Money Lessons
Pound Foolish: Exposing the Dark Side of the Personal Finance Industry Helaine Olen, a Los Angeles Times personal finance columnist and author of Pound Foolish gives an inside look at the industry, and how consumers lose a lot of money by following questionable advice. Some of the incidents and statistics relate to potential entrepreneurs. However, the major take […]
Robots Taking Over Business & Workplace Tasks
Traditional Skills Becoming obsolete Investigative reporter Don Bartlett recently warned about the public’s lack of awareness about robotics in the workplace during his appearance on C-SPAN. Although I knew about robot controlled vacuum cleaners & the growing use of robots in factories, I have to admit I had no idea how widespread the technology had […]
Investigative Journalism
Useful Controversial Niche Imagine the commotion at an outdoor garden wedding if two baby skunks suddenly strolled out of the bushes and into the backyard among the waiting guests. It’s a similar reception given to many investigative journalists. In the Afterwords video, Pulitzer Prize-winning authors Donald Bartlett and James Steele explain why their profession is […]
Free Business eBook Resource
Nolo’s* Legal Reference Information Center Full texts of Nolo’s publications are available through their search engine. The company’s mission is to provide practical information for non-lawyers, but Nolo also specializes in business books. Titles are primarily focused on the legal and tax aspects of starting-up and running an enterprise. Some titles may be useful for […]
Humor & Startup Entrepreneurs
Using Laughter to Market Products & Services In a previous post, I wrote about different niches in the humor industry. Recently, I discovered two businesses that incorporate offbeat humor into their products and services. The first example involves an antitheft lunch bag. I have to admit that I stared at the sandwich and its headline for […]
Some Entrepreneurial Career Changers Assess Skills Without Tests
Card Sorting: An Overlooked Resource Tool Countless would-be entrepreneurs have trouble identifying their values, motivations, and occupational interests. However, more than two hundred factors are involved, according to career development expert Richard Knowdell, so indecision is understandable. Testing is one solution, but some people dislike tests while others find conventional methods incompatible with their learning […]
American Phoenix: How a 19th-Century Entrepreneur Managed Tragedy & Disaster
When tragedy or disaster strikes a one-person business, he or she may have to cope with the day-to-day responsibilities of entrepreneurial activities solo. In today’s world, experienced business owners who have grappled with these issues recommend sending a message via e-mail to inform business clients or customers, and updating using e-mail or an answering service. […]
Hidden Business News
The UnderReported Side of Media Topics In the United States, the economic downturn triggered an increase in employee-owned businesses, but that fact is not widely reported, according to truth.org. And consider Afghanistan: The public does not immediately think entrepreneurial in connection with that country, but many people might be surprised to learn about the Afghan cell phone […]
Syndicate Kidnaps Prized Turtles
Conservation Conflict As a child, Eric Goode received a little turtle as a gift, and that began his fascination and love for the animal. Today, he maintains a sanctuary for turtles and travels the world as a conservationist for a specie that is highly valued and dwindling as a result of illegal poaching. Lesson: Every […]