http://www.savvysugar.com/ It Makes Sense. en http://www.savvysugar.com/2513537 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/10/104165/47_2008/aa909c56c328755f_instyle.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image right xlarger" height="379" width="300"></span>While being a supermodel is hands-down out of the question for most of us, Heidi Klum's business sense is something that can inspire and motivate any working girl. She's smiling on the cover of <a href="http://www.instyle.com/instyle/" target="_blank">InStyle</a>'s December issue and inside the magazine she spells out her <a href="http://www.instyle.com/instyle/package/general/photos/0,,20219137_20240419,00.html" target="_blank">five rules for success</a>. The rule below is my favorite. </p> <ul> <li><b>Be open to learning new things</b>: "It's not good to think you know it all—I don't think that's cool or smart. I think there's always more things that people teach you. Be confident and open to incorporating certain suggestions!"</li> </ul> <p>Her rule applies all year-round, but it's especially important advice given many companies are now in <a href="http://www.savvysugar.com/tags/performance+review/" >performance review</a> mode. Notice valuable feedback when it's given to you, and you'll improve overall. </p> http://www.savvysugar.com/2513537#comment business Heidi Klum motivation The Grind work Wed, 19 Nov 2008 13:30:31 -0800 SavvySugar http://www.savvysugar.com/2513537 http://www.savvysugar.com/2510267 <!-- no strip poll --><div id="epoll-view-2510267"></div><script type="text/javascript">new Ajax.Request('/epoll/view/2510267',{method:'get',onSuccess:function(transport){var epoll=$('epoll-view-2510267');epoll.update(transport.responseText);}});</script><noscript><p><p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/10/104165/47_2008/cf38b64d5296b0e7_gift-card.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image right outline xlarge" height="247" width="290"></span>A gift card isn't considered as thoughtful as something chosen especially for the recipient, but it's still a nice gesture and can make a great stocking stuffer. When companies go bankrupt they usually refuse <a href="http://www.savvysugar.com/1598753/" >to honor outstanding gift cards</a>, and this uncertain economic climate <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/13/business/media/13adco.html/" target="_blank">has businesses using advertising</a> to channel any bankruptcy concerns. For example, J.C. Penney is delivering the message that "you can feel good about giving a J. C. Penney gift card." </p> </p><!-- no strip poll --><form action="/2510267" method="post" id="epoll_view_voting"> <div><div class="poll"> <div class="vote-form"> <div class="choices"><div class="form-item"> <label>Are You Giving Any Gift Cards This Year? </label> <div class="form-item"> <label class="option"><input type="radio" name="edit[choice]" value="0" class="form-radio" /> Yes, I'm giving gift cards to some people this year.</label> </div> <div class="form-item"> <label class="option"><input type="radio" name="edit[choice]" value="1" class="form-radio" /> Maybe, I haven't decided yet.</label> </div> <div class="form-item"> <label class="option"><input type="radio" name="edit[choice]" value="2" class="form-radio" /> No, I'm not giving gift cards to anybody.</label> </div> <div class="form-item"> <label class="option"><input type="radio" name="edit[choice]" value="3" class="form-radio" /> Something else. I'll tell you in the comments below. </label> </div> </div> </div><input type="hidden" name="edit[nid]" id="edit-nid" value="2510267" /> <input type="submit" name="op" value="Vote" class="form-submit" /> </div><input type="hidden" name="edit[form_id]" id="edit-form_id" value="epoll_view_voting" /> </div> </div></form> <!-- no strip poll --></noscript><!-- no strip poll --> http://www.savvysugar.com/2510267#comment business gift holiday poll Savvy poll Your Two Cents Tue, 18 Nov 2008 04:45:09 -0800 SavvySugar http://www.savvysugar.com/2510267 http://www.savvysugar.com/2473953 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/10/104165/45_2008/cf47ed22b522a156_gay-marriage.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image left xlarger" height="390" width="270"></span>After a <a href="http://www.savvysugar.com/1699805/" >busy Summer of fulfilling orders</a> for flowers and cakes to be showcased at same-sex weddings all over California, vendors are now seeing their business cut at the worst possible time. <a href="http://www.citizensugar.com/2468645/" >Voters passed Prop. 8</a>, which effectively bans same-sex marriage in the state, and the demise of gay marriage is unfortunately <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/07/us/07marriage.html/" target="_blank">hurting the businesses that supported same-sex</a> couples. </p> <p>Merchants like San Francisco florist Christopher Burnett have expressed the economic impact Prop. 8 is already having: "I have done a gay wedding every week. And so it’s very disheartening, because other business is very slow." Mayor Gavin Newsom conceded that Prop. 8 is only good for Massachusetts and Connecticut, the two states where gay marriages are still legal and will likely see a boost in the number of same-sex weddings. Opponents of Prop. 8 have appealed to the California Supreme Court to reverse the measure, but until that happens, vendors expect business to be slow. </p> <p>Do you know any couples who had to cancel their upcoming wedding because of Prop. 8?</p> <p><a href="http://www.gettyimages.com/" target="_blank">Source</a></p> http://www.savvysugar.com/2473953#comment business gay marriage Proposition 8 Sun, 09 Nov 2008 07:00:01 -0800 SavvySugar http://www.savvysugar.com/2473953 http://www.savvysugar.com/2378607 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/10/104165/42_2008/31e62ebb749ad579_entrepreneur.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image left xlarge" height="300" width="200"></span>Owning a business is a future many of you would want — 70 percent of you said <a href="http://www.savvysugar.com/1878666/" >you'd love to be your own boss</a>. If you had the opportunity to put your entrepreneurial spirit to use, what type of business would you want to own? </p> <p><br clear=all><br /> <a href="http://www.gettyimages.com/" target="_blank">Source</a></p> http://www.savvysugar.com/2378607#comment business entrepreneur I'm Asking Fri, 17 Oct 2008 09:30:43 -0700 SavvySugar http://www.savvysugar.com/2378607 http://www.savvysugar.com/2377264 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/10/104165/42_2008/6c436f052a9f846a_cuomo.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image right xlarge" height="201" width="305"></span>Insurance giant AIG is having a hard time overcoming its greedy image, but it's hard to change public perception when the company keeps making self-indulgent mistakes. People were infuriated by news that AIG sent its top sales executives <a href="http://www.savvysugar.com/2306115/" >on a posh $442,000 retreat</a> just one week after the government approved an $80 billion bailout for the company. Old habits, they die hard. </p> <p>As AIG asked for another $37.8 billion from the Fed, it made the thoughtless decision to send executives on a <a href="http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5g3InVeHoYnmXZnM2ACXSgjG0-nIQD93R69002" target="_blank">taxpayer-supported $86,000 hunting trip</a>. New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo isn't taking AIG's spendaholic ways lightly, and said these expenditures violated state law. The company responded to attacks regarding the hunting trip with a shoulder-shrugging sorry: a spokesperson said, "We regret that this event was not canceled."</p> <p><a href="http://www.gettyimages.com/" target="_blank">Source</a></p> http://www.savvysugar.com/2377264#comment business news Thu, 16 Oct 2008 15:30:00 -0700 SavvySugar http://www.savvysugar.com/2377264 http://www.savvysugar.com/2370302 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/10/104165/42_2008/lnt.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image left xlarge" height="207" width="310"></span>Last month it looked as if Linens 'n Things was <a href="http://www.savvysugar.com/2032299/" >doomed to go out of business</a>, and when no bidders stepped up to keep some of the stores open the chain had no other choice but to admit its non-existent future. </p> <p>According <a href="http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122401159865833403.html" target="_blank">to The Wall Street Journal</a>, the coalition of liquidators in charge of shutting down Linens 'n Things could start the going-out-of-business sales today. Whether they begin today, tomorrow, or next month, liquidation is inevitable and as with all of these situations there's no guarantee about what will be on the shelves. First come, first served — are you hoping to find some necessities or holiday items on sale? </p> <p><a href="http://www.gettyimages.com/" target="_blank">Source</a></p> http://www.savvysugar.com/2370302#comment bankruptcy business Linens 'n Things Thu, 16 Oct 2008 04:00:07 -0700 SavvySugar http://www.savvysugar.com/2370302 http://www.savvysugar.com/2357235 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/10/104165/42_2008/tip.xlarger.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image left xlarger" height="400" width="266"></span>Tipping was brought to the US from Europe after the Civil War and was met with opposition — six states even passed anti-tipping laws that prevented diners from having to tip. The laws were later repealed, but the angst toward the tradition of tipping lives on in the minds of many American customers. <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/12/magazine/12tipping-t.html/" target="_blank">San Diego, CA, restaurant owner Jay Porter observed</a> that tipping was not only a point of contention for his customers, but was also causing tension between his staff members and adding to the stressful environment. </p> <p>Porter channeled iconic restaurateurs Alice Waters and Thomas Keller in his proposal to the casual dining staff to replace tipping with a service charge. Waters was first to establish this policy at the esteemed Chez Panisse in Berkeley, and then Keller did the same thing in his French Laundry and Per Se restaurants. Porter's staff was supportive of his idea to impose an 18 percent service fee to be split three-to-one between the front of the house and the kitchen. Only one of his eight servers quit after the new policy was enacted, and his remaining servers acknowledge the elimination of tipping has reduced tension between servers. </p> <p>The system is obviously working so far for Porter and his staff, but as a customer, would you be turned off by a permanent service fee? </p> <p><a href="http://www.gettyimages.com/" target="_blank">Source</a></p> http://www.savvysugar.com/2357235#comment business customer service tipping Tue, 14 Oct 2008 14:00:34 -0700 SavvySugar http://www.savvysugar.com/2357235 http://www.savvysugar.com/2346039 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/10/104165/41_2008/coupon.xlarge.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image left xlarge" height="320" width="252"></span>Coupon clipping is a cornerstone of countless families' food budgets, and it's a part of consumer culture that has seemingly existed forever. Like all things, the idea of companies printing coupons to be clipped by shoppers did start somewhere. Do you know which brand first introduced the concept? </p> <p><br clear=all><br /> <a href="http://www.gettyimages.com/" target="_blank">Source</a></p> <p><a href="http://www.savvysugar.com/2346039">read more</a></p> http://www.savvysugar.com/2346039#comment advertising business coupon savvy exam Mon, 13 Oct 2008 12:30:08 -0700 SavvySugar http://www.savvysugar.com/2346039 http://www.savvysugar.com/2276716 <p>Starbucks' water practices became the target of a recent investigation led by British newspaper <b>The Sun</b>, and if accurate, the findings are disturbing to conservationists. The investigation was prompted when a UK couple alerted a Starbucks employee to a running faucet, and the employee acknowledged its company policy to keep water running throughout the day to prevent germ buildup in the taps. Imagine what the water bills must be like! On top of the rising price of commodities, it's no wonder the drink menu is expensive. </p> <p>Starbucks defended its policy to ABC News in a statement saying, "Starbucks' challenge is to balance water conservation with the need for consumer safety." Can you guess how much water <b>The Sun</b> estimates that Starbucks wastes every day by leaving the water on? </p> <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/10/104165/41_2008/starbucks.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image center preview" height="383" width="510"></span></p> <p><a href="http://www.gettyimages.com/" target="_blank">Source</a></p> <p><a href="http://www.savvysugar.com/2276716">read more</a></p> http://www.savvysugar.com/2276716#comment business guess how much Starbucks Tue, 07 Oct 2008 09:30:42 -0700 SavvySugar http://www.savvysugar.com/2276716 http://www.savvysugar.com/2172509 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/10/104165/40_2008/playboy.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image right preview" height="419" width="280"></span>If there's anyone that knows how to hold her own in a room full of men, it's a woman that has worked on male dominated Wall Street. So, is it only natural that after the Street has morphed <a href="http://www.savvysugar.com/2060558/" >into something very different</a> than it was just one month ago, <b>Playboy</b> is trying to recruit <a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/newsOne/idUSTRE49115O20081002?pageNumber=1&amp;virtualBrandChannel=0" target="_blank">current and former female employees</a> to show off their valuable assets?</p> <p>The magazine is trying to recruit 20 women to recreate the "Women of Wall Street" feature it published 20 years ago, and is especially hoping to get some women with more "senior job experience." Perhaps the mag is trying to appeal to subscribers who find brains and power to be sexy? Gary Cole, <b>Playboy</b>'s photo editor added, "It would be more interesting to have someone who's a financial analyst." </p> <p>Cole also ventured to explain why the magazine is fond of its idea: "When the news gets bad, then maybe that's a chance to make people smile by coming up with something that puts a different twist on it." I suppose a "Women of Wall Street" feature would make readers momentarily at peace with the rocky financial world, although most just subscribe for the articles anyway . . . or not. </p> <p>What do you think of it all — is <b>Playboy</b> trying to take advantage of people in vulnerable positions? Do you think posing would hurt or harm a woman's career? </p> <p><a href="http://www.gettyimages.com/" target="_blank">Source</a> </p> http://www.savvysugar.com/2172509#comment business Wall Street women Fri, 03 Oct 2008 08:00:45 -0700 SavvySugar http://www.savvysugar.com/2172509 http://www.savvysugar.com/2134544 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/10/104165/40_2008/marissa.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image right preview" height="361" width="300"></span>Fortune released its annual list of the <a href="http://money.cnn.com/galleries/2008/fortune/0809/gallery.women_mostpowerful.fortune/index.html" target="_blank">50 most powerful women in business</a>, and while most of the honorees are in their 40s or 50s, the youngest woman to ever claim a spot on the list is only 33 years old. Marissa Mayer, VP of Search and User Experience at Google debuted the list at number 50, and it seems likely that she'll move her way up the list in years to come. </p> <p>A self-proclaimed geek, Marissa was Google's first female engineer and her job is to oversee thousands of engineers while shaping the design of services like Google.com, Google Maps, Earth, Health, iGoogle. As one of the most powerful women in business, she is in the company of inspiring and accomplished women like Oprah Winfrey, Indra Nooyi (CEO of PepsiCo), Andrea Jung (CEO of Avon), and many more. </p> <p><a href="http://www.gettyimages.com/" target="_blank">Source</a></p> http://www.savvysugar.com/2134544#comment business Coming Up Google women Wed, 01 Oct 2008 12:30:07 -0700 SavvySugar http://www.savvysugar.com/2134544 http://www.savvysugar.com/2104180 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/10/104165/39_2008/got-milk.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image right preview" height="418" width="270"></span>The concept of asking consumers to develop advertising campaigns for certain products hasn't been addressed by the marketing minds on <a href="http://www.buzzsugar.com/tag/Mad+Men/" >Mad Men</a>, but today's advertising agencies are increasingly seeking consumer-driven marketing ideas. The Got Milk campaign has recently <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/26/business/media/26adco.html/" target="_blank">recruited California high school students</a> to develop ideas for ads that could run next year and are meant to inspire teenagers to drink more milk. </p> <p>The California Milk Processor Board is hardly alone in challenging consumers to be creative; it's a trend that's becoming more common in marketing today. Jeff Goodby, co-chairman at Goodby, Silverstein, explains: "The idea is that it’s fine to involve people in the solution of problems. And people love to see if they can do as good a job as the professionals." The kids are getting a peek into what it's like to work in advertising while the Got Milk campaign is getting fresh ideas from the consumer group they're trying to win over — sounds like it could be a winning combination. </p> <p><a href="http://www.gettyimages.com/" target="_blank">Source</a></p> http://www.savvysugar.com/2104180#comment advertising business consumerism news Mon, 29 Sep 2008 15:30:09 -0700 SavvySugar http://www.savvysugar.com/2104180 http://www.savvysugar.com/2105997 <p>Hollywood icon and passionate philanthropist Paul Newman sadly <a href="http://popsugar.com/2103639/" >passed away on Friday</a>. He is a role model for anyone inspired by giving, and he used his fame and good taste to build his successful nonprofit, the Newman's Own Foundation. He was involved in <a href="http://money.cnn.com/2008/09/27/smallbusiness/paul_newman.smb/index.htm" target="_blank">every aspect of the business</a>, from writing the legends on the back of his salad dressing bottles to hanging out with the kids at Hole in the Wall Camps. Here is Paul talking about his vision for the common good and how he came up with his concept for a food-based nonprofit. </p> <p><center> <div style='width:455px' id="spi_tabs_container"> <div id="spi_tabs_top"> <div id="spi_tabs_topL"></div> <div id="spi_tabs_topR"></div> </div> <div class="panel chatter_chatter fbceleb " > <center> <script type="text/javascript" src="http://images.teamsugar.com/static/js/swfobject.js"></script> <p style=margin:0px;padding:0px id="player_2116534"><a href="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer">Get Flash</a> to see this player.</p> <script type="text/javascript"> var so2116534 = new SWFObject('/static/flash/mediaplayer.swf','mpl','400','300','7'); so2116534.addParam('allowfullscreen','true'); so2116534.addVariable("file",'2116534.flv'); so2116534.addVariable('height', 328); so2116534.addVariable('image','/media/cooked/thumbs/2116534.jpg'); so2116534.addVariable('width','400'); so2116534.addVariable('logo','/static/imgs/watermark/savvysugar.png'); so2116534.write('player_2116534'); </script> </center> </div> <div id="spi_tabs_bot"> <div id="spi_tabs_botL"></div> <div id="spi_tabs_botR"></div> </div> </div></center></p> http://www.savvysugar.com/2105997#comment business charity donation Paul Newman philanthropy Mon, 29 Sep 2008 11:00:21 -0700 SavvySugar http://www.savvysugar.com/2105997 http://www.savvysugar.com/2088777 <!-- no strip poll --><div id="epoll-view-2088777"></div><script type="text/javascript">new Ajax.Request('/epoll/view/2088777',{method:'get',onSuccess:function(transport){var epoll=$('epoll-view-2088777');epoll.update(transport.responseText);}});</script><noscript><p><p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/10/104165/39_2008/smash.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image right outline preview" height="320" width="320"></span>Sarah Lavely, a former veterinarian, put her entrepreneurial spirit and $200,000 to work when she opened her San Diego business <a href="http://money.cnn.com/2008/09/17/smallbusiness/smash_shack.smb/index.htm" target="_blank">called Sarah's Smash Shack</a>. She liked to express her frustration by breaking things and figured that she wasn't alone, so her business lets people that need release throw things like dinner plates and wine glasses against a wall in a soundproof room. If they want to, customers can hook up their iPods and create their own soundtrack for their smash session. </p> <p>Lavely says that ceramic white dinner plates are her biggest seller because of the explosive way they break, and customers can buy a package that lets them break 15 plates in 15 minutes for $45. Markers are provided so customers can write on their breakable item, and the effect can be therapeutic for some. What do you think of her business, is it brilliant or baffling? </p> <p><a href="http://www.gettyimages.com/" target="_blank">Source</a></p> </p><!-- no strip poll --><form action="/2088777" method="post" id="epoll_view_voting"> <div><div class="poll"> <div class="vote-form"> <div class="choices"><div class="form-item"> <label>Brilliant or Baffling? Business That Lets You Break Things</label> <div class="form-item"> <label class="option"><input type="radio" name="edit[choice]" value="0" class="form-radio" /> Brilliant!</label> </div> <div class="form-item"> <label class="option"><input type="radio" name="edit[choice]" value="1" class="form-radio" /> Baffling!</label> </div> <div class="form-item"> <label class="option"><input type="radio" name="edit[choice]" value="2" class="form-radio" /> Undecided! </label> </div> </div> </div><input type="hidden" name="edit[nid]" id="edit-nid" value="2088777" /> <input type="submit" name="op" value="Vote" class="form-submit" /> </div><input type="hidden" name="edit[form_id]" id="edit-form_id" value="epoll_view_voting" /> </div> </div></form> <!-- no strip poll --></noscript><!-- no strip poll --> http://www.savvysugar.com/2088777#comment Brilliant or Baffling business entrepreneur poll Savvy poll Sun, 28 Sep 2008 07:00:59 -0700 SavvySugar http://www.savvysugar.com/2088777 http://www.savvysugar.com/2069971 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/10/104165/39_2008/money.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image left preview" height="207" width="310"></span>The CEOs of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac were refused the <a href="http://www.savvysugar.com/2021489/" >generous golden parachutes</a> they'd been counting on when their respective enterprises were taken over by federal regulators, and most recently the replaced CEO of American International Group (AIG) <a href="http://abcnews.go.com/Business/MarketTalk/story?id=5861458&amp;page=1" target="_blank">voluntarily abandoned his $22 million</a> severance package. </p> <p>Robert Willumstad served as CEO to insurance giant AIG and could have taken his $22 million into a slightly early retirement at the age of 63, but he stated, "I prefer not to receive severance payments while shareholders and employees have lost considerable value in their AIG shares." What would you do in his position — would you walk away from this kind of package or take the money and move on? </p> <p><a href="http://www.gettyimages.com/" target="_blank">Source</a></p> http://www.savvysugar.com/2069971#comment business CEO golden parachute news Wed, 24 Sep 2008 12:30:15 -0700 SavvySugar http://www.savvysugar.com/2069971 http://www.savvysugar.com/2040971 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/10/104165/38_2008/bankrupt_0.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image left preview" height="330" width="220"></span>What goes up in the business world doesn't always come down, but we've learned that sometimes it does happen. And when it's a big company in question, the fall is loud and far-reaching. Do you know which American company filed the biggest Chapter 11 bankruptcy in US history? </p> <p><br clear=all><br /> <a href="http://www.gettyimages.com/" target="_blank">Source</a></p> <p><a href="http://www.savvysugar.com/2040971">read more</a></p> http://www.savvysugar.com/2040971#comment bankruptcy business quiz Savvy quiz Mon, 22 Sep 2008 09:30:47 -0700 SavvySugar http://www.savvysugar.com/2040971 http://www.savvysugar.com/2052483 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/10/104165/38_2008/bar.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image right preview" height="203" width="310"></span>Stretching the truth isn't always a terrible thing, but five Oklahoma University students and alumni <a href="http://www.newsok.com/article/3300840/" target="_blank">are facing expensive consequences</a> from doing just that. The group headed up Kegheadz and created a MySpace video with the intent of promoting their party services, and after the video was viewed by the Oklahoma Tax Commission the guys got hit with a heavy tax bill. </p> <p>In their video, the Kegheadz founders bragged about serving over one billion partygoers as a way to generate buzz. The Tax Commission heard the claim and recognized that this apparently successful enterprise hadn't ever paid taxes. The five guys are planning to fight the $320,000 tax bill under the claim they only made about $1,700 during the year and a half Kegheadz existed. They are learning the hard way that even on MySpace, someone is always watching. </p> <p><a href="http://www.gettyimages.com/" target="_blank">Source</a></p> http://www.savvysugar.com/2052483#comment business MySpace taxes Mon, 22 Sep 2008 04:00:05 -0700 SavvySugar http://www.savvysugar.com/2052483 http://www.savvysugar.com/1964490 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/10/104165/37_2008/buffett_0.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image right preview" height="362" width="240"></span>The <a href="http://www.savvysugar.com/1099914/" >wealthiest man in the world</a> is self-made billionaire Warren Buffett, and the $62 billion dollar man was gracious enough to sit down with <a href="http://www.parade.com/hot-topics/0809/10-ways-to-get-rich/" target="_blank"><b>Parade</b> and discuss his 10 best tips</a> for getting rich. I'm inspired by Buffett's entrepreneurial spirit and tenacity for success; here are his five tips I like best. </p> <ol> <li><b>Reinvest your profits.</b> In high school, Buffett and a friend bought a pin-ball machine for a barbershop. They took their profits from that first investment and bought more machines for different shops, and Buffett took his proceeds to invest in stocks and a small business. By the time he was 26 he'd amassed $174,000, the equivalent of $1.4 million today.</li> <li><b>Watch small expenses.</b> Be aware and cautious with your spending, and your paycheck will go much further.</li> <li><b>Limit what you borrow.</b> Buffett's advice: Negotiate with creditors to pay what you can. Then, when you’re debt-free, work on saving some money that you can use to invest.</li> </ol> <p>See two more of Warren Buffett's tips when you </p> <p><a href="http://www.savvysugar.com/1964490">read more</a></p> http://www.savvysugar.com/1964490#comment business entrepreneur investing tip Warren Buffett wealth Wed, 10 Sep 2008 09:30:11 -0700 SavvySugar http://www.savvysugar.com/1964490 http://www.savvysugar.com/1964766 <!-- no strip poll --><div id="epoll-view-1964766"></div><script type="text/javascript">new Ajax.Request('/epoll/view/1964766',{method:'get',onSuccess:function(transport){var epoll=$('epoll-view-1964766');epoll.update(transport.responseText);}});</script><noscript><p><p>The European Parliament has voted with an overwhelming majority that the advertising industry needs to check itself when printing sexist or stereotypical advertisements. Agencies won't face legal consequences if they continue developing ads sexist in nature, but they will face what <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/10/business/media/10adco.html/" target="_blank">The New York Times calls a scolding</a> for "sexual stereotyping." </p> <p>Lawmakers have taken offense to ads such as those featuring Mr. Clean and this Dolce &amp; Gabbana print ad. Are you offended, too? </p> <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/10/104165/37_2008/dg.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image center preview" height="354" width="550"></span></p> </p><!-- no strip poll --><form action="/1964766" method="post" id="epoll_view_voting"> <div><div class="poll"> <div class="vote-form"> <div class="choices"><div class="form-item"> <label>Your Two Cents: Are You Offended by Sexist Advertising?</label> <div class="form-item"> <label class="option"><input type="radio" name="edit[choice]" value="0" class="form-radio" /> Yes, I'm offended by ads that are obviously sexist.</label> </div> <div class="form-item"> <label class="option"><input type="radio" name="edit[choice]" value="1" class="form-radio" /> I'm not offended, but less sexism in advertising would be a positive change.</label> </div> <div class="form-item"> <label class="option"><input type="radio" name="edit[choice]" value="2" class="form-radio" /> No, I'm not offended. </label> </div> <div class="form-item"> <label class="option"><input type="radio" name="edit[choice]" value="3" class="form-radio" /> Something else. I'll tell you in the comments below. </label> </div> </div> </div><input type="hidden" name="edit[nid]" id="edit-nid" value="1964766" /> <input type="submit" name="op" value="Vote" class="form-submit" /> </div><input type="hidden" name="edit[form_id]" id="edit-form_id" value="epoll_view_voting" /> </div> </div></form> <!-- no strip poll --></noscript><!-- no strip poll --> http://www.savvysugar.com/1964766#comment advertising business news poll Savvy poll women Your Two Cents Wed, 10 Sep 2008 06:30:27 -0700 SavvySugar http://www.savvysugar.com/1964766 http://www.savvysugar.com/1951952 <!-- no strip poll --><div id="epoll-view-1951952"></div><script type="text/javascript">new Ajax.Request('/epoll/view/1951952',{method:'get',onSuccess:function(transport){var epoll=$('epoll-view-1951952');epoll.update(transport.responseText);}});</script><noscript><p><p>Microsoft wasn't messing around when it landed on a $300 million number to fund a new advertising campaign starring Jerry Seinfeld. The first advertisement was recently released and it's gotten mixed reviews. Some <a href="http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122082676065908265.html" target="_blank">ad-industry professionals are saying</a> the commercial is a success because it's creating buzz about Microsoft, but others have said that it misses the mark and does nothing to change <a href="http://www.geeksugar.com/1883585/" >the brand's dull image</a>. </p> <p><center> <div style='width:455px' id="spi_tabs_container"> <div id="spi_tabs_top"> <div id="spi_tabs_topL"></div> <div id="spi_tabs_topR"></div> </div> <div class="panel chatter_chatter fbceleb " > <center> <script type="text/javascript" src="http://images.teamsugar.com/static/js/swfobject.js"></script> <p style=margin:0px;padding:0px id="player_1951311"><a href="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer">Get Flash</a> to see this player.</p> <script type="text/javascript"> var so1951311 = new SWFObject('/static/flash/mediaplayer.swf','mpl','400','300','7'); so1951311.addParam('allowfullscreen','true'); so1951311.addVariable("file",'1951311.flv'); so1951311.addVariable('height', 328); so1951311.addVariable('image','/media/cooked/thumbs/1951311.jpg'); so1951311.addVariable('width','400'); so1951311.addVariable('logo','/static/imgs/watermark/uk.popsugar.png'); so1951311.write('player_1951311'); </script> </center> </div> <div id="spi_tabs_bot"> <div id="spi_tabs_botL"></div> <div id="spi_tabs_botR"></div> </div> </div></center></p> </p><!-- no strip poll --><form action="/1951952" method="post" id="epoll_view_voting"> <div><div class="poll"> <div class="vote-form"> <div class="choices"><div class="form-item"> <label>Jerry Seinfeld Microsoft Commercial: Hit or Miss?</label> <div class="form-item"> <label class="option"><input type="radio" name="edit[choice]" value="0" class="form-radio" /> Hit!</label> </div> <div class="form-item"> <label class="option"><input type="radio" name="edit[choice]" value="1" class="form-radio" /> Miss!</label> </div> <div class="form-item"> <label class="option"><input type="radio" name="edit[choice]" value="2" class="form-radio" /> Undecided.</label> </div> </div> </div><input type="hidden" name="edit[nid]" id="edit-nid" value="1951952" /> <input type="submit" name="op" value="Vote" class="form-submit" /> </div><input type="hidden" name="edit[form_id]" id="edit-form_id" value="epoll_view_voting" /> </div> </div></form> <!-- no strip poll --></noscript><!-- no strip poll --> http://www.savvysugar.com/1951952#comment advertising Bill Gates business Jerry Seinfeld Microsoft poll Savvy poll Your Two Cents Tue, 09 Sep 2008 06:30:02 -0700 SavvySugar http://www.savvysugar.com/1951952 http://www.savvysugar.com/1883252 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/10/104165/34_2008/ellie.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image right preview" height="388" width="278"></span>Regular (ambitious) gal Jessica Dunne has demonstrated that a little niche goes a long way. The <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/21/fashion/21skinb.html/" target="_blank">32-year-old developed her first fragrance</a>, Ellie, using $100,000 in savings and all of her savvy. Without any prior connections to the beauty industry, Jessica realized her dream of creating a perfume based on memories of fragrances worn by her grandmother, Eleanor. </p> <p>A cold-call to Claudia Lucas, the perfume buyer at Henri Bendel in Manhattan, is what ultimately put Ellie on the market and has allowed Jessica to develop a second fragrance. Lucas was initially pleased with Ellie's bouquet, but she was sold on the story behind the bottle saying, "a brand is always a story well told." </p> <p>Before she created her $180-per-bottle product, Jessica tested her hand in other areas like working as a sales assistant at Credit Suisse First Boston and managing an art gallery in Manhattan. Seems she's found her niche, and created one too, as a one-woman fragrance house with an appealing personal story. </p> http://www.savvysugar.com/1883252#comment business Coming Up entrepreneur Fri, 22 Aug 2008 15:30:14 -0700 SavvySugar http://www.savvysugar.com/1883252 http://www.savvysugar.com/1881565 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/10/104165/34_2008/82456422.preview.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image right preview" height="427" width="300"></span>Michael Phelps and gold will continue to go hand in hand due to his record-breaking Olympic performance, and thanks to endorsements it looks like the history maker <a href="http://www.savvysugar.com/1875517/" >won't go without for quite some time</a>. Marketers from all walks of business have been trying to get their hands on Michael's buff bod to represent their brands. </p> <p>We know he's money, but are you? Take the quiz to see if you know which brands have successfully signed him to endorsement deals. </p> <p><a href="http://www.gettyimages.com/" target="_blank">Source</a></p> <p><a href="http://www.savvysugar.com/1881565">read more</a></p> http://www.savvysugar.com/1881565#comment 2008 Olympics advertising business How Money Are You michael phelps quiz Savvy quiz Thu, 21 Aug 2008 09:30:16 -0700 SavvySugar http://www.savvysugar.com/1881565 http://www.savvysugar.com/1873480 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/10/104165/33_2008/200315469-001.preview.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image right preview" height="435" width="300"></span>In a matter of a few months, Macy's, Bloomingdale's, Filene's, Lord &amp; Taylor, Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, and Saks Fifth Avenue will be giving away $175 million in free cosmetics including makeup and fragrances. This isn't a gesture of generosity but the terms of a class action settlement. </p> <p><a href="http://www.boston.com/business/articles/2008/08/16/a_sweet_deal_in_antitrust_case/" target="_blank">According to The Boston Globe</a>, the department stores and cosmetics companies "conspired to sell products at the manufacturers' suggested price only - never at a discount. It also alleged that special promotions were coordinated in a way that ensured there would be no competition among stores."</p> <p>The giveaway is projected to begin in January 2009, and consumers can get up to $25 in free merchandise after signing a form stating they purchased products at the particular store between May 29, 1994 and July 16, 2003. No receipt or proof of purchase is necessary and you'll have to get your goods on a first-come, first-served basis. Find a list of product lines available in the giveaway and additional settlement details at <a href="http://www.cosmeticssettlement.com" target="_blank">the settlement's official website</a>. </p> <p>Will you be showing up to receive free stuff at the beauty counters? </p> <p><a href="http://www.gettyimages.com/" target="_blank">Source</a></p> http://www.savvysugar.com/1873480#comment business class action consumerism lawsuit news Mon, 18 Aug 2008 04:00:04 -0700 SavvySugar http://www.savvysugar.com/1873480 http://www.savvysugar.com/slideshow/1848066 <a href="/slideshow/1848066?page=0"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/10/104165/32_2008/sponsor- coke_0.xlarge.jpg" alt="The Bucks Behind the Olympics, in Pictures" title="The Bucks Behind the Olympics, in Pictures" class="image xlarge inline left" /></a>As the Olympic torch arrives in Beijing to tour the city before Friday's opening ceremony, the city is all decked out with images everywhere of the Games' sponsors. For global brands, the Olympics are an ideal venue because of the worldwide audience, though this year they may receive more enthusiasm from local consumers in China <a href="http://www.citizensugar.com/1573751/">than viewers abroad</a>. Wondering what company is in charge of the clocks used to decide who takes home the silver or gold? Curious to see what the 2008 Olympic medals look like? Like any big production, it takes money to make it all happen. Click "start slideshow" to see the elaborate ads and hardly subtle Olympic supporters. <div id='pager' style='margin:25px auto;text-align:center;margin:8px; '><a href="/slideshow/1848066?page=0">Start Slideshow</a></div> http://www.savvysugar.com/slideshow/1848066#comment 2008 Olympics advertising business money Thu, 07 Aug 2008 09:30:57 -0700 SavvySugar http://www.savvysugar.com/1848066 http://www.savvysugar.com/1846443 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/10/104165/32_2008/73393168.preview.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image right preview" height="444" width="300"></span>Whole Foods received a warm welcome when it entered the grocery scene, with its emphasis on organic and high-end goods, but the tough economy's effect on the chain's performance has caused it to rethink some of its strategies. Namely, the pricing that earned it the not-so-endearing nickname <a href="http://www.savvysugar.com/1704261/" >Whole Paycheck</a>. </p> <p>Bargains are hardly synonymous with the store's image, but it's thinking hard about how to change that. <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/02/business/02food.html/" target="_blank">The New York Times</a> calls Whole Foods's efforts to offer discounts and lower-priced store brands a sign of the times, and the company's co-president Walter Robb is confident they can be competitive. He told the <b>Times</b>, "I’m getting a little tired of that tag around our neck. We are a lot more competitive than people give us credit for. We challenge anyone on like items."</p> <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/10/104165/32_2008/NYT.preview.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image center outline preview" height="174" width="550"></span></p> <p>I appreciate the store's efforts to focus more on value, but it will take a lot for the company to change its image in the eyes of a public who has become accustomed to the store's reputation. I'll certainly be taking advantage of the newly introduced Value Tours led by store employees — will you do the same? </p> <p><a href="http://www.gettyimages.com/" target="_blank">Source</a> and <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/" target="_blank">Source</a></p> http://www.savvysugar.com/1846443#comment business consumerism economy food news shopping Whole Foods Wed, 06 Aug 2008 15:20:29 -0700 SavvySugar http://www.savvysugar.com/1846443 http://www.savvysugar.com/1846005 <!-- no strip poll --><div id="epoll-view-1846005"></div><script type="text/javascript">new Ajax.Request('/epoll/view/1846005',{method:'get',onSuccess:function(transport){var epoll=$('epoll-view-1846005');epoll.update(transport.responseText);}});</script><noscript><p><p>Starbucks' newly announced <a href="http://www.yumsugar.com/1845269/" rel="nofollow">$2 afternoon beverage</a> is reserved for customers that have already purchased a coffee drink earlier in the day. Essentially, the plan is a buy-one-get-one-half-off promotion, and Starbucks knows that many consumers have a tough time passing up what's perceived as a "discount." </p> <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/10/104165/32_2008/81982109.preview.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image center preview" height="356"></span></p> <p>On one hand, the three-week promotion might encourage daily customers to return in the afternoons when they may normally opt for another type of pick-me-up. But on the other hand, I'm not sure the promotion will attract customers who are already loyal to Starbucks's competitors when it requires visiting the store twice in one day. After all, $2 is still money in your pocket if you weren't planning on spending it in the first place. </p> <p>Do you think the promotion will help get the ailing company back on its feet, or do you think it will be an overly caffeinated flop? </p> <p><a href="http://www.gettyimages.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Source</a></p> </p><!-- no strip poll --><form action="/1846005" method="post" id="epoll_view_voting"> <div><div class="poll"> <div class="vote-form"> <div class="choices"><div class="form-item"> <label>Starbucks&#039;s Plan: Caffeinated Gimmick or Good Business?</label> <div class="form-item"> <label class="option"><input type="radio" name="edit[choice]" value="0" class="form-radio" /> Caffeinated gimmick!</label> </div> <div class="form-item"> <label class="option"><input type="radio" name="edit[choice]" value="1" class="form-radio" /> Good business!</label> </div> <div class="form-item"> <label class="option"><input type="radio" name="edit[choice]" value="2" class="form-radio" /> Something else. I'll tell you in the comments below. </label> </div> </div> </div><input type="hidden" name="edit[nid]" id="edit-nid" value="1846005" /> <input type="submit" name="op" value="Vote" class="form-submit" /> </div><input type="hidden" name="edit[form_id]" id="edit-form_id" value="epoll_view_voting" /> </div> </div></form> <!-- no strip poll --></noscript><!-- no strip poll --> http://www.savvysugar.com/1846005#comment business news poll Savvy poll Starbucks Your Two Cents Wed, 06 Aug 2008 08:00:23 -0700 SavvySugar http://www.savvysugar.com/1846005 http://www.savvysugar.com/1811191 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/10/104165/30_2008/80970360.preview.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image center preview" height="347"></span></p> <p>The business forecast for Linens 'n Things looks like it could go from light showers to full-on torrential rain in the near future. After filing for Chapter 11 <a href="http://www.savvysugar.com/tag/linens+'n+things/" >bankruptcy protection in May</a>, the store's numbers have continually headed downhill to the point that some are speculating the chain <a href="http://www.nypost.com/seven/07242008/business/it_could_be_curtains_for_linens_n_things_121317.htm/" target="_blank">will be forced to liquidate</a>. </p> <p>Linens 'n Things cut their advertising costs to the point of being almost non-existent and stocked merchandise has been inconsistent. Vendors are concerned the $100 million letter of credit the company has been using to keep items on its shelves won't be enough for the back-to-school rush. If sales numbers continue to disappoint and can't keep the company afloat, we may be seeing going out of business signs before too long. </p> <p><a href="http://www.gettyimages.com/" target="_blank">Source</a></p> http://www.savvysugar.com/1811191#comment business Linen's 'n Things news Fri, 25 Jul 2008 04:04:52 -0700 SavvySugar http://www.savvysugar.com/1811191 http://www.savvysugar.com/1805344 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/10/104165/30_2008/2779680.preview.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image center preview" height="360"></span></p> <p>We might be used to the <a href="http://www.savvysugar.com/1785367/" >ever-present Coke cups</a> in front of Simon and Paula during American Idol, but this type of product placement has, until now, been absent on TV news sets. A few weeks ago, the <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/22/business/media/22adco.html?partner=rssuserland&amp;emc=rss&amp;pagewanted=all/" target="_blank">morning anchors at Las Vegas KVVU</a> started delivering news and lifestyle information with cups of McDonald's iced coffee in front of them. </p> <p>The station's news director indicated that the cups would be removed if a negative report of McDonald's surfaced. The price of the deal was not revealed, but the arrangement is meant to boost advertising revenue. The news director adds that he won't include any product placement in the hard newscasts at 5 p.m. or 10 p.m. </p> <p>Herbert Jack Rotfeld, a professor of marketing at Auburn University, thinks including advertising in news segments is, well, bad news: "In the end, they just make the audiences even more skeptical of everything," he says. Do you agree with him? </p> <p><a href="http://www.gettyimages.com/" target="_blank">Source</a></p> http://www.savvysugar.com/1805344#comment advertising business consumerism news Wed, 23 Jul 2008 15:30:49 -0700 SavvySugar http://www.savvysugar.com/1805344 http://www.savvysugar.com/1802118 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/10/104165/30_2008/81811830.preview.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image center preview" height="373"></span></p> <p>Now that Starbucks has come forward with <a href="http://www.savvysugar.com/1798347/" >its official list of stores</a> to close by the first half of 2009, some of the stores' regulars have banded together in launching a Save Our Starbucks campaign. On <a href="http://saveourstarbucks.com/" target="_blank">its website</a>, the caffeine crusaders are asking other Starbucks lovers to "tell the world your Starbucks story and how much you value your local location."</p> <p>The appeals from customers are coming <a href="http://www.wsj.com/article/SB121642002363666365.html?mod=fpa_editors_picks/" target="_blank">to Starbucks in the form of letters</a>, phone calls, and petitions. One woman, a facilities manager for a software company in Manhattan, said this of the Starbucks closing in her company's new office building: "Now that it's going away, we're devastated." </p> <p>California, Florida, and Texas will see the most store closures, but proportionately Mississippi, North Dakota, Minnesota, and Nebraska will be losing the largest percentage of locations. The <b>Wall Street Journal</b> smartly points out that "Starbucks outlets serve as key draws for other retailers, making the loss of one a blow to the surrounding area."</p> <p><a href="http://www.gettyimages.com/" target="_blank">Source</a></p> http://www.savvysugar.com/1802118#comment business news Starbucks Tue, 22 Jul 2008 15:29:59 -0700 SavvySugar http://www.savvysugar.com/1802118 http://www.savvysugar.com/1798347 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/10/104165/29_2008/81811834.preview.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image left preview" height="440" width="300"></span>No more need for <a href="http://www.savvysugar.com/1767780/" >the rumorville</a>, because Starbucks has released a list of the 616 <a href="http://money.cnn.com/2008/07/18/news/companies/starbucks_closures/index.htm?section=money_topstories/" target="_blank">stores that will close</a> their doors for good by June 2009. You may have just been getting to know the green-aproned staff at these locations, as most were opened sometime in the last two years. </p> <p>The 616 of Starbucks's 7,087 total US stores were unprofitable and many could identify another Starbucks as neighbors. While this close proximity would make it easy to borrow milk, it did nothing to increase sales. You can discover if your neighborhood's Starbucks will be permanently hanging up the closed sign by <a href="http://money.cnn.com/news/specials/storysupplement/starbucks_closings/CA.html/" target="_blank">checking out a map</a> of the exact locations. </p> <p><a href="http://www.gettyimages.com/" target="_blank">Source</a></p> http://www.savvysugar.com/1798347#comment business job loss news Starbucks Mon, 21 Jul 2008 14:00:05 -0700 SavvySugar http://www.savvysugar.com/1798347 http://www.savvysugar.com/1788558 <div id="guesswho-view-1788558"></div><script type="text/javascript">new Ajax.Request('/guesswho/view/1788558',{method:'get',onSuccess:function(transport){var guesswho=$('guesswho-view-1788558');guesswho.update(transport.responseText);}});</script><noscript><p>"I'm an artist before a businessman." </p><p><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/10/104165/29_2008/guess-who.preview.jpg" alt="Guess Who?" title="Guess Who?" class="image preview" /></p><p><form action="/1788558" method="post" id="guesswho_guess"> <div><div class="guesswho_form"><div class="form-item"> <input type="text" maxlength="128" name="edit[guess]" id="edit-guess" size="20" value="" class="form-text form-autocomplete" /> </div> <input class="autocomplete" type="hidden" id="edit-guess-autocomplete" value="http://www.savvysugar.com/taxonomy/autocomplete/47" disabled="disabled" /><input type="hidden" name="edit[nid]" id="edit-nid" value="1788558" /> <input type="submit" name="op" value="Guess" class="form-submit" /> <input type="submit" name="op" value="I Give Up" class="form-submit" /> <input type="hidden" name="edit[form_id]" id="edit-form_id" value="guesswho_guess" /> </div> </div></form> </p></noscript> http://www.savvysugar.com/1788558#comment business celeb Guess Who Wed, 16 Jul 2008 09:33:15 -0700 SavvySugar http://www.savvysugar.com/1788558 http://www.savvysugar.com/1785367 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/10/104165/29_2008/80546382.preview.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image center preview" height="340"></span></p> <p>I tend to just roll my eyes when I see blatant product placement on TV, like <b>The New York Times</b>' example of Simon, Paula, and Randy sipping on Cokes during episodes of <b>American Idol</b>. But the Federal Communications Commission (F.C.C.) is a bit <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/14/business/media/14adco.html?pagewanted=2/" target="_blank">more sensitive about the issue</a> and is wondering if networks should be required to explicitly disclose product placement. </p> <p>F.C.C. commissioner Jonathan S. Adelstein commented, "We’re not saying they can’t do it — we’re just saying they have to let the audience know what they’re doing." The F.C.C. is considering mandating that brand names appear at the beginning or end of a show, but critics say that this type of interference would take away from a show's entertainment value. </p> <p>Some advertisers consider themselves "junior writers" because the high level of integration some products achieve goes far <a href="http://www.savvysugar.com/1767582/" >beyond the characters' fashion choices</a>. The <b>Times</b> informs us that two episodes of <b>The Office</b> were written around a Staples scanner in order to promote the brand. But as long as the writing quality doesn't suffer, does it matter the show is marketing a product? Would it make a difference to you if these arrangements were disclosed? </p> <p><a href="http://www.gettyimages.com/" target="_blank">Source</a></p> http://www.savvysugar.com/1785367#comment advertising business consumerism Tue, 15 Jul 2008 08:04:52 -0700 SavvySugar http://www.savvysugar.com/1785367 http://www.savvysugar.com/1767582 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/10/104165/28_2008/51354.jpeg" alt="" title="" class="image center preview" height="357" width="500"></span></p> <p>Advertising must be effective for companies to continue paying the big bucks for commercial airtime, print features, and celebrity endorsements, but many consumers praise TiVo for its ability to skip commercials and wish magazines could exist without advertising covering half the pages. </p> <p>Brand recognition is the most obvious effect of advertising — first-time buyers of a product are far more likely to choose a brand they know over one they don't. So although most of us don't enjoy having our favorite TV show interrupted by advertisements, they do tend to stick with us in some form. </p> <p>Advertising has become more sly as of late with product placement in movies and on television. For example, you can head to the <a href="http://teamsugar.com/find/buzzsugar/gossip+girl/" >Gossip Girl</a> website after each episode <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/08/fashion/08gossip.html?_r=1&amp;adxnnl=1&amp;oref=slogin&amp;adxnnlx=1215522529-ZR3E0Rtd2TycZ4a4AX6STQ/" target="_blank">and find where to buy items as seen on</a> the fabulously fashionable gossip girls and guys. </p> <p>When does advertising affect your decisions?</p> <p>Photo courtesy of <a href="http://www.cwtv.com/" target="_blank">The CW</a></p> http://www.savvysugar.com/1767582#comment advertising business consumerism news shopping Wed, 09 Jul 2008 15:37:48 -0700 SavvySugar http://www.savvysugar.com/1767582 http://www.savvysugar.com/1767780 <p>It's a fact that <a href="http://www.savvysugar.com/1752478/" >Starbucks will close 600 stores</a> and the whole process will continue into 2009. It's also a fact that the <a href="http://www.savvysugar.com/1762152/" >US is saturated with the coffee shops</a>. This map, however, is the result of tips from Starbucks employees and some eavesdropping reporters. </p> <p>There are nowhere near several hundred locations listed, but <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&amp;hl=en&amp;msa=0&amp;msid=102401819280027006994.00045173e1443bb4b7f70&amp;ll=40.313043,-79.716797&amp;spn=23.408084,37.353516&amp;z=4&amp;source=embed/" target="_blank">you can check out the specific stores</a> that are supposedly closing. This map is far from complete as it shows only one CA location and zero in Arizona — two states where Starbucks overestimated the buying power of residents facing foreclosure. If you know of a store that's closing the <b>Seattle Times</b> <a href="http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/flatpages/businesstechnology/locationsofstarbucksstoresclosingacrossthenation.html" target="_blank">wants you to let them know</a>. </p> <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/10/104165/28_2008/starbucks.preview.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image center preview" height="272" width="550"></span></p> http://www.savvysugar.com/1767780#comment business news Starbucks Wed, 09 Jul 2008 11:07:46 -0700 SavvySugar http://www.savvysugar.com/1767780 http://www.savvysugar.com/1762152 <p>It <a href="http://www.savvysugar.com/1752478/" >didn't come as much of a surprise</a> when Starbucks announced they'd be closing 600 stores and eliminating 12,000 positions, and when <b>The New York Times</b> took another look into the company's troubles it exposed that <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/04/business/04starbucks.html?pagewanted=1&amp;adxnnlx=1215216198-yMop3dXP5BzryDPOTrwYjQ/" target="_blank">real estate was Starbucks's biggest fumble</a>. The two-page article can be summed up with just one observation: "Starbucks misjudged the risks of putting stores close to each other." </p> <p>You can say that again — <a href="http://maps.google.com/" target="_blank">Google Maps</a> turned up 99 locations within just one mile of Sugar HQ! How many Starbucks are within one mile of your home or office? </p> <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/10/104165/27_2008/starbucks.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image center preview" height="374" width="458"></span></p> http://www.savvysugar.com/1762152#comment business news Starbucks Mon, 07 Jul 2008 08:07:51 -0700 SavvySugar http://www.savvysugar.com/1762152 http://www.savvysugar.com/1752478 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/10/104165/27_2008/81793562.preview.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image center preview" height="348"></span></p> <p>After spending the first half of the year exploring different initiatives meant to direct the coffee company towards a successful future, they've come to terms with the numbers and have announced their plan <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/02/business/02sbux.html/" target="_blank">to close 600 underperforming stores and get rid of 12,000 jobs</a>. That second number represents about seven percent of the company's global workforce.</p> <p>The news is obviously not good for those employees whose positions will be eliminated, but is anyone actually surprised that so many stores will be closing? The company seems to have learned the hard way that too much of a good thing isn't so great. Their initial success spawned the opening of its stores in every coffee-drinking town and city it could, and its overachieving growth has led to its current demise. The decision to proliferate in booming California and Florida is one that the company now regrets — the housing crises hit these places the hardest and people are less likely to grab a jazzed up cup of joe when they can't pay their mortgage. </p> <p><a href="http://www.gettyimages.com/" target="_blank">Source</a></p> http://www.savvysugar.com/1752478#comment business job loss news Starbucks Wed, 02 Jul 2008 04:04:31 -0700 SavvySugar http://www.savvysugar.com/1752478 http://www.savvysugar.com/1743865 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/10/104165/26_2008/71042402.preview.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image right preview" height="414"></span>Fortune named Google the <a href="http://www.savvysugar.com/994145/" >best company to work for</a> two years in a row, and the Google guys keep coming up with more reasons why they deserve the title. They are currently seeking someone to fill the <a href="http://www.nypost.com/seven/06272008/business/google_staff_gets_concierge_117474.htm/" target="_blank">newly developed position of corporate concierge</a>, and the job is much like that of a hotel concierge. The person's services would be available to all employees needing assistance with things like making reservations and ordering flowers. </p> <p>It seems that Google employees' lives are just getting sweeter, and whoever becomes the company's first corporate concierge won't have it too bad, either. While they may be recommending places to eat outside <a href="http://www.yumsugar.com/slideshow/1536102/" >of the campus's 17 cafes</a>, the campus alone offers plenty of culinary enjoyment and other incredible perks. Who's <a href="http://www.google.com/support/jobs/bin/answer.py?answer=86140&amp;query=corporate+concierge&amp;topic=&amp;type=corporate+concierge/" target="_blank">ready to send in her resume</a>? </p> <p><a href="http://www.gettyimages.com/" target="_blank">Source</a></p> http://www.savvysugar.com/1743865#comment business Google job news Sun, 29 Jun 2008 11:08:03 -0700 SavvySugar http://www.savvysugar.com/1743865 http://www.savvysugar.com/1740514 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/10/104165/26_2008/stk149242rke.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image right preview"width="300"></span>How do you know when consumers are angry? When the price of gas keeps them <a href="http://www.savvysugar.com/1658797/" >from taking vacations</a>, $4 eggs are still considered a cheaper food choice <a href="http://www.savvysugar.com/1096635/" >at the grocery store</a>, and follow-the-leader <a href="http://www.savvysugar.com/1641825/" >airlines are charging for everything</a> under the friendly skies. </p> <p>Companies realize they need consumers, even the angry ones, to survive. Some have taken up empathetic advertising and singing the rant-y consumer tune in order to stay in business. Can you match the ads to the companies that paid for them? </p> <p><a href="http://www.gettyimages.com/" target="_blank">Source</a></p> <p><a href="http://www.savvysugar.com/1740514">read more</a></p> http://www.savvysugar.com/1740514#comment advertising business economy How Money Are You quiz Savvy quiz Fri, 27 Jun 2008 11:07:32 -0700 SavvySugar http://www.savvysugar.com/1740514 http://www.savvysugar.com/1740778 <div id="guesswho-view-1740778"></div><script type="text/javascript">new Ajax.Request('/guesswho/view/1740778',{method:'get',onSuccess:function(transport){var guesswho=$('guesswho-view-1740778');guesswho.update(transport.responseText);}});</script><noscript><p>"Nobody's a genius. We're all trying to figure out how to make the next buck." Who's the owner of this quote and is making Laura Csortan laugh in this picture? </p><p><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/10/104165/26_2008/80242170.preview.jpg" alt="Guess Who? Making the Next Buck " title="Guess Who? Making the Next Buck " class="image preview" /></p><p><form action="/1740778" method="post" id="guesswho_guess"> <div><div class="guesswho_form"><div class="form-item"> <input type="text" maxlength="128" name="edit[guess]" id="edit-guess" size="20" value="" class="form-text form-autocomplete" /> </div> <input class="autocomplete" type="hidden" id="edit-guess-autocomplete" value="http://www.savvysugar.com/taxonomy/autocomplete/47" disabled="disabled" /><input type="hidden" name="edit[nid]" id="edit-nid" value="1740778" /> <input type="submit" name="op" value="Guess" class="form-submit" /> <input type="submit" name="op" value="I Give Up" class="form-submit" /> <input type="hidden" name="edit[form_id]" id="edit-form_id" value="guesswho_guess" /> </div> </div></form> </p></noscript> http://www.savvysugar.com/1740778#comment business celeb Guess Who Fri, 27 Jun 2008 06:28:42 -0700 SavvySugar http://www.savvysugar.com/1740778 http://www.savvysugar.com/1699805 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/10/104165/24_2008/81102244.preview.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image left preview" height="416"></span>The California Supreme Court's decision to overrule the ban on gay marriage triggered a spectrum of reactions, and a recent study suggests that more than just same sex couples will benefit from the decision. A study by the Williams Institute at the UCLA School of Law concluded that same-sex <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/06/09/gay-marriage-good-for-the_n_106175.html/" target="_blank">couples will add $684 million</a> to California's wedding industry and in three years will boost the state budget by $64 million. </p> <p>Wedding vendors began to see business increase after the May announcement that CA would recognize same-sex marriage as of June 17. Gay couples have started planning their weddings and <a href="http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=91335836&amp;ft=1&amp;f=1021/" target="_blank">have been seeking out vendors</a> to help put together their big days, and companies who have built their businesses around providing nontraditional services have found themselves in high demand. Hopefully more businesses will adapt to all of California's happy couples in the midst of wedding planning. </p> <p><a href="http://www.gettyimages.com/" target="_blank">Source</a></p> http://www.savvysugar.com/1699805#comment business economy gay marriage marriage news Wed, 11 Jun 2008 04:04:50 -0700 SavvySugar http://www.savvysugar.com/1699805 http://www.savvysugar.com/1692466 <p>While most of you weren't sure that <a href="http://www.savvysugar.com/1518406/" >customers could accurately price</a> menu items at pay-what-you-like restaurants, one restaurant owner has come up with a solution that helps customers and keeps her in business. Customers at most pay-what-you-like restaurants place their money in a box secretly, but the patrons at Dan's in Maine tell the waitress how much they'd like to pay for a dish and the cook makes a portion according to the named price. </p> <p>The family business started in 1952 and Dan's daughter, Danielle, took over after her parents passed away. She noticed that fewer customers were coming in because of having less money to eat out due to higher gas and supermarket prices. In order to help her customers and keep her business going, she created a let's make a deal policy that has been a hit with the community. <b>The Today Show</b> visited Dan's to learn how she runs her restaurant, and you can see for yourself in the video below. </p> <p><center> <div style='width:455px' id="spi_tabs_container"> <div id="spi_tabs_top"> <div id="spi_tabs_topL"></div> <div id="spi_tabs_topR"></div> </div> <div class="panel chatter_chatter fbceleb " > <center> <script type="text/javascript" src="http://images.teamsugar.com/static/js/swfobject.js"></script> <p style=margin:0px;padding:0px id="player_1692445"><a href="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer">Get Flash</a> to see this player.</p> <script type="text/javascript"> var so1692445 = new SWFObject('http://images.teamsugar.com/static/flash/mediaplayer.swf','mpl','425','350','7'); so1692445.addParam('allowfullscreen','true'); so1692445.addVariable("file",'1692445.flv'); so1692445.addVariable('height','350'); so1692445.addVariable('image','http://images.teamsugar.com/media/cooked/thumbs/1692445.jpg'); so1692445.addVariable('width','425'); so1692445.write('player_1692445'); </script> </center> </div> <div id="spi_tabs_bot"> <div id="spi_tabs_botL"></div> <div id="spi_tabs_botR"></div> </div> </div> </center></p> http://www.savvysugar.com/1692466#comment business economy food Sun, 08 Jun 2008 11:13:53 -0700 SavvySugar http://www.savvysugar.com/1692466 http://www.savvysugar.com/1682515 <!-- no strip poll --><div id="epoll-view-1682515"></div><script type="text/javascript">new Ajax.Request('/epoll/view/1682515',{method:'get',onSuccess:function(transport){var epoll=$('epoll-view-1682515');epoll.update(transport.responseText);}});</script><noscript><p><p>Advertisers are hoping new designs on some cleaning products will have the effect of stronger staying power, without necessarily creating more effective products. According to the <b>Wall Street Journal</b>, "Makers of dishwasher detergent and fabric freshener <a href="http://online.wsj.com/article/SB121236166867236341.html?mod=rss_whats_news_us_business/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">are dressing up their packaging</a> in the hopes that consumers will showcase the bottles when they're not using them." A market research survey reported that 55 percent of those surveyed remarked that "appearance is somewhat or very important in deciding which household paper goods and cleaning products to buy." Does this describe you?</p> <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/10/104165/23_2008/Picture%201.preview.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image center preview" height="404" width="550"></span></p> </p><!-- no strip poll --><form action="/1682515" method="post" id="epoll_view_voting"> <div><div class="poll"> <div class="vote-form"> <div class="choices"><div class="form-item"> <label>Your Two Cents: Do You Buy Cleaning Products For the Design?</label> <div class="form-item"> <label class="option"><input type="radio" name="edit[choice]" value="0" class="form-radio" /> Yes, I take appearance into consideration when buying cleaning products.</label> </div> <div class="form-item"> <label class="option"><input type="radio" name="edit[choice]" value="1" class="form-radio" /> I buy whatever is least expensive, but if two items are the same price I'll buy the prettier one.</label> </div> <div class="form-item"> <label class="option"><input type="radio" name="edit[choice]" value="2" class="form-radio" /> No, I wouldn't buy a cleaning product because of the design.</label> </div> <div class="form-item"> <label class="option"><input type="radio" name="edit[choice]" value="3" class="form-radio" /> Other. See my comments below. </label> </div> </div> </div><input type="hidden" name="edit[nid]" id="edit-nid" value="1682515" /> <input type="submit" name="op" value="Vote" class="form-submit" /> </div><input type="hidden" name="edit[form_id]" id="edit-form_id" value="epoll_view_voting" /> </div> </div></form> <!-- no strip poll --></noscript><!-- no strip poll --> http://www.savvysugar.com/1682515#comment advertising business poll Savvy poll Your Two Cents Tue, 03 Jun 2008 15:17:47 -0700 SavvySugar http://www.savvysugar.com/1682515 http://www.savvysugar.com/1647292 <p>Here I thought Zappos was just the best accomplice to indecisive <a href="http://www.savvysugar.com/1521774/" >shoe junkies</a> like myself, with its generous and fast free shipping and free return policies, but it turns out there's more to this online shoe company than meets the eye. Zappos <a href="http://discussionleader.hbsp.com/taylor/2008/05/wy_zappos_pays_new_employees_t.html" target="_blank">is obsessed with customer service</a> and understands that there are several other sources online for customers to get their shoe fixes.</p> <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/10/104165/21_2008/9994-640523-p.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image center outline preview" height="340"></span></p> <p>After an intensive four-week training period that compensates new employees with their full salary, the company presents the freshly trained group with something called The Offer: “If you quit today, we will pay you for the amount of time you’ve worked, plus we will offer you a $1,000 bonus.” Zappos tests the commitment of its employees from the get-go, because it realizes the importance of a strong call-center team when that's the only customer service experience an online customer will get. Makes perfectly good business sense to me! </p> <p><a href="http://www.zappos.com/" target="_blank">Source</a></p> http://www.savvysugar.com/1647292#comment boss business job The Grind zappos Wed, 21 May 2008 14:49:53 -0700 SavvySugar http://www.savvysugar.com/1647292 http://www.savvysugar.com/1598753 <p>The possibility of Linens 'n Things filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy <a href="http://www.savvysugar.com/1548594/" >has been on our radar for two weeks</a>. While they attempted to avoid this decision <a href="http://www.savvysugar.com/1556074/" >by postponing debt payments</a> and searching for a buyer, they were unable to come up with another solution and today the <a href="http://dealbook.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/05/02/linens-n-things-lands-in-chapter-11/index.html?partner=rssnyt&amp;emc=rss/" target="_blank">company filed for Chapter 11</a> protection. </p> <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/10/104165/18_2008/linens.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image center preview" height="313" width="500"></span></p> <p>With its 500 US stores the company is second to Bed Bath &amp; Beyond in terms of housewares chains, and according to the <b>New York Times</b> Linen's 'n Things plans to close 120 stores. The fate of your gift cards is up in the air, as federal law says Linens 'n Things isn't obligated to honor the cards since filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. </p> http://www.savvysugar.com/1598753#comment business Linens 'n Things news tip Fri, 02 May 2008 15:15:09 -0700 SavvySugar http://www.savvysugar.com/1598753 http://www.savvysugar.com/1558862 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/10/104165/16_2008/Picture%202.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image left preview" height="261" width="333"></span>Some businesses are preparing for the arrival of rebate checks and are beginning to announce the predictable practice of offering bonuses for spending your rebate check on their goods. This week Sears and Kroger kicked off the emerging trend, and it would hardly be surprising if more retailers adopted the idea in the weeks leading up to rebate check deliveries. </p> <p>If you bring your check to a Sears cash register, they'll convert it to a gift card and serve up an additional card <a href="http://consumerist.com/380495/sears-offers-10-bonus-to-people-who-convert-stimulus-checks-into-gift-cards/" target="_blank">worth 10 percent</a> of your rebate check. They're working on a system that will allow those who received their rebate check by direct deposit to get in on the action. Kroger's idea is basically the same <a href="http://consumerist.com/380754/trends-kroger-offers-you-a-bonus-if-you-put-your-stimulus-check-on-a-gift-card/" target="_blank">10 percent bonus deal</a>, except they're slinging groceries, not stainless steel appliances. </p> <p>The motivation behind these practices is that you're essentially getting more for your money, but really it only makes sense if you would be spending your rebate money there anyway. And while I personally plan on banking my check, I could see why deals like these would be appealing, say for those with families buying large amounts of groceries. </p> http://www.savvysugar.com/1558862#comment business consumerism news spending Fri, 18 Apr 2008 06:41:37 -0700 SavvySugar http://www.savvysugar.com/1558862 http://www.savvysugar.com/1556074 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/10/104165/16_2008/linensnthing.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image left preview"width="298"></span>While it had seemed almost certain that Linens 'n Things <a href="http://www.savvysugar.com/1548594/" >would declare bankruptcy</a> this week, they've managed to put off <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/16/business/16linens.html?ex=1366084800&amp;en=f5c26b4afac79bb6&amp;ei=5088&amp;partner=rssnyt&amp;emc=rss/" target="_blank">paying the $16.1 million</a> in interest owed to various creditors and bondholders. This doesn't mean the company is out of trouble, it just means they've bought some time to try and figure out a solution other than bankruptcy. It also means that for now, your gift cards are still valuable for purchasing linens, and well, things. Keep your ears and eyes open for any changes in the company's status, because there's not much going for them right now with the high level of debt they're carrying, consumers spending less, and poor performance. </p> http://www.savvysugar.com/1556074#comment business Linens 'n Things news news flash Thu, 17 Apr 2008 06:34:18 -0700 SavvySugar http://www.savvysugar.com/1556074 http://www.savvysugar.com/1548594 <p>According to <b>The New York Times</b>, Linens 'n Things is expected <a href="http://dealbook.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/04/11/linens-n-things-dont-expect-a-soft-landing/" target="_blank">to file for bankruptcy</a> protection this week and it could turn into a Chapter 11 bankruptcy due to the amount of debt involved. Chapter 11 entails the reorganization of a company's affairs and assets and is the most complicated type of bankruptcy. </p> <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/10/104165/15_2008/gift-card.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image center preview" width="500"></span></p> <p>Some of you received Sharper Image gift cards for the holidays and were unable to use them when the company filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy in February. While this practice is surely infuriating they're technically not doing anything wrong, <a href="http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/bankruptcies-often-leave-consumers-holding/story.aspx?guid=DCBBEB36-F293-4EDF-B2DC-1F515E91A746" target="_blank">as federal law says</a> a company doesn't have to honor gift cards after they've filed for this type of bankruptcy. Linens 'n Things would likely follow suit in terms of gift cards, so you may want to use them while you know they're still good. </p> http://www.savvysugar.com/1548594#comment business Linens 'n Things news tip Mon, 14 Apr 2008 04:07:22 -0700 SavvySugar http://www.savvysugar.com/1548594 http://www.savvysugar.com/1542064 <p>Like an angry-ex releasing sex tapes on the internet, Flagler Productions Inc. is threatening revenge on Wal-Mart after the retail giant stopped using the company to film internal meetings and executives in action. Wal-Mart was such a large part of the small company's business that the decision almost put Flagler out of business. Now they're dangling the 15,000 tapes in front of Wal-Mart's face and offering the footage up for sale. Unsurprisingly, the tapes would be a hot commodity for a number of groups like documentary filmmakers, plaintiffs' lawyers, and union organizers. Flagler never signed a contract with Wal-Mart, but Wal-Mart did pay for the production and video work.</p> <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/10/104165/15_2008/77880942.preview.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image center preview" height="300"></span></p> <p>Flagler offered to sell the archive <a href="http://online.wsj.com/article/SB120770260120100121.html?mod=hps_us_pageone/" target="_blank">for several million dollars</a> and Wal-Mart countered with a low-ball $500,000 offer, with the explanation that there wouldn't be a market for the videos elsewhere. But the videos showcase a Wal-Mart basically uncensored, and include events like executives making fun of a possibly dangerous product sold on their shelves and conversations among executives about opposing unionization.</p> <p>If there were archived videos of your company meetings, would there be anything of interest to those on the outside?</p> <p><a href="http://www.gettyimages.com/" target="_blank">Source</a></p> http://www.savvysugar.com/1542064#comment business news workplace scandals Fri, 11 Apr 2008 04:21:48 -0700 SavvySugar http://www.savvysugar.com/1542064 http://www.savvysugar.com/1524355 <p>Normally, something like cutting free canned soda and bottled water from the list of employee perks wouldn't be news, but when the company in question is reputably rich Goldman Sachs the headlines will surely follow. The drink bins that were scattered around the company's offices <a href="http://www.nypost.com/seven/04032008/business/goldman_cuts_h2o_because_of_cdos_104854.htm/" target="_blank">were pulled from the floor</a> and have left the traders to fend for themselves. While a Goldman spokeswoman wouldn't comment, one insider said, "When business declines you have to cut somewhere and perks are a lot easier to cut than jobs." </p> <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl0/10/104165/14_2008/72866342.preview.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image center preview" height="301" width="550"></span></p> <p>While the free beverages were a privilege to begin with, I'm sure having to run out of the office whenever busy traders want a Coke takes away from production. On second thought, I'm sure their assistants will get sick of running to 7-11 every hour to satisfy the cravings. Why not just provide sodas at cost and ask employees to deposit $0.50 on an honor system and make everyone happy? Oh, and as far as I know, their health benefits still include <a href="http://www.savvysugar.com/1027999/" >coverage for sex changes</a>. </p> <p><a href="http://www.gettyimages.com/" target="_blank">Source</a></p> http://www.savvysugar.com/1524355#comment business economy news Sat, 05 Apr 2008 11:03:00 -0700 SavvySugar http://www.savvysugar.com/1524355 http://www.savvysugar.com/1524527 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl0/10/104165/14_2008/2371122.preview.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image right preview" height="420"></span>Starbucks must have smelled this one coming. After the ruling from a California court last week that Starbucks owes <a href="http://www.savvysugar.com/1135037/" >its CA baristas $105 million</a> because it allowed supervisors to get a piece of tip jar action, now the <b>New York Times</b> is reporting that a <a href="http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/04/03/manhattan-barista-sues-over-tip-sharing/" target="_blank">similar suit in New York</a> has just been filed. </p> <p>One of the lawyers who brought the case to NY is trying to make it a class action on behalf of all the state's baristas. Meanwhile, the CA case is being appealed and CEO Howard Schulz deemed the ruling “extremely unfair and beyond reason.” A Manhattan barista interviewed by the <b>Times</b> said she's paid $10.03 an hour after working at Starbucks for three years, and a shift supervisor who has the same amount of time under her green apron makes $10.25 an hour. </p> <p>Does it make sense that $0.22 more per hour and additional responsibilities disallows supervisors from partaking in the tip jar? The real issue is that the supervisors are considered management and the tip sharing offends state law, but these suits do seem slightly frivolous. </p> <p><a href="http://www.gettyimages.com/" target="_blank">Source</a></p> http://www.savvysugar.com/1524527#comment business news Starbucks Fri, 04 Apr 2008 06:27:56 -0700 SavvySugar http://www.savvysugar.com/1524527