Spend, Spend, Spend

I came across this article about how status is balanced out with spending. The opportunity cost of debt versus the potential to better yourself. If you think about it, to truly benefit the next generation, the current generation must suffer. Fashion and the best comes at a price or does it? I think you need to decide. Here is your starting point.

Party anyone?

We hear about these stories from time to time. Girl has party, posts invite with time and date but does not make it a private message. Private message is not private, message is open and available to the masses, word is passed on about the party and loads of people, a heap of damage, police and riot gear follow. Have a read for yourself and think about what you post online. Article

Grain Prices and knock on effects!

There is a shortage of Grain, prices have gone up. Farmers cannot afford to feed cattle and make a profit after sending them to market. Farmer slaughters cattle to minimize losses, thereby flooding the market with meat. Meat prices drop initially but are due to surge next year when there is a shortage. A great example of supply and demand, market forces and external forces. I suggest you do your own research on this one and see where else may be effected. Grain Prices

iPhone and wider issues

The new iPhone 5 is out, demand is high, but could there be problem with the Supply? This is a great example of how something can trouble a company due to external influences. Read what it is.

Leadership Styles

Apple is a phenomenal company, churning out much rated products that are woven and integrated into many peoples lives worldwide.  Steve Jobs did a fantastic job of elevating Apple to the heights it is now and overtaking Microsoft as the largest earning company. His leadership style was fierce, he had vision and attention to detail, but intimidated and berated his staff on a regular basis. Some would say that this is not the way to run a company, but he got the results. Tim Cook is now the new CEO of Apple and as with anything people will always try and compare the new with the old. They are different leaders with different styles and focus. Where Steve Jobs was the visionary in terms of products and perfecting the products, Cook is about the operations of the business, the logistics and manufacturing and the motivation of his staff. Faster roll outs and distribution means even more revenue through sales. An interesting comparison.Read article on Jobs versus Cook

Intellectual Property - Man of the Match!

In setting up Fortune and Venture, I have now Trademarked the name Fortune and Venture in a specific category and it is now protected from others using it to sell other educational products and games. Patents had been considered and Copyright is in force. There has been a huge court case with Apple and Samsung over the infringement of Patents which resulted in a billion dollar payout.

I recently applied for various email addresses for my business and the one I wanted had been registered by someone who wanted $5000 for it. It is not been used, but simply being held to be sold on for a profit This is not new. A lot of money has and is being made out of people registering  domain names etc and then selling them for a profit. Enterprising and definitely a niche. But how far does it go?

In the news today it was revealed that an intellectual property company have trademarked the phrase Man of the Match. This meas that if it is used in a commercial sense i.e. the Man of the Match in this game or the Man of the Match award goes to. A royalty will have to be paid this company. Clever but should it have been allowed? Read the article and You decide.

Inspirational

Next time you think you are hard done by and want to complain, have a think about this young lady who has overcome adversity and is embracing life. She was born without arms and has since adapted and got on with her life. It is easy to find things to complain about, but in all honesty, do people really want to hear about your complaints? I used to have a house mate years ago, that when you asked (being polite) how he was doing - he would break into a big complaints session. Conversations were very short and to the point after that!! Clive Woodward ( a World Cup Winning England Rugby Coach back in 2003) did not pick players who were complainers. He labelled them Sappers as the negativity detracted from the positivity that he was trying to build in the squad. Think about your complaints or whether your friends complain? Article Tisha unarmed