Entrepreneur Rhonda Abrams points out how “stuff” (materials and inventory) can influence a business from a cost standpoint. She also discusses how “stuff” and uncontrollable events can interrupt the business cycle. She offers practical advice on how to manage this “stuff” to make business more efficient in terms of capital. QUESTIONS: Begin by discussing how… Read more »

More potential corruption in the world of international sports surfaced this week with charges that two top executives of the Federation Internationale de Football Association offered bribes to voting members. Mohamed bin Hamman is accused of offering to pay $40,000 each for as many 25 votes to become president of the governing body. Jack Warner… Read more »

As Volkswagen opens its new plant in Tennessee, talks renew about how labor, particularly unionized labor, influence the cost of new vehicles and the viability of automakers. While foreign manufacturers are locating in the South and paying about half the amount a union worker makes, the Big Three in Detroit have been unable to see… Read more »

Labelux, a German luxury goods company, will purchase Jimmy Choo, Ltd. from TowerBrook Capital for a reported $650-895 million. Under Labelux, the high-end women’s shoe and bag maker will be expanding its line and focus on developing the Asian market, particularly in China. Co-founder Tamara Mellon, of British Vogue fame, will retain her minority share… Read more »

The primary referenced article makes mention of summer of 2010 as the “the Summer of Divorce.” While that was disputed even within the article, recent months have seen one very contentious divorce – that of former Los Angeles Dodgers owners Charles and Bonnie Bronfman – as well as an announcement of the separation and impending… Read more »

The chief of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Dominique Strauss-Kahn, was arrested in New York this weekend on sexual-assault charges. Mr. Strauss-Kahn allegedly assaulted a hotel employee while traveling in the states on personal business. Police escorted him off a plane he had boarded bound for Europe, where he was scheduled to meet with German… Read more »

The golf world mourns the passing of legend Severiano “Seve” Ballesteros. The Spaniard was known primarily as the showman that led the Europeans to victory over the United States in the 1985 Ryder Cup. However, golf insiders know that Ballesteros also accumulated a record 50 European titles and 90 tournament wins, which include two British… Read more »

In the ultimate tribute to a partner, Pedro Martin Ureta honored his deceased wife’s wishes and cultivated an immense tree garden into an aerial delight – a guitar. Shortly after marrying Mr. Ureta, Graciela Yraizoz saw a shape while flying over the pampa. That’s when she came up with the idea of creating a guitar…. Read more »

Following a year when CEO pay raises were flat, 2010 offered huge gains for many bosses of top companies. Average CEO pay jumped 11%. Topping the list was Viacom’s Philippe Dauman with compensation estimated at $84.3 million. While the biggest across-the-board raises tended to be in oil and gas and telecommunications, all industries showed substantial… Read more »

There is growing consensus that the bailout terms offered last year to Greece by the European Union (EU) and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) may need to be revised. Greece is struggling to address its budget deficit target with weak tax revenues and a shrinking economy. The bailout package has failed to convince investors that… Read more »