Category Archives: Business Practices
Finding Solutions in Unusual Places
Written on March 6, 2014 at 10:00 am, by Eric
Companies that look for solutions outside of their given field or narrow band of focus are often rewarded. UPS has developed new shipping containers made of a composite material called MacroLite, similar to that used in body armor, as well as an active fire suppression system. Tests show that these new containers which weigh Continue Reading »
The Costs (and Benefits) of Extreme Weather
Written on February 28, 2014 at 5:39 pm, by Eric
Extreme weather events and the resulting damage may be the new normal. These seemingly constant states of emergency are creating real costs for those who fail to prepare, and in some cases, these weather events are changing the ways organizations operate. Homeland Security officials have declared that failing to prepare for extreme weather Continue Reading »
Solving the Complex Problem
Written on February 6, 2014 at 9:50 pm, by Eric
What is the best way to solve challenging problems? Who inside or outside the organization is best equipped to do so? Business scholars Karim Lakhani and Lars Bo Jeppesen studied Innocentive, the service that helps connect companies that have a problem or technical challenge with ideas and solutions that anyone in the world can Continue Reading »
Digital Efficiencies and Recruiting
Written on February 1, 2013 at 3:02 pm, by Inferential Focus
In 2012, the 500 member in-house recruiting staff at General Electric filled most of GE’s 25,000 openings, helped by LinkedIn and BranchOut. About 10 percent of the positions filled were executive and senior professional positions formerly filled by executive recruiting companies such as Heidrick & Struggles, Korn/Ferry and Spencer Stuart. The GE team completed most Continue Reading »
Mailboxes and General Stores: What Year is This?
Written on November 19, 2012 at 7:00 am, by Inferential Focus
Are mailboxes and general stores new/old solutions for contemporary service? For one, the mailbox is answering the call for delivery of online purchases. Amazon is now teaming up with Staples, Radio Shack, 7-Eleven and Albertsons for its Amazon Locker Service. The physical retailers will install Amazon lockers in their stores, allowing customers to buy from Continue Reading »
Faking It
Written on October 19, 2012 at 2:56 pm, by Inferential Focus
“Trust. But verify.” That was President Ronald Reagan’s perspective on international diplomacy. Increasingly, that is advice all individuals, all the time, need to apply. On Amazon.com, for instance, roughly 80 percent of all reviews are four stars or higher, a positive perspective that defies human nature. Yelp!, which knows that fake reviews undermine its Continue Reading »
A Stately Environment for Companies
Written on July 17, 2012 at 7:00 am, by Inferential Focus
Four years ago, following the lead of Alabama and Georgia, Louisiana started Louisiana FastStart, a job training program that was free of charge and would prepare a workforce for companies that settled in the state. Since its founding, FastStart has trained more than 13,500 workers and contracted with more than 60 companies. Louisiana is one Continue Reading »
Fact or Fiction?
Written on July 10, 2012 at 7:00 am, by ifblogadmin
Thor/Forge Books, Macmillian’s science-fiction division, will soon be the first mainstream publisher to open an e-book store. It will also become the first major house to strip its e-books of anti-piracy software (DRM), allowing books to be read on any e-reading device and shared with friends. Thor’s move comes on the heels of the March Continue Reading »
Knockoffs are fun.
Written on June 23, 2012 at 6:37 pm, by ifblogadmin
The musical group “fun.” enjoyed watching its hit “We Are Young” sit atop Billboard’s Top 100 for six weeks. When the group decided to release the single in the U.K., it learned that 18 different knockoff versions of the song were already selling their and being downloaded off iTunes. It had to rush the song Continue Reading »
Lightweight Entertainment
Written on June 11, 2012 at 6:25 pm, by ifblogadmin
Coach travelers on Singapore-based carrier Scoot Airlines can rent iPads for their flights. Scoot has removed its previous seatback entertainment system, reducing the weight of its four Boeing 777s by 7 percent. The reduced weight has meant reduced fuel usage and has saved the airline money. This is yet another example of airlines doing Continue Reading »
