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BNET Insights Most Recent
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The Corner Office
The Boss From Hell
Early in my career I had a boss from hell. Sure, I've had lots of dysfunctional bosses - I was one myself. But this guy was different. I'm talking serious lunatic stuff here. Still, tragedy and comedy often go hand in hand, and this story is no exception. Can you...
Nov 20, 2009 4:15 PM
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Business Hacks
New Pogoplug Adds Up to Four Hard Drives to Your Network
Not that there's anything wrong with pink, but does CloudEngines really think women are going to buy a network-attached storage interface for hard drives?
Nov 20, 2009 11:46 AM
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Sales Machine
10 MORE Sales Tips from "Seinfeld"
Two weeks ago, I posted "Top 10 Sales Tips from the Seinfeld Show". It proved so popular, I thought it would be worthwhile to post an additional 10 tips. Like the previous 10, I think you'll find them useful in honing your sales skills. As before, I've included polls so...
Nov 20, 2009 11:30 AM
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BNET Intercom
Why Are Some Nations Rich While Others Are Poor?
If countries create sound institutions and improve their governments, then their citizens can expect that their hard work will be protected by the rule of law and poverty can be fixed, says an MIT professor. But why do some nations develop sound, transparent institutions while others settle for warlords or...
Nov 20, 2009 10:45 AM
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The View from Harvard Business
What is the Value of U.S. Citizenship?
More than 7 million legal residents who are eligible to become U.S. citizens each year, essentially green-card holders, choose against doing so. Is America doing a poor job marketing the benefits of citizenship? Does it have the pricing right? Help Uncle Sam get a new plan.
Nov 20, 2009 7:58 AM
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Business Hacks
Top Four iPhone Apps To Watch Video On Your Way to Work
On this lazy Friday morning, I thought I'd recommend four free apps you can use to get video on your own iPhone or iPod Touch.
Nov 20, 2009 7:00 AM
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Entry-Level Rebel
Department of Scary Maps: US Unemployment Visualized
Want to get a visceral sense of the worsening jobs situation in America and which areas have been hit hardest by the recession? Visit this astounding infographic and press play.
Nov 20, 2009 6:34 AM
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Entry-Level Rebel
7 Magic Words to Up Your Persuasive Power
No matter your business, you need to persuade others of the value of your ideas and products without coming across as sleazy or manipulative. Being good at this isn't some innate talent, insists author Kevin Hogan. You can increase your persuasive power by learning to use just seven key words....
Nov 20, 2009 6:22 AM
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Back to B-School
What Do VC Firms Have in Common With High School Cliques?
New research from the Kellogg School of Management finds that in the world of VC firms, there are established cliques (the cool kids, if you will) and new kids, or new firms, trying to find their way into the cliques.
Nov 20, 2009 6:00 AM
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Sales Machine
Pay the Bonuses But Fire the CEOs
There's been a lot controversy about the enormous bonuses going to various folks in the financial industry. The population at large is pretty darn angry that bankers are handing out tens of billions of dollars after running the world economy into a toilet and then accepting bailout money. There's a...
Nov 20, 2009 5:30 AM
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Business Hacks
Preserve a Web Page as a PDF
Round these parts, I frequently need to share Web pages with co-workers. Sometimes it's fine just to send a link, but occasionally it's critical to freeze a moment in time. For that, I need to save the page as a PDF.
Nov 20, 2009 5:00 AM
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Aussie Rules
Can A Virtual Assistant Help Your Small Business?
In this video interview undertaken at our recent Flying Solo LIVE! event I catch up with virtual assistant, Fiona Toy. Fiona explains how virtual assistants work and what they can do to support small business. I'd better fess up here and now and tell you that Fiona is my virtual...
Nov 19, 2009 11:04 PM
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BNET Intercom
World Taking Free Ride On America's Healthcare Innovations
When these innovations can be controlled and patented, as is often the case with new drugs, then American companies and our broader economy both benefit overall. But many investments in innovation, such as long-term health studies, end up as global public goods. We pay the price to figure out a...
Nov 19, 2009 7:48 PM
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The Corner Office
The 5-Step Career Turnaround
Everybody hits snags in their career. You think you're on the right path, something changes, and suddenly your plan is drailed. Unfortunately, accomplished professionals often lack objectivity when reinventing themselves. The solution is to think of career change like a business turnaround.
Nov 19, 2009 3:47 PM
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Business Hacks
What is Chrome OS and Why Should You Care?
Google officially took the wraps off its Chrome OS today, but you won't see it on a computer near you for some time. Until then, here's a video overview.
Nov 19, 2009 12:24 PM
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Aussie Rules
The Ten Step Social Media Marketing Checklist | BTalk Australia
[podcast] Ross Kimbarovsky, co-founder of crowdSPRING takes us through the 10 things you need to know about social media marketing.
Nov 19, 2009 12:06 PM
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Sales Machine
Are Sales Objections Real?
Yesterday, in "How to Kill an Objection For Good", explained how to put an objection permanently to rest. It's a useful, classic technique. However, I would be remiss if I didn't point out that there's another school of thought when it comes to objections. Some experts in selling techniques believe...
Nov 19, 2009 11:30 AM
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Sterling Performance
When is a Bonus Not a Reward?
When bonuses become a matter of course, they are no longer a reward but a regular part of your pay-packet, says Richard Northedge. What's so special about that?
Nov 19, 2009 10:50 AM
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The Corner Office
How to Balance the Federal Budget
In 1998, tax income from the unprecedented bull market run of the 90s resulted in the first balanced budget in 30 years. While I don't advocate bubble and bust-fueled economic cycles, economic expansion - big and small business growth - is indeed the only way to end the federal deficit....
Nov 19, 2009 9:33 AM
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Back to B-School
How to Save the MBA: Teach Students to Think Like Designers
According to Roger Martin, head of Canada's Rotman School of Management, what future business leaders really need is an education in multiple fields, including design.
Nov 19, 2009 8:25 AM
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Business Hacks
Turn an Extra PC Into a Second Monitor
Got a spare laptop sitting around doing nothing? Turn it into a secondary monitor for your main system and enjoy an easy, inexpensive productivity boost.
Nov 19, 2009 8:05 AM
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Entry-Level Rebel
Generational Differences: More Myth Than Reality?
Generational differences at work certainly take up a lot of column inches in the media, but how useful really are generational differences in planning how to manage a team? According to the Conference Board of Canada, not very much.
Nov 19, 2009 7:27 AM
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The View from Harvard Business
Going Rogue: Three Times to Ignore 'Best Practice'
Best practices are great -- until a real-world situation begs for non-standard solution. No worries. Here are three times when it is OK to jump off the best practice path.
Nov 19, 2009 7:13 AM
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Business Hacks
Getting the Most Out of Multiple Monitors
When I recommend multiple displays, I get the same question every time: "What's it good for?" Well, here are four ways to make that second monitor pay for itself.
Nov 19, 2009 7:00 AM
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Business Hacks
Find Commands Easily in Word 2007's Ribbon
Even if you like the way the ribbon exposes Word features that were previously very hard to find, it's sometimes frustratingly difficult to track down something that you used to know exactly how to find in Word 2003. Well, fret no more. You can now have the best of both...
Nov 19, 2009 5:00 AM
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Sales Machine
Can an Introvert Succeed in Sales?
The archetype of sales professional is an outgoing, extroverted, "people-person." Therefore, it's not surprising that some people wonder whether that personality type is required in order to be successful in sales. A reader from Australia writes: I have been reading your blog recently and find it quite insightful. I really...
Nov 19, 2009 3:51 AM
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The Corner Office
The Sad State of CEO Replacement: Scapegoating and Savior Chasing
On November 9, the CEO of the Innovation Group, a $200 million U.K. insurance software company, was unexpectedly fired by his board, who also announced they'd retained an executive search firm to find his outside successor. The company had consistently increased sales, cash, its average deal size, and its reputation...
Nov 18, 2009 5:15 PM
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BNET Intercom
What the Unemployed Can Learn from Sarah Palin
Across America, there are millions of people who won't get paid millions to write about why they've lost their jobs. I'm all for standing up for oneself and speaking out against the injustices of the past. But ultimately, it's one's future that's worth fighting for.
Nov 18, 2009 12:49 PM
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Aussie Rules
Cautious Optimism from CFOs | BTalk Australia
[podcast] The first quarterly survey of CFOs at Australia's top companies shows that there's a positive outlook on the future, but the degree of bullishness is largely influenced by the company's access to affordable credit.
Nov 18, 2009 11:37 AM
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Sales Machine
How To Kill an Objection -- For Good!
When you're selling, it's not enough to simply answer an objection. If you don't want to see the objection pop up later, you need to kill it for good. Here's a typical selling conversation: Prospect: We don't have the money in this year's budget. You: That's O.K. We can finance...
Nov 18, 2009 11:30 AM
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The View from Harvard Business
Bet on Santa to Defeat the Recession
Will Christmas shoppers put their long financial nightmare behind them? You can bet the subprime mortgage on one thing: It ain't 2007 anymore.
Nov 18, 2009 10:44 AM
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Sterling Performance
T-Mobile's Stolen Data: If You're Selling, I'm Buying
The fact that T-Mobile's data centre employees are believed to have sold on customer data is bad enough. But the collective shrug that has accompanied the news makes it worse, revealing the unpalatable truth about eroding employer-employee relations. Here are a couple of things I'd take issue with: 1. There's...
Nov 18, 2009 9:11 AM
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Business Hacks
Read E-Books on Your Android Phone
Who needs a Kindle? With the new eReader app for Android, you can read New York Times bestsellers and over 60,000 other mainstream titles.
Nov 18, 2009 9:00 AM
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Business Hacks
Poll: Do You Use Twitter?
Maybe you've heard of Twitter but can't see any advantage to using it. Or you tried it, loved it, and now find it an indispensable business tool. Whatever your situation, vote in our poll!
Nov 18, 2009 8:00 AM
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The View from Harvard Business
The 'Public Option' Fix: Let States Do It
What if a way could be found to provide the goal of the health care 'public option' -- more competition to private insurers that would reduce costs -- without need for a massive new federal bureaucracy?
Nov 18, 2009 7:50 AM
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Business Hacks
Top 5 Best Practices for Writing Effective E-mail
Writing email isn't exactly Shakespeare, but there's an art to it nonetheless. Read on for the top 5 email dos and the top 5 email don'ts.
Nov 18, 2009 7:00 AM
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Entry-Level Rebel
The Old Boys' Club Alive, Well and Terrifying?
As the first decade of the 21st century draws to a close, it's time to pause for a moment and appreciate the progress we've made towards a more inclusive business environment, right? Not so fast says hot-shot author Andrew Ross Sorkin.
Nov 18, 2009 6:49 AM
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What Would Bing Do?
Disinherited From the Family Business. Now What?
Up until two years ago, I was the heir apparent to own and operate my father's company after his death. But due to a conflict between him and my wife, he has changed his trust and will not tell me how this affects my future with the company. What should...
Nov 18, 2009 6:00 AM
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Sales Machine
Quiz: What's the Best Opening Question?
SCENARIO: You're tasked with selling CRM solutions to large enterprises. On a puddle-jump flight, you end up sitting next to the Sales VP for a big company. He asks what you do for a living and you tell him. He says that they "have one of those", but he makes...
Nov 18, 2009 5:30 AM
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Business Hacks
Give Your Small Business a Single Phone Number with Extensions Like the Big Guys
Wish your business could have a single phone number, like 1-800-MEGA-CORP, with a slew of extensions? Well, you can, and it won't cost very much (or anything at all).
Nov 18, 2009 5:00 AM
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Entry-Level Rebel
How to Be a Rock Star Intern
The difference between an awesome internship and a mediocre one isn't all down to the company or the boss. Interns are also responsible for making the most of the opportunity. Here are some tips to help you rock your internship.
Nov 18, 2009 4:56 AM
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Back to B-School
How Google Drives Loyalty with Corporate Philanthropy
Harvard Business School marketing professor Michael Norton explains how companies like Google use innovative corporate giving programs to encourage customer and employee satisfaction and loyalty.
Nov 18, 2009 4:46 AM
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The Service Economy
What A Real Customer Service Conversation Looks Like
I've never had the opportunity to use instant messaging to contact a customer service rep in the UK -- not 100 percent sure if it's even something on offer here. But Imgur has this exchange from the US that's pretty instructive for anyone involved in customer service. It's winning in...
Nov 18, 2009 4:27 AM
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BNET Intercom
Big Food's Hunger Myth
We don't have a serious hunger problem in the land of the absurdly-cheap one dollar double cheeseburger. We have an obesity epidemic.
Nov 17, 2009 1:43 PM
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Sales Machine
6 Ways to Really Irritate a Customer
Want to really irritate your customers? Here's are six annoying things that will ensure you not just lose sale, but never get in to see that customer again: Walk in and wing it. According to a recent survey, only one out of six (!) sales reps making sales call were...
Nov 17, 2009 11:19 AM
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Aussie Rules
National Go Home on Time Day | BTalk Australia
[podcast] In Australia November 25th has been declared National Go Home on Time Day. It's a reality check for a nation that works longer than any other OECD country, other than Korea and Greece. Many of the hours worked are unpaid overtime, and the reason is often peer pressure.
Nov 17, 2009 11:18 AM
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Sterling Performance
Gates and Buffett's Advice for Entrepreneurs
Last week two of the world's richest men spoke at a CNBC town hall event at Columbia University. One student, seeking career advice, asked which industry would "create the next Bill Gates". While Bill Gates mentioned several, Warren Buffett simply said, "find what turns you on". If he'd been...
Nov 17, 2009 10:41 AM
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Sterling Performance
How to Make Yourself Tasty For Headhunters
How are you interacting with headhunters is the theme of this post. Are you visible, are you approachable and helpful or demanding. Knowing how to handle the headhunters that are back in the game now is vital.
Nov 17, 2009 9:51 AM
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The Corner Office
The 10 Rules of Great Groups
Leadership is often seen as an inherently individual phenomenon, when in reality, "groups" are more likely to achieve greatness. There's an exceptional book called "Organizing Genius: The Secrets of Creative Collaboration" that chronicles the conditions by which Great Groups occur.
Nov 17, 2009 9:51 AM
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Business Hacks
Strip All the Clutter From Your Gmail Page
If you spend a good chunk of your day staring at Gmail on the Web, here's your chance to remove some of its garish, unwanted features and buttons.
Nov 17, 2009 9:00 AM
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