January 2011
55 posts
Definition: "Turnkey"
“Turnkey” is a term most often heard in project management and 3rd-party solution spheres.  A “turnkey program” is one that needs very little ongoing maintenance, attention, or investment on the part of the benefactor to operate.  For example, an inactive investor might consider his or her 401k to be “turnkey” because it requires very little active...
Jan 1st
Definition: "Turnkey"
“Turnkey” is a term most often heard in project management and 3rd-party solution spheres.  A “turnkey program” is one that needs very little ongoing maintenance, attention, or investment on the part of the benefactor to operate.  For example, an inactive investor might consider his or her 401k to be “turnkey” because it requires very little active...
Jan 1st
December 2010
37 posts
4 tags
China to Reduce Rare Earth Exports
According to the BBC, China has announced that it will cut its “rare earth” exports by 10% in 2011.  Any drastic changes to China’s output is big news these days, but what are “rare earth” minerals and why is this particular item newsworthy? First, a definition:  according to verious sources (including this government document), there the 16 rare earth elements (the...
Dec 31st
4 tags
China to Reduce Rare Earth Exports
According to the BBC, China has announced that it will cut its “rare earth” exports by 10% in 2011.  Any drastic changes to China’s output is big news these days, but what are “rare earth” minerals and why is this particular item newsworthy? First, a definition:  according to verious sources (including this government document), there the 16 rare earth elements (the...
Dec 31st
3 tags
Consumer Confidence Index: Definition and Current...
This article from marketwatch.com follows up on a concern I voiced in the previous post:  employment concerns weigh heavily on consumer confidence.  …which in turn causes reduced consumer spending, which impacts employment, which… you get the idea. The Consumer Confidence Index (CCI for short) is compiled monthly by The Conference Board, an independent business research...
Dec 30th
3 tags
Consumer Confidence Index: Definition and Current...
This article from marketwatch.com follows up on a concern I voiced in the previous post:  employment concerns weigh heavily on consumer confidence.  …which in turn causes reduced consumer spending, which impacts employment, which… you get the idea. The Consumer Confidence Index (CCI for short) is compiled monthly by The Conference Board, an independent business research...
Dec 30th
3 tags
Minimum Wage to Rise in Seven States
According to this Marketwatch article, the minimum wage is set to rise in Arizona, Colorade, Montana, Ohio, Oregon, Vermont, and Washington state.  The increases are not much- really just enough to keep pace with inflation and cost-of-living factors.  Despite this relatively tame development, it is worth noting some prevailing theories about the minimum wage: According to the article, some...
Dec 29th
3 tags
Minimum Wage to Rise in Seven States
According to this Marketwatch article, the minimum wage is set to rise in Arizona, Colorado, Montana, Ohio, Oregon, Vermont, and Washington state.  The increases are not much- really just enough to keep pace with inflation and cost-of-living factors.  Despite this relatively tame development, it is worth noting some prevailing theories about the minimum wage: According to the article, some...
Dec 29th
3 tags
Areas!
Cities are another of my pet interests.  I enjoy the concept of people getting together and building a standardized, usable space out of (often inhospitable) wilderness.  The United States Office of Management and Budget divides population centers into two major sub-classes: Metropolitan Statistical Areas and Micropolitan Statistical Areas.  Metropolitan areas include counties that contain an...
Dec 28th
4 tags
The Likert Scale
According to businessdictionary.com, the Likert Scale is Method of ascribing quantitative value to qualitative data, to make it amenable to statistical analysis. Used mainly in training course evaluations and market surveys… Have you ever filled out a survey where you were asked whether you “strongly agree”-d, “agree”-d, “neither agree nor...
Dec 27th
2 tags
The Biggest Spending Day of the Year
Nope, it’s not Black Friday, Cyber Monday, or (sadly) the day before my birthday.  Accordng to this article at HowStuffWorks, the United States’ biggest cunsumer spending day is the Saturday before Christmas. More people hit the stores on Black Friday, but the average consumer spends much more money in the days leading up to Christmas.
Dec 26th
2 tags
The Biggest Spending Day of the Year
Nope, it’s not Black Friday, Cyber Monday, or (sadly) the day before my birthday.  Accordng to this article at HowStuffWorks, the United States’ biggest consumer spending day is the Saturday before Christmas. More people hit the stores on Black Friday, but the average consumer spends much more money in the days leading up to Christmas.
Dec 26th
2 tags
What is Meant by "Industry"?
I’m putting together a brief biography of Andrew Carnegie.  Various sources refer to him as a “Captain of Industry”.  So what is “industry” exactly?  For me, the word conjures up images of factories, hard hats, and ye olde mills on the river.  However, the raw term is much broader- investorwords.com defines “industry” as A basic category of business...
Dec 25th
2 tags
What is Meant by "Industry"?
I’m putting together a brief biography of Andrew Carnegie.  Various sources refer to him as a “Captain of Industry”.  So what is “industry” exactly?  For me, the word conjures up images of factories, hard hats, and ye olde mills on the river.  However, the raw term is much broader- investorwords.com defines “industry” as A basic category of business...
Dec 25th
4 tags
Housing Starts Up in Kansas City!
In honor of my holiday trip to Kansas City I will post a business story from the website of the local paper.  Apparently housing starts were up 10% in 2010 over 2009.  According to investorwords.com, a “housing start” is The number of residential building construction projects begun during a specific period of time, usually a month; a key economic indicator. Now, raw growth alone...
Dec 24th
4 tags
Housing Starts Up in Kansas City!
In honor of my holiday trip to Kansas City I will post a business story from the website of the local paper.  Apparently housing starts were up 10% in 2010 over 2009.  According to investorwords.com, a “housing start” is The number of residential building construction projects begun during a specific period of time, usually a month; a key economic indicator. Now, raw growth alone...
Dec 24th
4 tags
Defining "Laissez-faire economics"
Businessdictionary.com defines “laissez-faire economics” as One of the guiding principles of capitalism, this doctrine claims that an economic system should be free from government intervention or moderation, and be driven only by the market forces. The definition goes on to provide a bit of historical context- laissez-faire economics grew out of Adam Smith’s ”invisible...
Dec 23rd
4 tags
Defining "Laissez-faire economics"
Businessdictionary.com defines “laissez-faire economics” as One of the guiding principles of capitalism, this doctrine claims that an economic system should be free from government intervention or moderation, and be driven only by the market forces. The definition goes on to provide a bit of historical context- laissez-faire economics grew out of Adam Smith’s ”invisible...
Dec 23rd
2 tags
John Pierpont Morgan
Depending on the source you read, 19th century financier J.P. Morgan was either the father of modern business success or the very archetype of modern business corruption.  Hey, why not both?  Morgan’s primary business dealings were in railroads and steel.  In particular, his consolidation of the steel industry made the United States a global competitor to Britain and Germany.   Wikipedia...
Dec 22nd
2 tags
John Pierpont Morgan
Depending on the source you read, 19th century financier J.P. Morgan was either the father of modern business success or the very archetype of modern business corruption.  Hey, why not both?  Morgan’s primary business dealings were in railroads and steel.  In particular, his consolidation of the steel industry made the United States a global competitor to Britain and Germany.   Wikipedia...
Dec 22nd
2 tags
A Special Message for Anyone Who Bit
Howdy!  Today I “went wide” on Facebook and what-not to promote the Daily Biz.  Thanks for checking it out! My intention is to post a news article, a definition, or a biography related to “business” every day.  Posts will be short and ponitifcation will be kept to a minimum, at least until I’m the world’s foremost business expert.  ONE DAY I WILL RULE YOU...
Dec 21st
2 tags
A Special Message for Anyone Who Bit
Howdy!  Today I “went wide” on Facebook and what-not to promote the Daily Biz.  Thanks for checking it out! My intention is to post a news article, a definition, or a biography related to “business” every day.  Posts will be short and ponitifcation will be kept to a minimum, at least until I’m the world’s foremost business expert.  ONE DAY I WILL RULE YOU ALL-...
Dec 21st
2 tags
What is "Capitalism"?
The study of business in the western world hinges largely on the rules and wrinkles of capitalism.  Merriam-Webster defines capitalism as: : an economic system characterized by private or corporate ownership of capital goods, by investments that are determined by private decision, and by prices, production, and the distribution of goods that are determined mainly by competition in a free...
Dec 21st
2 tags
What is "Capitalism"?
The study of business in the western world hinges largely on the rules and wrinkles of capitalism.  Merriam-Webster defines capitalism as: : an economic system characterized by private or corporate ownership of capital goods, by investments that are determined by private decision, and by prices, production, and the distribution of goods that are determined mainly by competition in a free...
Dec 21st
3 tags
Trouble in "Mixed-Use" Town?
This Des Moines Register article lays bare some drawbacks of the “mixed-use” property model.  “Mixed-use” properties are designated areas where residential, commercial, and retail space exist in close proximity (usually side-by-side).  At West Glen the residential properties are apartments and lofts, the commercial properties are doctor’s offices and law offices,...
Dec 20th
3 tags
Trouble in "Mixed-Use" Town?
This Des Moines Register article lays bare some drawbacks of the “mixed-use” property model.  “Mixed-use” properties are designated areas where residential, commercial, and retail space exist in close proximity (usually side-by-side).  At West Glen the residential properties are apartments and lofts, the commercial properties are doctor’s offices and law offices,...
Dec 20th
3 tags
Keynesian Economics
I went over to businessdictionary.com to find a definition for today.  The first term that popped up was “Keynesian Economics”.  My knowledge of business and economic history is almost nonexistent so I gave it a shot. Keynes, a prominent economic scholar of the early 20th century, was a forerunner in promoting an active government role in markets during the modern era (as opposed to...
Dec 18th
3 tags
Keynesian Economics
I went over to businessdictionary.com to find a definition for today.  The first term that popped up was “Keynesian Economics”.  My knowledge of business and economic history is almost nonexistent so I gave it a shot. Keynes, a prominent economic scholar of the early 20th century, was a forerunner in promoting an active government role in markets during the modern era (as opposed to...
Dec 18th
3 tags
Phone-Wielding Shoppers Strike Fear Into Retailers... →
I find it interesting that this is just now reaching a tipping point.  I’ve been using my phone in stores for a couple of years now- especially to look up reviews of games and movies before I make a purchase or rental.  And pre-shopping research on my desktop at home is a given!  I have to admit that my “insta-comparison” shopping has gone to a new level since I got a nice new...
Dec 18th
3 tags
Phone-Wielding Shoppers Strike Fear Into Retailers... →
I find it interesting that this is just now reaching a tipping point.  I’ve been using my phone in stores for a couple of years now- especially to look up reviews of games and movies before I make a purchase or rental.  And pre-shopping research on my desktop at home is a given!  I have to admit that my “insta-comparison” shopping has gone to a new level since I got a nice new...
Dec 17th
3 tags
Russia and China Cut Out the Middleman →
…in a small but interesting way.  According to this article in the New York Times, a small Moscow securities exchange will soon open up trading directly from the Russian ruble to the Chinese renminbi (Yuan).  My first instinct upon reading this article was that the new exchange is an attempt to diminish the ubiquity of the US dollar, but then I dug further into the article.  It appears that...
Dec 17th
3 tags
Russia and China Cut Out the Middleman →
…in a small but interesting way.  According to this article in the New York Times, a small Moscow securities exchange will soon open up trading directly from the Russian ruble to the Chinese renminbi (Yuan).  My first instinct upon reading this article was that the new exchange is an attempt to diminish the ubiquity of the US dollar, but then I dug further into the article.  It appears that...
Dec 17th
3 tags
Defining "Business" →
I looked up a definition of business to assure that my posts don’t go astray.  Left to my own devices I might blog about current events, video games, or cute things my dogs do.  I found this on businessdictionary.com: Economic system in which goods and services are exchanged for one another or money, on the basis of their perceived worth. Every business requires some form of investment and a...
Dec 16th
3 tags
Defining "Business" →
I looked up a definition of business to assure that my posts don’t go astray.  Left to my own devices I might blog about current events, video games, or cute things my dogs do.  I found this on businessdictionary.com: Economic system in which goods and services are exchanged for one another or money, on the basis of their perceived worth. Every business requires some form of investment and a...
Dec 16th
3 tags
WatchWatch
Welcome to Daily Biz!
Dec 15th
3 tags
WatchWatch
Welcome to Daily Biz!
Dec 15th
First, a Bit of Good News →
Retail sales up 7.7% over last November! Great news for retailers and possibly indicative of increased consumer confidence.
Dec 15th