March 2011 Features

  • “I Can’t Eat an iPad”

    March 21, 2011

    While he loves computers, when it comes to dinnertime, Dr. Joe still prefers food. Seems the Fed would prefer we think otherwise. As far as understanding inflation at its core, a good meal can go a long way if you have the money for it.

  • Distance doesn’t matter

    March 20, 2011

    A decade ago – when business journalists were “discovering” the Web - one of the most-hyped headlines was that every company could now sell world-wide. Like most over-heated rhetoric, the concept that distance no longer matters came and went with some notice and little real change. Most companies discovered that – while selling over great distances was indeed easier than before – fulfilling and servicing was hard enough to make it unprofitable.

  • Why It’s Time to Kick Your Green Initiatives Up a Notch

    March 18, 2011

    Results of the second-annual Sustainability & Innovation Survey of global corporate leaders by MIT’s Sloan Management Review and Boston Consulting Group suggest that green practices are taking firm root in the business world. Nearly 60 percent of the 3,000 businesses surveyed said they are increasing their investment in sustainability.

  • 10 Ways to Continue the Conversation with Customers

    March 15, 2011

    For too many small business owners, once a customer leaves your shop or your service is completed, the conversation ends. But it doesn't need to stop there. If you can continue those threads of dialogue online through e-mail, newsletters, and social media, you have a better chance of building stronger ties to your customer base.

  • Resolutions for the Merger & Acquisition Minded Executive

    March 13, 2011

    As businesses close their books on another eventful year, say the M&A specialists at New Direction Partners, ‘tis the season to be thinking proactively about 2011 and forming clear plans for making the most of the strategic possibilities it will bring.

  • Why Small Projects Don't Indicate How You'll Perform on Big Projects

    March 09, 2011

    Many businesses make a big mistake when it comes to judging how much work volume they can comfortably handle on an ongoing basis. Do you know what your limits are, without turning your company upside down and compromising on quality, or in other areas?

  • What is social media?

    March 09, 2011

    Social media is a genre of online resources for connecting users with a sphere of influence, and exchanging information and ideas via real-time conversations. Social media can take many forms.

  • The Employment Data Frosting Looks Great, But the Cake is Awful

    March 07, 2011

    The unemployment report released on March 5 left a lot to be desired, despite the drop to 8.9%. Once you read past the headlines, jobs remain a serious problem that is not improving.