Add Gas Prices, Real Estate, and Other Custom POIs to Google Maps

On September 3, 2009

Add Gas Prices, Real Estate, and Other Custom POIs to Google Maps

You probably use Google Maps all the time -- to find the best route to a business meeting, locate your hotel when you travel, and see if you can identify the car in your personal parking spot. What you might not realize is that you can easily customize Google Maps with lots of data that can help you out here at home or when you're traveling. The left pane of Google Maps has an oft-neglected My Maps tab -- click it and you'll get access to pre-made map overlays. One overlay shows the price of gas at stations all over the specified zip code, for example, while another gives you access to current real estate data.  In addition to the...
On September 3, 2009

Three Steps to an Attention-Grabbing Resume

Anyone who has ever taken a writing class is familiar with the old saw "show, don't tell," and, no matter how hackneyed the rule, the same principle applies to your resume. Concrete examples and tangible results will get you further than vague summaries and abstract language. Not everyone got an A in composition, however, so how about some more explicit instructions for those who struggle to make their primary job search document attention-grabbing? Blog Cube Rules obliges, offering a three step process to "turn a flat statement into one that makes the hiring manager want to interview you." Write an action verb – Action verbs are those that show movement, e.g. completed, delivered, provided and managed. Write a result –...
On September 3, 2009

Beyond CRM: 5 Steps to Outfox Your Competitors

Imagine this all-too-common scenario: A customer needs to add a new line to his cellphone plan. He's had a number of reception and phone issues, and he will stay with his current company only if offered a very good deal. However, the agent -- unaware of the prolonged dissatisfaction and insensitive to the customer's tone -- suggests an expensive upgrade plan and rushes the customer to some type of decision.
On September 3, 2009

Cloud Computing, or Everything as a Service

If you ask anyone today to define "cloud computing," there is slim chance you will get agreement on an exact definition. It is one of those emerging technologies that everyone knows they want to get into, but no one seems to know why or what the real benefit is. There is a lot of promise, but very few companies have realized tangible benefits from such services.
On September 2, 2009

5 Tips To Avoid Isolation

I recently caught up with small business author and all round good-guy, Andrew Griffiths, in this short video interview. Andrew is one of Australia's most successful and prolific business writers, perhaps best known for '101 Ways to Market Your Business'. In our discussion he shares 5 tips to avoid isolation. His tips are practical and straightforward and relevant to anyone in business. I particularly liked his story about the Japanese business and their '100 year business plan'. Hmm, must get one of those!
On September 2, 2009

Wal-Mart, Target and Costco Shine as Private Labels Challenge National Brands

Store brands aren’t going to be pushed around anymore, not after a study by consumer reports puts them in a virtual – and sometimes literal -- tie with national brands in their ability to deliver flavor. In a blind taste test, Consumer Reports lined up private label and national brand products in 29 categories. National Brands did prevail in six categories but store brands came out ahead in four and, perhaps most surprising, tied in 19. While lower prices might be the initial temptation that gets shoppers to consider private labels, Consumer Reports tasters preferred the flavor of Archer Farms Chewy Soft Baked cookies from Target, Kirkland Signature Organic Medium Salsa from Costco and Great Value Whipped Topping from Wal-Mart...
On September 2, 2009

Can Beckham Ease Wildfire Worry for California?

As several parts of California sizzle and smolder because of summer wildfires, the state's tourism officials are hoping visitors don't neglect the Golden State. Just after unveiling their "California Wine Month" and filming soccer star David Beckham for a California Travel and Tourism Commission commercial (with Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger,) a spokeswoman reassured European visitors of the state's safety. "It is still safe to travel to the California. The fires have not affected tourist areas or tourist attractions and we are not advising against travel at this time," she told London-based Daily Mail. The spokeswoman also suggested concerned tourists view the Discover Los Angeles Web site for fire updates, including links to Los Angeles County Fire. The British Beckham, now playing for the...
On September 2, 2009

Trina Solar: Still Struggling to Bring Manufacturing Costs in Line With Falling Prices

Jifan Gao, chairman and chief executive of Trina Solar, told analysts on the solar panel maker's second-quarter earnings call that he believed market confidence was returning to the photovoltaic sector and expected gross margin to stabilize going forward. Critical to Gao's optimistic modeling, however, are certain assumptions on the vertically integrated solar company's cost structure. In particular, profitability into 2010 and beyond remains dependent on an actual turnaround in demand and management's ability to cut manufacturing costs. Gross margin in the quarter improved 420 basis points year-over-year to 27.4 percent, due primarily to a 30 percent drop in average silicon material purchase prices. Polysilicon, currently priced at about $70 per kilogram on the spot market, is expected to bottom in...
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