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New bundle deals take center stage in fast food wars
Bambi Majumdar Food & BeverageIt seems 2016 will be an interesting year for the fast food business. Food and beverage marketing will take on a whole new angle with strategies like innovative labeling and packaging, along with outside-the-box ideas like bundling.
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Metals Thoughts: Space oddity
Brad Yates RetailGold started the year with a $45 rally from $1,065 basis, but for the last few days has seemed bound and determined to give much of it back. Silver has already achieved that feat, having been up as much as 4 percent on the year as recently as Jan. 8 and has now given all of that back.
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What is your company’s culture?
Ken Ackerman Business Management, Services & Risk ManagementEvery organization has a corporate culture, defined by Harvard professor James L. Heskett as "the way we do things around here." Herb Kelleher of Southwest Airlines describes culture as "What do we want to be?" Perhaps culture is how we add value. One definition is inadequate, but clearly culture is more important to the health of an organization than strategy, market share, patents or trademarks.
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Pros and cons of preleasing undeveloped commercial property
Dale Willerton and Jeff Grandfield RetailAs either a new or existing commercial tenant, you may be tempted to prelease undeveloped property (to open a new store or move your business to). This is potentially the most unpredictable lease agreement into which a tenant can enter.
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If ‘more sales’ is your answer, what are your questions?
Fred Berns Facilities & GroundsGreen industry professionals looking to close more sales should ask more questions. And they should listen — carefully — to the responses. In fact, listening (and hearing) more and talking less might be a good New Year's resolution for green industry professionals.
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Metals Thoughts: 2016 outlook
Brad Yates Natural ResourcesWelcome to 2016. In many ways, gold was the dog that didn't bark after the Fed hiked rates and so our desk has turned bullish for 2016. There are a lot of interesting short-term developments, but the gist is: CFTC positions show that long liquidations have continued. Net spec longs are the lowest level since 2008, and shorts are at elevated levels as well. Beginning-of-the-year hedging could weigh us down for a few trading days, but our broader outlook is neutral to higher.
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9 essential tips and strategies for selling to big box retailers
Bob Jacobs MarketingDo you represent a great product or service? Or perhaps you've invented a new consumer product you think would be perfect for Costco or Wal-Mart, maybe Best Buy, Target or Michael's? Maybe you’ve watched "Shark Tank," the hit TV show that provides opportunities to pitch goods in the hopes of securing funds to kick new ideas into high gear, and you're wondering whether you really need that kind of funding to get your idea into the hands of consumers. The answer is ... it depends. So let's dig deeper.
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Tips to start the new year at work — at and away from your desk
Bob Kowalski Business Management, Services & Risk ManagementGetting started at work after the holidays presents unique challenges, even though the scenario plays out every January. With creative approaches, you can make the transition into the new year smoother than it's ever been.
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Consumer trends interior designers need to watch in 2016
Michael J. Berens Interior Design, Furnishings & FixturesForecasters have crunched their numbers, scrutinized their focus groups and peered into their crystal balls. The results are lists of trends and megatrends that will shape events in the year to come. Among them are marketing and business trends pertaining to evolving consumer preferences, buying habits and sentiments.
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Metals Thoughts: Short shorts
Brad Yates Natural ResourcesFriday's nonfarm payrolls report was a seemingly bearish first blush, with the headline number coming in at the high end of the consensus range (211K), a positive revision to October's big number, and growth in the participation rate. The noise of a monthly number notwithstanding, you would have expected gold and silver to sell off, but that was not to be.
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