The DOJ-Apple lawsuit seems fair to consumers who would gain $2-3 for every e-book they allegedly over-paid for. This $2-3 was more than the Amazon's wretched $9.99 price which is supposed to have squeezed the margins of publishers. These publishers are then alleged to have teamed up with Apple and in doing so forced AmazonContinue reading “Does the DOJ-Apple lawsuit disintermediate publishing and hurt authors?”
Category Archives: Risk
Happy Easter Egg Roll and Egg Safety
Today the White House Easter Egg Roll turned out to be a fun event by all accounts and sort of encouraged this blog to revisit a popular post on the egg supply chain on a more happier note. For on Easter Monday it is nice to think of new beginnings, of Spring and the questionContinue reading “Happy Easter Egg Roll and Egg Safety”
US Healthcare: 5% people account for 50% of the cost: the Camden experiment
You have heard of the 80:20 or Pareto principle, but the 5:50 with US healthcare costs is just amazing. And guess what – all those in that bottom of pyramid 5% who go innumerable times to the Hospital Emergency Rooms (ER) and rack up what becomes 50% of the cost- are rather unhappy with USContinue reading “US Healthcare: 5% people account for 50% of the cost: the Camden experiment”
Diamond Foods: Pringles fiasco- a farmer co-operative supply chain implodes as corporation
When Diamond Foods announced its plans to acquire Pringles from P&G it seemed like a great move to this blog. So it comes as quite a shock that the deal is off and Kellogg's is acquiring Pringles , trying to expand its snacking line for salted foods in emerging markets as P&G , the PringlesContinue reading “Diamond Foods: Pringles fiasco- a farmer co-operative supply chain implodes as corporation”
Project starts and signoffs: lessons from the Costa Concordia cruise tragedy
The Costa Concordia Cruise tragedy is horrendous. That the captain might have wanted to please the head waiter , who comes from Giglio, by going too near the shore is inexplicable. Particularly for the hapless passengers on the cruise. It's one thing, if you are on a small boat alone, its entirely different if thereContinue reading “Project starts and signoffs: lessons from the Costa Concordia cruise tragedy”
Nike Air Jordan frenzy,Payroll Tax deal and the iPhone 4S Santa’s Christmas assistant Siri: is the economy turning around?
The 1Billion $ + Air Jordan brand of Nike shoes had frenzied crowds buying the Black and White Jordans that went on sale at mid-night Thursday. People lined up in thousands all over the US and needed police protection as they walked back to the parking lot with the $180 shoes. Many were put upContinue reading “Nike Air Jordan frenzy,Payroll Tax deal and the iPhone 4S Santa’s Christmas assistant Siri: is the economy turning around?”
Supply Chain CSR: tracing child labor in growing cocoa beans for chocolates
Just as we get into the holiday mood and enjoy chocolates the focus is on where the cocoa beans come from that go into making chocolate that brings so much holiday cheer to the affluent- worldwide. The BBC Story highlights Nestle's efforts in trying to bring traceability to the labor aspects of the cocoa beanContinue reading “Supply Chain CSR: tracing child labor in growing cocoa beans for chocolates”
What an 80 year old workforce means for organizations and innovation opportunities
Working till you are 80 years old is not a happy thought, particularly if you want to retire at 65 or 67. But 25% Americans think that they might have no other alternative. From an older worker's point of view not being able to retire is hard as is dealing with the stereotype of beingContinue reading “What an 80 year old workforce means for organizations and innovation opportunities”
Why is online holiday sales set to grow 15% in a slow economy?
With high US unemployment,nervous stock markets a volatile Europe and general uncertainty you have to wonder at the 15% growth estimates for on-line sales this year. Forrester estimates that this year online holiday sales will be $59.9B up 15% from the 2010 number of $51.7B. The growth rate and the sheer large numbers imply aContinue reading “Why is online holiday sales set to grow 15% in a slow economy?”
Halloween snowstorm and the power outage
On Saturday night the north east USA was hit by a snow storm. Halloween was on Monday evening and there was no power, snow on the ground and a chill in every home and dark streets. Truly scary and towns advised that the festival which involves children going house to house to "trick or treat"Continue reading “Halloween snowstorm and the power outage”