Online Journal February, 2010

Feb
28
2010

Written by:
Thomas Loeffler

Nearsighted Approach

Today, in the world of business, we have fallen short in many regards. The irony is in our shortsighted approach. One would think it would be difficult to fall when they are looking at what is in front of them. I can see where we missed a step after attending Princeton’s Business Today conference in Austin, Texas. In Austin, I discovered a fundamental function of business that needs to be reevaluated in our nation: people. The “human capital” of a company is known as just that, and we have essentially lost our most valuable asset because we do not treat them as such. Our drive to make the statements meet our expectations for the quarter has left a disregard for the people doing the work to make those numbers happen – the employees. All we have to show is an economic recession, higher than quoted rates of unemployment, and a bleak outlook for sustainable growth in the future.

Feb
26
2010

Written by:
Paul Shin

Study Released on the App Store Market

Which app store has the largest amount of free applications? Which app store has the cheapest applications? Which app store is growing in the fastest rate?

A Dutch smart phone applications analysis company, Distimo, published an intriguing analysis data of six representative application markets that participated in Mobile World Congress (MWC). Distimo compared a ratio of free versus paid apps, average prices, scales of stores, and growth rate of these firms, including Apple apps store, Google Android market, Blackberry world, Nokia Ovistore, Palm app catalogue, and Windows market place.

According to its research, Google Android’s 57% of applications are free and 32% for Palm with average of 25% for other firms. Distimo analyzed that more free apps are available for the system, because Android’s operating system is an open source where developers want to share their creations with other users.

Feb
25
2010

Written by:
Joseph Seydl

The Value of an MBA…For Women

A recent study conducted by Catalyst—a nonprofit organization intent on expanding opportunities for women in business—indicates that MBA degrees for men carry more weight than they do for women. The study points out that, in the workforce, women MBA holders lag behind their male counterparts in the areas of salary, positions obtained post-MBA, and future promotions.

Feb
23
2010

Written by:
Elizabeth Gazette

No More Free Visa Bottle Openers

Sallie Mae, a firm which creates, services, and collects student loans, conducted a study indicating that 80% of college students have at least one credit card and the average college senior graduates with credit card debt totaling $4,100. At an 18% interest rate and making minimum payments of $73.88 each month, the student would need 10 years to pay off the $4,100 debt, assuming of course that no additional purchases were ever made on the card.

Feb
19
2010

Written by:
Jimmy Connolly

BASES/BT National Entrepreneurship Bootcamp

Applications are now being accepted for the first BASES-BT National Entrepreneurship Bootcamp, hosted by the Stanford University Business Association for Stanford Entrepreneurial Students. For more information about the application process and the conference in general, head here.

Feb
14
2010

Written by:
Jimmy Connolly

Tax Credit Opportunity for College Students

For the first time in American tax code history, money spent on textbooks is now tax-deductible. In fact, up to $2,500 in tuition, books, and other course material costs can be counted towards tax credits in this new plan. To learn more about this opportunity, head to TextBookAid.

Photo courtesy of Flickr.

Feb
8
2010

Written by:
Jimmy Connolly

Saatchi & Saatchi CEO Kevin Roberts--Ideas as the Currency of the Future

As a part of the Wharton Leadership Lecture Series, Saatchi & Saatchi CEO Kevin Roberts gave a speech entitled "Ideas as the Currency of the Future." Saatchi & Saatchi is a worldwide advertising firm, and its major clients include GE and Proctor & Gamble. Its Wikipedia article gives a great description of the company's background and current operations.

Feb
2
2010

Written by:
Laiyin Li

Haiti Receives Wall Street’s Short-term Aid

Since a devastating earthquake shook the hopes of millions in Haiti just a few days ago, donations from individuals, corporations and governments have continued, a slight sign of optimism amongst much tragedy. Wall Street firms, once condemned for causing the recent financial crisis and turning a blind eye on the less fortunate, have cranked up the magnitude of their altruism: the biggest names on the Street have committed up to $2 million to help the earthquake victims of one of the most economically challenged nations in the world.

Feb
2
2010

Written by:
Laiyin Li

Haiti Receives Wall Street’s Short-term Aid

Since a devastating earthquake shook the hopes of millions in Haiti just a few days ago, donations from individuals, corporations and governments have continued, a slight sign of optimism amongst much tragedy. Wall Street firms, once condemned for causing the recent financial crisis and turning a blind eye on the less fortunate, have cranked up the magnitude of their altruism: the biggest names on the Street have committed up to $2 million to help the earthquake victims of one of the most economically challenged nations in the world.

Archives