Recent Comments:
Las Vegas Homeowners Association Scandal Claims 4th Victim {AOL Real Estate}
Mar 30th 2012 3:43PM Either the police are clueless, or in collusion. Traditional "mob" enforcement includes shattered kneecaps, among other inducements to keep silent. And, multiple investigations have pointed to organized crime's substantial involvement in not only housing, but gambling in Nevada and elsewhere.
Confessions of a Relationship Therapist: The Top 5 Problems Couples Share on My Couch {MyDaily}
Apr 11th 2011 4:05PM The perrennial self-esteem issue that seems to affect all we do and all those with whom we attempt to conect. Life, Career,relationships; they're all "waiting in the wings."
Maybe some more school time in High School should/could be spent on evaluating and establishing a "sense of self" that rewards rather than punishes.
Go Daddy's Bob Parsons Brushes Off Criticism Over Elephant Killing {AOL Small Business}
Apr 2nd 2011 1:23PM Nothing wrong with what Mr.Parsons did. The problem is that overpopulation keeps driving the setting up of new villages and forest clearning for croplands, which used to be wildlife habitat. If anything would help the conflict, it would be establishing population management...of people. By stabilizing populations-one family, one child-for just a generation, great things would happen for standards of living, food resources, wildlife habitats. Hopefully PETA and the Bob Parsons of the world could agree that would be a mutually worthwhile goal.
Boy Genius, 12, Has Higher IQ Than Einstein, Developing His Own Theory of Relativity {ParentDish}
Mar 30th 2011 1:20PM Helps to suggest that parental involvement in education may be the best way to mwximize a child's potential. Home Charter Schools anyone?
Choosing a Company Name: 5 Things You Need to Know {AOL Small Business}
Mar 7th 2011 4:17PM Naming is still an art, not a science.
Even the big naming /branding companys use random character generators as part of their process. I've found Keyword Research to be of some help in getting the creative ideas flowing.
Share and Share Alike {AOL Small Business}
Jan 6th 2011 2:54PM
With a large and growing number of networking opportunities, in a growing universe of local , national, and now international Networking sites, A judicious use of a small amount of time to "know your market" is helpful. In turn, that will help define the groups, both alike and disparate, that could provide different and hopefully helpful perspectives on you, your business, and your opportunities.
Expecting extensive reviews and "mentoring" for free is not realistic, but casual conversations may often lead to an insight.
While Internet-working is somewhat impersonal-less than it used to be-that has the advantage of being less influenced by personal factors of appearance, demeanor, and so on.
Local networking, particularly if your business or service is dependent on local characteristics, may be most helpful.
Everything from Chambers of Commerce to local business associations can help, and most offer a free "get acquainted" initial meeting. Now there are many others as well, with P2P (peer to peer groups seemingly getting more attention, and being more helpful, particularly in the area of professional services, and sponsored Continuing Education, a great place to meet others with similar questions, problems and opportunities.
Search "local business networking groups (add your zip code or major city)" for pretty extensive listings and contact information.
Exciting developments in the "social" universe continue to offer new and different opportunities, but prioritizing your time in this sphere is vital; a lot of time invested can lead to little reward, if goals and results aren't reasonable, and clear in your mind before starting. These can be adjusted as necessary, depending on the feedback and assistance you get.
Good luck!
Alamo Drafthouse's Tim League: Founder of America's Coolest Movie Theater {AOL Small Business}
Dec 6th 2010 12:25PM See? Every day there are entrepreneurial creative "strokes of genius."
Mr. League envisioned a concept and has made it work (and profitable).
There is additional room to add to his bag of tricks, and I expect he will.
The wevolution of movies into Digital Distribution, (and 3D for all movies in just a few years) creates growing justification for movies in theater venues as "events" rather than "let's go to the movies."
A destination decision, rather than just a Content decision.
Attack of the Groupon Clones! {AOL Small Business}
Dec 1st 2010 4:50PM Another lost opportunity for all the Luddite newspapers afraid to take a stand and establish themselves in the e-marketplace. Newspapers could have "owned" this business-coupons-since they owned 90% of the coupon marketplace before 2005
Protecting a Business Idea: 5 Things You Need to Know {AOL Small Business}
Oct 31st 2010 2:19PM Good advice, but following it may be too expensive for a creative entrepreneur startup.
The key is the "tech leap" that the invention embodies; a "never seen, heard of before" idea has to be researched and protected. The Patent Office (www.uspto.gov) has a site search function that helps, as does tips from SCORE (www.sba.gov).
I also take exception to the WalMart idea; the waiting list is up to to a year for an appointment with a WalMart Purchase agent/reviewer, and must be preceded, in writing, with some pretty pertinent details, maybe a follow up "sample."
It is never easy to get from idea to product to manufacturing to marketing, but good ideas with relevant and productive markets do succeed.
As a Strategic Marketing advisor, I urge knowing what you don't know and finding help to "fill in the blanks."
Good ideas are stolen evey day, and great ideas never make it to market because of a disparity between creative invention skills and basic marketing skills.
Just about all reputable business coaches and advisors will try tp get you to focus through a simple business plan outline. In and of itself, this process will at least outline the Marketing steps framework.
Most states have a Business Development center, and other resources. www.sba.gov has a lot tips and links to resources.
Hac and Di Dang: A Career as Professional Poker Players {AOL Jobs}
Oct 29th 2010 1:07PM Less than 1/100 of 1% of "professional" card players make a "living" at it. Add the stress(tons!), the potential loss (for those who slip into addictive behavior) of EVERYTHING-family, friends, home and assets- and there are many more reasons to treat gambling as an entertainment (with a budget) rather than a vocation.
Enjoy the competitive aspects, develop skills, limit your risk and enjoy!
