constitutes performance-related pay; through them, you financially reward top managers for their achievements". Fair enough. Because for many of us mortals our pay depends to some extent on our performance. However, do realize that for CEOs, for example, this component is often as high as eighty percent. Eighty percent! Do you know many people (employed in the same large corporations that these executives head) whose salary is eighty percent dependent on some measure of their achievements? Not many I suspect. (more)
Venture Beat: Venture capitalists worry: Are we stunting companies?
By Matt Marshall
Chris Shipley and I hosted a breakfast last week with 16 leading Silicon Valley investors about the state of the start-up community. It was frank and engaging.
Some participants requested their comments remain off the record. Below are summaries of some of the remarks of participants who agreed to be referenced. (more)
Chris Shipley and I hosted a breakfast last week with 16 leading Silicon Valley investors about the state of the start-up community. It was frank and engaging.
Some participants requested their comments remain off the record. Below are summaries of some of the remarks of participants who agreed to be referenced. (more)
Arabian Business: UAE mulls move to allow 100% foreign ownership
By Joanna Hartley
UAE expatriates could soon be able to own 100 percent of businesses outside the country’s free zones, as part of a radical shake-up of foreign investment rules, it was reported on Monday. (more)
UAE expatriates could soon be able to own 100 percent of businesses outside the country’s free zones, as part of a radical shake-up of foreign investment rules, it was reported on Monday. (more)
Young Entrepreneur: Behind Every Great Company Is A Great Team - Jim Treliving
By Adam Toren
Jim Treliving is just your average guy who found something he loved and went after it. While he does regret not starting out in his own business sooner, he is pleased with what he has done with his Boston Pizza restaurant chain since taking it over.
As a former Royal Canadian Mounted Police officer, Treliving runs his business with the same attributes learned in his law enforcement career. He is disciplined, tough with establishing streamlined operations and loyal to his team members. “The very first thing you need is a good business plan. The second thing is to figure out exactly what will cause your business cash flow to jump to the next level. Then you project your cash flow. And then you sit down and say: this is what I’m going to do, and this is how I’m going to do it. And then you go out and work and work till you get it done. It’s all pretty simple, actually, if you just stop and think about it!” (more)
Jim Treliving is just your average guy who found something he loved and went after it. While he does regret not starting out in his own business sooner, he is pleased with what he has done with his Boston Pizza restaurant chain since taking it over.
As a former Royal Canadian Mounted Police officer, Treliving runs his business with the same attributes learned in his law enforcement career. He is disciplined, tough with establishing streamlined operations and loyal to his team members. “The very first thing you need is a good business plan. The second thing is to figure out exactly what will cause your business cash flow to jump to the next level. Then you project your cash flow. And then you sit down and say: this is what I’m going to do, and this is how I’m going to do it. And then you go out and work and work till you get it done. It’s all pretty simple, actually, if you just stop and think about it!” (more)
Inc.: The Great Leaders Series: Asa Candler, Founder of the Coca-Cola Company
By: Amy Gunderson
The power of advertising is ubiquitous today, but Asa Candler was among the earliest entrepreneurs to aggressively use it. Candler wasn't an inventor; he didn't come up with a great company name or distinctive logo. Rather his greatest achievement was as a marketer. When he purchased control of Coca-Cola, it was a fledging five-cent soda fountain drink that only sold about nine glasses a day in its first year on the market.
Under Candler's watch, Coca-Cola's advertising budget grew from $100,000 in 1901 to $1 million in 1911. The Coca-Cola name was plastered on everything from calendars, clocks, fans, and even urns. Pharmacists selling the drink had apothecary scales emblazoned with the name. A team of traveling Coca-Cola syrup salesmen was sent out to ensure that pharmacists were mixing the beverage correctly with carbonated water, and that their stores were properly adorned with Coca-Cola logos and signs. Candler even contracted actress and singer Hilda Clark to be the face of Coca-Cola, initiating one of the first-ever celebrity endorsements. (more)
The power of advertising is ubiquitous today, but Asa Candler was among the earliest entrepreneurs to aggressively use it. Candler wasn't an inventor; he didn't come up with a great company name or distinctive logo. Rather his greatest achievement was as a marketer. When he purchased control of Coca-Cola, it was a fledging five-cent soda fountain drink that only sold about nine glasses a day in its first year on the market.
Under Candler's watch, Coca-Cola's advertising budget grew from $100,000 in 1901 to $1 million in 1911. The Coca-Cola name was plastered on everything from calendars, clocks, fans, and even urns. Pharmacists selling the drink had apothecary scales emblazoned with the name. A team of traveling Coca-Cola syrup salesmen was sent out to ensure that pharmacists were mixing the beverage correctly with carbonated water, and that their stores were properly adorned with Coca-Cola logos and signs. Candler even contracted actress and singer Hilda Clark to be the face of Coca-Cola, initiating one of the first-ever celebrity endorsements. (more)
Harvard Business: How to Use Market Research in a Recession
By John Quelch
Recession-challenged consumers are buying less, looking for deals, or switching to different brands, product categories, or stores. Some are even changing long-held attitudes toward consumption. To many folks, filling the home with more stuff or keeping up with the Joneses is no longer appealing.
As a result, the degree of uncertainty in business and consumer markets has soared. Yet, to conserve cash, most firms are reducing spending on the market research that would help manage that uncertainty. In the U.S., spending on market research has dipped for four consecutive quarters, and chief marketing officers don't expect the situation to turn around soon. Most big consumer marketers are seeking to shave 10 to 20% off of research budgets. (more)
Recession-challenged consumers are buying less, looking for deals, or switching to different brands, product categories, or stores. Some are even changing long-held attitudes toward consumption. To many folks, filling the home with more stuff or keeping up with the Joneses is no longer appealing.
As a result, the degree of uncertainty in business and consumer markets has soared. Yet, to conserve cash, most firms are reducing spending on the market research that would help manage that uncertainty. In the U.S., spending on market research has dipped for four consecutive quarters, and chief marketing officers don't expect the situation to turn around soon. Most big consumer marketers are seeking to shave 10 to 20% off of research budgets. (more)
Arabian Business: Islamic finance unlear about international stance
By Frederik Richter
The Islamic finance industry is still searching for a stance as to what extent conventional international law should be accepted in arbitration cases, Islamic scholars said on Monday.Many Islamic finance products and contracts are being scrutinized in courts for the first time during the current global economic downturn, after the industry got caught up in last year's global liquidity freeze and now finds itself exposed to slumping real estate markets in the Gulf Arab region. (more)
The Islamic finance industry is still searching for a stance as to what extent conventional international law should be accepted in arbitration cases, Islamic scholars said on Monday.Many Islamic finance products and contracts are being scrutinized in courts for the first time during the current global economic downturn, after the industry got caught up in last year's global liquidity freeze and now finds itself exposed to slumping real estate markets in the Gulf Arab region. (more)
Venture Beat: Plug and Play startup incubator eyes $20M for seed fund
By Camille Ricketts
The Plug and Play Tech Center, a Palo Alto, Calif., accelerator program that provides office space, mentorship and a fundraising springboard for about 200 startups in the Silicon Valley, says it plans to raise $20 million for its own seed investment fund, to be called Plug and Play LLC. And it’s looking to its partners and several other capital firms — Draper Fisher Jurvetson and Sequoia Capital among them — to make it happen.
It seems the time is ripe for this type of operation, with many larger firms opting to provide small, early-stage amounts to young companies. (more)
The Plug and Play Tech Center, a Palo Alto, Calif., accelerator program that provides office space, mentorship and a fundraising springboard for about 200 startups in the Silicon Valley, says it plans to raise $20 million for its own seed investment fund, to be called Plug and Play LLC. And it’s looking to its partners and several other capital firms — Draper Fisher Jurvetson and Sequoia Capital among them — to make it happen.
It seems the time is ripe for this type of operation, with many larger firms opting to provide small, early-stage amounts to young companies. (more)
Monday, May 18, 2009
Entrepreneurial Mind: Entrepreneurship in Hungary
By Jeff Cornwall
I am blogging today from Budapest. The level of early stage entrepreneurship in Hungary is 6.9% according to the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor of 2007. That same study showed that about 75% of ventures were opportunity based, while 25% were out of necessity.In talking with people here in Hungary I get the sense that this mix may be swinging toward more necessity based entrepreneurs as the economy here worsens. (more)
I am blogging today from Budapest. The level of early stage entrepreneurship in Hungary is 6.9% according to the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor of 2007. That same study showed that about 75% of ventures were opportunity based, while 25% were out of necessity.In talking with people here in Hungary I get the sense that this mix may be swinging toward more necessity based entrepreneurs as the economy here worsens. (more)
FT: Businesses Turn to Rich Backers
By Jonathan Moules
Frustration with the lack of credit being made available by high street banks is pushing some entrepreneurs to seek loans from wealthy individuals.
Sums of up to £3m are being sought by business owners, who desperately need funds to provide working capital.
Darryl Mattocks, a serial entrepreneur who started one of the UK’s first online retailers, is seeking £1.25m for his latest business, Bye Bye Standby, which sells green products and services.
He is looking at private lending after being turned down by four high street banks for loans backed by the government’s Enterprise Finance Guarantee scheme. (more)
Frustration with the lack of credit being made available by high street banks is pushing some entrepreneurs to seek loans from wealthy individuals.
Sums of up to £3m are being sought by business owners, who desperately need funds to provide working capital.
Darryl Mattocks, a serial entrepreneur who started one of the UK’s first online retailers, is seeking £1.25m for his latest business, Bye Bye Standby, which sells green products and services.
He is looking at private lending after being turned down by four high street banks for loans backed by the government’s Enterprise Finance Guarantee scheme. (more)
Richard Branson: The second PitchTV show winners…
Voting has now closed on our second round of PitchTV, and the winning video pitches that will feature in the next Virgin Atlantic’s PitchTV show are:
Team Marco Polo
The Grad Room
Webcam City Movie
Project Rhythm Seed
Me-TV
Congratulations to you winners and thanks to everyone who submitted videos!
I’ll let everyone know soon when this next PitchTV show, which also features Tony Hsieh answering the best of your questions, is due to air on board Virgin Atlantic planes… (more)
Team Marco Polo
The Grad Room
Webcam City Movie
Project Rhythm Seed
Me-TV
Congratulations to you winners and thanks to everyone who submitted videos!
I’ll let everyone know soon when this next PitchTV show, which also features Tony Hsieh answering the best of your questions, is due to air on board Virgin Atlantic planes… (more)
Small Business Trends: Webinar: Getting Found in Search Engines, for Beginners
By Anita Campbell
I invite you to join me for a special one-hour webinar on Wednesday, May 20, 2009, at 2:00pm Eastern Daylight Time (New York time). Verizon has kindly invited me back a second webinar — which means I must have done OK in the first one!
The topic of the upcoming webinar is Introduction to Search Engine Marketing — how to market your business online. I’ll be talking some basics of how to get more visibility and traffic through the search engines. (more)
I invite you to join me for a special one-hour webinar on Wednesday, May 20, 2009, at 2:00pm Eastern Daylight Time (New York time). Verizon has kindly invited me back a second webinar — which means I must have done OK in the first one!
The topic of the upcoming webinar is Introduction to Search Engine Marketing — how to market your business online. I’ll be talking some basics of how to get more visibility and traffic through the search engines. (more)
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Arab Times: Jordan’s king wants Middle East to be an economic ‘powerhouse’
AMMAN, Jordan, May 15, (Agencies): Jordan’s King Abdullah II on Friday called for the Middle East to become an economic “powerhouse” that could help reshape the global economy after the credit crunch. Speaking on the opening day of the World Economic Forum by the Dead Sea, the king said: “At this year’s forum, you will be addressing the most critical issues of our time. Let your answers be just as bold.” He urged “answers that do not simply help our countries get through the global economic downturn but ensure the region emerges as a powerhouse: the go-to place for opportunity and wealth-building and a determining factor in reshaping the global economy.” The process should begin with “a region-wide consensus on action — a home-grown, home-based approach to unity, progress and peace,” Abdullah said, urging Middle Eastern countries to work together. (more)
Jordan Times: Jordan, UAE firms in talks over free IT zone
By Mohammad Ghazal
AMMAN - Negotiations between a Jordanian IT company and a UAE-based company in the sector are under way to establish a free IT zone in Amman, according to a top ICT official.
AMMAN - Negotiations between a Jordanian IT company and a UAE-based company in the sector are under way to establish a free IT zone in Amman, according to a top ICT official.
To be established over 250 dunums in the capital, the zone will house software companies and content and business development firms, in addition to other relevant industries, Minister of Information and Communications Technology Bassem Roussan said in a recent wide-range interview with The Jordan Times. (more)
Luxury vs. premium
By Seth Godin
Luxury goods are needlessly expensive. By needlessly, I mean that the price is not related to performance. The price is related to scarcity, brand and storytelling. Luxury goods are organized waste. They say, "I can afford to spend money without regard for intrinsic value."
That doesn't mean they are senseless expenditures. Sending a signal is valuable if that signal is important to you. (more)
CSMonitor: With Few Businesses Hiring, Students Start Their Own
By Bridget Huber
More students are turning to entrepreneurship, often with the help of campus programs.
More students are turning to entrepreneurship, often with the help of campus programs.
Boston
When Kate Harrison entered a master’s program in environmental management at Yale University, she figured she would use her previous law degree to find a clerkship or work for an environmental firm after graduation.
Instead, as commencement nears, Ms. Harrison is working for her own Internet company that she founded while at Yale: TheGreenBrideGuide.com, a website that connects couples who want an environmentally-friendly wedding with “green” products and services. (more)
CEO Blog: The Toilet Paper Entrepreneur and Time Management Tips
By Jim Estill
Yes - that's is actually the title of a book written by Mike Michalowicz. The Toilet Paper Entrepreneur is a basic how to book on Entrepreneuring.
Mike is an accomplished entrepreneur. He has experience and wisdom.
Mike is very encouraging to anyone who wants to start a business with a strong push to getting them to act. He also trashes anyone's ideas that they are lacking in some area to start a business.
He includes a short section on Time Management. In the style of the book, he distills it all down to 4 pages that include ideas like: (more)
Yes - that's is actually the title of a book written by Mike Michalowicz. The Toilet Paper Entrepreneur is a basic how to book on Entrepreneuring.
Mike is an accomplished entrepreneur. He has experience and wisdom.
Mike is very encouraging to anyone who wants to start a business with a strong push to getting them to act. He also trashes anyone's ideas that they are lacking in some area to start a business.
He includes a short section on Time Management. In the style of the book, he distills it all down to 4 pages that include ideas like: (more)
Harvard Business: 7 Ways to Be Happier at Work
By Jeff Stibel
A recent report listed the happiest nations in the world. Guess what? The US didn't even make it into the top ten. So much for the American dream.
Why are we so unhappy? Let's start by looking at the origin of the word. Happy is derived from the Icelandic word happ, meaning luck or chance. Is happiness then, by its very definition, elusive due its randomness? Nassim Taleb certainly thinks so, as he expressed in his bestselling book Fooled by Randomness. But this is clearly not the case for the top 10 happiest countries.
In his book, The Art of Happiness: A Handbook for Living, the Dalai Lama — arguably a very wise and happy man — suggests that true happiness can be attained only by training the mind. (more)OnStartups: Is Your Startup Practicing Inward Facing Dog?
By Dharmesh Shah
For those curious about the title, it’s a reference to “downward facing dog” (one of the most widely reognized yoga poses).
Is your startup practicing inward facing dog? That is, are you overly focused on things going inside the company with too little attention on what might be going on outside the company? (more)
Fortune Small Business: Why Small Businesses Fail
By Jay Goltz
Last month I wrote about Debbie Dusenberry, owner of Curious Sofa, a home-furnishings boutique in Kansas City, Kans. The store has a reputation for great products and imaginative display, and its revenue had been growing nicely for eight years.
Last month I wrote about Debbie Dusenberry, owner of Curious Sofa, a home-furnishings boutique in Kansas City, Kans. The store has a reputation for great products and imaginative display, and its revenue had been growing nicely for eight years.
But when Dusenberry sent me her financials, she included this plaintive note: "Our January was down 20%, and for the first time I am a little worried....If I had any reserve, I wouldn't be nearly as concerned....[We're] cutting back anywhere we can by freezing spending, and I laid off my first employee in eight years." (more)
Young Entrepreneur: There is no reason not to follow your heart – Steve Jobs (Entrepreneur Poll Winner)
By Adam Toren
If anyone can speak from the heart about the trials and tribulations of an entrepreneur, it’s Steve Jobs. “You have to trust in something - your gut, destiny, life, karma, whatever. This approach has never let me down, and it has made all the difference in my life.” Today, the CEO of Apple and co-founder of Pixar Animation Studios is worth an estimated $3.4 billion as a successful innovator in both the computer and entertainment industries. “To turn really interesting ideas and fledgling technologies into a company that can continue to innovate for years, it requires a lot of disciplines.” (more)
If anyone can speak from the heart about the trials and tribulations of an entrepreneur, it’s Steve Jobs. “You have to trust in something - your gut, destiny, life, karma, whatever. This approach has never let me down, and it has made all the difference in my life.” Today, the CEO of Apple and co-founder of Pixar Animation Studios is worth an estimated $3.4 billion as a successful innovator in both the computer and entertainment industries. “To turn really interesting ideas and fledgling technologies into a company that can continue to innovate for years, it requires a lot of disciplines.” (more)
The Entrepreneurial Mind: VC Firms Adapt to New Reality
By Jeff Cornwall
More start-up web entrepreneurs are realizing that they can bootstrap their new ventures and really don't need venture capital, according to a paper by Robert Hendershott in the next issue of the International Review of Entrepreneurship.
Writing about this new study in the New York Times, Claire Cain Miller notes that venture capitalists are beginning to adapt to this new reality: (more)
More start-up web entrepreneurs are realizing that they can bootstrap their new ventures and really don't need venture capital, according to a paper by Robert Hendershott in the next issue of the International Review of Entrepreneurship.
Writing about this new study in the New York Times, Claire Cain Miller notes that venture capitalists are beginning to adapt to this new reality: (more)
Harvard Business Review: Emerging Patterns in the Crisis Economy
By Vineet Nayar
As we watch Capitalism version 2.0 pan out, we are acutely aware of the changing role of government, financial institutions, equity markets in the new landscape. However, look below the surface. The new dynamics are also resulting in a fast-changing kaleidoscope within, with new patterns beginning to emerge.
There is new life kicking in amidst all this talk of gloom and doom. (more)
MarketingProfs Daily Fix: Redesigning the Hospital Gown: Why Focus Groups Fail Customers and Companies
By Jeanne Bliss
The hospital gown has been around for centuries. It's no news that the ill-fitting, dignity-stealing flimsy covering clearly needs an overhaul.
The problem is, the way products are designed and redesigned needs an over-haul as well. In the case of this hospital gown, The Wall Street journal, in this article, outlines the ill-fated 2.5 year process that has done nothing but hit walls and stall. And the reason? Because what's standing in the way of our personal dignity in healthcare is trying to be discovered by way of The Focus Group and corporate "funky task force." (more)
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Marc Cuban: Success & Motivation
Success and Motivation
I did it too. I drove by big houses and would wonder who lived there. What did they do for a living? How did they make their money? Someday, I would tell myself, I would live in a house like that. Every weekend I would do it.
I read books about successful people. In fact, I read every book or magazine I could get my hands on. I would tell myself 1 good idea would pay for the book and could make the difference between me making it or not.
I worked jobs I didn’t like. I worked jobs I loved, but had no chance of being a career. I worked jobs that barely paid the rent. I had so many jobs my parents wondered if I would be stable. Most of them aren’t on my resume anymore because I was there so short a time or they were so stupid I was embarrassed. You don’t want to write about selling powdered milk or selling franchises for TV repair shops. In every job, I would justify it in my mind whether I loved it or hated it that I was getting paid to learn and every experience would be of value when I figured out what I wanted to do when I grew up.
If I ever grew up, I hoped to run my own business some day. (more)
I did it too. I drove by big houses and would wonder who lived there. What did they do for a living? How did they make their money? Someday, I would tell myself, I would live in a house like that. Every weekend I would do it.
I read books about successful people. In fact, I read every book or magazine I could get my hands on. I would tell myself 1 good idea would pay for the book and could make the difference between me making it or not.
I worked jobs I didn’t like. I worked jobs I loved, but had no chance of being a career. I worked jobs that barely paid the rent. I had so many jobs my parents wondered if I would be stable. Most of them aren’t on my resume anymore because I was there so short a time or they were so stupid I was embarrassed. You don’t want to write about selling powdered milk or selling franchises for TV repair shops. In every job, I would justify it in my mind whether I loved it or hated it that I was getting paid to learn and every experience would be of value when I figured out what I wanted to do when I grew up.
If I ever grew up, I hoped to run my own business some day. (more)
Forbes: Genuine Business Lessons From Donald Trump
By Shaun Rein
He may go through bankruptcies, but he couldn't be a savvier self-marketer.
At a time when Main Street is calling for the scalps of business titans from John Thain, the former chief executive officer of Merrill Lynch, to Ken Lewis, CEO of Bank of America, somehow Donald Trump remains unscathed. Not just unscathed but extremely popular. (more)
He may go through bankruptcies, but he couldn't be a savvier self-marketer.
At a time when Main Street is calling for the scalps of business titans from John Thain, the former chief executive officer of Merrill Lynch, to Ken Lewis, CEO of Bank of America, somehow Donald Trump remains unscathed. Not just unscathed but extremely popular. (more)
CNNMoney: Startup stories: 'How we got the cash'
By Emily Maltby
Small businesses are struggling to find banks willing to lend. Here's how - and where - 6 entrepreneurs got the loans and credit lines they need. (more)
Small businesses are struggling to find banks willing to lend. Here's how - and where - 6 entrepreneurs got the loans and credit lines they need. (more)
WSJ: Firm Lets Others Choose Start-Ups
By JESSICA E. VASCELLARO
In the latest example of investors trying new approaches during the downturn, a venture-capital firm that was an early backer of Facebook Inc. is devising a plan to outsource early investing decisions to hand-picked entrepreneurs and technology executives.
The Silicon Valley firm Founders Fund plans to give at least 12 "fellows" $25,000 to invest in an early-stage company of their choosing. Founders Fund will invest $25,000 alongside those initial investments and request the right to invest an additional $250,000 when the companies raise their next round, according to Sean Parker, managing partner at Founders Fund, which announced it raised a $220 million fund in late 2007. The firm expects to devote roughly $3.6 million to the new program. (more)
In the latest example of investors trying new approaches during the downturn, a venture-capital firm that was an early backer of Facebook Inc. is devising a plan to outsource early investing decisions to hand-picked entrepreneurs and technology executives.
The Silicon Valley firm Founders Fund plans to give at least 12 "fellows" $25,000 to invest in an early-stage company of their choosing. Founders Fund will invest $25,000 alongside those initial investments and request the right to invest an additional $250,000 when the companies raise their next round, according to Sean Parker, managing partner at Founders Fund, which announced it raised a $220 million fund in late 2007. The firm expects to devote roughly $3.6 million to the new program. (more)
Forbes: The Small-Business Balancing Act
By Dileep Rao, Ph.D
It's hard to keep an eye on operations while trying to raise capital. Here's how to strike the right balance.
Are you in business to make money or to raise it?
For aspiring entrepreneurs, the answer is often a little of both. But many fall on tough times because they strike a poor balance between these two critical functions. Mind the store without corralling enough capital, and you could go broke; spend every day wooing investors, and the store falls apart. (more)
It's hard to keep an eye on operations while trying to raise capital. Here's how to strike the right balance.
Are you in business to make money or to raise it?
For aspiring entrepreneurs, the answer is often a little of both. But many fall on tough times because they strike a poor balance between these two critical functions. Mind the store without corralling enough capital, and you could go broke; spend every day wooing investors, and the store falls apart. (more)
Socialmediatoday: Here's a marketing challenge: Women's underwear in Saudi Arabia
A scan through the marketing trade press in the Middle East shows that in the region, digital is becoming as important for brands as it is in Western Europe, Australia or North America. For example, Campaign Middle East reports that in Lebanon in the run-up to the 7 June general election, bloggers are increasingly setting the tone as political parties are limited to spending a maximum $450,000 each. The publication also reports on a new media law in the United Arab Emirates making next to no mention of online, despite the fact that Internet penetration in the UAE is now at 49% - this potentially leaves bloggers in a state of limbo about what's permissible and what isn't.
However the most unusual story, at least for someone from the West, comes from Saudi Arabia where Communicate talks about the unique challenges of marketing women’s lingerie. (more)
However the most unusual story, at least for someone from the West, comes from Saudi Arabia where Communicate talks about the unique challenges of marketing women’s lingerie. (more)
CNET: Contrarian Google launches investment fund
by Stephen Shankland
As expected, Google launched Google Ventures on Monday, following other Silicon Valley firms with a division to invest in promising start-ups.
"This is Google's effort to take advantage of our resources to support innovation and encourage promising new technology companies," said Google Ventures managing partners Rich Miner and Bill Maris in a blog post announcing the effort. "By borrowing the best practices of top-tier, financially focused venture capital firms and bringing to bear Google's unique technical expertise and brand, we think we can find young companies with truly awesome potential and encourage their development into successful businesses." (more)
As expected, Google launched Google Ventures on Monday, following other Silicon Valley firms with a division to invest in promising start-ups.
"This is Google's effort to take advantage of our resources to support innovation and encourage promising new technology companies," said Google Ventures managing partners Rich Miner and Bill Maris in a blog post announcing the effort. "By borrowing the best practices of top-tier, financially focused venture capital firms and bringing to bear Google's unique technical expertise and brand, we think we can find young companies with truly awesome potential and encourage their development into successful businesses." (more)
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Start-up Strategy: To Change the Game, Change the Economics of how its Played
By Tim Ferriss
Several weeks ago, I found myself in the passenger seat of a car going nowhere fast.
My friend, Peter Sims, who had earlier introduced me to the Stanford D. School, was leading the charge into the unknown, hurtling us (hopefully) towards dinner in exotic Burlingame, where people from SF and Palo Alto compromise to break bread.
The “us” included Alan M. Webber, whom I’d never met. He sat behind me, and — as getting lost tends to promote — we ended up talking about nothing in particular and everything in general: publishing, the game of business, Mr. T, you name it. I didn’t know Alan, but it soon became clear that I should listen as much as possible.
Alan was co-founder of Fast Company magazine and former editorial director of the Harvard Business Review. (more)
Several weeks ago, I found myself in the passenger seat of a car going nowhere fast.
My friend, Peter Sims, who had earlier introduced me to the Stanford D. School, was leading the charge into the unknown, hurtling us (hopefully) towards dinner in exotic Burlingame, where people from SF and Palo Alto compromise to break bread.
The “us” included Alan M. Webber, whom I’d never met. He sat behind me, and — as getting lost tends to promote — we ended up talking about nothing in particular and everything in general: publishing, the game of business, Mr. T, you name it. I didn’t know Alan, but it soon became clear that I should listen as much as possible.
Alan was co-founder of Fast Company magazine and former editorial director of the Harvard Business Review. (more)
The Peninsula: Only Entrepreneurship Can Create Enough Jobs
By Mobin Pandit
DOHA: An incredible 100 million young Arabs will be out looking for jobs by the year 2020, but the prospect of their finding gainful employment looks grim, speakers at a symposium said
here yesterday.
Greater entrepreneurship skills and small and medium enterprises can help ease the problem to a large extent but, sadly, they are conspicuous by their near absence across the Arab world, the experts said.
The symposium on Global Investment was held by the financial services firm Amwal and the panel debating the above issue at a post-lunch session was devoted to ‘Fostering Entrepreneurship and Job Creation in the Middle East’. (more)
DOHA: An incredible 100 million young Arabs will be out looking for jobs by the year 2020, but the prospect of their finding gainful employment looks grim, speakers at a symposium said
here yesterday.
Greater entrepreneurship skills and small and medium enterprises can help ease the problem to a large extent but, sadly, they are conspicuous by their near absence across the Arab world, the experts said.
The symposium on Global Investment was held by the financial services firm Amwal and the panel debating the above issue at a post-lunch session was devoted to ‘Fostering Entrepreneurship and Job Creation in the Middle East’. (more)
StartupArabia: Queen Rania Center for Entrepreneurship Organises The Entrepreneurs Week - May 16-21 (Amman, Jordan)
By Mohamed Marwen Meddah
The Queen Rania Center for Entrepreneurship is organizing a really interesting event ‘The Entrepreneurs Week‘ between 16th-21st of May, in Amman, Jordan.
The event aims to open an interactive discussion with a number of interesting international speakers who will speak about several important topics in Entrepreneurship, Business and Management. (more)
The Queen Rania Center for Entrepreneurship is organizing a really interesting event ‘The Entrepreneurs Week‘ between 16th-21st of May, in Amman, Jordan.
The event aims to open an interactive discussion with a number of interesting international speakers who will speak about several important topics in Entrepreneurship, Business and Management. (more)
NYT: From High-Finance Pinnacles to Unemployment Line to Mentors
By Patrick McGeehan
How does it feel to plummet from the peaks of global finance to an unpaid gig at a fledgling company? A few dozen laid-off New Yorkers are about to find out.
They are the first group of out-of-work professionals to be paired up with small businesses that need help getting started or expanding. The matchmaking experiment, which began this week, was one of the ideas New York City officials hatched as a response to the growing ranks of unemployed professionals in the metropolitan area.
With investment banks and other financial companies continuing to eliminate jobs at a fast pace, officials of the city’s Economic Development Corporation began to fear an exodus of educated, previously well-paid residents. So they contracted with the Levin Insititute of the State University of New York to set up a boot camp in entrepreneurship for about 50 former financiers who were willing to spend 10 weeks sharing their skills with start-up companies and small businesses free of charge. (more)
How does it feel to plummet from the peaks of global finance to an unpaid gig at a fledgling company? A few dozen laid-off New Yorkers are about to find out.
They are the first group of out-of-work professionals to be paired up with small businesses that need help getting started or expanding. The matchmaking experiment, which began this week, was one of the ideas New York City officials hatched as a response to the growing ranks of unemployed professionals in the metropolitan area.
With investment banks and other financial companies continuing to eliminate jobs at a fast pace, officials of the city’s Economic Development Corporation began to fear an exodus of educated, previously well-paid residents. So they contracted with the Levin Insititute of the State University of New York to set up a boot camp in entrepreneurship for about 50 former financiers who were willing to spend 10 weeks sharing their skills with start-up companies and small businesses free of charge. (more)
Harvard Business: MBAs vs. Entrepreneurs: Who Has the Right Stuff for Tough Times?
by Bill Taylor
The one growth business in this shrinking economy is speculation about where MBAs and other elite students will flock now that Wall Street is a vast wasteland. "What will new map of talent flow look like?" wondered a piece last month in the New York Times. The tentative answer: towards government, the sciences, and teaching, "while fewer shiny young minds are embarking on careers in finance and business consulting." (more)
The one growth business in this shrinking economy is speculation about where MBAs and other elite students will flock now that Wall Street is a vast wasteland. "What will new map of talent flow look like?" wondered a piece last month in the New York Times. The tentative answer: towards government, the sciences, and teaching, "while fewer shiny young minds are embarking on careers in finance and business consulting." (more)
Yemen Observer: Young Arab activists to meet world leaders at Dead Sea
Eighteen young activists from eleven Arab countries and the UK will participate in the World Economic Forum (WEF) on the Middle East, to be held from the 15th to the 17th of May at the Dead Sea in Jordan. They will discuss the topic of the “Global Economic Crisis for the Middle East: Home-grown Strategies for Success”. (more)
HuffPo: Looking to Entrepreneurship Education During the Economic Crisis
by Steve Mariotti, Founder, The National Foundation for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE)
As the whirlwind of news surrounding the vast global economic crisis continues, I stopped to reflect on why providing an entrepreneurship education to low-income youth matters so much, especially now. (more)
As the whirlwind of news surrounding the vast global economic crisis continues, I stopped to reflect on why providing an entrepreneurship education to low-income youth matters so much, especially now. (more)
Entrepreneur: A New Take on Incubators
Today's incubators provide cutting-edge support for your startup
By Dennis Romero
Business incubators--organizations that help entrepreneurs get off the ground through mentoring, funding and facilities--have been around since the 1950s. At the turn of the millennium, for-profit incubators were a hot commodity until they deflated with the dotcom bubble. But this year, despite a down economy, the luster is returning to incubation. President Obama has pledged $250 million a year in federal funds to seed a regional network of such organizations--an effort aimed at growing jobs and innovation. So people are talking about incubators again. (more)
By Dennis Romero
Business incubators--organizations that help entrepreneurs get off the ground through mentoring, funding and facilities--have been around since the 1950s. At the turn of the millennium, for-profit incubators were a hot commodity until they deflated with the dotcom bubble. But this year, despite a down economy, the luster is returning to incubation. President Obama has pledged $250 million a year in federal funds to seed a regional network of such organizations--an effort aimed at growing jobs and innovation. So people are talking about incubators again. (more)
FT: A thirst to reach the top in Iran
Fardin Alizad, owner of three food companies in Iran, is determinedly upbeat in spite of the challenges of running a business in the country. Like many other entrepreneurs the world over, he says opportunities can be forged from setbacks. In fact, that is the only way, he says, to respond to problems arising from the Iranian government’s economic and business policies as well as international sanctions over the country’s nuclear programme. (more)
Inc.: Charles Jacobs Goes Inside the Entrepreneur's Brain
Leading corporate consultant, Charles Jacobs discusses how brain structure can impact business management. (more)
WSJ: Will The Financial Crisis Change Entrepreneurs’ Relationship With Banks?
By Kelly Spors
Several business owners I’ve spoken with in recent months say they’re turning more to regional or community banks and credit unions for their banking needs, and it’s no wonder. The major banks don’t appear able to help them anymore. (more)
Several business owners I’ve spoken with in recent months say they’re turning more to regional or community banks and credit unions for their banking needs, and it’s no wonder. The major banks don’t appear able to help them anymore. (more)
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