Why Survivor Bias Threatens Business Research

On November 13, 2009

Why Survivor Bias Threatens Business Research

I want to start this with a story. I’m quoting Jason Cohen in his post Business advice plagued by survivor bias, with thanks to Alan Gleeson for tipping me off to this one. As you read this story, think of how it applies to business experts and business advice: During World War II the English [...]


On November 13, 2009

Brand Booster 21 Day 12: Consistency

When you are creating a brand then you need to be consistent.  Consistency should take place in everything that you do. Remember, brand is your reputation and if you are not consistent it will not have a good impact on the consumers.  The primary question that you should ask yourself is if you deliver everything [...]


On November 13, 2009

Supermarkets Adding Bars So Gourmet Consumers Will Entertain Thoughts of Shopping

Supermarket really want to take back customers who became more partial to taking their refreshment outside the home over the past couple of decades, and, if that means serving up drinks, that’s fine. Recently, several major supermarket operators have announced they are launching foodservice initiatives that include alcohol service. The recession has encouraged supermarkets to take on more prepared food to win consumers who are cutting back on restaurant meals and take out. Some supermarkets are taking it a step further, though. Just last month, Wegmans unveiled The Pub, a full-scale bar and grill that is has opened in its new Collegeville, Pa., store. Now, on the opposite side of the state, Giant Eagle has opened its third market district...


On November 13, 2009

IT’s Perfect Storm: Managed Services, SaaS and Cloud Computing

In a previous column, I described why many IT professionals within small- and medium-sized businesses, as well as in large-scale enterprises, are beginning to embrace Software as a Service, and why managed service providers can't afford to ignore SaaS. A recent industry event brought my previous observations to life and added a new dimension -- cloud computing -- to these dynamics.


On November 13, 2009

Choice Hotels Finally Agrees to List Properties on Expedia

After a public falling out, Choice Hotels International Inc. -- which includes Comfort Suites, Econo Lodge, Rodeway Inn and Cambria Suites -- signed a three-year deal to list its hotels on Expedia.com. This comes after Expedia declined to list the hotels on its site after negotiations broke down in October over last-room availability. (Last-room availability refers to hotel owners, most of them franchisees, relinquishing pricing and inventory to the online travel agency.) Choice Hotels, which claimed Expedia wanted to act as the chain's revenue manager by controlling pricing and availability, declined Expedia's offer. However, it's unknown how much changed from the original deal to the one most recently signed. In any case, Choice Hotels reported last week that it expected revenue per available...


On November 12, 2009

Chrysler: Recovery and Green Plans Still a Bit Murky

Chrysler can only go up from here. There is a dearth of new models in showrooms, and the existing product line is exciting very few customers. Sales were down 30 percent in October compared to the previous year, on total volume of 65,000 vehicles. Sales are up only if you compare October to the month immediately preceding it. The recent spotting of a 2011 300 test mule was hailed as “one of the first signs of life we’ve seen at Chrysler in a while,” by the Detroit News. To add insult to injury, the hometown papers are full of the financial woes of former Chrysler Group chairman Jim Press. He is being pursued by the IRS, and sued by a...


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