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Life Is Good founders say this question inspired their business
Bert and John Jacobs, the brothers who cofounded the $100 million Life Is Good T-shirt company, grew up the youngest of six children in a lower middle-class family in Boston. When the brothers were in elementary school, their parents were in a near-death car accident from which their mother managed to escape with just a few broken bones - but their father lost the use of his right hand. The stress and frustration from his physical therapy caused him to develop a harsh temper, they explain in their new book "Life Is Good." http://www.businessinsider.com/life-is-good-founders-say-this-question-inspired-their-business-2015-12
The end of capitalism has begun
The red flags and marching songs of Syriza during the Greek crisis, plus the expectation that the banks would be nationalised, revived briefly a 20th-century dream: the forced destruction of the market from above. For much of the 20th century this was how the left conceived the first stage of an economy beyond capitalism. The force would be applied by the working class, either at the ballot box or on the barricades. The lever would be the state. The opportunity would come through frequent episodes of economic collapse. Instead over the past 25 years it has been the left’s project that has collapsed. The market destroyed the plan; individualism replaced collectivism and solidarity; the hugely expanded workforce of the world looks like a “proletariat”, but no longer thinks or behaves as it once did. https://www.theguardian.com/books/2015/jul/17/postcapitalism-end-of-capitalism-begun
Inside the World's Most Dog-Friendly Office
Creating a doggie heaven In search of an office big enough for its staff and their dogs, Kurgo, a Salisbury, Massachusetts-based startup that makes dog-travel gear, took over its own 4,000-square-foot warehouse in 2015. (Here, Josie "the jumper" lounges near the creative department.) http://www.inc.com/christine-lagorio/inside-the-worlds-most-dog-friendly-office.html
Google employee lives in a truck in the parking lot
When 23-year-old Brandon headed from Massachusetts to the Bay Area in mid-May to start work as a software engineer at Google, he opted out of settling into an overpriced San Francisco apartment. Instead, he moved into a 128-square-foot truck. The idea started to formulate while Brandon — who asked to withhold his last name and photo to maintain his privacy on campus — was interning at Google last summer and living in the cheapest corporate housing offered: two bedrooms and four people for about $65 a night (roughly $2,000 a month), he told Business Insider. http://www.businessinsider.com/google-employee-lives-in-truck-in-parking-lot-2015-10
Inside Amazon: Wrestling Big Ideas in a Bruising Workplace
SEATTLE — On Monday mornings, fresh recruits line up for an orientation intended to catapult them into Amazon’s singular way of working. They are told to forget the “poor habits” they learned at previous jobs, one employee recalled. When they “hit the wall” from the unrelenting pace, there is only one solution: “Climb the wall,” others reported. To be the best Amazonians they can be, they should be guided by the leadership principles, 14 rules inscribed on handy laminated cards. When quizzed days later, those with perfect scores earn a virtual award proclaiming, “I’m Peculiar” — the company’s proud phrase for overturning workplace conventions. http://www.nytimes.com/2015/08/16/technology/inside-amazon-wrestling-big-ideas-in-a-bruising-workplace.html?_r=0
For the Wealthiest, a Private Tax System That Saves Them Billions
WASHINGTON — The hedge fund magnates Daniel S. Loeb, Louis Moore Bacon and Steven A. Cohen have much in common. They have managed billions of dollars in capital, earning vast fortunes. They have invested large sums in art — and millions more in political candidates. Moreover, each has exploited an esoteric tax loophole that saved them millions in taxes. The trick? Route the money to Bermuda and back. With inequality at its highest levels in nearly a century and public debate rising over whether the government should respond to it through higher taxes on the wealthy, the very richest Americans have financed a sophisticated and astonishingly effective apparatus for shielding their fortunes. Some call it the “income defense industry,” consisting of a high-priced phalanx of lawyers, estate planners, lobbyists and anti-tax activists who exploit and defend a dizzying array of tax maneuvers, virtually none of them available to taxpayers of more modest means. http://www.nytimes.com/2015/12/30/business/economy/for-the-wealthiest-private-tax-system-saves-them-billions.html
New Indiana Law: Hire Illegals, Lose Your Business License | John Hawkins' Right Wing News
There’s actually quite an easy fix to solving the issue of illegal immigration. All you have to do is enforce the laws, but naturally Democrats and Republicans alike don’t want to do that because it could compromise big money from big donors. http://rightwingnews.com/top-news/new-indiana-law-hire-illegals-lose-your-business-license/
Bloomberg Philanthropies and U.S. Department of Commerce to Host 2nd “U.S.-Africa Business Forum” in New York City During 71st UN General Assembly
During the week of September 19, 2016, on the occasion of the 71st Session of the UN General Assembly, Bloomberg Philanthropies and the U.S. Department of Commerce will co-host the second U.S.-Africa Business Forum, a day focused on increased trade and investment between the U.S. and African nations. The U.S.-Africa Business Forum will build on the progress of the inaugural Forum, held during the 2014 U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit with the participation of nearly 50 heads of state or government and more than 150 global CEOs – to further develop trade and business opportunities between the United States and Africa. http://www.bloomberg.org/press/releases/bloomberg-philanthropies-u-s-department-of-commerce-to-host-2nd-u-s-africa-business-forum-in-new-york-city-during-71st-un-general-assembly/
Data 3.0 is Driving New Business Models
Data has changed everything around us. It is the strategic disruptor that is transforming businesses, governments and every one of us across the globe. We have moved from a world where it was an outcome of automating transactions, to a second wave where databases, apps and analytics helped deliver competitive advantage. However, in the third wave, the modern era of Data 3.0, data is fundamentally driving new business models. Today companies that use data to deliver exceptional customer experiences, build great products and drive operational efficiency are the winners in this new digital economy. http://blogs.informatica.com/2016/06/07/data-3-0-is-driving-new-business-models/#fbid=CqUQxMtzo9m
2016 Bangkok International Motor Show
The first ASEAN auto show of the year opened its doors in Bangkok to a projected 1.8 million visitors with the theme 'No Boundaries Mobility'. The 37th Bangkok International Motor Show aims to jumpstart the Thai automotive industry, recovering from its slowdown in 2015. This year’s motor show is the first major event to 'welcome' the Thai government's new carbon tax scheme which places levies on vehicles which consume more fuel and emit more CO2, hence the focus on boundless innovation in mobility. A total of 27 automotive brands and dozens more aftermarket companies and coach builders were present at the annual automotive industry opener of the region. http://www.autoindustriya.com/auto-shows/2016-bangkok-international-motor-show.html
Speed of the 2016 New York Auto Show
The New York International Auto Show played host to a number of debuts, new cars, fancy cars, outrageous concepts, and exciting production models. We enjoy fast cars and they hold a dear place in our hearts, so we wanted to bring you the best cars (and a bonus something) from New York this year that got us thinking about the open road and what we’d do without any traffic around. http://www.motortrend.com/news/speed-2016-new-york-auto-show/
Nissan buys $2.2 Billion stake in Mitsubishi Motors
Reports of Nissan considering purchase of Mitsubishi shares came in earlier today. In a swift turn of events, it has been confirmed that Nissan has indeed bought shares from Mitsubishi, taking a 34% stake of the automaker valued at $2.2 billion. Nissan will effectively become the single largest shareholder of Mitsubishi Motors. At a joint press conference, Carlos Ghosn, chief executive of Nissan and Renault, had this to say. "This is a breakthrough transaction and a win-win for both Nissan and Mitsubishi Motors. It creates a dynamic new force in the automotive industry that will cooperate intensively, and generate sizeable synergies. We will be the largest shareholder of MMC, respecting their brand, their history and boosting their growth prospects. We will support MMC as they address their challenges and welcome them as the newest member of our enlarged Alliance family." http://www.autoindustriya.com/auto-industry-news/nissan-buys-2-2-billion-stake-in-mitsubishi-motors.html
2016 Auto Expo: Top bikes [ Motorcycles and scooters ] expected at the motor show
The 2016 Auto Expo is just around the corner and the motoring event is expected to see as many as 80 products being unveiled for the Indian market. At Motoroids, we are all geared up and ready to bring all the action from the auto show as in the quickest and most comprehensive manner possible. Before we do that, though, let’s take you through a list of scooters and motorcycles expected to be showcased or launched at the 2016 Auto Expo. http://www.motoroids.com/news/2016-auto-expo-top-bikes-motorcycles-and-scooters-expected-at-the-motor-show/
Wards Auto Picks its 10 Best Interiors for 2016
Luxury rules in this list of automotive interiors. Wards Auto announced its picks for the 2016 Wards 10 Best Interiors list and the group was dominated by six luxury brands. Last year, only three luxury makes made the list. The publication says the reversal of roles was due to the high number of new luxury models, which accounted for 19 of the 47 vehicles considered for the contest. Audi, for example, had five vehicles including the A4, A6, Q7, S7, and TTS. Wards Auto evaluated all 47 vehicles for aesthetics and design harmony, materials, ergonomics, safety, comfort, value, and fit-and-finish. Infotainment systems were also considered. http://www.motortrend.com/news/wards-auto-picks-10-best-interiors-2016/
The Quick Cars of the 2016 Detroit Auto Show
While the 2016 Detroit auto show featured everything from flashy concept cars to luxury and family cars, nothing gets our attention quite like gobs of horsepower. We compiled a list of 10 of the sportiest production cars to debut at the 2016 Detroit auto show. http://www.motortrend.com/news/quick-cars-2016-detroit-auto-show/
Top Picks of the 2016 New York Auto Show
The 2016 New York auto show saw some debuts that stood out in the best way possible. Nearly every category was represented this year, from green movement icons and SUVs to luxury SUVs and concepts showing off gigantic gullwing doors. Here are Motor Trend editors’ top picks for the 2016 New York auto show. http://www.motortrend.com/news/top-picks-2016-new-york-auto-show/
Concept Cars at the Toronto Auto Show
Concept cars are sure to drawn in crowds at the Toronto auto show, even if many of them come from foreign lands and had their original debuts a while back. But Toronto has scored a couple of coups this year, including one outrageous concept that was created right here in Canada and another that made its first ever auto show debut. Take a look. http://www.motortrend.com/news/concept-cars-toronto-auto-show/
Ex-Top Gear trio Clarkson, Hammond and May begin filming for new motoring show
Former Top Gear stars Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May have begun filming for their new show on Amazon Prime. Clarkson, whose sacking sparked the exodus of all three from the BBC, shared the news on his Twitter page. He posted a pictured of himself, Hammond and May standing in front of three supercars at a racetrack and surrounded by crew members. Alongside the photo, the presenter wrote: "With a skeleton crew, filming for Amazon Prime's new motoring programme has begun." http://www.itv.com/news/2015-10-07/ex-top-gear-trio-clarkson-hammond-and-may-begin-filming-for-new-motoring-show/
In Argentina, Where Culture Is 'A Right,' A Free New Arts Center Opens
A new tourist attraction in Argentina — The Centro Cultural Kirchner in downtown Buenos Aires — has been posting some impressive numbers since it opened in mid-May. As many as 10,000 patrons a day are trooping through an ornate, turn-of-the-last-century building that has been converted into what's said to be the fourth-largest cultural center in the world. Remarkably, everything in it is free, from video installations to comedy acts to symphony concerts. They call the main concert hall La Ballena Azul, "The Blue Whale," and it swims inside a grand Beaux Arts palace where, for most of the last century, folks in Buenos Aires mailed letters: the former Central Post Office. The Blue Whale auditorium — blimp-shaped, three stories high, holding 1,750 people — floats in what used to be the package-sorting area. http://www.npr.org/2015/10/03/442664722/in-argentina-where-culture-is-a-right-a-free-new-arts-center-opens
Canadian Government Earmarks Nearly $1.9 Billion for Culture and the Arts in New Budget
In the newly released Federal Budget 2016, Canada’s Liberal government, helmed by the newly elected Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, aims to invest nearly $1.9 billion ($1.4B USD) over a five-year period in various cultural industries. "Our cultural industries represent a key sector of our economy and the intersection of art, science and technology offers infinite opportunities to innovate and problem solve," the report reads. "Investing in the Canadian cultural sector helps to create jobs, strengthens the economy and ensures that the unique Canadian perspective is shared with the world." http://www.billboard.com/articles/business/7272514/canadian-government-budget-arts-culture-1-9-billion