Saturday, November 13, 2010

The LA Times Interview With Paul Buchheit

 

Facebook's Paul Buchheit talks about Facebook, Google and his new gig

November 12, 2010 |  5:53 pm

Earlier today we reported that Paul Buchheit, who created Gmail and founded FriendFeed,was leaving Facebook to join Y Combinator. We caught up with Buchheit on his last day at Facebook.

 

It’s interesting that Paul is leaving Facebook before an IPO (Initial Public Offering) happens. There is more to life than money when you have enough to walk away from what might be a huge payday.

On a somewhat related note, the EconTalk podcast did an interview with Paul not long after Facebook acquired his startup Friendfeed. You can find the episode on EconTalk here.

Monday, September 13, 2010

UPS delivers 'amore' - WSJ.com

Third-party logistics is a growing area at a time of globalization and cost-cutting of in-house supply-chain operations, said Kevin Sterling, senior transportation analyst at BB&T Capital Markets.

*Possible area for students to study and become experts in. How to integrate complex supply chain distribution channels.

Posted via email from admore's posterous

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

New Technology to Lure Shoppers - WSJ.com

Some of the most sophisticated in-store technology is tied to consumers' mobile devices, ad executives say. Marketers are experimenting with ways to use mobile phones to provide customers with services and promotions as they shop. These range from truck reviews at car dealerships to allergy information tied to certain foods at supermarkets, Mr. Ross says.

Sounds like Location Based Services (Foursquare etc) are on to something here. Who can get the first score?

Posted via email from admore's posterous

Friday, May 28, 2010

Ford to End Mercury

The pace of change has quickened during the recession. This will reduce the friction caused by marketing support (ad money and dealer marketing) required for weak and dying brands.

This consolidation may lead to more models per company. This might occur to differentiate a firms model lineup against its competitors.

Marketers may find more niches to target against. Single firm car manufactures can more readily make positioning moves to serve the unmet needs of unique markets.

Posted via web from admore's posterous

Monday, March 8, 2010

Meijer's new small-store format in Niles, Illinois, could open door into urban neighborhoods | - MLive.com

For those consumers who can’t find what they are looking for, there is a kiosk online where they can order from meijer.com for home delivery.

Meijer would be wise to consider free ship-to-store as an option. People could order online, have it shipped to the store, pick it up and buy other merchandise while they are there. This would expand the inventory offered without having to carry it on shelf. Consumers will also like saving on shipping costs.

Large items could be shipped direct to consumer to save them the hassle of transporting. This would be especially useful to urban dwellers that use public transportation.

Posted via web from admore's posterous

Sunday, February 28, 2010

Snack Firm Diamond Foods to Buy Kettle - WSJ.com

Diamond Foods Inc. said Thursday it has agreed to acquire Kettle Foods from Lion Capital LLP for $615 million, a move that gives the snack-nuts producer a much bigger bite of the premium potato-chip market.

*Sold for approximately 2.5 times sales.

Posted via web from admore's posterous

Saturday, February 20, 2010

Fewer homeowners falling behind on mortgage payments - latimes.com

We are likely seeing the beginning of the end of the unprecedented wave of mortgage delinquencies and foreclosures that started with the subprime defaults in early 2007 [and] continued with the meltdown of the California and Florida housing markets due to overbuilding and the weak loan underwriting that supported that overbuilding," Jay Brinkmann, the group's chief economist, said in a statement.

It's good news that signs of improvement are becoming visible. Consumer confidence should begin to rise and take hold as the mole hill of positive economic data becomes a small skill hill. There are still risks out there, but it appears that the worst is behind us.

Businesses are cautiously looking forward to the future. We should see the total number of people employed rise even as the unemployment rate increases.

Why would the unemployment rate increase if the economy is recovering?

The way unemployment is measured, people become so discouraged that they stop looking for work and are no longer counted as being part of the labor force. If one is not considered part of the labor force one cannot be officially unemployed.

As the economy appears to be entering a recovery stage people regain the optimism that there are job opportunities to be had. These formerly discouraged people will then be counted as unemployed because they are looking for a job again. It would not surprise me if the unemployment rate jumped a bit in the coming months. Government hiring for the 2010 census may reduce or prevent the anticipated jump in the unemployment rate.

Unemployment will remain at elevated levels for the short and intermediate term. There are opportunities out there. It is advisable for people to start getting their resume and network in order. As Harvey Mackay would say, dig your well before you're thirsty. Starting preparation today will bring job offers sooner when the right job opportunity arrives. Be ready for that opportunity when it's right in front of you.

Posted via web from admore's posterous