On November 27, 2009

Walmart Bolsters Precautions Where Worker Perished Last Black Friday

Walmart wasn’t taking any chances on security at a Valley Stream, N.Y., store where a security guard was killed on Black Friday last year as shoppers rushed the entrance to take advantage of door buster specials. Walmart already had signed off on an agreement with local prosecutors to revamp security arrangements in New York stores, but the company went further and made sweeping changes in how it would approach Black Friday to prevent another tragedy. Critically, it decided to keep its locations open for 24 hours starting on Thanksgiving to keep crowds eager to grab limited-stock specials from piling up in front of stores. Providing big deals on items that are only kept in limited supply is becoming a more...

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On November 27, 2009

Harrah’s Plans Planet Hollywood Invasion

Harrah's Entertainment confirmed its plans to try to take over the Planet Hollywood resort on the Las Vegas Strip. Planet Hollywood is in default to the tune of $870 million and is now being run by its lenders, according to the Las Vegas Sun. Harrah's already bought $140 million of the resort's debt. Harrah's chief executive Gary Loveman wrote to employees in an e-mail: The Planet Hollywood resort is currently in default to its lenders. As a result of our purchase of their debt, we are working on a plan that also would allow Harrah's to own and manage the property. This is an attractive proposition because of Planet Hollywood's proximity to our other resorts on the Strip, its high-quality product...

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On November 27, 2009

Senate Bill Includes Cost Control, But Is It Enough?

A recent Atlantic article praises the Senate health reform bill for including a variety of cost control measures. But much must be done before any of them can actually be effective.

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On November 27, 2009

Micromanagers Create Macro Problems

Most people aren't born with the management gene. Initially, they're overly reactive and disruptive. They don't trust subordinates. Their micromanagers. Some grow out of it with good mentoring, but lots of managers and CEOs don't, and that stunts their and their company's growth.

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On November 27, 2009

How SMBs Can Capitalize on the Twitter Woes of the Fortune 100

This post originally appeared on the American Express OPEN Forum, where Mashable regularly contributes articles about leveraging social media and technology in small business. Weber Shandwick recently released the results of their study on the Twitter accounts and behavior of Fortune 100 companies. They found that a majority of Fortune 100 companies are not following best [...]

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On November 27, 2009

Nissan’s Zero-Emission Fuel-Cell Car Promotes Coca-Cola Zero in California

Nissan leases a fuel-cell car to Coca-Cola in Sacramento, part of a major push by automakers (including Honda and General Motors) to meet California zero emission mandates.

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On November 27, 2009

Chart of the Week: Obama’s Economic Team Lacking Private Sector Experience?

You'd think President Obama would turn to those with experience building businesses as he hired his economic team. But according to the chart below, less than 10 percent of Obama's economy-related Cabinet picks come from the private sector. And that seems well below historial norms.

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On November 27, 2009

Latest AIG ‘Bailout’ Benefits Hank Greenberg

Former American International Group CEO Hank Greenberg says that he's no longer a billionaire, but stop before you take up a collection for him. The latest decision by AIG should make life better for Hank, but worse for taxpayers. After fighting a prolonged losing court battle with its feisty former boss, AIG agreed to settle and pay up to $150 million in legal fees and expenses for Greenberg and former AIG CFO Howard Smith, who left the insurer when Greenberg was ousted in 2005 and, at last report, still works with him at Greenberg owned-companies. Taxpayers, who own 80 percent of AIG, should be used to paying the freight for AIG's mistakes. First there was the infamous $182 billion bailout that kept the...

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On November 27, 2009

Saturday, Thanksgiving Sales Could Take Some Steam From Black Friday

Black Friday isn't the only major shopping day kicking off the holiday season. Retailers are increasingly turning to the Saturday after, and even Thanksgiving, to push offerings.