The Business of Service

A new type of “flash mob” is targeting small businesses, and struggling retailers couldn’t be happier. “Cash mobs” are drawing hundreds of new customers, and creating buzz at the speed of social media.

“Flash mobs” are made possible in part by Twitter and Facebook. People send out a call to converge in the same place at the same time for the same purpose. Famous flash mobs have led to huge public pillow fights, mass-choreographed dances, and surreal sights like people “frozen” in mid-movement.

Now the flash mob fad has spread to struggling mom-and-pop stores: Groups called “cash mobs” gather at a store, and a shopping spree ensues, MSNBC reports. The trend is taking off — and paying off — across the country.

The first cash mob was at a Buffalo, N.Y., wine store in August, after an engineer and arts blogger thought a flash mob could boost business, according to MSNBC.

Read the whole story…

So you decided to go into business for yourself. Well here are twelve critical pointers you will need to succeed in your entrepreneurial venture.

1. Purpose
Very simply stated, you need to know what you want to achieve in life and be willing to go after it.

2. Project
Your business idea that recognizes: a need in the marketplace and involves a product or solution that brings value to the client.

3. Passion
You must possess a strong or extravagant fondness, enthusiasm, or desire for something. ou have to want it badly. You have to feel it at a gut level.

4.

Read the whole story…

Utility rates are on the rise. More and more, I am getting calls from laundry owners complaining of the costs, asking for ideas. So what is the answer? What is the best approach in combating these costs? And, how does a laundry owner say competitive?

While the costs of doing business of a coin laundry are relatively basic. Increases of utilities continue to affect profitability. To a great degree, we are fortunate that our business is a necessity of life service business, and the rising costs are more massive than localized. So, it is typical that if your utility costs are rising, so are your competitors.  So, it is critical to look at your utility cost in terms of percentage of gross income and look for the most effective ways to control them. Read the whole story…

Italian cruise-ship Captain Francesco Schettino is in jail, following an incident that left 6 dead and 29 missing. Among the accusations levied against is that he fled the foundering vessel before it was empty.

Legal requirements aside, is there an ethical obligation for a captain to risk life and limb to stay on board until the last passenger and crewmembers are off? The answer is pretty clearly yes. Like many jobs, the job of captaining a ship comes with a range of risks and benefits. As long as the risks were understood when the job was taken on, youre obligated to follow through.

Theres a more general point to be made here about the nature of ethics, and about ethics education and training.

Read the whole story…

Here’s Why Not to Buy Facebook Followers Matt McGee | January 3, 2012 | 14 Comments

The problem with buying Facebook followers is that it’s sometimes painfully obvious that you’ve done it. Like when “Santiago,” “Jonathan” and “Bruce” all have the same exact avatar. And when “Theodore” and “Wayne” also have the same avatar. And “Everett” and “Elmer,” too. And sometimes they all show up on

Read the whole story…

San Francisco is debating whether or not to impose new dog walker regulations. The new regulations, if passed, would require dog walkers to get permits and licenses.

The rules would apply to dog walkers who walk two or more canines at one time. In order to get the permit, dog walkers would need to meet a few requirements.

They would have to take training courses that will go over some of the basics of dog park etiquette, doggy first aid, and pack management. Would-be dog walkers would also be able to satisfy permit requirements by taking on an apprenticeship with an experienced dog walker.

Though this may seem excessive, advocates are pushing for the new rules in order to better protect dogs and public parks. The San Francisco Professional Dogwalkers Association also supports regulations.

Read the whole story…