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| The Big Idea |  |
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- Is it time to scrap neoliberalism?
After the ups and downs of the past decade, we should declare the Washington consensus a failure and start trying to move beyond neoliberalism, writes John Gray. Many of the planet's current problems spring from Western intellectuals and politicians' readiness to embrace a worldview founded on comforting delusions, he argues. "Unreality is the defining feature of the ideas that have been in vogue over the past decade," he adds. "Perhaps only a more serious crisis will overturn the delusive fancies on which so many policies are based." New Statesman (London) (12/10)      
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 | |  | | Integrate business-critical information for mobile employees
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- Niche marketplaces make waves online
Online entrepreneurs are flocking to specialized e-commerce sites that connect niche groups of buyers and sellers. From arts-and-crafts site Etsy.com to data-sales specialist Infochimps, experts say the niche sites offer a tailored service and a sense of community that one-size-fits-all online marketplaces like eBay can't match -- and the sheer size of the online population means there's more than enough customers to keep specialist sites afloat. Forbes(12/14)
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- Small businesses should aim for global success
There's no excuse for neglecting the global marketplace, even for small businesses and local enterprises, says lawyer and business professor Andrew Sherman. It's so easy to target foreign audiences these days that almost any business can benefit from reaching out to European, Canadian or Asian consumers, he adds. "It's like the perfect storm for global business where small companies can compete as effectively as big companies," Sherman says. Portfolio.com (12/15)
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 | New! Featured Video from OPEN Forum
"Think outside the shoebox" - The Foot Petals Rule
Fashion or comfort? That's a decision Tina Aldatz was tired of making when she started her line of designer in soles. Now she's got her own company, a closet full of comfortable shoes and an industry nickname, "The Shoe Whisperer." Working in the fashion industry Tina knew the designer world needed a stylish way to make your shoes comfortable.
CLICK TO VIEW |
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| On Leadership | |
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- Crisis makes GE chief a humbler boss
General Electric CEO Jeff Immelt says he's adopted a more humble management style to help his company ride out the financial crisis. The blustery executive, who says he's grown more willing to delegate decisionmaking to his subordinates, now spends two Saturdays each month meeting one-on-one with senior managers to shape a strategy to restore GE's fortunes. "I needed to be a better listener coming out of the crisis," Immelt says. The Wall Street Journal (12/14)
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| Innovation | |
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- Work and work and work, says Woz
Innovation is 99% perspiration, says Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak. Hard work beats flashes of genius, and it is the only way that fresh ideas can evolve into lasting change, he argues. "The easy first idea that comes into your head as a designer is not always the best," he says. "If you work and work and work you can come up with a much better approach."BusinessWeek (12/15)
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 | Free Report The ROI on Social Media Monitoring: Why It Pays to Listen to Online Conversation — Drive effectiveness with respect to product marketing, public relations, market research, customer support, brand reputation, competitive intelligence and overall business innovation. Get the report! |
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- Duke Energy chief wows Copenhagen
Duke Energy CEO Jim Rogers has been getting a warm reception in Copenhagen, even though his company is the third-largest producer of carbon emissions in the U.S. By admitting his company's responsibility for climate change, and touting his support for cap-and-trade legislation, Rogers has become an unlikely darling of the environmental crowd. Now he's winning plaudits for his calls for business leaders to band together to push through climate reforms. Grist (12/15)
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- What is your company's position on end-of-year bonuses in the current climate?
| We are not giving bonuses this year. |  39.42% | | We are giving bonuses, but they will not be as much as they have been in the past. |  22.36% | | We are giving regular bonuses, just like any other year. |  20.87% | | Bonuses this year will be performance-based and only top performers will receive them. |  13.82% | | Bonuses will be above average this year. |  3.53% |
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- No windfall for employees: Despite news about record bonuses on Wall Street, it's a safe bet that those won't be seen on Main Street. In the current climate, it's not surprising. Bonuses are not paid as easily when business is uncertain or bad. In addition, it's difficult to explain bonuses if staff has been reduced and jobs eliminated. For a few who want to avoid them in any case, the general climate provides the excuse to eliminate or reduce bonus amounts. Is this the beginning of the end for bonuses or just a one-year blip? --Eva Schmatz, president, Summus Limited
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- Are you now or have you recently considered moving your organization's headquarters to a jurisdiction with lower taxes?
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- Santa's little helpers join the dark side
Everyone knows that Santa has reindeer and elves to help him out -- but in Austria he has a horned, furry alter ego who abducts naughty children and throws them in a river. Here are nine of the most unusual yuletide characters from around the world. MentalFloss.com(12/15)
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Posted via email from Sean LaRue's Posterous
