text:
Welcoming Local Food Businesses
To rebuild old regional distribution systems, Michigan needs new rules
December 2, 2008 | By Patty Cantrell
Great Lakes Bulletin News Service
|Ever-stricter federal regulations make firms like L&J Meat Market in Lake City, which is willing to service Randy Rice’s small Benzie County beef farm, hard to find.|
TRAVERSE CITY—In early 2008, schools all across the country were throwing away hamburger patties, burrito filling, and other beef products after a federal recall of millions of pounds of beef from a California meat processing plant.
But, in this northern Michigan city, the Grand Traverse Area Catholic Schools served sloppy joes just like normal. That’s because their beef came directly from a fourth-generation farm just 35 miles from here.
“We didn't have to worry about the recall at all,” dining services administrator Michael Bauer told the Traverse City Record Eagle that week. “We're trying to use that whole mentality of locally grown products. It hasn't been stored in a warehouse in California.”
But, surprisingly, Benzie County beef farmer Randy Rice, who supplies the Catholic schools, does have to worry about the recall. Each time the big companies have a problem, federal regulations get stricter, and smaller companies have to bear the same compliance cost even though their operations, serving a smaller territory, do not pose as much risk to as many people.
That means more stress, for example, on the already tiny number of meat processors in Michigan that are still in business and able to serve Mr. Rice’s growing operation. It also means more stress on Mr. Rice himself, and his cattle.
“I have to drive an hour farther to get my beef slaughtered now that the closest plant, 30 minutes away, stopped doing it,” he said. Even though the closer plant, in Manistee, is still in business, it is no longer slaughtering animals from local producers because of the additional paperwork and procedures that came out of an earlier nationwide recall.
Mr. Rice’s meat-processing dilemma is just one example of a big, thorny thicket of regulatory issues involved in the expansion of local food markets. It’s a hot regional food system topic; after all, regulations are a key part of generating a business climate that either attracts or discourages entrepreneurs—both in rural and urban settings.
Wanted: New Rules
When it comes to food safety, smaller, local-market producers expect to be held to the highest standards. Yet the rules that apply are generally written for large-scale factories, not small-scale farmsteads. This “scale neutrality” in regulations can create many unnecessary costs barriers. It’s like requiring a bicyclist to have a commercial drivers license to pedal on a public road.
Another major barrier in the local farming and food production business environment in Michigan is the welter of different township, village, and county zoning regulations.
Most zoning ordinances define farms as food producers only: For example, farmers may produce milk produced by cows on their farmland, but they may not make cheese with it. As more farms take on cottage-scale processing, like artisan cheese making, they run into zoning regulations that either prohibit such activities or make it very difficult and costly to get approval.
Fortunately, some communities are thinking ahead.
For example, 14 years ago residents of Peninsula Township, just outside of Traverse City, were the first in the state to tax themselves to save farmland by purchasing farmland development rights. But even before that historic initiative, the area’s residents and leaders knew that such a program, known as purchase of development rights, was not by itself enough to support the local farming culture that protects the breathtaking landscape.
“We recognized we need to preserve an industry,” said Gordon Hayward, Peninsula Township planner.
So, in August 2002, the township board took another major step forward. It adopted Farm Processing Amendment 139, making it the first township in Michigan to move a set of processing and retail activities from “special uses” on farms to “uses by right.”
The township long had allowed processing, such as canning or freezing cherries, in agricultural zones. The amendment went further; it defined retail sales and processing as part of the farm operation itself. This eliminated the long and often contentious process farmers faced when they applied for special use zoning permits to develop new businesses.
It also reflected a growing recognition among community leaders that a new brand of entrepreneurial agriculture not only can fit well with the rural landscape, but also is vital for providing the new sources of income farm families need to keep working their land.
A New Kind of Green Space
Then there are those who believe that the need for more local-food friendly zoning ordinances can extend well beyond the borders of rural townships.
For example, if you were to look around your community through the eyes of someone like Andy Bowman or Cynthia Price, you would see some interesting activities popping up in city parks and even suburban neighborhoods.
Through the eyes of these Grand Rapids-area visionaries, you would see parks where fruit trees and vegetables mingle among the tulips and the swing sets. You might see fruit from those trees picked for a neighborhood school’s snack selection.
And you would even see subdivisions’ green spaces suddenly busy with people tending market gardens and small chicken coops.
Take off your new lenses, however, and it all disappears. One big reason: Local zoning ordinances governing what you can do in your backyard, or even on your farm, either prohibit or ignore such local food opportunities.
That is why Mr. Bowman, Ms. Price and a host of other people in Michigan and around the country are working to clear away the cobwebs in old zoning approaches and make way for a new, local-food day in urban, suburban, and rural areas.
Andy works for the Grand Valley Metropolitan Council, the regional body that brings together local leaders from Grand Rapids and its surrounding townships and villages to address how the region works as a whole. Cynthia is a founding leader of the Greater Grand Rapids Food Systems Council, people who come from agriculture, health care, business development and elsewhere to make good food available and affordable to all.
The two have launched an effort to show metro Grand Rapids how land use rules can allow for more local food production, processing, and retailing.
Their guide, New Approaches for Growing In Our Communities, shows how agriculture can fit into our daily lives and local government thinking—from city streets to rural communities.
“It has to do primarily with how you establish agricultural uses on green spaces and open lands or vacant lots within the city,” Mr. Bowman said. “In many cases, it involves the city not only agreeing to but also sponsoring the concept.”
For example, a neighborhood association might want to buy some vacant lots and turn them into a community garden growing food for families and businesses, he said. At present, there is nary a mention in the city or township’s regulations about that kind of use, let alone a way for the group to approach the local zoning board and explain how it would manage the garden responsibly.
That is why Andy and Cynthia produced the guide: They want to clarify how such things can happen and how local governments and residents can work out the details.
And it looks like Grand Rapids is ready for it, Mr. Bowman said. The city is opening doors for new local food activity in town with its Green Grand Rapids initiative and a new citywide zoning ordinance that allows for a greater mix of uses in every zoning district.
Part Six of See the Local Difference will report on the big boost modest investments in infrastructure can provide to a local food economy. Patty Cantrell directs the Michigan Land Use Institute’s Entrepreneurial Agriculture Program; reach her at firstname.lastname@example.org.


text:
Low interest rate caps have been hurting indexed annuity sales, according to Jack Marrion.
LIMRA, Windsor, Conn., and AnnuitySpecs.com, Pleasant Hill, Iowa, reported Wednesday that U.S. individual indexed annuity sales amounted to $7.1 billion in the first quarter.
LIMRA said sales were up 1% from the first quarter of 2010; AnnuitySpecs.com estimated sales were up 5%.
Marrion, president of Advantage Compendium Ltd., St. Louis, another company that tracks the indexed annuity market, says in a commentary that the rate of increase is disappointing, because the first quarter of 2010 was a weak quarter for indexed annuity sales.
The current interest caps on typical indexed annuities is 3% or 4%, Marrion says.

domain: news


text:
Impacted customers have been identified and contacted
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (March 19, 2021) – Refunds are being processed after a short-term issue with the operating system caused isolated payment issues on Thursday, March 18. A very small group of customers using auto-replenishment and some account payments were impacted.
About a dozen customers who use auto-replenishment saw multiple charges to their payment source on file. Kapsch TrafficCom, the toll system provider, has identified those customers and representatives have contacted them directly or left a message with impacted customers. All payments and any associated charges will be refunded. It may take a few days for the refund to post to the payment source.
There was also a small number of payments applied to the wrong accounts, and those payments have been corrected.
The system issue, related to identifying information for transactions, was quickly identified and the payment system was temporarily closed for maintenance to correct the matter.
No action is needed by impacted customers. All transactions have been closely reviewed, refunds are being processed and proper payments have been applied.


text:
Apply for contract opportunities available to businesses of all sizes. Also apply to become a temporary or permanent retail partner and offer post office services. ... Join Canada’s largest retail network. Increase foot traffic in your store by hosting a full-service post office, offering parcel pick up services or selling stamps. OTTAWA—Canada Post and its biggest union have been given until the end of August to reach an agreement in a long-standing pay equity dispute that could end up costing the post office millions of ... Canada Post got in touch with BCTA to ask if we could highlight some trucking opportunities it has published for the Port Hardy, Lillooet, Vancouver and Prince George regions. Please follow the link below for details about the areas covered, how to submit a proposal and deadlines:
OTTAWA - Canada Post issued wide-ranging new contract offers to its employees Wednesday in the hope of preventing a work stoppage at the Crown corporation ahead of the busy holiday online shopping season, The Canadian Press has learned. Canada Post’s parcel service is doing great but it still accounts for only 28 per cent of revenue and it remains burdened with pension and other costs that its private sector competitors avoid. If parcels are to save Canada Post, it will have to be a much smaller, much nimbler organization — nothing like the current postal service.
OTTAWA — The union representing 50,000 employees at Canada Post panned the latest contract offers from the corporation Thursday, calling them “disappointing” and keeping alive the threat of a work stoppage as the busy holiday online shopping season approaches. Access Career Profile. Create or update your personal career profile, skills, resume, and more. This will enable the Canada Post recruitment team to match your profile to current and future opportunities.
All Current Opportunities. We’re looking for passionate people, like you, who are dedicated to service, innovation and growth to play an important role in our transformation. View our all current Career Opportunities below. Found a role you’re excited about? Apply today! Search 749 Canada Post jobs now available on Indeed.com, the world's largest job site. Canada Post is Canada’s leading provider of electronic commerce and customer communication solutions. Our leading edge, affordable and reliable service makes us first choice for e-commerce ...
You can reach us on social media or by phone. In addition, you can fill out an online form to create a service ticket and report a problem. Due to a high volume of inquiries, we do not maintain an email address. Canada Post Corporation, known more simply as Canada Post, is the Canadian crown corporation which functions as the country's primary postal operator. Procurement opportunities (RFPs, Bids, Tenders, etc.) found for Canada Post Corporation Canada Post workers still without new contract 1 year after back-to-work bill passed. Close. 275. Posted by. Lest We Forget. 1 month ago. Canada Post workers still without new contract 1 year after back-to-work bill passed. cbc.ca/news/c... 162 comments. share. save hide report. 95% Upvoted. Log in or sign up to leave a comment log in sign up.
Canada Post. Some 2400 PSAC members belong to this bargaining unit. They are responsible for the clerical, financial, engineering, and administrative functioning of the Corporation. These members provide support for all plant, office and technical aspects of the work. The unit falls under the Canada Labour Code. The average salary for Canada Post Corporation employees in Canada is C$72,441 per year. Visit PayScale to research Canada Post Corporation salaries, bonuses, reviews, benefits, and more! Site for Canada Post Corporation employees to review, update, or change personal records.
Canada Post employees can visit this site for information, updates and support in or after a large-scale emergency in their community. There are no emergencies at this time. Update your contact information. Follow step-by-step instructions on how to access Intrapost and ESS from home or using a smartphone to update your contact information. Labour Minister Patty Hajdu tabled the bill in the House of Commons just one day after a special mediator was re-appointed in an effort to reach contract agreements between Canada Post and the ...
Canada Post Corporation (French: Société canadienne des postes), trading as Canada Post (French: Postes Canada), is a Crown corporation which functions as the primary postal operator in Canada.Originally known as Royal Mail Canada (the operating name of the Post Office Department of the Canadian government founded in 1867), rebranding was done to the "Canada Post" name in the late 1960s ... Government-named arbitrator to dictate Canada Post workers’ contract By Louis Girard 29 December 2018 Following the stipulations of the strikebreaking legislation the federal Liberal government ... Read the latest news and coverage on Contract Law. View images, videos, and more on Contract Law on Financial Post.
Canada Post workers remain without a contract heading into another busy holiday season – a year after the government legislated them back to work. ... Canada Post case was the only time the ... The Conservatives obviously like what they see in Canada Post president and CEO Deepak Chopra: his contract has been extended five years effective Feb. 1, 2016, at a salary of roughly $500,000 per ...
A free inside look at Canada Post contractor salary trends based on 75 contractor salaries wages for 50 jobs at Canada Post. Contractor Salaries posted anonymously by Canada Post employees. The Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW; French: Syndicat des travailleurs et travailleuses des postes) is a public sector trade union representing postal workers including letter carriers, rural and suburban mail carriers, postal clerks, mail handlers and dispatchers, technicians, mechanics and electricians employed at Canada Post as well as private sector workers outside Canada Post. Canadian courts have now answered this question in the affirmative, with one significant qualifier. Evidence of the parties’ post-contract conduct is admissible as an aid to contract interpretation, but only in cases of contractual ambiguity. In the absence of ambiguity, the evidence is inadmissible.
As Canada Post Corporation and the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) negotiations continue, the Canadian Press has reported that last Wednesday, October 3, Canada Post issued a new contract to CUPW and usps moving services which represent over 50,000 employees, in the hope of preventing a near-future work stoppage. The offers included “improvements to … Average Canada Post Mail Carrier hourly pay in Canada is approximately $19.97, which is 16% above the national average. Salary information comes from 189 data points collected directly from employees, users, and past and present job advertisements on Indeed in the past 36 months.
The Canadian Union of Postal Workers issued a request Saturday for the federal government to appoint a mediator in its contract talks with Canada Post, as it rejected the Crown corporation's ... About this information As part of Canada’s second Action Plan on Open Government, the Government of Canada has committed to the disclosure of contracting data via a centralized, machine-readable database available to the public. Originally announced in Budget 2004, departments are required to disclose contracts and amendments valued over and under $10,000 in a manner outlined in the ...
A collective agreement is a written legal contract that covers workers grouped together into a bargaining unit. The contract is reached through collective bargaining between the union and the employer.Collective agreements typically include wages and benefits. They also contain job descriptions and classifications as well as a dispute resolution process (usually a grievance and arbitration ... Canada Post contract videos and latest news articles; GlobalNews.ca your source for the latest news on Canada Post contract . ... A task force studying the national mail carrier says Canada Post ... Find at Canada Post - Postes Canada. Post Office Assistant - Term Saint-Paul-D'Abbotsford/Ange G, QC, CA Feb 7, 2020
Canada Post issued wide-ranging new contract offers to its employees Wednesday in the hope of preventing a work stoppage at the Crown corporation ahead of the busy holiday online shopping season ... THE CANADA POST CORPORATION . AND . THE ASSOCIATION OF POSTAL OFFICIALS . OF CANADA . EXPIRY DATE: MARCH 31, 2014. PARTNERSHIP STATEMENT . As one of its basic Operating Principles, the Corporation has recognized the role of the Association and this collective agreement (Agreement) in the overall success of
The union representing 50,000 employees at Canada Post panned the latest contract offers from the corporation Thursday, keeping alive the threat of a work stoppage as the busy holiday online ... This week I found out that Canada Post has awarded a lucrative contract "to an American company to supply the new community mailboxes to replace door-to-door mail delivery over the next five years ... We now have a better idea of what the Canada Post redevelopment, involving Amazon as the building’s anchor office tenant, will look like. Dubbed ‘The Post’ by local developer QuadReal, the redevelopment of the city-block sized former post office building in downtown Vancouver will become Amazon’s largest corporate office location in the city once it opens in 2023.
Canada Post tabled the “time-sensitive” offer earlier this week, saying it would only be affordable if in place before the holiday rush. That $650-million offer includes a four-year contract ... According to a new report from CBC, the Canada Post’s offer came shortly after American multinational e-commerce corporation eBay requested the Canadian federal government to legislate an end to the current contract dispute plaguing Canada’s primary postal operator.
Canada Post has issued what it calls a "time-limited" contract offer to its employees in hopes of ending rotating strikes that have created a backlog of undelivered parcels. The offer came just ... High quality example sentences with “canada post contract” in context from reliable sources - Ludwig is the linguistic search engine that helps you to write better in English. High quality example sentences with “canada post contract” in context from reliable sources - Ludwig is the linguistic search engine that helps you to write ...
Agreement between Canada Post Corporation and the Canadian Union of Postal Workers - Urban Postal Operations (Expires: January 31, 2018) ... First Contract for CUPW Cleaners In Postal Facilities in Moncton and Saint John New Brunswick. Friday January 31 2020. Canada Post Tracking Details. TrackingMore is a third party parcel tracking tool (also known as multi-carrier tracking tool) which supports online parcel tracking of worldwide 477 express and postal couriers. OTTAWA — The union representing 50,000 employees at Canada Post have rejected the latest contract offers from the corporation Thursday, keeping alive the threat of a work stoppage. Two separate offers for rural and urban carriers included “very small movements” toward resolving some key issues, said the Canadian Union of Postal Workers.
There is no end in sight for rotating strikes hitting Canada Post deliveries, after the postal workers' union rejected the corporation's contract offer and countered with its own proposal. MERX Canadian Public Tenders allows all types of businesses to expand into private sector electronic tendering. Both suppliers and buyers benefit from this online bid, contract and tender posting service.
Canada Post issued wide-ranging new contract offers to its employees Wednesday in the hope of preventing a work stoppage at the Crown corporation ahead of the busy holiday online shopping season ... A free inside look at Canada Post salary trends based on 804 salaries wages for 327 jobs at Canada Post. Salaries posted anonymously by Canada Post employees.
Canada Post Contract © 2020 Canada Post issued wide-ranging new contract offers to its employees Wednesday in the hope of preventing a work stoppage at the Crown corporation ahead of the busy hol


text:
Digital bank Revolut offers ‘Revolut Lite’ to make cross-border transactions and remittances accessible to the unbanked in Latin America.
As a preview, Revolut is offering users free transfers in the Lite version until August 30. It is currently already in operation in Chile. The online bank intends to further expand the LITE concept in the region (Argentina and Ecuador). Last May, it also launched a cryptocurrency platform in Brazil.
Outside of Latin America, the service is also available in countries like Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Armenia and Azerbaijan.
The platform’s expansion in Latin America is also affecting expat communities in Spain and Portugal, who use the app to send money home. Revolut has almost three million customers in the Iberian Peninsula who use the service, making them an important and trusted group for the bank.
Another group interested in online banking are American citizens without a Social Security number, who often have trouble opening accounts. The site wants to help this large group (two and a half million people, of which 1 million are students) by providing bills.
These include features like international transfers, universal debit card and early access to pay cheques.
“Coffee fanatic. Friendly zombie aficionado. Devoted pop culture practitioner. Evil travel advocate. Typical organizer.”


text:
Blog: New initiatives to tackle climate change
Katie Smith | 29 September 2015
After Nike and Wal-Mart last week pledged to source 100% of their electricity from renewable energy, more initiatives are being embarked upon to combat global climate change.
German sporting goods brand Adidas and UK retailer Marks & Spencer are among the companies that have joined the new UN initiative, Climate Neutral Now, which aims to help more individuals and organisations measure, reduce and offset greenhouse gas emissions through an online platform.
With the world likely to exceed the two degree average warming limit needed to avoid catastrophic climate change, the UN says voluntary action by business and individuals is required to ensure the world transitions to climate neutrality by the second-half of the 21st century.
“Over time the need for offsets is going to decline as energy systems become ever more low carbon, healthy ecosystems like forests expand and we arrive at a climate neutral world in the second half of the century,” says Christiana Figueres, executive secretary of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
The online platform allows organisations to select from a range of UN verified emissions reductions for offsetting. It also links to organisations that can provide businesses with climate footprint measurement and reduction advice and support.
Meanwhile, Adidas says it continuously strives to achieve a carbon-neutral stage in its own operations and at its own sites by increasing energy efficiency, using energy with a lower carbon footprint and offsetting carbon where appropriate in approved schemes.
Branded apparel and accessories maker G-III Apparel Group has completed its US$650m acquisition of Donna Karan International, parent of the Donna Karan and DKNY brands....
Some of just-style’s more eagle-eyed readers might have noticed a small change to the menu bar on the homepage: the addition of the word re:source. Yes it might be a small change – but it marks the co...
Over the past week just-style has continued to try to unravel the potential ramifications of Donald Trump’s election as the next president of the United States....
One event dominated the international airwaves last week, and on just-style too we took a closer look at the surprise election of Donald Trump as the 45th president of the United States....
As the Brexit roller-coaster continues to twist and turn, and the US presidential election campaign nears its unpredictable and possibly protectionist end, there's no doubt these events – and the perc...
- Traditional financing is a misfit for fast fashion
- Planning is key to an effective inventory strategy
- US apparel retailers' November 2016 sales roundup
- Why do modern robotics elude sportswear makers?
- Software for financial planning and operations
- US Q3 in brief – Genesco, G-III Apparel, Express
- Esquel efficiency drive continues to boost brands
- Film documents Cambodia garment workers' stories
- Pakistan suspends India cotton imports
- just-style Sourcing Survey – share your thoughts
- Outdoor performance apparel 2016: A broader perspective
- Footwear Top 5 Emerging Markets Industry Guide_2016
- Global apparel markets: product developments and innovations, October 2016
- Global market review of lingerie – forecasts to 2022
- REPORT BUNDLE: Africa-Med, Southeast Asia and Central America strategic sourcing pack


text:
The HOPE Congregation of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana – Sakumono-Estates, has held this year’s edition of the Business Exhibition and Fun Fair at the church premises.
The event which forms part of this year’s Youth X’plo celebration brought together over 30 exhibitors, entrepreneurs and businesses to share their experience, and successes with participants. It also offered networking opportunities for exhibitors and congregants who are into various trade and vocation.
The two day event was officially opened by the District Minister, Rev. Stephen N.L. Lawson.
Items on display included clothing materials of varied designs, jewelry and other clothing as well as beauty accessories, fascinators, medication and pharmaceutical products, Travel and Tour and event organisation stands, educational materials among others.
On the sidelines were bouncy castles to entertain the children who accompanied their parents to the fair. Some participants hailed the fair stressing that it has given them some avenue available to hone their budding entrepreneurs skills and showcase their products and services to the open market.


text:
With Christmas over, many families have already started to take down the tree. State officials are urging people to recycle them.
Most Rhode Island communities provide curbside pick-up of Christmas trees. The trees are hauled to the central landfill in Johnston, where they’re ground up for use as mulch in the spring.
Sarah Kite, director of recycling services at the Rhode Island Resource Recovery Corporation which operates the landfill, said they accept all organic Christmas decorations provided they’re stripped bare.
There’s a new Christmas decoration at the Statehouse this year. And it’s anything but traditional.
Secularists have placed a banner on the second floor of the Statehouse to celebrate the birth of Rhode Island founder Roger Williams. He was born December 21st, 1603. The banner was erected by a group called the “Humanists of Rhode Island.”
According to its website, the banner is intended to be a counterpoint to the various religious displays now scattered throughout the Statehouse and to serve as a reminder that American government is secular by nature and design.
Governor Lincoln Chafee is responding to critics regarding the hot-button holiday tree controversy at the State House.
In a statement, the governor starts by saying, "In 2011, my first year celebrating December in the State House I gave a simple six word instruction to the planners of the annual tree lighting: 'Do what they did last year.' ”
Chafee was criticized in the past for describing the Statehouse Christmas tree as a "holiday tree."
Right wing cable television networks and websites love to yammer on about the ``War’’ on Christmas. But when was the last time you saw Fox News talk about the war on Thanksgiving, which seems to many a much more serious threat.
Exhibit A: the growing list of national retail chains opening their doors for the Christmas shopping season on Thanksgiving Day. This year, more than a dozen big retail chains will open Thanksgiving, giving their workers scant chance to celebrate the holiday over a stuffed turkey with their families.
If you’re looking to continue the holiday spirit you might want to check out a special display of German Christmas figures at the URI library. The display contains twenty nutcrackers, an orchestra of angels, and a collection of cute incense smokers. Retired URI professors Gerald and Sylvia Krausse collected the figures which are all from the Ore Mountains in Germany. Nutcrackers were first created in these mountains and were used to crack nuts but also served another purpose.


text:
In a recent turn of events, a Rhude shareholder has taken legal action against the company’s founder, Rhuigi Villaseñor. The lawsuit raises concerns and sheds light on potential internal conflicts within the renowned fashion brand. This development has garnered significant attention within the industry and among Rhude enthusiasts.
Background and Allegations
The lawsuit, filed by an unnamed shareholder, accuses Rhuigi Villaseñor of various wrongdoings and breaches of fiduciary duty. The allegations put forward in the legal complaint highlight concerns about the management practices and decision-making processes employed by the founder.
One of the primary claims made in the lawsuit is the misappropriation of company funds by Rhuigi Villaseñor. It is alleged that he utilized Rhude’s financial resources for personal gain, including extravagant personal expenses unrelated to the business. This alleged misconduct raises questions about financial transparency and accountability within the company.
Furthermore, the lawsuit points out potential conflicts of interest involving Rhuigi Villaseñor. It suggests that the founder may have engaged in business transactions that benefited him personally, while potentially compromising the best interests of Rhude and its shareholders. Such conflicts, if proven true, could damage the brand’s reputation and erode trust among its stakeholders.
Impact on Rhude and the Fashion Industry
The legal action against Rhuigi Villaseñor has significant implications for Rhude as a brand and the wider fashion industry. Rhude, known for its unique blend of streetwear and luxury aesthetics, has gained a loyal following and critical acclaim over the years. However, the current controversy threatens to tarnish its image and undermine its market position.
For Rhude enthusiasts and customers, the allegations against the founder raise concerns about the brand’s values and ethical practices. The lawsuit’s claims, if substantiated, may lead to a loss of trust and loyalty among consumers. This could result in a decline in sales and the erosion of Rhude’s market share.
Moreover, the fashion industry as a whole closely watches developments like these, as they have the potential to impact consumer behavior and industry trends. The outcome of this lawsuit could serve as a precedent for addressing governance and accountability issues within other fashion brands. It highlights the importance of transparent and ethical leadership in an increasingly scrutinized industry.
Rhude’s Response and Legal Proceedings
In response to the lawsuit, Rhude issued a public statement asserting its commitment to addressing the allegations in a thorough and transparent manner. The company emphasized its dedication to upholding integrity and accountability at all levels of its operations. Rhude expressed confidence in the legal system to uncover the truth and bring about a just resolution.
Legal proceedings have commenced, and both parties will present their arguments and evidence before a court of law. The outcome of the lawsuit will ultimately depend on the presentation of facts, testimonies, and the interpretation of applicable laws. The case is likely to undergo a meticulous examination to ensure a fair and impartial decision.
The lawsuit brought forth by a Rhude shareholder against founder Rhuigi Villaseñor has cast a shadow of uncertainty over the renowned fashion brand. The allegations of financial misconduct and conflicts of interest raise important questions about the brand’s governance and ethical practices. Rhude’s response and the legal proceedings will determine the future trajectory of the company and its standing within the fashion industry.
As the case unfolds, the industry and Rhude enthusiasts eagerly await a resolution that upholds justice, transparency, and accountability.


text:
In the most recent episode of Elevator Talk, executives from Marquis, Transcendence Coffee, Après Hours, and Country Luau are featured.
Observe founders and CEOs introduce their companies and summarize recent news and updates. Andrew Guard, founder of The Guard Agency and Right Coast Brands, is this week’s special co-host. He shared his thoughts, questions, and feedback with the participants. Ray Latif, Editor and Producer of the Taste Radio podcast, joins him.
Every other Wednesday, retailers, investors, distributors, suppliers, service providers, and competitors can watch Elevator Talk on BevNET and NOSH.
Future shows will invite founders and CEOs of emerging food and beverage brands to pitch their products, discuss recent news, and receive feedback from industry experts. Participation is free, and interviews will be conducted remotely. Apply for a future Elevator Talk episode.
About Elevator Talk
Our Elevator Talk pitch series highlights emerging food and beverage brands in the marketplace. Meet the creators of the hottest new brands and learn their strategies for standing out on store shelves. This series is available on BevNET and NOSH.


text:
Google previously denied this, but is now admitting that they do in fact listen to people using Google Home smart speakers:
Google has admitted it gives workers access to some audio recordings from its Google Home smart speakers.
The technology giant said it uses language experts around the world to study a small number of audio “snippets” from users.
Google said this work helps with developing voice recognition and other technology in its Google Assistant artificial intelligence system, which is used in its Google Home smart speakers and Android smartphones.
The assistant understands and responds to voice commands given to it, answering queries about the news and weather as well as being able to control other internet-connected devices around the home.
In a statement, the company said a small number of anonymous recordings were transcribed by its experts, and revealed that an investigation had been launched after some Dutch audio data had been leaked.
“We partner with language experts around the world to improve speech technology by transcribing a small set of queries – this work is critical to developing technology that powers products like the Google Assistant,” Google said.


text:
An attempt by the Walt Disney Co. to trademark "Día de los Muertos" drew such a loud protest that the company has dropped its plans to trademark the name, The Los Angeles Times reports.
The company had filed an application with the U. S. Patent and Trademark Office for "Día de los Muertos," including applications pretaining to toys, cereals and jewelry, the newspaper says. That was in anticipation of a movie that Disney-Pixar is developing that features the popular Mexican holiday, a Disney spokesman said. »Read Full Blog Post(3)
Even if you're lucky enough to have snagged a ticket to the sold out Lollapalooza, you can't see everything. So the fest is doing what it can to get people access to a variety of shows. »Read Full Blog Post
Speaking at a panel of the National Governors Association meeting in Milwaukee Saturday, Gov. Jay Nixon of Missouri acknowledged that Wisconsin is both the Badger and Dairy state.


text:
KFC has launched a fashion line, so dedicated fans of the fast food chain can show their devotion by wearing items in tribute to finger lickin’ chicken.
This week, KFC revealed an online shop so fans can buy everything from drumstrick-printed socks to a pillow with Colonel Sanders’ face on it.
KFC enthusiasts can splash out on a “Fried Chicken USA” Sweatshirt for £58, or a range of T-shirts including one resembling the Colonel’s suit for £13.80.
There are also accessories for the fried-chicken obsessed fan, including a necklace saying “finger lickin good” for £9.21 and pocket squares printed with chicken drumsticks costing £9.21.
There is also a burger pin for £15.35 for those looking to wear their love for the food proudly on their lapels.
The website says: “Quality chicken goods for your everyday life. Dance like no one’s watching. Sing like no one’s listening. Dress like you haven’t eaten lunch yet.”
Perhaps the most bizarre item being sold on the website is a 400-year-old meteorite in the shape of a Zinger sandwich, which costs a staggering £15,348 ($20,000).
The description on the unusual listing reads: “Don’t miss your chance to own this very significant and very heavy piece of chicken sandwich space travel history.”
People are also able to decorate their homes in tribute to KFC too, with wall prints of items like mashed potato for £23 available on the shop.
The website says: “There’s no point in having walls if you don’t have art to put on those walls. But it shouldn’t be just any art.
“It should be art that inspires you. Art that makes you feel something.
“Art that features an entrepreneurial Colonel in his natural habitat or maybe some of said Colonel’s delicious-looking fried chicken and biscuits.”
Currently fans are going wild for the products and a number have already sold out on the shop, so you’ll have to be quick to get your hands on them.
One user commented saying: “Never thought I’d wake up to see KFC releasing a clothing line.”
Another said: “I’m not sure exactly why, but KFC is out with a line of clothing & accessories – some surprisingly stylish.”
According to AdWeek, the KFC US director of media and digital, Steve Kelly, said: “KFC and Colonel Sanders have been American pop culture icons for more than 70 years.
“Our fans were craving a way to embrace the fried chicken lifestyle, and KFC Ltd. gives them the opportunity to let their Colonel flag fly.”
Fans can now get KFC delivered right to their doors with Just Eat.
To make things as finger clicking easy as possible, all customers have to do is select their order via the app and website.
We go behind the scenes at KFC to see how their chicken’s really made


text:
Jakarta has just become the first Southeast Asian city to join the global Social Media Week (SMW) network. The conference with international and local speakers is taking place this week at Pacific Place Mall and other satellite venues in the Indonesian capital, and showcases the use and importance of social media for corporations, small and medium-sized businesses, media, and government.
In case you missed it while you were filling your belly with dumplings and your sky with fireworks over the holiday period, China’s tech companies weren’t the only ones getting into the Spring Festival spirit. Facebook founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg, who got some attention for speaking Mandarin at a public forum last year, put his language skills on the line again to wish Mandarin speakers of the world a happy Chinese new year. Here’s the video:
The year of the sheep is here! And with it, as usual, come crazy engagement numbers from Sina Weibo. Unsurprisingly, the night’s most popular messages came from the service’s top celebrities. Taking home the crown this year was model/actress Angelababy, whose photo of herself in the kitchen (below) along with the message “Like this and earn big in the new year!” has been liked over 3 million times already.
Last night was Chinese New Year’s Eve. Amidst all the other festivities, China’s WeChat users sent each other an astonishing 1.01 billion red envelopes (pictured above), the social media company revealed this afternoon. The virtual red envelopes stuffed with actual cash, which mirror a long-held gift-giving tradition at Chinese New Year, are a growing trend in China as people make more use of online payment methods.
Mixi is showing interest in the world outside Monster Strike, the game that saved the firm and turned it into a billion dollar company. Today, Mixi announced it acquired Muse & Co., an ecommerce site targeting high-end shoppers. The Bridge is reporting an acquisition price of JPY 1.76 billion (US$14.8 million).
LinkedIn has increased its user base in China from four million to eight million, according to its earnings report released Thursday. This doubled size in user base proves that despite the government’s strict censorship, foreign social networking sites still stand a chance in China. The business-oriented social networking service officially entered China in February 2014 with the launch of Lingying, its Chinese language site. By then, it already had about fourmillion members in its English language site.
In the span of one year, the number of people in China that see the positive impact of social media has dropped significantly. A recent study reveals 68 percent of users in 2014 think social media makes their life better, a 12 percent drop from the previous year. In 2013, QQzone emerged as the top social media channel. According to survey conducted by Kantar, a market research firm, the top three social media channels are WeChat, QQzone and Weibo.
To eliminate fake social media accounts that impersonate public figures, the Chinese government has issued new rules that go much further and outlaw anonymity in blogs, social networks, discussion forums and IM services. The move, announced Wednesday, is the latest in a recent string of Chinese government actions that have increased online censorship in the country.
While working for Japanese tech giant Fujitsu in the 1990s and 2000s, Toru Domon had a lot of opportunities to travel around the world. A native of Sapporo, the largest city in Japan’s northernmost (and least populated) island of Hokkaido, he had moved to Kawasaki – on the bustling outskirts of Tokyo – to pursue his career as a communications engineer. The job required him to attend up to 10 overseas conferences a year to learn about wireless communication standardization.
Facebook shows no signs of slowing down in Asia Pacific. The social network’s 4th quarter earnings release shows that its expansion in the region continues to outpace Europe, US/Canada, and the nebulously titled, “rest of world.” Adding an additional 23 million monthly active users (MAU), Facebook now has 449 million MAUs in Asia, a 51 percent increase from the same period two years ago.
WASHINGTON: Facebook said on Monday (Jan 26) it is testing a lightweight version of its mobile app for mobile phones with poor-quality internet connections in emerging markets. A spokesman told AFP in an email that the “Facebook Lite” Android app is designed “for people on 2G (second-generation) connections or in areas of limited Internet accessibility.” The move expands Facebook’s efforts to grow the world’s biggest social network, which already has more than a billion users.
Free blogging and social networking site Tumblr is working on a Chinese version of its platform, according to iFanr. Some Tumblr users in China received invites to join the closed beta test of the translated site. While blogging platforms like WordPress and Blogger are blocked by China’s Great Firewall on the mainland, Tumblr is not (I used it to blog before starting this job for that reason). That’s probably due to the site not having a Chinese version and most of the content being more fun and shareable rather than serious and informative.


text:
WOODBRIDGE, Va. (7News) — Small businesses like independent restaurants are struggling to find ways to stay afloat due to inflation.
7News Reporter Victoria Sanchez stopped by Dixie Bones restaurant in Woodbridge, Va. to see the innovative way the owner is dealing with rising costs and supply chain shortages.
The simple pleasure of barbeque is getting pricier to enjoy. Pork, chicken, beef and dairy are costing a whole lot more, said owner Nelson Head.
SEE ALSO | CEO says he's 'praying for inflation' because it's good for his business, report says
“That prices us out of a lot of business. People come in and they can’t afford to come back as often. I fully understand that. I wish there was something I could do about it. But I have to maintain those margins if I’m going to pay our staff --- if I’m going to pay rent, if I’m going to pay insurance and utilities which have gone through the roof," he explained.
“Over the past two decades, how have you seen inflation come up, go down, recession? What has it been looking like and how does it compare to today?” Sanchez asked.
“This is the worst I’ve ever encountered," Head said frankly.
He's approaching the fluctuating market and inflation in a straightforward way. That doesn't mean it's painless.
“We just felt like, we have to explain to people what the heck is going on," said Head.
And what's 'going on' is getting put in black and white.
He held up a plastic-covered menu.
“So, these menus get printed up every week?” Sanchez asked.
“Every week," he said. "With a new thing on what happened last week and what happened over the last year."
Dixie Bones emails customers wholesale price changes and what that means for menu items. If brisket increases, the cost of a beef barbeque plate reflects that.
“There’s only three ways that a restaurant can deal with that sort of stuff," he explained. “They can cheapen their ingredients, they can shrink their portions, and the third way, is to pass along the underlying cost of your food in the price of you menu. That’s the method that we chose to do.”
It's all to keep the restaurant of more than 26 years open. Once costs drop, he hopes things will become more affordable for Dixie Bones and its customers.


text:
Fresh off its $1.1 billion deal with Google, HTC Vive today made more announcements concerning its Viveport business on the service's one-year anniversary. Importantly for developers, the revenue share is going up to 100% for the holidays.
"To mark the one-year anniversary, Viveport has made enhancements that benefit both customers and developers alike. Based on user feedback, Viveport has made significant upgrades to improve the customer experience when using the app store. Furthermore, from October through the end of the year, Viveport is foregoing its platform fee. To thank the developers who have contributed to the success of Viveport during its first year, developers will keep all the profits during the 2017 holiday season," the company stated.
Viveport president Rikard Steiber added, "From launching the first-ever subscription model for a VR app store to exceeding 1,000 titles available globally, to over 26,000 registered developers in our community, Viveport has grown by leaps and bounds over the past year. We enter year two with exciting new features and improvements to continue our commitment to providing the best VR experience for Viveport customers and the most monetization options for developers."
In addition to the holiday promotion for developers, HTC is making a change to the Viveport Arcade program, increasing total revenue share from 50% to 70%. The Viveport Arcade Manager has been in trial with over 50 operators in more than 15 countries, with a library that now exceeds 700 titles. It's now entering open beta.
While the rev share changes are certainly the most notable for developers, Vive also announced the early release of Viveport Scene SDK, a new toolset to enable developers to create VR previews for people to demo content in Viveport. Additionally, HTC mentioned that it had become a key investor and strategic partner of VRChat, leading the social VR platform's $4m Series A investment round alongside Brightstone VC, GVR Fund, and Rothenberg Ventures.


text:
AWS Plans Data Center Expansion In Brazil
'With this important investment by AWS, Amazon's cloud computing company, we are going to generate more jobs, technology and opportunities for startups as well, placing the state of São Paulo in the global context,' São Paulo Governor João Doria says.
Amazon Web Services will invest $236 million to expand its data center presence in the Brazilian state of São Paulo and strengthen its cloud infrastructure in South America.
The investment will be made over two years, according to a press release issued by São Paulo Governor João Doria, who said the announcement follows a São Paulo governmental trade mission to the United States in November. Reuters first reported the news.
"Over the next two years, AWS will invest $1 billion BRL to expand the AWS South America (Sao Paulo) Region to support increased customer adoption of AWS,” an AWS spokesperson told CRN.
The new AWS investment will be used to expand AWS' cloud computing services offerings to support the growing adoption of AWS by customers in the private and public sectors in South America, the press release states, according to a Google translation.
"With this important investment by AWS, Amazon's cloud computing company, we are going to generate more jobs, technology and opportunities for startups as well, placing the state of São Paulo in the global context," Doria said.
AWS, the largest public cloud computing provider, launched its only South American cloud region in São Paulo in 2011. The region has three EC2 availability zones. AWS also has five edge network locations in São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
“This is our first large expansion, and we're pleased to do that here in São Paolo,” Shannon Kellogg, vice president of AWS public policy for the Americas, said in a video on Doria’s Facebook page. “This is the only AWS region that we have in Latin America, so we're super happy to be here, and we're looking forward to many months and years of growth.”
AWS did not immediately respond to CRN’s requests for comment.
The announcement follows a collaboration agreement between AWS and Centro Paula Souza – a São Paulo state government agency that manages the state's technology schools -- for access to the company's cloud services platform learning programs.
Last October, Bloomberg reported that AWS planned to spend approximately $800 million over a decade on a new South American data center in a free trade zone – known as the Zona Franca Bahía Blanca Coronel Rosales area -- in the southwest of the Buenos Aires province of Argentina. AWS opened an office in Buenos Aires, Argentina's capital city, in April 2018, and last June said it would invest in an Amazon CloudFront edge location there.


text:
Issa Rae’s production imprint Hoorae Media has teamed up with Walmart for an initiative centered on empowering Black content creators. The post Issa Rae’s Hoorae Media, Walmart Launch Initiative For Black Content Creators appeared first on NewsOne.
Shopping this Thanksgiving weekend? Make sure to buy Black and check out these brands doing deals from Black Friday to Cyber Monday.
Take a look at some of our favorite Black entrepreneurs in the food industry that are making strides in culturally elevating the foodie game.
Black women are becoming the fastest-growing group of entrepreneurs, but funding remains a challenge. The post Black Women-Led Businesses Are Growing But Funding Is Scarce appeared first on NewsOne.
For many, there's only one thing on our minds when we finally decide to roll out of bed. It doesn't matter if we stayed up past our bedtime or got a luxurious eight hours of sleep. Coffee.
Through the initiative, Techstars and JP Morgan aim to allocate over $80 million in funding to over 37 accelerators supporting diverse founders by 2025. The post Black-Led, DMV-Based Startups Receive Boost From Techstars Accelerator appeared first on NewsOne.
To close out Black Business Month, we look back on 7 pioneers who helped shape Black entrepreneurship into the juggernaut it's become today.
To cap off Black Business Month, we found some great Black-owned companies for all back-to-school shopping needs. You're welcome in advance!
Dean's Beauty Salon and Barber Shop has evolved into a community mainstay. The post Black-Owned Portland Barbershop Added To The National Register Of Historic Places appeared first on NewsOne.
August is National Black Business Month. Check out a list of Black-owned accessory and clothing brands to support this month inside.


text:
Most Recent Articles In Fashion Features
Latest Fashion Features Articles
"Certainly at the moment, the fears in Europe and the U.S. over the war are more of a concern than the virus in Asia," he said.
But retailers and manufacturers are increasingly canceling trips to the region after the World Health Organization warned travelers to avoid affected countries in the Far East unless it was absolutely necessary to go there. The World Health Organization estimates there are now 2,223 cases of SARS in 18 countries, with at least 78 deaths from the disease.
At the mass market level, Wal-Mart acknowledged Wednesday that there has been some postponement of traveling, but no cancellations of trips, according to spokesman Tom Williams. "We are paying close attention to SARS and supplying all our associates with as much information as we receive it. If they have any question, they can contact our people at the home office. We have postponed some trips, but I wouldn’t say we canceled anything," he said. Wal-Mart associates do much importing from the Far East, where the company also operates stores. The spokesman had no details on what trips were postponed.
Terry Lundgren, president and ceo of Federated Department Stores Inc., said, "We are not traveling to Asia. We stopped a week ago, due to the flu, and won’t resume until we all get a better handle on this."
He added that personnel in Federated’s Hong Kong office have also been instructed not to travel, which primarily involves going to China.
Federated Merchandising staff does travel frequently to the Far East for importing for its private brand programs, though staff from Federated store divisions also do some traveling. As far as other parts of the world, "we’ve asked people to be very conscious of the fact of what’s going on around the world, and only take trips they believe are very important," Lundgren said. "We’re leaving the decisions in their hands, but Federated is following the government’s lead," which, he noted, is to be mindful of world events and to be prudent on travel decisions — although there have been no official government proclamations not to travel. Lundgren said that this time of year, there would be very little traveling for the divisions, though one exception would be Bloomingdale’s buyers going to Italy or France for some home furnishings.


text:
AT&T agreed to spin off its pay TV businesses to TPG in a deal valued at $15 billion in February. The deal closed in August.
In a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, AT&T described how it was treating some aspects of the separation from a financial and accounting perspective.
It said that it was paying the new DirecTV up to a cap of $2.1 billion for losses resulting from the Sunday Ticket agreement. The rights deal expires at the end of the 2022 regular season.
DirecTV reportedly pays $1.5 billion a year for Sunday Ticket, which gives it a unique programming package that has made it a must-buy among hard-core football followers. The NFL this year reached new long-term deals for its other broadcast franchises, but it remains unclear where Sunday Ticket will end up after 2022.
AT&T also disclosed that its WarnerMedia division will continue to sell DirecTV’s advertising inventory until AT&T closes the sale of WarnerMedia to Discovery.
DirecTV will receive a 70% share of the revenue generated by selling the satellite-TV platform's advertising, according to the filing.
Broadcasting & Cable Newsletter
The smarter way to stay on top of broadcasting and cable industry. Sign up below
Jon has been business editor of Broadcasting+Cable since 2010. He focuses on revenue-generating activities, including advertising and distribution, as well as executive intrigue and merger and acquisition activity. Just about any story is fair game, if a dollar sign can make its way into the article. Before B+C, Jon covered the industry for TVWeek, Cable World, Electronic Media, Advertising Age and The New York Post. A native New Yorker, Jon is hiding in plain sight in the suburbs of Chicago.


text:
GMC Introduces New Trailering Guide App
Available at Apple’s iTunes store, the free app contains trailering tips and information, including maximum trailer weight ratings by model, a dedicated learning center, a glossary of commonly used terms and section that focuses on dinghy (flat) towing.
Video content that can be accessed via the Trailering 101 section, in the dedicated learning center, was developed earlier this year as the company was getting ready to launch the all-new 2014 GMC Sierra 1500 full-size pickup truck.
“Our customers believe in the right tool for the job, and this app helps them get the most out of their GMC trailering capability in a convenient and accessible way, whether they’re hauling a utility trailer across town or a fifth-wheel cross-country,” said Tony DiSalle, vice president of GMC Marketing.
❐ Check out the GMC Introduces New Trailering Guide App photo gallery


text:
Mobiles to Rule Internet World next year
75% of internet use in 2017 will be mobile
New York: Mobiles will Rule the Internet World next year. Yes, according to a media buying agency report Mobiles will have the 75 percent of internet use in 2017.
Seventy-five percent of internet use will be mobile in 2017, up slightly from this year, as a growing number of consumers around the world access the web on smartphones and tablets, media buying agency Zenith forecast this week.


text:
By Abdul Haleem, Manan Arghand
KANDAHAR, Afghanistan, June 29 (Xinhua) -- The old store keeper was standing behind a glass case in his dusty shop in the southern Kandahar province and bargaining enthusiastically with a customer over the price of a rare and expensive artifact.
He explained to the customer that this particular relic was worth around 3,000 U.S. dollars and in fact worth several times more than that outside of Afghanistan.
"I have countless numbers of antiques, including teapots, old rifles, revolvers, daggers, swords and precious gems here in my store," the shopkeeper told his client."Some of these items are thousands of years old and the prices of these relics differ depending on their historical importance."
There are a dozens of antique shops in Kandahar city, but interestingly none of the shopkeepers have a license to sell their artifacts openly and legally.
"The government has yet to draft a law on selling relics nor issued licenses to antique sellers," Director of The Information and Culture Department in Kandahar province, Hazrat Wali Hotak, told Xinhua recently.
However, the official claimed that antique shopkeepers were selling their treasuries to each other and therefore the business was technically considered "inter-transaction trade" between local traders.
Some 500 historical artifacts, according to local officials, are on display in the Kandahar national museum, but the old-fashioned antique shops and their owners have been holding onto thousands of costly pieces that represent a variety of civilizations over centuries, ranging from Islamic historical artifacts, to those from the Bronze Age, Bactrian and the era of Alexandra the Great.
"We have objects that cost as much as 1 million U.S. dollars outside Afghanistan, but the price on the local black market is less than the actual value," shopkeeper Mohammad Ismeal told Xinhua.
Mohammad Dad, who said his antique business had been brisk recently, told Xinhua that each of the old shops has two doors, the front door and back door, but said that the real treasures were usually stored in the "back" of the shops, a reference to the place where the shopkeeper and the relic dealers can haggle privately on artifacts, away from prying eyes.
At the front top the stores, according to Dad, some pottery, teapots, rings, coins and old guns are put on display for the public, but the bone fide treasures are generally kept near the shops'backdoors.
He added that the majority of clients are foreigners, mostly from neighboring countries.
Like other institutions, Afghanistan's historical sites and cultural properties including the National Museum in Kabul were been badly damaged and looted during factional fighting in the 1990s.
In conflict-plagued Afghanistan where the government's grasp in the countryside is particularly weak, the illegal excavation of historical sites, including lapiz, is common practice.
The ongoing Taliban-led militancy and presence of hundreds of armed groups have made the job of stabilizing security difficult for the establishment and has impacted efforts to extend its control across the war-torn country.
Cultural heritages and countless historical sites in Afghanistan can bring millions of U.S. dollars to the national budget if the establishment were able to ensure security and provide services to attract tourists, local experts have said.
Taliban militants during its reign destroyed the giant Buddhas in central Bamyan province in 2001, using dynamite, and in doing so facilitated smugglers stealing valuable relics and selling them outside Afghanistan.
Even though hundreds of priceless artifacts have been looted from Afghanistan over the past decades, some have been recovered and repatriated to the national museum recently, although most of them remain lost, local archeologists have confirmed.
"Although we are against the selling of relics and have been supporting the government to protect our historical treasures, I am sure that the present government is unable to do this job," antique seller Mohammad Khan told Xinhua.


text:
It isn't because of a lack of data. See unprotectedworkers.org for reams of documented cases of workers being cheated in sundry ways. In particular, see their document, Broken Laws, Unprotected Workers on their front page (click the link called "Download the national report here"). It shows why corporations hate unions; they want their workers cheap, disorganized, and unable to fight back.
America's favorite store, Walmart, has a lengthy rap sheet of charges, lawsuits, and fines levied against the giant retailer because it has cheated its workers out of their pay.
Sheesh, the pay and shitty benefits packages aren't low enough already? Al Norman has some good data on these
As Al Norman Writes:
In December of 2008 Wal-Mart released a staggering list of 63 separate wage and hour lawsuits that had been settled by the company, at cost ranging from $352 million to $640 million, depending on various trial court approvals.
One month later, in January of 2009, Wal-Mart announced another $54 million settlement in a case from Minnesota, followed later by a $172 million settlement in California.
On May 12, 2010, Wal-Mart issued a press release explaining that it had settled two more wage and hour lawsuits, in the so-called Ballard et al. v. Wal-Mart Stores, and the Smith et al. v. Wal-Mart Stores cases -- both from California. The two cases, which were combined, affect more than a couple hundred thousand workers who had to wait years to get the compensation that Wal-Mart owed them.
Finally, have I look at the video below. Its called Wage Theft: The Crime Wave No One Talks About, featuring Kim Bobo, executive director of Interfaith Worker Justice.
Sweet Jesus, I hate these fucking criminals.


text:
My thanks to customlabels.net for this useful infographic on brand identity for small business. Earlier in my career I consulted for Apple Computer. I watched how zealously they guarded all the details of the big brand identity. It’s...Show More Summary
The Geneva International Motor Show isn't just big, global brands. For every Mercedes-Benz, there are a bunch of boutique automakers, coachbuilders, and tuners showing their wares. While some exist to ruin existing cars—we're looking at you Mansory—others arrive with stunning claims. Corbellati is the latter, and it's unexpectedly just...
Disney and Lucasfilm have paired up with 6 major brands for a huge promotional campaign to celebrate the release of Solo: A Star Wars Story.
German performance brand promises big power boost for next-gen model. Read more
As PUMA continues its run as one of the world’s leading sports footwear, apparel and accessories brands, the sportswear giant taps its ambassador Big Sean for his debut collection. For over 65 years, the brand has created a history of making fast product designs for the fastest athletes on the planet, and now they are […]
Remember learning that "there's no such thing as a Magic Bullet"? Over the last decade or so, an onslaught of third-party data and cookies have made brands and advertisers dismiss this basic rule of thumb in favor of the big data promise: Big data will "know" consumers for you and target them on a seemingly...
For Fitbit, 2017 was not a good year. While the company emerged early on as the leader in the fitness-tracking space, its popularity waned as worthy upstarts like Jawbone and Misfit and smartwatches from big brands like Apple began eating into its market domination. Show More Summary
If you're in the market for a brand new Android phone, this was a big week. See what other companies were making headlines this week in our small business news and information roundup.
Four years ago, kids’ shoe startup Plae entered the market in a big way. The shoes–designed by founder Ryan Ringholz, former lead designer at Puma–were quickly embraced by kids in the celebrity set. (The Afflecks and Kutchers are fans.)...Show More Summary
Already grappling with upstart rivals and the rise of e-commerce, personal-care and packaged-foods makers now face the threat of voice-search assistants that often offer customers just one or two product options.
Motorola might not reserve large updates for its higher-end smartphone models this year. Leaker Evan Blass has posted an image of what should be the Moto E5 Plus, the bigger-screened device in the brand's expected low-cost phone lineup, and it's clearly not just a speed bump for the E4. Show More Summary
We've all been there, both in-store or online, where the retail experience is so poor that you either end your relationship with the brand instantly or hold your nose each time you pay a visit. In my case a certain big box retailer near my home in suburban New York almost feels like a hostile...
Alongside HMD’s big bet on reviving the legendary Nokia brand and business through a licensing deal and a new wave of handsets that it is unveiling today at MWC in Barcelona, the company also announced another interesting piece of news:...Show More Summary
INTERNATIONAL - Ryan Reynolds, following in the footsteps of fellow star George Clooney, is diving into the alcohol business. The “Deadpool” actor has purchased an ownership interest in Davos Brands’ Aviation Gin after he was won over by its taste, according to a company statement. Show More Summary
When attracting the right audience for your personal brand reputation is everything. High-level influencers can help spread the word, which can make a big difference for your visibility and sales. Lately as social media has become more advertising focused it’s becoming a wider trend to connect with people of prominence. Show More Summary
Big claim Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher has branded Paul Pogba not good enough to be Manchester United’s star man following recent difficulties. The Frenchman’s woes over the past month have been heavily documented and it’s safe to say those problems won’t go away too soon. The player has struggled in Jose Mourinho’s recent plans to deploy […]
We teamed up with the data wizards at StockX to present the numbers behind six big trends that dominated the sneaker world in 2017. These days, retail collaborations are not only a tool that bigger sportswear brands use to tap into local communities, but co-branded kicks are a vehicle for the retailers, in turn, to engage in unique storytelling that […]
Brand Finance, the global authoritative consulting agency, released its ranking of the most valuable brands around the world in 2018. HUAWEI ranked twenty-fifth on Brand Finance Global 500 2018 with a value of 38046 billion dollars,Show More Summary
Finally. The Big Baller is ready to return. Lonzo Ball hasn’t seen any game action for over a month due to an MCL sprain in his left knee. According to Big Baller Brand, the Los Angeles Lakers point guard is ready to return and will be playing on Friday against the Dallas Mavericks. Zo returns […]


text:
Talking point: Keen on green?
Keen on Green?
Jonathan Reed casts an eye over practices on sustainability in the MICE sector to see whether the talk of change is reality or a mirage…
On a beach in Koh Samui, Thailand, the temperature is already a sweltering 35 degrees centigrade, but a group of some 30 senior meeting planners from around the world have joined local charity Trash Heroes to clear the sand of litter. In just two hours there’s a lorryload of waste being carted off, an area of pristine beach, and smiles and high fives all round.
Yet a week earlier the BBC reported that a whale on a neighbouring beach had been choked to death by more than 80 plastic bags, while the sandy stretch at Maya Bay, famous from the Leonardo di Caprio-helmed movie The Beach, was closed to tourists so the environmental damage could be assessed. Of course, it’s unfair to blame Thailand, when the whale will have swum through thousands of miles of plastic-filled oceans just to reach there. And being brave enough to close a beach may well be a necessary – albeit unpopular – step in the right direction.
So, do such initiatives as beach cleaning make a difference, or is it merely a tick in the CSR box? Certainly the assembled planners, who’d been wined and dined in the best luxury hotels the island had to offer, enjoyed and valued the morning; and the mountain of rubbish collected was a testament to what can be done. Across the island the MICE industry is making an active commitment to reducing the amount of waste ending up in the seas.
“Are CSR activities mere tokenism?”
Yet at night the tide turns and brings with it another wave of garbage to be cleared. Are such activities mere tokenism? “It’s a very mixed picture,’’ comments industry consultant Richard John who joined the Thai group. “I’ve seen hotel groups taking massive steps to reduce waste, with steps such as helping guests separate recycling in their own rooms. And glass bottles and water stations reduce the quantity of single use plastic.”
He adds: “At the same time, I can’t think of any event workshops I’ve run recently where anyone has been aware of ISO20121 (the international standard for sustainable events). That’s really disappointing and suggests we have a lot more work to do.”
David Preston, CEO of events apprentice specialist Realise points out that “the new events qualification deals explicitly with the topic of sustainability; it’s a vital area and one could argue that there should be more about the topic, but it’s a start.”
2017 was the UN Year of Sustainable Tourism, an initiative that took place against the backdrop of President Trump’s continued denial of climate change, withdrawal from The Paris Accord and decimation of the Environmental Protection Agency. However, Jon Morgan of merchandising expert EP Gifts has a more optimistic view.
“We recently launched a new bamboo coffee cup, to address the issue of the billions of cups that end up in landfill. In 30 years of selling promotional merchandise I have never known such an overwhelming response. For example, we are supplying 15,000 to one university that is giving them away to new students, so they no longer have to use plastic cups.”
Morgan also offers a few simple tips for users of promotional gifts. “Be smart. Buy quality so the items last, and don’t buy cheap tacky products and dress them up in fancy packaging.” He notes: “I think we’re sick of the images of ruined beaches and the strongest support is from the younger generation who are considering the future of their [own] children.”
“It’s about being sustainable and creating a better society to give the poorest people a sense of dignity”
In 1998 the UK recycled just one third of its waste and had the moniker of ‘the dirty man of Europe.’ Some 20 years later the figure is nearly two thirds, beating the EU target. This may sound good, however a recent National Audit Office (NAO) study found that over half of the packaging reported as recycled is actually being sent abroad to be processed and DEFRA is failing to adequately monitor what then happened.
As a result, says the NAO, the government has little idea of whether the recyclables are getting turned into new products, buried in landfill or burned. Environment secretary Michael Gove has stated the UK must stop exporting its rubbish, and consumers should demand to know if the apparent progress is merely an illusion.
Emma Cartmell, CEO of organiser CHS, is also an ambassador for Clean the World, a charity aiming to divert plastic from landfill and help hoteliers become more sustainable. Bottled products are either recycled or repurposed. Soap is remade into new bars and given to those in need.
“It’s about being sustainable and creating a better society to give the poorest people a sense of dignity,” comments Cartmell, “we aim to reflect that in our events, with a philosophy of “reuse, recycle or repurpose”. This includes recycling carpet, ensuring signage/branding can be used over multiple years where possible, using recyclable products and providing water bottles and coolers for visitors.” She’s not alone; many exhibition organisers are now on track to achieve 100 per cent waste recycling and encourage their exhibitors to do the same.
There are many signs that the meetings industry is committed to delivering a sustainable future. Perhaps, at last, the tide is turning.
Published Date: 09/11/2018


text:
Data, data, data. They are at the center of the economy, they are the most important asset today. And the companies that know how to make the most of them will be only ones thriving. This year’s edition of Saastock Emea – one of the most important global conferences about software-as-a-service – was particularly emblematic, as for the first time it was held online. P101 took part to the event, together with companies and research institutions, the whole world of venture capital funds, and many global companies in the field of software-as-a-service for business. The topics of the event were closely linked to the pandemic and the effect it is having on digitization.
It is quite a promising time for the world of Italian innovation: in 7 years our innovation ecosystem has gone from 0 to 1.4 billion euros in terms of turnover. In 2019, around 600 million euros were invested in innovative start-ups, and this trend did not stop even during lockdown. Open innovation has also been growing, and start-up investments by Corporate Venture Capital have increased by 23% in 2020. These are the latest numbers of the Italian CVC Observatory by InnovUp – Italian Innovation & Startup Ecosystem.
These figures show that the global pandemic has brought an acceleration in terms of innovation, starting from the digitization of businesses, that will continue in the way that Saastock has outlined and which we will see below.
The sky isn’t clear yet (but the cloud… can clear it up!)
In 2020, widespread digital transformation has opened up new opportunities for some companies, but it has also created an unprecedented threat for others. Now, all those who have won and those who have lost the digital race must think of new strategies and build their business on the basis of data, streamlining processes and choosing an empathic managing style. This will require more and more cloud space and a more “as-a-service” approach to software.
Product is King (and customer too)
Creating a great product that “sells itself” is every entrepreneur’s dream. Now that businesses are struggling with money, it is not surprising that product-driven growth has been implemented even more widely. But a product that works must guarantee high quality and a smooth user experience: to make it happen, entrepreneurs need to listen carefully to customers and align their entire teams to their evolving needs. Retaining customers and finding new ones, who will become loyal advocates, requires breaking down the internal “silos” of every company, to provide a holistic experience. And this can only be done through data: having them and knowing how to transform them into information.
Companies need to make sure that customers (the lifeblood of every business) think of the product as a must-have and not as a nice-to-have thing. However, in a volatile market, how are price and positioning decisions made? How do they decide whether to launch a freemium offer, creating a bear market, or to completely change their pricing strategy? The answers to all these questions can be found in product usage data and channel metrics.
A new way to sell
As the world was moving online, selling suddenly became a virtual experience. The champions of this new world are those companies that quickly stepped out of their comfort zone, finding new, digital, ways to connect with customers. Those who fell behind struggled to change their selling strategy. Now that the situation seems to be somewhat cooler, companies still need to understand how the decision-making process of buyers has changed, in order to design selling propositions that work in the new normal.
Working from home: will it be forever?
In 2020 there has also been the largest home-work experiment so far. We have found new ways to collaborate, communicate, and be productive. But now companies need to understand whether working from home is frustrating or liberating for their team. And if they chose to work from home permanently – which is possible thanks to technology – they need to create a real corporate culture and work as a team, protecting employees’ emotional health, awareness, and preventing burnout. Far away but close, as they say in Italy in the Covid era.
Boom of glocal economy
This year we have been more isolated physically, but also more connected digitally. Indeed, in a “shrinking world”, there is an enormous potential for SaaS companies to be successful internationally. But how can they overcome cultural differences? Growing internationally is like starting a new company. Hence, you need to master local and regional markets first, then grow internationally.
It is time for sustainable growth
We have also experienced a real shift from “growth at all costs” to “sustainable growth”. But, in an unpredictable economy, how can a company be sure that its business is healthy? By abandoning “vanity metrics” and focusing on those that matter: for example, on the effect that a weak dollar will have on exports, rather than focussing on adjusted profits. Data, data, more data, and above all, the meaning of data.
Venture Capital is growing faster
Earlier this year, it seemed that VC funds were more cautious about investing, but as the lockdown spread like wildfire, most SaaS companies started showing that they had good prospects. And hence, investors picked up their pace: the result of this is that SaaS companies will find it easier and easier to get funded and grow, because they have exactly the tools that make the new economy happen.


text:
Tags Building Products
Tag: Building Products
Launch: Fontana Paper Mills adds a new product to give the roofing community more...
Product Launches: -- Fontana Paper Mills is proud to announce a new 6% + SBS modified multipurpose underlayment, otherwise known as M40. It has an organic core with a 6% + SBS modified asphalt coating and Fontana's familiar high grip surface. Fontana Paper Mills is a roofing underlayment manufacturing plant located on 15 acres in Fontana, California.
Launch: Garden Light LED Expands its Micro Max Lighting Series with New Beam Variations...
Product Launches: -- Garden Light LED announces their Micro Series fixtures designed to project powerful light from a small source in areas like stairs and steps, discrete overhangs, handrails, trees, potted plants, water features, and garden landscapes. Available in five different beam patterns, the Micro Series fixtures are miniature, measuring only 1.3 inches (w) x 1.5 inches (l) x 0.5 inches (h) - smaller than a matchbook.
Launch: Atlantic Surfacing Enters Residential Market, Launches Chucktown Turf
Product Launches: -- Atlantic Surfacing is pleased to announce the launch of Chucktown Turf, which will focus primarily on residential and small business artificial grass installation projects in and around the Charleston area.
Launch: Historic Fortin Ironworks Factory Creates Products that Protect in Face of Pandemic
Product Launches: -- A third-generation, family-owned and operated ornamental iron and metal fabrication company, Fortin Ironworks, is stepping up to create new products driven by a surge in consumer safety. These American-made products are destined to be an integral part of the "new normal."
Launch: Ashla Systems is using Ultraviolet Rays (UV-C) Tech to create smart elevators that...
Product Launches: -- Ashla Systems announced today the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic has industries searching for answers on what technology can help in the fight against contamination. Many groups are starting to focus on a system that has been tried and tested for over 70 years; UV-C light which has been proven to kill the virus after just 10 minutes of contact.
Ad News: Matrix Systems Announces Newly Redesigned Website for its Air Filtration Solutions
Advertising NEWS: -- Matrix Systems announces the launch of its redesigned website. The site has been updated with a new look and feel that incorporates the latest features of online web design, as well as optimizing the site for mobile devices such as phones and tablets.
Launch: Braxtly Tools announces a ‘Helmet for your Knees,’ professional grade and DIY friendly
Product Launches: -- Braxtly Tools, a leader in heavy duty and industrial grade tools for Professionals and serious DIYers, announces the launch of their new Heavy-Duty Gel Knee Pads to combat knee and joint pain commonly found from prolonged kneeling.
Launch: Crawl Space Door Systems Launches New Flood Vent to Reduce Flood Insurance Costs...
Product Launches: -- It's time to prepare for more downpours warns NOAA (Climate.gov). Heavy rain has increased across most of the United States, and is only likely to continue to do so. In fact, climate change is projected to increase the size of the flood plain by as much as 45% in the next 100 years. A new flood vent introduced by Crawl Space Door Systems, Inc. can help concerned home and business owners protect their property and save money too.
Launch: MyKabin LLC Launches in Seattle – Brings Affordable Backyard Cottages to Washington Homeowners
Product Launches: -- Now residents of Western Washington have access to affordable backyard living space with the launch of MyKabin, a new construction firm specializing in backyard cottages. MyKabin has reimagined the construction process by focusing on creating a beautiful, prefabricated cottage with a minimally disruptive installation process that saves homeowners time, money, and the hassle of a lengthy construction project.
Launch: Studco Building Systems develops VORTEX high-performance framing system to eliminate creaking in tall...
Product Launches: -- Tall buildings, much like tall trees, sway in windy conditions, says Studco Building Systems. This is caused by a phenomenon known as vortex shedding. Vortex shedding occurs when wind runs into a tall building and the wind is "split" into two separate air streams around the building.
12Page 1 of 2


text:
Recently, Michael Blackman, managing director of Integrated Systems Europe, was able join Talent Congress in Barcelona in 3D Hologram form while being 4000 miles away in Oman, thanks to Hypervsn Full Body Live-Streaming. Hypervsn is bringing a demo of this innovative solution to ISE 2023 to showcase how it is adding the much-needed ‘human touch’ and visual form to the traditional flat screen calls and live streams. This live streaming solution is based on Hypervsn SmartV products, with specially created image layers and visual effects to maximise the realism and impact on the audience, perfect for education and events.
Another solution to be showcased at the show is SmartV Digital Avatar, a new solution which allows two-way interaction with a digitally rendered human avatar, bringing the Metaverse to the physical world. Based on Hypervsn Holographic Human solution, which runs on pre-recorded content, Digital Avatar takes it a step further by allowing real-time conversations with users, thanks to its interactive AI capabilities and the scalable ‘human touch’. This is a new solution for banking, retail, and other human-dependent sectors where holographic assistants can take over the routine everyday questions, leaving time for its fellow human colleagues to sort out the more complicated queries.
Interactivity is a new major factor for increasing brand awareness. With that in mind, Hypervsn will also showcase SmartV Product Configurator, which is already showing success in the automotive industry. This holographic solution lets the user change options of holographic 3D models in front of them using a touchpad, seeing changes in real-time and skyrocketing engagement.
With another solution made specifically for retail, SmartV Window Display, the company aims to help with boosting brand awareness using interactive gesture-controlled 3D visuals. This holographic solution lets the user actively manipulate 3D models with their own hands, skyrocketing engagement.


text:
10:08 | 20/05/2019 Trade
(VEN) - Data from some market research companies show that the Vietnamese convenience store market is growing strongly in terms of both value and size.
A Deloitte’s report shows that the number of convenience stores in Vietnam has quadrupled since 2012, accounting for the biggest proportion of newly founded shopping facilities in 2018. The convenience store market has attracted Vietnam’s leading retailers including VinGroup and Saigon Co.op, and such leading foreign firms as Circle K, B’s Mart, Mini Stop, 7-Eleven, and GS25, among others.
Domestic enterprises are dominating the market, carving a 70 percent niche. As of late January 2019, according to a Deloitte’s report, there were 1,700 Vinmart+ stores throughout Vietnam, while foreign-owned convenience stores (excluding the Shop&Go sold to VinGroup) totaled more than 600 facilities.
Convenience stores in Vietnam have reached a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 35.7 percent from 2017-2019 and an estimated CAGR rate of 37.4 percent in 2017-2021, much higher than in other Southeast Asian countries - the Philippines (24.2 percent), Indonesia (15.8 percent), Malaysia (10.5 percent), and Thailand (6.6 percent).
A 2019 business outlook of the Vietcombank Securities Company (VCBS) shows that mini supermarkets and convenience stores were the fastest growing retail models in Vietnam in 2015-2017. Although they accounted for only 0.4 percent of the total retail sales, mini supermarkets and convenience stores took the lead in terms of CAGR growth - 48 percent in the 2012-2017 period. This growth has helped attract foreign retailers - Family Mart, Circle K, Bs Mart, and GS25 - to the Vietnamese retail market.
Dinh Thi My Loan, Chairwoman of the Association of Vietnam Retailers said it is considerably simpler to apply for a license for a 500- square-meter convenience store than for a supermarket or hypermarket. Apart from offering a diverse range of consumer goods, convenience stores provide services of electricity and water bill payment, air ticket booking and money withdrawal, among others.
Convenience stores are becoming strong rivals of traditional trade operators. While they account for about 20 percent of shopping centers in foreign countries, convenience stores represent less than 10 percent of all shopping places in Vietnam, highlighting the huge potential for such facilities in Vietnam.
Tran Duy Dong, Director of the Domestic Market Department under the Ministry of Industry and Trade said mini supermarkets and convenience stores are expected to develop more strongly in 2019 and the following years to meet consumer needs. However, Vietnamese retail businesses need to improve the quality of products and customer services and diversify their range of products if they are to expand their market share.
As one of Vietnam’s biggest economic conglomerates, VinGroup plans to open 4,000 Vinmart+ convenience stores by
2020, while 7-Eleven set a target of increasing its number of stores to 1,000 in the next 10 years.


text:
6 Things Microsoft Must Do In 2013
This could be a make or break year as Microsoft looks to establish itself in mobile, cloud and other hot new markets while fending off challenges to its Windows franchise.
iPhone Prices Under Competitive Pressure
Phone prices are being aggressively lowered by Apple's competition and Apple appears to be responding with price cuts, something we haven't seen before. Never mind that excellent Android and Windows Phones can be had for a lot less than the iPhone's $199 with a 2 year plan; more and more users are opting for older and cheaper iPhone models. The bottom line of all this is that Apple's average selling price for an iPhone is going down.
China Tries Again To Control Internet
The Great Firewall of China is increasingly effective in stopping anonymous VPN-based access in and out of the country after a recent upgrade, and now the government is considering another attempt to strengthen authentication of users before obtaining Internet connections. The proposed law is being cynically framed as a privacy protection measure. As offended as I am at the ideas behind these proposals, I'm confident that they can't be implemented practically.
Google/Motorola 'X phone' Tries To Push Tech Limits
Google and Motorola are trying to make the hottest phone on the market and running into the problems that kept everyone else from making such a phone, such as poor battery life. The way they're going about it suggests that Google does not have the clearest vision of what they want to do or how to do it.
Mobile's Biggest Losers In 2012
The last twelve months have been turbulent for smartphone makers and wireless network providers. Here's who took it on the chin hardest.
Email Overload: Disease Or Symptom?
Email overload is a symptom of larger management dysfunctions.
Why are your employees spending so much time covering themselves for every little thing?
Android Fails in Mobile Malware Research
There are many more malware-infected Android devices out there than you might think. It's all because the Android ecosystem and Google Play store are more friendly to malware and exploits than iOS and the Apple App Store or Windows 8, Windows Phone and the Windows Store. There's some, but not much reason, to think things will improve for Android in the near future.
Apple Must Settle With Samsung
Apple Needs To Cut The Patent Nonsense. If Apple really thinks they need to sue the competition out of the market then they must think they're in worse shape than anyone else thinks. Recent legal setbacks, including the reexamination by the US Patent and Trademark Office of the 'pinch and zoom' and other patents, have the potential to embarrass Apple severely and embolden the competition. Now's the time to scale back in their settlement negotiations.
PR Gone Wild, 2012: 12 Hall Of Shamers
We get a lot of bad public relations pitches during a year, but these 12 speak for themselves. Enjoy, but please think carefully before paying for a FaceTime facelift.
Smartphone Race's Third Horse: Microsoft Or RIM?
Apple and Google are the two strong leaders in the smartphone wars. Microsoft recently kicked off its comeback bid, and RIM follows next month. Which one has the best shot of being the third horse in this race?
Google Nexus 10: My First Month
After almost two years of iPad use, I've been living with a Google Nexus 10 tablet for the past month. Google's iPad rival does not disappoint.
Google Escapes Antitrust Shackles
FTC's antitrust case against Google appears to be winding down without Google being slapped with any penalties or restrictions. Be glad.
7 Ways Outsourcing Has Changed
The old role of outsourcers -- doing repetitive stuff overseas because it is a lot cheaper -- is history. See what's coming to take its place.
In Search Of Social Business Excellence
Vala Afshar, chief customer officer of Enterasys Networks, celebrates his firm's social business success story, from Chatter to Twitter, in "The Pursuit of Social Business Excellence."
Google Makes BYOD Harder
Google is ending several services, including Exchange ActiveSync (EAS) for free users and Google Calendar Sync for all users. If you use an iPhone or iPad for free Google services like GMail you have some headaches ahead. Google is pushing you hard to abandon the Mail app and switch to the GMail app. If you use a Microsoft Surface for them then you have a big problem. This Google calls "Winter cleaning."
Health IT Bubble Is No Bubble At All
Unlike the disappointing tech startups of the late 1990s, healthcare IT will continue to grow because it addresses problems the medical industry has yet to solve.
Top Ten BYOD Developments of 2012
It's been another big year for BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) and the consumerization of IT. Apple moved boldly forward and yet lost a step in both market share and esteem. Microsoft staked a claim in the tablet and phone markets. Android came to dominate the smartphone market and make tablet inroads. 4G and the cloud have become more common and big companies stepped in to take control of mobile security.
Office for iPad: Don't Expect Much
The evidence is pouring in that there will soon be a Microsoft Office of sorts on the iPad. Just remember, that Microsoft will never give Apple their cut through the app store, so look for Office for iPad to be a free gateway to some for-pay service.
QWERTY Keyboards Are Here To Stay
Alternative keyboards are voodoo ergonomics. If the keyboard is going to be killed by anything, it'll be by the one holy grail of user interfaces: A direct neural connection between the user and the computer, with all of the fascinating and scary possibilities offered through such a system. The things I'm confident it's not going to be killed by are touchscreens or, for that matter, other kinds of keyboards.
Flawed Report Claims 24 of 25 Top App Companies Sell Games
A report by research firm Canalys says that revenues in the app business are dominated by game developers. We think the analysis is flawed, but it's also true that revenue opportunities are potentially more plentiful for games than other apps.
What If Google Ignores BlackBerry 10?
Google's long-time support for RIM's BlackBerry platform seems to be waning. Will BlackBerry 10 be able to win back Android and iPhone users without mobile apps from Google?
For Microsoft Surface, Modest Sales Are Good Enough
The software giant is finding that modest sales are the sweet spot for Surface hardware, but is it a winning business model? It could be. Surface doesn't have to be as big a hit as the iPad for Windows 8, and therefore Microsoft, to win big. More than Surface itself, Microsoft needs to get Windows 8 and the app model working, and for that the success of Lenovo, Dell, HP and other OEMs is also good for Microsoft.
5 Healthcare IT Resolutions For 2013
CPOE and clinical decision support won't help you get in shape or spend more time with the family, but they should be among your New Year's priorities.
T-Mobile Ending Phone Subsidies: A Victory For Transparency
The traditional subsidized phone contract that has made mobile phones seem more affordable is in fact a convoluted scheme to maximize carrier money and leverage on the customer. T-Mobile's plan to switch to unlocked phones and a "Value" package, in which you pay for the phone in installments clearly spelled out on the bill, lets customers make clearer decisions.