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Arteris gets $7.5M new funding Silicon Valley / San Jose Business

San Jose-based Arteris said joining the round was a new investor, San Jose-based DoCoMo Capital.

"In the last 12 months we have made excellent progress in deploying our products at multiple wireless and multi-media SoC customers," said K. Charles Janac, president and CEO of Arteris. "DoCoMo Capital and its parent company NTT DoCoMo have strong ties to our wireless SoC customers. Together with our existing investors, we have a global presence to address market opportunities worldwide."

The company provides Network-on-Chip interconnect IP and associated design tools to improve the performance of system-on-chip architectures for multimedia, telecom, and mobile applications.

Arteris also has an engineering center in Paris, France, and said it raised more than $32 million in equity funding to date. more

Here Comes Everybody

Business models are being destroyed, transformed, born at dizzying speeds, and the larger social impact is profound.

One of the culture's wisest observers of the transformational power of the new forms of tech-enabled social interaction is Clay Shirky, and Here Comes Everybody: The Power of Organizing Without Organizations is his marvelous reckoning with the ramifications of all this on what we do and who we are. A revolution in social organization has commenced, and Clay Shirky is its brilliant chronicler.

Author Profile:

Clay Shirky teaches at the Interactive Telecommunications Program at NYU, where he researches the interrelated effects of our social and technological networks. He has consulted with a variety of groups working on network design, including Nokia, the BBC, Newscorp, Microsoft, BP, Global Business Network, the Library of Congress, the U.S. more

Emirati and Saudi inventors create air-powered car

Dubai: Three Emiratis and a Saudi national have created a car that operates on compressed air, according to a newspaper report on Sunday. Emarat Alyoum reported that the environmentally friendly car runs on a top speed of 25 kilometres per hour. Inventors around the world are trying to come up with their own version of an air-powered car. Zero Pollution Motors said that it expects to produce air-powered cars for the United States by late 2009 or early 2010. India's Tata Motors is also looking at manufacturing 6,000 zero-emissions air cars, which are scheduled to run on Indian streets in August 2008. . more

Latest How To Develop A Business Plan News

A path to peace: it's time for Obama to let go of his ... - All Business

Any credible American bid to advance a comprehensive peace plan will need to offer solutions on this front ... Improving the Palestinian Authority's capacity to develop security competencies and impose law and order in the scattered islands of West ...

How to get out of debt? Step by step - Minneapolis Star Tribune

The steps are familiar: Figure out how much you really owe; make debt reduction a priority; create a budget; and develop a plan for which debts to tackle first, second, third, and so on. What's different about this book is the level of practical ...

Troika ‘Ready to Exit’ 25% Stake in AvtoVAZ - Moscow Times

Renault , which owns 25 percent of AvtoVAZ, vowed in November to transfer 240 million euros ($330 million) of technology to help the company develop new models and improve ... AvtoVAZ's board last week approved a plan to spend 3 billion euros on ...

News Corp says paywall plan for UK papers on track - Reuters India

The details around what sort of models, how we develop them, how we put things together, that will all be forthcoming," he added.

New MySpace chiefs plan major relaunch - Independent

It was felt that Mr Van Natta had failed to develop and implement new services quick enough, according to a senior digital ... When asked about how they plan on going about the difficult task of re-capturing lost users who have left MySpace for the ...

Retirees need game plan - Winnipeg Free Press

After all, it is now up to them to develop a whole new life structure, a whole new set of habits and personal schedules to manage their day. If the retiree is a social type of person, they will need to maintain a higher level of interpersonal ...

Caterpillar Contemplating Shift of Excavator Production ... - Yahoo Finance

The excavator business is highly competitive and continues to evolve with a diverse and growing ... This study is part of a long-term strategic initiative to develop the appropriate global footprint needed to competitively produce hydraulic ...

Experts Encourage Finding a Mentor to Teach You How to ... - PRLog (free press release)

... program helps business owners establish their online presence, learn how to market their business, learn how to connect with customers, and how to use online business building tools. The company also helps business owners develop ... business ...

Back to Basics for Success - PRLog (free press release)

... increase and develop ... business and generate leads through social media and public relations. Grant Schneider, Founder of Performance Development Strategies, LLC will share his 30 years of expertise in techniques for you to design a plan of ...

LETTER: Health care reform demands academic study - South Coast Today

Let's take the time to obtain the necessary information and then develop a plan. A rushed political solution will keep us at "business as usual" under a different name.

Open Question: How do I break my mother the news that I'm moving?

You see, I'm 20 years old and in the middle of my second semester of college in upstate New York. The thing is, I have no business being in college right now. While I respect that many people need college, I don't perceive myself as needing it. I've always done well learning on my own and developing my own skills. Furthermore, I'm a firm believer that, even if you determine that college is the best path for you, you should be certain of what it is you want to do and be before spend thousands of dollars, so that you don't end up wasting time and money (These two semesters have already put me $7,000 in debt. I consider my leaving to be a means to prevent myself from entering into any further debt). So, here's where the move takes place. In two to three weeks, my good friend is moving to South Lake Tahoe, California. Because of the circumstances, it's a one-time opportunity to make such a move for relatively cheap, as he'll be driving and gas money is calculated to not be much between us. Also, we're taking only what we need so no money will be spent on moving trucks or equipment. Now, I would assume that most parents would respect their child(ren)'s choice to make such an adult choice. My father (Who I do not live with) respects my choice. However, I know this not to be the case with my own mother. My mother is the fanatical type who thinks that going to college and getting an office job, wearing a suit, is the only way to keep yourself off of the street. Or she believes that the military is the next best thing, as she was a US Marine. She doesn't perceive a world beyond those two notions. And so, I can almost be certain that, in telling her my plans, I'll meet only resistance. I'll be assured by my mother that I'm "insane" and I'm "throwing my life away". How do I break her the news of my plans to move out west. more

Open Question: How Come there is Serveral Ideas in the OBAMA CARE from the Republicans?

i thought the republicans were against it There are several Republican ideas in the bill. It allows Americans to buy health insurance across state lines. It increases the bargaining power of small businesses by allowing them to pool together — much like large corporations or labor unions — to bargain for a better insurance rate. It gives states the flexibility to come up with an alternate health care plan, and it gives them resources to reform our tort system by developing new ways to deal with medical malpractice. more

Open Question: Just Ranting a little and freaking out..need some imput from some people?

Ok, well I used to have bad anxiety issues then I learned how to deal with them...ya know surf the riptide, check the self-talk, breathing, new outlooks and values etc.... Ok, so I am 25 years old now... I have graduated from college and currently work at a pizza hut. I love my job and I am just trying to figure things out. I strive to be compassionate towards all people...I am a spirtual person, not a religious type Christian....I just believe in openess and compassion. Um, I try to value people for who they are and not what they are. Most people don't see it that stress does not set with me well, I have an explosive personality and I love to have and find humor in almost everything I do. Then about two months ago I noticed this co-worker of mine giving me odd looks..I didn't think anything of it, I just went about my business...then she asked me to be her valentine, which I thought was a little odd, but then I was like ok? She gave me a necklace and she has one too and we both wear them, still!!! It is a broken heart that say BFF on it....its a little cheesy but it is a sweet gift. The experience has definitely made me a better person. And there are other things like I know she is paranoid whether I am wearing the necklace or not etc. But I still get mixed signals, I don't know exactly what she wants? I guess this is the problem that plagues a lot of other people as well. Now we are hanging out and exercising together, we will walk together for like 2 or three hours at a time and absolutely have fun, were talking the whole time telling funny stories and she always laughs at my jokes. Towards the end we will sit on a bench together and she will look at me and giggle, then turn away then look at me and then giggle...It really confuses me. Then before we leave we will hug. However, when I see her at work one minute were playing the married couple thing...ya know taunting eachother, then the next minute she will be real quite and not pay attention to me that much at all and I don't know what to think. She is a freshman at a local community college so I know she is a few years younger than I am...However, she is very wise for her age, she is a wonderful person and we share similar values. So when we meet next week I am going to ask her to go shopping with me. My intentions are very pure, I would kill myself before I would think of "just trying to get in her pants." I truly like her as person, I mean she is physically pretty, but this is not the attribute that I feel a gravitation to. She is a wonderful saintly, deep person. I am a genuine guy for the most part or at least I try to be. However, the price it comes at is I am not very good with women...I usually try not to look at women as partners, but for who they are...and when I develop feelings for someone, I have a hard time showing it, because I don't like to violate other persons. Its not that I don't believe in physical intimacy its just I don't like to force anything and I definitely don't want to freak anyone out. I mean if she doesn't like me like that I would definitely not take it personal, because I know she is a good person that respects herself. Well, either way I am going to ask her and if she says no, then I am going to try my hardest by not making it weird and how I plan to do that is by reminding myself that this is not personal...However, anxiety and expectaions will try to change that outlook... And no, I am absolutely horrible with women in this way, I don't have much experience in this field and I am absolutely horrible at it. I just thought I would post this on here and just get some input from different people. And I know there will be some negative nancies out there, I will probably laugh at these responses.I meant negative nancysI am a spirtual type Christian, not into judgement of others. I just try to follow things spirtually not just mentally or legalistically. more

Voting Question: Does my friend's boyfriend like BOTH my friend and I? or is he just being nice to me?

my friend's fiance is 36 and me and my friend are 23. He is very loaded and apparently really loves my friend and wants to marry her. Buying her expensive jewellery, buying her a jeep porsche, taking me and her out to upper class restaurants everyday. He also buys us flowers everydays and treats us like princesses. However i've recently started noticing that maybe he's starting to like me too.....but i'm not sure because maybe he likes me in a sisterly way. So i;m asking for opinions...okay, so he's always calling me "sister" petting my head, kissing it....complimenting me all the time...my friend sometimes jokingly comments, "ooooooo, brother, sister ;-) strange relationship" in a funny way but i think it sometimes bothers her....he gets really mad when another man touches me...he yells, "that's my sister, watch your hands" he got me an expensive brand name wallet for my birthday...we agree on more topics and have similar interests than he does with my friend...he once put his hand on my thigh when he was talking to me...and he's always over protective of me..he told me that if i look or smile or give anyone my number if i am with him he will not tolerate it. I asked him why because it's not like i;'m his girlfriend...and he said it's a sign of disrespect/ he said the only men i'm allowed to talk to, are the ones he invites to our table...meaning his friends when he reserves a table...and he practically walks with my friend and i into the washroom and waits for us if we're out...he never leaves us alone. Once when we walked by security walking up to his home, my friend started singing a song and he got mad and said she is behaving like a "basic`' girl ...meaning prostitute and that he's serious about her and doesn't want people to think anything...but she wasn't even doing anything wrong! and when we got into the apartment he would nervously show us how she was behaving and dancing and saying that at the club she doesn't dance or sing but she decides to put on a show near the security guard or whatever...and we were laughing because she didn't even do anything THAT bad...and he yelled, "SIT HERE AND CONTINUE" and left...and the next day he wouldn't leave anywhere until one of us apologized for laughing lol ps....this may all be because he loves me in a sisterly way as his girlfriend's future close family friend...or do you think he recently started developing feelings? (ps...he lives in a different country...but he always travels..my friend is planning on moving and maybe i am too...it's too long to explain) but he invited me to come with my friend to his country for a visit for 6 days as a birthday present to relax and we're not some silly idiots either...he introduced us to his close brothers, sisters, friends, family...which is a big step that he's serious about her. His family is very respected and own a huge construction business he always acts caring and strict with me too...in a weird fatherly way lol...like if i blow a bubble with my gum..just once! he points to the playground by his house and says, "you can go play and i will wait until you're done`' he also has that latest mercedes sports car...the one whose doors open upward..and a huge penthouse btw...i never hang out with them all the time...he invited me to his country with my friend for 6 days as a gift...so that's why i was with them all the time for those 3 days...oh and please tell me your age to know whose opinion to take seriously more

Resolved Question: How will financing be for me?

Opening a tanning salon(something neat and sophisticated looking.) has been in my plans since I was about 14. All during high school I was home schooled and I worked for my dad cleaning newly constructed houses/businesses before they were put on the market for sale or lease. That is until things went under and he had to file for bankruptcy on all of the residential and commercial real estate that he developed. The I went to Costco for 2 years. From the 4 or so years I worked during school, I hoarded nearly every penny I made so I could fulfill my dream as an entrepreneur when I graduated from high school. Right after graduating from the Fulton County Public School System, I was set and went out looking for SOMETHING else to do to start my career in a self-owned business. Everything exceeded what my budget was set on until my dads good friends' dad was retiring and selling his repo company. So, I knew then at that time that was my opportunity. Luckily he allowed me to finance everything since he owned the stuff and he also let me walk in his lot that he's now leasing to me. So I've been in the repossession/recovery business for over a year now and with the economy HOPEFULLY shaping up, I've really been thinking about getting rid of my trucks & selling everything(of course after I have another main source of income coming in). The main reason is because I fear in about 2-3 years from now, this economy will have improved greatly and there won't be as much recovery work to cover all of my expenses associated with my company. ---OK so now my story about my young life is over, I'll get to my main concern- Although I'm only 19 now, I've had credit since I was 15(I lied about my DOB on credit card apps which has now been corrected with all 3 credit bureaus). Every since then I ALWAYS did right and kept my credit immaculate as it still is. My Transunion FICO through MyFico is at 738 and is slowly rising as my accounts grow older and as my personal vehicle is on its way to being fully paid off. I do have credit cards, but have $0 in credit card debt. Since Mar. 8th 2009 to Dec. 31st 2009, my company has grossed approx. $480K. That number may be fairly large, but considering I have 3 other drivers/employees I pay commission to, repo insurance(nearly $13K for not even the full year), rent on my ex-car lot(just over $20K for not even the full year), tax, all utilities, and after going ahead and paying my "agent" off for financing the PC's, software, trucks etc., that number was lowered significantly. Fortunately, 2010 so far is just as busy as it has been for the past 10 months and I'm even having to send repo orders back to finance companies from not having enough time to do them all(I'm not buying another truck). Like I said, I'm really thinking about going into the tanning business and it's a decision I'll have to make between now and the next 2-3 years. Would someone like me at my age(I will be 21-22yo then) have a hard time being approved for a $300K+ loan with the following factors: Company grossed $480K.(Honestly I want to leave this out of the app.) I netted about $110K during the last 3 quarters of '09.(before all of my personal bills/expenses.) I have roughly $80K in assets(2 recovery trucks, a money market account, and other misc. things). I have 3 checking accounts(2 personal, 1 business) I have 2 savings accounts. I have tax forms that have been filed and I also have bank and broker statements to prove my income. I have above average+ personal credit but no business credit.(no debt besides personal vehicle which will be paid off in 2 years or sooner) I have the knowledge, skill and common sense to know how to properly run a business. I can produce a legitimate business proposal. Hopefully within the next 2 or so years all of my assets and everything else will have grown.(if it doesn't there's a problem. lol) I know this is a lot of info, but my life ahead is really sticking to my nerves and I need support. I saw how my dad went from one minute having a lot of real estate to the next minute having to dig into his retirement money, and I want to avoid this by all means possible. I could be making a mistake by wanting to stop repossessing vehicles but as I said, I feel when this economy shapes up I won't even be grossing enough to cover everything and I don't want to lose my ***. The big question, how will banks view my status when attempting to obtain a commercial loan for roughly $300K? Would it be best if I go through the SBA? Could I get the loan w/o having to include my total grossed income? I'm literally fretting over these things. Thank all of you guys for your support. more

Resolved Question: I have an agreement and I am due money on for helping a couple get a business loan of...?

...$750,000 they have gone around me.I worked diligently many hours and multiple phone calls from them and to them to help them get this loan to purchase the business. However eight months into the process and now that the loan will be funded soon they have told me that they will not pay the agreed finders fee. I do have an agreement that is binding and that has been signed stating that they will pay a fee directly to me for assisting them in getting the loan when they recieved their funding from the institution. They did not know how to begin to get the loan or the business. I developed a business plan for them and helped to create a balance sheet for them. I found the property through a real estate friend of mine and now they have said that they will not pay me because they are talking directly with the lender at this time. I really do not want to hire a lawyer and spend the money but I do want to get paid for all of the work, effort, time, and knowledge that I have contributed without any compensation what can I do? more

Voting Question: Business Management questions?

Robert Downs has just completed a Master of Science degree in computer science at Major State University. He now wants to begin a new Internet business selling his services as a Web site maker for companies in his home city, St. Louis. He estimates that, if his business idea is a success, within one year he will be employing at a minimum 10 programmers and two analysts. 1. To make his business successful, Robert will first have to develop what type of plan? A. Tactical B. Specific C. Directional D. Strategic 2. To clarify how the overall goals are to be achieved, Robert will have to develop a A. Tactical plan B. Specific plan C. Directional plan D. Strategic plan 3. To ensure that the organization’s objectives are clearly defined and do not leave room for interpretation, he will have to develop what type of plan? A. Tactical B. Specific C. Directional D. Strategic 4. To provide the programmers and analysts general guidelines about the efficiencies that are desired, he will have to develop what type of plan? A. Tactical B. Specific C. Directional D. Strategic CASE 2—XYZ Planning At organization XYZ, the plans are made at the top, and then those managers meet with their subordinates at the next level and mutually agreed-to goals are established with them. The mid-level managers then meet with their first-level managers and mutually agreed-to goals are established with them. Finally, the first-level managers meet with each of their employees and mutually agreed-to goals are established with them. 5. The planning approach used at the XYZ organization is ____________________. A. Management by Objectives B. Directional planning C. Specific planning D. Traditional planning CASE 3—Dollars to Donuts Ralph Friedgrin is the owner of a chain of five donut shops in Smalltown, MD. Smalltown is located along Interstate 95, about half-way between Lost and Nowhere. 6. Mr. Friedgrin demands that the five store managers during their weekly meeting discuss what the customers in their stores are requesting. Mr. Friedgrim always reads the monthly donut-industry magazine, Holey Mazole. He always attends the Annual National Conference of Donut Makers and updates his managers when he returns. These activities are examples of_________________. A. Competitive intelligence B. Benchmarking C. Environmental scanning D. Global scanning 7. On occasion, Mr. Friedgrin goes to nearby, larger towns such as Lost and Nowhere to visit big chain donut shops. Mr. Friedgrin purchases donuts and chats with these customers about their donut likes and dislikes. He also will “peek” into the kitchen to view the equipment, or when he can, he will watch through the customer observation window to see the whole process. Mr. Friedgrin is performing which planning technique? A. Competitive intelligence B. Environmental scanning C. Benchmarking D. Global scanning 8. Mr. Friedgrin recently went on a well-deserved vacation. While at the beachfront resort, Mr. Friedgrin took many notes regarding the excellent service he received. On the flight home, he reviewed his notes to see what lessons he could apply to his donut shops. When Mr. Friedgrin is out looking at the “best practices” of the other donut stores in these towns, he is performing which of the following? A. Competitive intelligence B. Benchmarking C. Environmental scanning D. Strategic planning CASE 4—SWOT Analysis As a process of self-examination during her senior year of college, Casey decided to develop a SWOT analysis of her prospects relative to getting a job. 9. Casey realizes that she has a personal characteristic that suggests she is not comfortable interacting with strangers. She interprets this as a(n) _________is she is to get a job as a salesperson. A. Alternative B. Strength C. Weakness D. Opportunity 10. Casey majored in marketing and really enjoyed studies in market research. Through research on the Internet and in the university library, she discovers that this industry appears to have significant positive external trends. She interprets this as a (n)______. A. Alternative B. Strength C. Weakness D. Opportunity 11. Casey has been involved in _____________at a personal level A. Opportunity analysis B. Risk avoidance C. Strategic planning D. Stage decision making CASES 5—Un Taco Pequeno Imagine that you are the president of Taco Rocket, a new and successful chain of 100 Mexican fast-food restaurants. The success you have experienced in the last 5 years has you thinking of what to do with the business next. Should you expand the business at the current rate? Open new and different restaurants? What? 2, You decide to concentrate on Taco Rocket’s primary business by only increasing the menu to include new items such as enchiladas and rice bowls. This is an example of what type of growt more

Voting Question: How do I get the state to take my children away?

I've just lost my job and life is really stressful right now, my (ex)wife is a meth addict we haven't heard from in 2 years and I'm stuck with 3 children (9 11 and 14) that I hate and are a huge drain on my finances. They've never liked me and only care if I buy them things and I hate their personalities, they don't know how to act like civil human beings. I'm not getting any joy out of them and they'd be better off somewhere else. I think the best way is to have the state take them away from me, the only thing is I don't want to get arrested as well, so developing a drug habit is out. My plan is to not pack them a lunch and tell them to take it up with their teacher, when she calls I'll call her a whore and tell her to mind her own damn business. She'll send over social services and I'll act like a complete ***hole (although not doing anything illegal) and say I hate my kids and then they'll take the kids away and I can enjoy the single life again. Will this work? more

Resolved Question: I'm a business analyst & develop, design MIS reports. I want to start my own biz. But don't know how?

I'm an MBA (Finance, Marketing), a business analyst. I develop, design MIS reports, business plans, forecasting model, etc. I work in India and want to start my own biz (from home initially). But I don't know how to start my own business, what will be my product? Please advice. Thanks. more

Resolved Question: I have a problem with choosing my electives...?

Anyone have any ideas? I've been trying to decide which elective I should choose for next year...but I have no idea what to choose. Do you have any idea what elective would benefit me more in the future? There is : *American Sign Language (Full Year) – Explore basic communication with ASL. *Word For Business (1/2 year) – Learn Mastery in Microsoft Office, learn Microsoft Word at a professional level. *Career and money management – Learn to make/manage money. Explore career opportunities, ways to climb the “corporate ladder”, how to own your own business, develop a career plan, learn how to write a resume, practice interviewing skills, exploring life as a consumer *Introduction to science research ********* To graduate, I need to choose either Art or Music. If I want to do both, I won’t be able to to choose the electives stated above. *Studio Art (Full Year) -Pros : I love art, and last year I had a 100 average for my art class. It will bring my GPA up. -Cons: The thing is, I don't really think art is going to help me in my future career. It might be a waste of time if want to explore different careers. *Music (Full Year) Pros: I like playing in the school orchestra. Every day, I get better and better at playing the viola. If I don’t choose music, they will not lend me the viola in the school for free like they have been for the past couple of years. Therefore, I will have to quit playing the instrument Cons: The Career path I want to take has nothing to do with music -----Sorry it's so long...but I would really appreciate it if someone answered, this decision is very difficult for me. :) more

Resolved Question: Which category(ies) of mathematics is beneficial in learning computer science.?

I've taken up to Business Calculus. But this was more than four years ago.. It's hard to believe it's been that long. I'm 25 and graduated in 2006 when I was 21/22. I started off as a computer science major, knowing that I loved computers, but got put into a class schedule that made me fail comp sci. I took control of my schedule thereafter. I am now interested in learning Java on my own with my old book. I just believe that I should retrace math, even if it's back to algebra. I had ADHD/Manic Depression/OCD/Social Anxiety Disorder.....And schizophrenia issues have just developed. I received treatment for the first time approximately one year ago after a bout with the most extreme depression imaginable. It's been a long road and three psychiatrists, but I'm finally at the point where I can read without much pain. I was a freakin' psychotic masochist in college. Psychotically driven for sure. It's just now that I can see answer to problems easily. I knew nothing about excel and picked it up and had working models of tax returns and how to automatically correct them per IRS rules and regulations. I'm on five Rx and something has drastically changed in my mind, in terms of logic intelligence. I guess the meds lifted the handicap, and all of the willpower I used to stretch out my brain for that diploma sent me beyond the average person. So, sorry for the life story. But before I delve into my Java book, what area of mathematics is most important. Algebra for sure, but how can trigonometry, geometry, and calculus apply? I plan on buying used text books and going through them all (since I taught myself at college without relying on professors due to ADHD and dyslexia and only the Lord knows what, but I want to know at which point can I say okay, I'm ready for Java. I'm sure my schizophrenia and peaceful psychosis could come up with some beautiful things. I go by the Lord's motto: "If you only believe"...."All things are possible to him that believeth". Not to turn you comp science type majors off, with my religious beliefs. It's just that it's a big part of my life, since I need the Lord to fear, or else there is no other man on the planet to suffice. If you're good, you got a good chance at going to heaven. All inclusive than all exclusive. This is scattered. I stop here. Let's just stick with the math part. ^_^AKA, the "Works" for eight dollars...I'm up for it. Best answer so far. more

Resolved Question: Anyone PLEASE want to help with my incredibly confusing love life....?

I recently became friends with this guy who was just hired where I work. We got along well and would flirt every now and then, but it was never out of line or anything. Just innocent flirting. But as we got to know each other better I guess I started to develop feelings for him even though everything in my head was screaming "NO, I work with him. Don't mix business and romance.". But I just couldn't control it. And he would say such flattering things like "you are such a genuinely good person" and "you are a really special girl". Eventually the flirting turned into him being kind of touchy, but it was never crossing the line. It wasn't long before I really started liking him, despite a bad gut instinct I tried to push aside. But before I knew it, he was asking me for a blow job. What the hell!? It's clear that sex was his only intention all along. I felt like he did all those nice things for me just to get in my pants all along. I then quickly told him "thanks but no thanks" and brought him home from our date about 3 hours early. I was pissed. I went against everything I believed in for this guy just to end up looking like an utter fool. I got a text early this morning from him saying he was sorry. But to me, the damage is done. I didn't respond and he has continued to text me apologizing. I'm totally turned off by him though. All the attraction and lust that was there is completely gone. I don't know how to handle the situation from here on out. I have been planning on leaving my job soon anyways, but I'm still going to see him nonetheless. So I'm curious, what are your opinions on this situation? Any advice? more

Voting Question: I feel totally used by this guy. What do I say to him now?

I became friends with this guy who was just hired where I work. We got along well and would flirt every now and then, but it was never out of line or anything. Just innocent flirting. But as we got to know each other better I guess I started to develop feelings for him even though everything in my head was screaming "NO, I work with him. Don't mix business and romance.". But I just couldn't control it. And he would say such flattering things like "you are such a genuinely good person" and "you are a really special girl". Not usually the lines you hear from a guy just looking for sex... It wasn't long before I really started liking him, despite my bad gut instinct. But before I knew it, he was asking me for a blowjob. What. The. Hell. It's clear that sex was his only intention all along. I then quickly told him "thanks but no thanks" and brought him home about 3 hours early. I was pissed. I went against everything I believe in for this guy just to be made to look like an utter fool. I got a text early this morning from him saying he was sorry. But to me, the damage is done and I can see him for who he truly is. But I don't know how to handle the situation from here on out. I have been planning on leaving my job soon anyways, but I'm still going to see him nonetheless. So I'm curious, what are your opinions on this situation? Any advice? more

Resolved Question: Which oil companies is it okay to accept funding from?

In another question I linked to a site (www.co2science.org) which listed various studies on the Medieval Warm Period. I was criticised for this choice of site as it has accepted funding from Exxon (which i already knew, having checked Sourcewatch). From what I can gather, the criticism is that any organisation which accepts funding from a big oil company is, by that very fact, dubious. Now, I'm not sure that's particularly true (it may just be that the company feels that the organisation's efforts or research is likely to coincide with its own) but if that's the case, then what about the research from the Climate Research Unit and the Tyndall Centre who as we now know have approached Shell for funding, as the email below shows: ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ""SHELL INTERNATIONAL Mick Kelly and Aeree Kim (CRU, ENV) met with Robert Kleiburg (Shell International’s climate change team) on July 4th primarily to discuss access to Shell information as part of Aeree’s PhD study (our initiative) and broader collaboration through postgrad. student project placements (their initiative), but Robert was also interested in plans for the Tyndall Centre (TC). What ensued was necessarily a rather speculative discussion with the following points emerging. Shell International would give serious consideration to what I referred to in the meeting as a ‘strategic partnership’ with the TC, broadly equivalent to a ‘flagship alliance’ in the TC proposal. A strategic partnership would involve not only the provision of funding but some (limited but genuine) role in setting the research agenda etc. Shell’s interest is not in basic science. Any work they support must have a clear and immediate relevance to ‘real-world’ activities. They are particularly interested in emissions trading and CDM. Robert seemed to be more interested in supporting overseas (developing world) than home/EU studentships, presumably because of the credit abroad and their involvement in CDM. (It is just possible this impression was partially due to the focus on Aeree’s work in the overall discussion but I doubt it.) It seems likely that any support for studentships would be on a case by case basis according to the particular project in question. Finally, we agreed that we would propose a topic to this year’s MSc intake as a placement with Shell and see if any student expressed interest. If this comes off we can run it under the TC banner if it would help. I would suggest that Robert and his boss are invited to the TC launch at the very least (assuming it will be an invite type affair). Question is how can we and who should take this a step further. Maybe a meeting at Shell with business liaison person, Mike H if time and myself if time? I’d like to/am happy to stay involved through the next stage but then will probably have to back off. We didn’t cover the new renewable energy foundation. Mick Kelly 11 September 2000"" uea-tyndall-shell-memo.doc ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- What "role in setting the research agenda" did Shell get, and why is it not a problem that the Tyndall Centre accepts money from Shell, BP and other oil companies, and lets them shape the "research agenda" but when a website accepts a donation from an oil company, then any study it so much as refers to is suspect? Double standards? .EDIT - @ Don't Panic. You wrote: ""It's a question of the driving force behind the research. Who wants the research to be done and for what purpose. "" ~ So it's okay for the CRU to take money from those nice people at Shell because their intentions are pure? (Like justifying emissions trading, eh?) The driving force behind my question? I want to understand why some people feel its fine for big oil companies to have a role in shaping the research agenda (when it's clear that their only motivation is making money from emissions trading) when the research agrees with what they believe. But when the an oil company funds research or a site that says stuff they disagree with, all of sudden that connection means we can't believe any of it. .---------------------------------------------------- EDIT @ Dawei Good point. I should of included a link to a cached copy of the (now deleted) CRU History page at the University of East Anglia. http://66.102.9.132/search?q=cache:http://www.cru.uea.ac.uk/cru/about/history/ As you will see, Shell, BP - and Greenpeace - are listed amongst their sources of funding (scroll to bottom of page for list). . more

Resolved Question: I wish to establish an online business, but don't understand how to approach the wholesaler?

Hi, I have done my MBA in marketing and have done a diploma course in Online marketing and web development. I have a regular job but I have this desire of establishing my own enterprise. I have pretty decent knowledge of online marketing and e-commerce. I wish to develop my own website/an online store. I have also zeroed in as to what products will suit my area. I have also worked upon the business plan. However, I don't understand as to how I should approach the wholesale dealers? For example, I wish to sell DVDs of all genres. I also have a comprehensive list of players in this area who provide DVDs at wholesale rate. But, I don't know how to approach them? Will a letter stating what I wish to do, what are my requirements and how the company be benefited be enough? How to look out for companies which provide such opportunities and companies which sell the products on a wholesale rate?? Please reply?? Any reply/suggestions will be highly appreciated?? If possible, please suggest any website/book on the subject too.. Thanx more

Resolved Question: Isn't it interesting that Dems have already developed a strategy to sell a bill they haven't even passed yet?

This seems very strange to me. IF they could sell the bill to the public, wouldn't they have already done it?? They have to pass it THEN sell it........WTF?? (Sounds like bullsh*t) http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/01/13/white-house-dems-planning_n_421532.html Despite being weeks away from signing health care reform into law -- and with major impasses remaining between negotiators -- Democratic officials are gearing up for a massive re-selling of the legislation once it is passed. The White House, together with Democratic leadership in both houses of Congress, insists it has learned the lessons of the August recess and won't allow conservative critics who malign the bill to go unopposed. "The White House has no intention of relaxing and will undertake an aggressive effort to explain to the American people how reform provides stability and security for people with insurance, affordable options to those without and cuts costs for families and small businesses," Communications Director Dan Pfeiffer told the Huffington Post. "We welcome a debate with the opposition that wants to repeal the entire bill including the insurance reforms. There are only two entities in the country that want to continue to deny coverage to people with preexisting conditions: The insurance industry and the Republican Party." more

Resolved Question: Who's right and who's wrong in this situation?

Joe and Bob are good friends and live together, have known each other for about 8 years. Joe is single, Bob has a girlfriend. Joe went to Thailand for a month, and came back and told Bob about how fun it was. Bob can't travel because Bob has a girlfriend and 2 kids and a business. One day, Bob breaks up with his girlfriend and 2 kids, and the girlfriend can take the kids for a month, and he hires someone to handle his business. Bob is now free to travel for the first time in 5 years. Joe wants Bob to go with him to Thailand the next time. Bob starts talking to a girl online who lives in the Philippines. He asks Joe "Hey Joe, if you go to Thailand, do you plan on going to the Philippines because I want to meet this girl from online". Joe says yes, if he has enough money for it. Joe helps Bob get his passport, and makes DVD's so Bob can watch them and see where he wants to go in Thailand. Then Bob invites another guy, George, to go with them (so that if Joe can't afford to go to the Philippines, George can go and Bob won't be alone). Bob wants to go to Thailand for 2 weeks to hang out with Joe, and then go to the Philippines for 2 weeks to hang out with this girl. Bob is talking to the girl from the Philippines everyday online, and developing feelings for her over the course of 2 months. Joe says to Bob "Bob, I know you are getting deeper feelings the more you talk to this girl, but please don't go see her and not come to Thailand with me. That would be really screwed up if you went that close to Thailand while I'm there and don't come hang out with me for 2 weeks". Bob assures Joe that he wouldn't do that. Then Joe says he won't have enough money to go to the Philippines, and he's not even sure if he'll have enough money for Thailand now, and might have to postpone it a few months. Bob says he'll go without Joe now, and says that he was planning on going to the Philippines, and then bringing the girl over to Thailand. For some reason, this angers Joe. Joe is mad that Bob won't postpone the trip with him for just a few months. Joe makes a big deal about it and goes on about how Bob is selfish and only doing this to meet the girl and it's not about traveling with a friend. Joe is mad that he spent all the time trying to help Bob get the passport and everything, so Joe can end up being a third wheel as Bob would be talking to the girl most of the time, or end up going alone a few months later. Bob says Joe is crazy and overreacting. Just because Bob and Joe have known each other for 8 years, and lived together for a year, does that give Joe the right to say Bob is selfish for inviting that girl to Thailand with them for those 2 weeks or selfish for not postponing the trip for a few months? Who's right? Overreacting Crazy Joe? or Selfish Inconsiderate Bob?They dont live together now though, one lives in Florida, the other in California. more

Resolved Question: Would this make you want to read more?

Okay so I'm a 16 year old girl and I have had dreams of becoming an accomplised author one of these days (I pray to God) This is one story that I've wrote, I've got a further eight or nine chapters written and have the plan for the entire book but have had little time to put it into writing yet. The story is basically about an awkward teenage boy named Kass who's mother is in hospital from an unknown disease. It's mainly about our dependance on families and how no matter what they do, we will always love them (I know this is not nessecarily true, but this is the point I'm trying to get you to consider) It's mainly about his father and his brother Jordan. Anyway, I've pasted the first chapter and I'd love to know what any one thinks about it and whether it would make you want to read more. Any suggestions on what the characters could do next or what you would like to see them do would be great! So here goes!.......... I like trains. I like the soft beat of the lines as you bump over them. Chugga-chug, chugga-chug. The way that the world blurs past the windows. Houses become smudges of terracotta, stretching and pulling like bands of elastic behind the Perspex frames. The choked silence of the passengers staring, occasionally interrupting with a cough or shuffle of awkward feet. Most of all I like the tunnels. A sudden spark and the lights are doused, like night has fallen onto our carriage. Like the click of fingers or the flick of a switch, we‘re cast into darkness. It’s like we’re kidnapped from reality reluctantly, even if just for a second; from familiarity, from technology, from comfort and flung, screaming into the unknown arms of fear. We become lost in the past, the future, the present. The confusion of our own heads as black and eternal as the view of darkened windows. The glass becomes mirrors and we see ourselves for what we really are. The glow from the cheap fluorescent beams above light up the sides of our faces like moonlight. My face is a skull stripped of its flesh. The darkness is dancing against the soft curves of our faces, forming shadows in the hollows of our eyes and the slope of a turned cheek. The babies begin to wail and cling to their mothers for comfort while business men glare, clutching to battered copies of the independent. The dark brings out funny things in some people. I look across and see Jordan staring at his own reflection; he’s broad and well built. He says he’s going to join the army at 18. I don’t think he will. Jordan is the kind of person that our mother calls a hypocrite. He says one thing and does the other. He looks very much like our dad; that same nose, the same chiseled jaw line and gaping mouth. He looks nothing like me even though he’s my brother. I’m tall, much taller than Jordan and I’m skinny like a beanpole. My dad once said that I ‘couldn’t stop a pig in a passage’ but I don’t really see what that has to do with things, unless I develop a sudden interest in farming. Where Jordan is the spit of our Dad, I am the double of our mother; willowy, soft featured, quiet and freckled. The only thing that Jordan and I have in common is our eyes, a bright clear sky blue that changes with our moods. His eyes were an odd slate grey when I looked up from the book in my hands. Jordan didn’t like trains. Actually that was an understatement. He detested them. I didn’t blame him either. Not since what had happened to Smith in January. Smith had been like every other teenager, all angst and troubled. He was best friends with my brother and for most of his life they had been inseparable. Smith practically lived at our house, there wouldn‘t be a night when I wouldn‘t go downstairs to find him sat on the sofa watching some programme on cars or stewing over a pot of boiling spaghetti. Everything was perfectly normal until it happened. One night Smith went missing without warning. Later the next day two police officers came to our front door. Dressed in uniform black, boots stomping on the welcome mat. Before I’d even heard them say it I knew. Smith had thrown himself off the platform in front of an oncoming train. I can remember Jordan’s face when they told him, like the life had been drained out of him. I don’t ever want to see him look like that again. The news had been plastered all over the town and wherever we turned all we saw was reminders. A bunch of dead flowers taped to a lamppost, a smiling school photograph, a headline. It seemed like Jordan would never be able to forget. But just like everything does, the hype faded and the stories were replaced with new ones. Smith became nothing but a memory, and life carried on. “I hope Mam likes these” I say, nodding to a bunch of flowers that I hold carefully in my hands. It’s a bouquet of white roses, her favourite. My favourite too. I like the way that the petals all wrap around themselves, dependant on each other but individual at the same time. The way that the petals lookThanks for all your answers. Yahoo cut off the end but there's more so it dosen't just cut off there. more

Resolved Question: How to develop the business when other partner is not thinking and cooperating to promote the business?

Plz help me to success in the business in the year 2010…I wish u all in the new year to get happiness more than last year…..thanks for reading my question and for solving my problem… Our business is business to business..have to deal with mechanical companies..its service oriented..we planned to start the business 6 month back…now 6 month over..we started business..but no growth..total marketing failure or can say not do market…because the attitude of the partners..not willing to investment for further.. Without argue or fight with partner can make a partner to cooperate into develop the business.?.my partner are not concentrate how to make cutomers and familiarize the name of the company..simply blaming the situation and telling always it will take time to develp..Minimum 2000 company must know our company ,then only get order from 200 company out of 2000…we need to get address ,phone number and contact person..also have to inform about our new company…and also need to know the requirement.. 1.what is the best way to get all these database(name of the contact person,phone number, address,website,mailid of the mechanical companies) 2.we have website for our company..how to make the mechanical company people to see our website? 3.how much have to spend for marketing itself when our investment is 5lakes? 4.all partners should do same work or different work for promoting company/ 5.we could not meet the business consultant as we don have bank balance to spend further..in this situation how to promote the company ..and make profit..? Business experts and people who come over business risksand succeed in their business ..plz help me to solve my business problem… more

Voting Question: Does my letter of motivation looks strong enough or does it need any changes?

I apply for grad school and have to wrire motivation letter.Can anyone look through it and see if there any grammar mistakes or if the structure is unclear? Director of the Program xx KTH December 18, 2009 Dear Sir or Madam: I have been at my last year of school at American University in Bulgaria, with a major of Business Administration. During my studies majority of the courses were focused on the main challenges and concerns related to the successful global functioning of organizations, critical skills needed to properly start and manage ventures and analytical tools and models used in problem solving. My undergraduate education at American University in Bulgaria has not only given me a certain set of valuable skills but has also helped me to understand my academic strengths and weaknesses and my fields of interest. While taking a course of Marketing I received a deep insight into creating, developing and assessing projects. Besides studying the theory, I had to create a product which would be innovative and successful on global market, evaluating all the advantages of disadvantages in terms of cultural aspects, geographical location, customer demand in particular region and many other crucial factors which help to determine the successful realization of the product. Operational Supply Management was the other useful courses where I acquired the necessary skills to start and manage projects following the key management concept of planning, organizing , leading and controlling. My study abroad experience at Bellarmine University in Louisville, Kentucky has given me additional knowledge in my field and has made my communication skills more effective. Taking such courses as Management Science and Management helped me to understand how important it is for the company to be more innovative and entrepreneurial. I acquired necessary skills of how these invention can properly function, how they can be managed and how they can be realized within specific organization. In addition to that, frequent work in groups for creating a project have built good team work understanding and involvement I believe that possession of such critical skills an effective communication, creativity and collaboration can qualify me as a candidate to your program. I am someone who is able to learn quickly and adapt to new environments and perform under pressure. I love to be challenged, to explore new ideas, I am always eager to learn and engage in several activities, which helps me to manage my time more efficiently and be more productive. Furthermore, studying in American University in Bulgaria gave me sufficient amount of quantitative knowledge and assisted in developing my analytical thinking skills needed to properly analyze and assess innovative projects. After completing the Master`s Programme my goal is to start my career in one of the innovative companies, where I will be able to utilize my practical and theoretical knowledge to attain the prosperity of organization. With education in Entrepreneurship and Innovation Management, I will gain a relevant knowledge of innovation and entrepreneurship combined with strong real world experience that will help me to build my further development as innovation leader and provide with a basis for the start-up of my own business venture . Thank you most sincerely for your time and consideration. I look forward to your positive response. Respectfully yours, xx more

Resolved Question: Is it right to overthrow (or help overthrow) "Democratically Elected" Leaders?

If you think it is O.K. to overthrow or help (finance) the overthrow of DEMOCRATICALLY ELECTED Leaders then please explain the Justification for such actions. Planning and waging Wars is what the "bad guys" are supposed to do and we "the good guys" historically (see WW1 and WW2 for details) step up and "defend" democracy and freedom from such tyrants. If a foreign government attempted to isolate the U.S. or the U.K. economically, cut off our supply of gasoline, or starve us to death, would it cause Americans to admire that foreign entity? Or would we instead unite under the flag for the survival of our country? Last week the House overwhelmingly approved a measure to put a new round of sanctions on Iran. If this measure passes the Senate, the United States could no longer do business with anyone who sold refined petroleum products to Iran or helped them develop their ability to refine their own petroleum. Do you agree with such a policy? I would then like put this question to you,... "How would Congress, or the U.K. Parliament react,.. if another government threatened our critical trading partners in this way? Would we not view it as asking for war? Are YOU ready for another WAR,...are you ready to send your Children / Brothers / Sisters off to die once more for what?.... And before any of you start with the usual "Iran are coming to kill us all, or Iran is planning to attack Israel with nuclear bombs",...show me the evidence which can not be refuted. Remember, we were all told (like it or not) that Saddam was going to do all these things also,....LIES LIES LIES LIES LIES. Your INTELLIGENT thoughts,.... more

Resolved Question: Help picking a college major?

I really need some help picking the right college major for me; whenever I ask our college counselors, they seem to direct you to what’s going to make you the most money- regardless if you are interested or not. I know I’m throwing myself to the bowels of the internet, but here it goes: I’m not sure what exactly I wish to do. All I’ve known is that I wish to be an entrepreneur of sorts- however, college isn’t necessary for that, so I didn’t want to choose the generic Business major (no offense to those who did). I excelled in high school whenever I tried (or whenever I wasn’t lazy), particularly in English and History. I’m interested in Computers and Technology, but I’m shying away from some of the math/science-heavy degree plans. It’s not that I’m bad at math; whenever I actually did my homework or studied, I made As and Bs, and whenever I fucked around I got C+ or Fs (or Ds depending on where you live). It’s that I don’t find math “fun” or “interesting”, like I see so many others do. While I can tolerate mathematics and sciences, I question whether or not I will enjoy a career in this field. Not only that, but when it comes to programming one doesn’t need to go to school to learn that craft- there’s a dozens of books in which you can teach yourself at your own pace. Most job openings even say “Bachelor in Computer Science or related knowledge.” I’ve been tooling around with programs like Photoshop and Paint.net for years, with designs and image altering for various people. I also used to make little “Sprites” and games using the “RPG Maker” engine when I was 10. I’m not a pro at it, but its something that I enjoyed doing whenever I had the vision. The downside is that my “skill” is purely digital, and that I suck ass at drawing (that can be changed with practice, though,so that's not an argument). I do enjoy playing video games, and I have for years; however, the same issues I have with this major is the same as I do with the previous major. I love music. Plain and simple. I wish to take music theory classes and learn how to play the piano and the guitar to better my skills. I have aural abilities and I can sing. Whenever the motivation, I like to write. I’ve been free writing since I was a kid, and I have mounds of fiction short stories to various amounts of poems. I developed the interest of film and screenwriting when I was a kid, so I’ve always had an interest in the arts and in entertainment since a kid. Of course, the downside to that is the lack of careers choices that come with Music majors and English majors. I have no desire to teach whatsoever, and I have no long history of playing any instrument- so anything musical would be for my own benefit. I’d hate to go major in English then say 5 years later “I can’t find a good job in this field.” And with film comes the dozens of people who pursue their dreams and come back with absolutely nothing. I don’t care about “fame”, but I’d rather not be assed out, you know? As you can see, I have a multitude of ideas with little to no idea how to put these plans in action. Ultimately, I want to go to school to learn something I normally couldn’t on my own that would give me an edge, but I don’t want to major in something that’ll be a complete waste of time, nor just do something for the money. I mean, if I get the money, that’s all great too… Anyway, I know I’m throwing myself to the sharks here, but: What do you think I should major in? Inb4 any memes. Also, don’t give me that “do what you love to do” crap. I’m not asking you this question for a generic answer that I can get from the nearest homeless man. And if there is a way to somehow combine all of these, let me know! more

Resolved Question: I'm disabled, broke, highly intelligent, and need to make a business idea work. How is this possible?

First, I understand that this sound arrogant so let me do this. Disabled: 20 years paraplegic, walking but not well. Broke: I have been trying not to take advantage of a system that I have little respect for, but lost my job 4 months ago. Not physically suited to much, and lacking documented education. Highly intelligent: tested 11 out of 12 years of school to be of higher intelligence than 95 percent of the schools I attended. Special placement for "gifted kids" until I moved to a state my senior year that didn't have such a program. Here's my question: I have been developing a concept for a website for several years. I have recently found that another company has started something similar but does not exploit the full opportunity available, but they Just got $25M in funding. There is only one competitor to that sight right now doing things slightly differently, but they are off to a slow start, and seem kind of half in. And, there have been 2 other companies that both went broke in earlier days of the internet seemingly doing something similar. The 2 from the past are harder to research but it seems they both spent way too much money on advertising and not enough on the business of the business. How do I protect the idea and find somebody to develope an actual representation of the full site with all of it's intricasies when I don't have any money? Unfortunately I have never written a business plan and find it rather intimidating, but I can justify and explain every little nuance, from the business, to the backend, to the marketing and the execution. It seems that one of the dead companies may have patented parts of its' process, and this too may be an issue, but phone calls and research thus far all have led to the need to spend money I just don't have. I'm not affraid to share, and I am truly not greedy, but I don't want to let the cat out of the bag to be snatched and made into some foreign meal. Has anybody out here had experience with situations like this? Can you help? Looking for an investment? Please allow me to be clear. I don't have the knowledge or experience to create this site myself. I am an idea guy, and am looking to find out how to execute. I don't have 20 years to aquire all the needed knowledge that others already have specialized in, and need to employ / partner with the needed skills to get this done. Note: I am looking into going back on disability, and filing bankruptcy. Though until 4 months ago I had very good credit, right now that is shot and recovery must be quick or I will be forced to start all over. I would much rather pay my debts and move on with my life with dignity and self-respect if I can find any way to do so. Thank you for your time and I look forward to what comes of this. Peace to all. more

Resolved Question: How much equity should I give to computer programmers joining me in a new venture?

For the last year and a half I have been working on a business plan centered around developing a company that provides enterprise software for law firms. I have been able to attract two talented computer programmers, one of whom owns the rights to software similar to the one I am trying to develop. I do not have a technical background, but I have a law degree and an undergraduate business degree and experience in sales. The company has not been established yet, but I am wondering, what a reasonable distribution of founder's equity would be? Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.. more

Resolved Question: Did Collins software run into an intractable problem ?

"While reports vary, as many as 40 percent of small businesses do not reopen after a major disaster like a flood, tornado or earthquake. These shuttered businesses were unprepared for a disaster; they had no plan or backup systems. When you start to develop your disaster plan, consider three subjects: human resources, physical resources and business continuity. Think about how a disaster could affect your employees, customers and workplace. Think about how you could continue doing business if the area around your facility is closed or streets are impassable. Think about what you would need to serve your customers even if your facility is closed." (Red Cross document - Preparing Your Business For The Unthinkable)To Bill, Collins project more

Voting Question: I'm doing a project where I develop a financial business plan for a coffee house. Anyone help? Details below.?

I really don't know how to explain this except that I have to hypothetically apply to a bank for a loan for my upcoming Coffee house. I need to know just how much I need to cover the cost of the ENTIRE coffee house, meaning all the food menus and everything. Its supposed to serve lunch and cater. Does anyone know where I would start to figure out what all I will need? and how much the appliances, menu, and such will cost? So intimidated. Thankssss more

Resolved Question: A.S. Degree vs B.S., Which is one better suited for me.?

Ok, So I really like electronics,physics,web designing and developing but I want to run my own business for living. Currently I am in HS(a senior) and have to decide about college. So I was wondering do you have to plan about starting a business early on or you can do that while you're in college. And why spend thousands on degree when you can make a investment. Ex: Web development. I look it at as potential career because It is possible to start and run your online business once you know how to do it.(I have lot of ideas) Will have to come across Flash where i might be able to use my physic knowledge. So what should i do. more

Resolved Question: please help with hard homework.. thank u!!?

please help by chosing the best answers. thank u! have a good day 1. Which section does the United States Business Administration say is the most important part of a strategic business plan? executive summary market analysis company description appendix 2. Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of a successful entrepreneur? persistence high energy level self confident ambiguous 3. What was Henry Ford's problem as an entrepreneur? lack of innovation lack of knowledge of the market self-confidence not enough risk–taking 4. Typically, entrepreneurs are more successful in what field? the field that is the largest at the time the field that is the most popular at the time the field they are most knowledgeable about technology 5. Some of the wrong reasons for wanting to start your own business include: wanting to get rich quick hating your job hating your boss all of the above 6. All of the following are important parts of a business plan EXCEPT: funding request resume market analysis company description 7. One of the four core questions when developing a business plan is: Who are the potential customers for your product or service and why will they purchase it from you? How much will your product cost? Who will manufacture your product? When will your product hit the market? 8. Which of the following people founded IKEA? Oprah Winfrey Bill Gates Ingvar Kamprad Howard Hughes 9. A graphic organizer is a(n): pictorial or graphical way to organize information and thoughts for understanding, remembering, or writing. English subject. daily planner. graph with data about organization. 10. A smart way to find out if you might be entrepreneurial is to: compare/contrast your savings account with that of a successful entrepreneur. compare/contrast your traits with those of successful entrepreneurs. start a business. invent a product. more

Voting Question: i need help with this stuff! p/z help?

Resolved Question: How can we encourage sexual freedom among the youth?

Girls 18+ should be more engaged in sexual intercourse with older men (40+). They should love the freedom of being sexually free, in addition to delivering the pleasure to older men. What are your reasons for sexual freedom? I'm opening up a production company which produces and sells videos. In these videos, I, a 47-year-old male, will be approaching beautiful young women (18+) and offering them top dollars to have sexual intercourse with me. To develop a business plan, I need to know why I should be doing this. Hence the question ...... And the production company can help bridge the gap between younger and older peope. more

Resolved Question: Philosophy Classes for Law School?

I am a Political Science major. I love it. I love politics. I want to go to law school. I plan on taking Stats, Public Speaking, Micro and Macro Economics. I also want to take some free electives, as well as some Philosophy classes. What philosophy classes would be good? What will prep me for the LSAT? Valid Reasoning I-An introduction to formal techniques for determining the validity of deductive arguments. These techniques are adequate for dealing with complex arguments involving multiple quantification. Classical Ethics I-How should human beings lead their lives? How does Right differ from Wrong? Good from Bad? What is Virtue? In this course we introduce and critically evaluate the attempts of several major Western philosophers to answer these and related questions. The goal is to uncover the strengths and weaknesses of their views in order to help the student to understand better the nature of morality, and to develop the skills and background necessary for independent thought on these matters Business Ethics-This course investigates moral dilemmas which arise for business persons, and critically evaluates attempts to resolve these dilemmas. The responsibilities of business and persons in business vis a vis such things as: employee health and welfare, profitability, company loyalty, product safety and reliability, marketing techniques, the environment, and self-regulation will be illustrated and investigated through the examination of real cases which have arisen in business contexts. More general ethical issues relevant to the resolution of these dilemmas will also be investigated, for example, the nature of right, wrong and justice, and the moral foundations of capitalism. Social Philosophy-Some conception of society is presupposed by every political philosophy and ethical theory. In this course alternative conceptions of society and their relations to political philosophy and ethical theory will be critically examined. Special attention will be given to the ideas and theoretical placement of individuality, community, work and family. Philosophy of Law--This course is a critical philosophical examination of the nature and function of law, legal practices and institutions, and legal reasoning. Some of the following questions will be addressed in the course: What is law? What is its proper function? How are our own legal practices and institutions related to this function? Are there better alternatives? How is legality related to morality? Special attention will be given to the conceptual and moral foundations of alternative accounts of the nature, justification, interpretation, and limits of law. more

Resolved Question: Two different boys - what should I do?

I know it seems super long, but PLEASE help! So, I honestly never thought I would be resorting to the internet to help me with this type of personal problem, but I really don’t seem to have any other options. Lol Boy #1 – Carl* Boy #2 – Bob* * - I’m changing their names just because I’m weird Just some random information that I think will be helpful: -I’m 17 (18 in exactly 4 months!) and I live in Michigan -Carl is 20 and lives in Ohio -Bob is 21 and lives in Texas So, here’s the story… …pertaining to Carl: I met Carl through xbox live over this past summer and we became friends. We talked for quite a few months before we decided to meet in person - and by this time we had both developed “crushes” on each other. So he and his friend came up to Michigan and we hung out. And during the time we were “hanging out”, he and I kind of went on a “sexual safari” lol. But anyways, a few days after he went back home – on September 28th to be exact – he ended up asking me out, and I said yes. After that, in like the first or second week of October, we met one more time, and went on another “sexual safari”. Since then we haven’t hung out because he cannot afford the gas money to get up here, and I am not allowed to leave because of school, and my insane mom. But we talk everyday. However, Carl has been depressed lately because he is not in school, is out of a job, and he and I cannot see each other. Furthermore, he talks about marrying me and he wants me to come live and go to college in Ohio when I graduate in June. But, the other day, when he was really bored and apparently no one else was available, he had his ex of one year over. Although he told me they didn’t do anything, he admitted that he had really thought about it. Personality wise, Carl and I have really similar likes and dislikes, get along well, and are really comfortable with each other. However, sometimes he is a bit TOO comfortable, and he tells me things that are really unneeded or gross me out. Also, physically, I am really not all that attracted to him. I mean, I consider him cute, but I’m pretty sure that most other girls wouldn’t agree. …and pertaining to Bob: Bob and I met through some weird chat website a few months ago, and we started talking as friends. Bob, in contrast to Carl, is completely my type. He is absolutely gorgeous, has tattoos, piercings, and plays guitar, sings, and skates. He and I get along really well. Also, although he doesn’t have a job, he goes to school, and has also gotten some modeling offers from New York. So then, two days ago, he asks me to be his girlfriend, and in the spur of the moment I said yes, and then instantly realized what I had done, and felt horrible. So, because of the fact that he and I haven’t been “together” for long, we haven’t really discussed any future plans, including my thoughts about college. Because of the expenses, I was planning on going to college in state, and then potentially moving out of state to either California or New York in order to pursue my dreams of being a voice actress. However, because my chances of getting into that particular business are so slim, I am planning on getting my degree in nursing, since they’re in demand nation-wide. Overall, I don’t know what to do. If I were to stay with Carl, I feel as if I would be throwing my dream away. Also, Carl is really attached to me, and claims he is “in love” with me. If I were to break up with him, I would really hurt him. However, with Bob, I am well aware that he is no where near as attached to me as Carl is, but he still seems to have some genuine feelings for me. Secondly, I am still in awe of how amazingly good looking he is, that his style matches up to my particular liking, and that he is musically talented, AND skates. He’s basically my dream guy. Also, majority of my family lives in Texas, so I am down there once or twice a year. And, unfortunately, I am absolutely horrible at breaking things off with people, and I always feel so bad when I hurt someone, so I try to avoid it at all times. But I’m so confused and am at a loss of what to do. Any advice/suggestions would be SO appreciated. Thank you!!! more

Voting Question: World Series and Playoffs a huge success for the Cleveland Indians? Indians 2009 World Series Champs?

I would like to thank the Cleveland Indians for making the baseball playoffs and world series so interesting to watch. I am not sure if there has ever been such a great blood letting of a mid-market baseball team to make sure the big market teams have a shot at the title. The Indians should be all the talk of baseball right now. It is great that a farm team like the Indians could contribute to baseball as it has done. They finally helped the Yankees answer that age old question, "How many all-stars must you lure away from a team before you win the world series and how big must your payroll be?" (yeah, yeah, I know CC played for the Brewers after the Indians, it doesn't make a difference.) The Yankees have the greatest baseball business plan in sports. Mix in a couple of your farm successes with the highest paid free agent all-stars from other teams, and your likely to win a lot of post season games. At what point, is this not a sport any longer but the Harlem Globe Trotters versus the Washington Generals? Maybe their should be a separate small market baseball league and let LA, NY, Philly, and Chicago battle it out each year in their own league. Anyway, I think that this post-season has shown that the Indians are the best run team in the League and have a terrific knack for spotting and developing talent. Thank you Indians! I consider the Indians the 2009 World Series Champs! PS.. I didn't watch a full game of baseball all season this year because its a joke just like the NBA. At least football isn't so bad.Yes, lets go Yankees. I am glad they won because they are my favorite team. It has been an awesome year for me. My favorite team the Yankees won the world series. My favorite team the Steelers won the superbowl. My favorite team the Lakers took the NBA championship. My favorite team the Penguins won the Stanley cup. I can't believe what a great year it has been. Too bad my favorite college team, the Tulane Green Wave didn't win anything. Unbelievable.Obviously we have an idiot in Christine on our hands. There was Cliff Lee, CC Sabathia, Ben Francisco, Casey Blake, Ronnie Belliard, (not counting Manny Ramirez but he was one of our guys that we couldn't sign because of money and Jim Thome), and Victor Martinez. I am leaving out someone. more

Resolved Question: My best friend doesn't want to spend time with me anymore and acts like she doesn't like me!?

My best friend of about 20 years has in the past 1-2 yrs all but stopped inviting me to make plans, calling to chat, is cliquish w/ a new group of friends and so on. I have asked her several times to do things and she always has plans. I developed a non-socially affecting or visible; but very frightening and painful disease about 6 years ago. I don't need to be pitied at ALL but whenever it comes up, she changes subject and never asks me periodically how I'm doing like my other friends do. It makes me feel like she doesn't care and it makes me sad. I know her boyfriend really thinks I'm fun and likes me and has said I'm his favorite friend of hers but I do think another of her close friends may not like me. She has her own business and I have always supported her in many ways a lot but have started to patronize other places b/c I am starting to feel like a fool. She always criticizes me too; tells me the way I've worn my hair looks bad, random outfits look bad and criticizes choices I make. She is the only one that does this. I have quite a few absolutely wonderful, amazing, warm and loving other friends that want to spend time with me as much as I do with them. When I confronted her on this a few months ago she got defensive and mad. But when I don't call HER back she gets mad at me!! My feelings are so hurt and I'm so confused. Thank you. more

Resolved Question: Do you agree with Jerry Jarrett?

Jerry Jarrett, one of the founders of TNA Wrestling, posted the following comments on his Facebook page today regarding TNA's new partnership with Hulk Hogan and Eric Bischoff: The hot news currently is all about Hulk Hogan and Eric Bishoff signing with TNA. I sincerely wish them well and from the one comment I read, Hulk might be able to bring a positive shift to the company. Hulk stated that he wants to help the new talent learn and appreciate the "Art of Professional Wrestling". If he is allowed to do this, the product will greatly improve and it will be positive for the business. The "Art of Professional Wrestling" has been lost recently and I place the blame squarly on the shoulders of the promoters of the business. Wrestling talent currently is over-produced to the point that most wrestlers are reduced to trying to be actors, (which most are not) by giving scripted interviews and robotic matches. To make matters worse, the scripts are written by producers who don't have a clue what professional wrestling is all about. In about five years the business changed and in my opinion for the worst. I discovered in 2002, when we started TNA, that the heart of the business had been removed and all that remained was the illusion of professional wrestling. I walked in the building in Huntsville, Ala. to find the ring filled with wrestlers rehearsing every move that they planned to make during their match. I watched as wrestlers sat reading and memorizing interviews. I was dumbfounded when I discovered that basic principals of the business were alien to the new wrestlers. I felt that I was talking in a foreign language. What is heat? What is a ring general? What is selling? What do you mean when you say listen to the fans? I was told after I broke into this business that it was our duty to teach the new talent the "Art of Professional Wrestling".I was told when we began TNA that the business had changed and it was not possible to go back to that art form. I have my personal excuses for not going in that direction, but I regret not trying and this is why I truly hope Terry can do what I could not do. The business today has truly changed. The new wrestlers are taught in "training camps", or wrestling schools. It seems to me that if you put twenty wrestlers in a school and one man teaches them all, they would tend to be somewhat clones of each other. Wrestlers should be taught the business by other wrestlers in live situations. A student who goes to a wrestling school will learn everything he is going to lean at the school in 90 days. He will never advance until he learns from veteran wrestlers in live match situations. Far too much emphases is placed on in ring work anyway. I think this is the result of wrestling websites, written by people who have never had a match, telling wrestlers that they have a 5 star match or a 2 star match. I'd guess that Hulk Hogan has never been given one 5 star match rating in his career. I'd also bet that he had drawn more money in the wrestling business than all the 5 star rated wrestles combined. Superstars of the wrestling business become Superstars because of their personalities and not because of their in-ring wrestling abliity. Verbal skills are much more important that physical skills when it comes to drawing money in this business. You don't develop verbal skills in a talent by writing a script and allowing the talent to read his lines. How can a writer of these interview scripts not produce clone interviews? The unique personalities of wrestlers are hidden and only the thoughts of this one writer are expressed. The uniqueness of professional wrestling and it's great public appeal is based on the interaction of personalities of the talent. To not understand this concept is to fail. If you take a walk in your memory and remember the great stars of professional wrestling, you will find that you best remember the personality and not the matches of these stars. So Terry, good luck in your efforts. You have a big job in front of you. Jerry I love what Jerry said about Hogan. Hogan never had a 5 star match, but he drew more money than any guy whos ever had a 5 star match. So true.Red = Not everyone can be bald and beautiful like me =) more

Resolved Question: How to start a photography business/studio?

I am trying to convince my dad to fund my potential photography studio/business and he said he might help me but I have to develop a business plan first. I was just wondering if anyone on here owns their own photography studio or company and if they have any tips or help the could give me? How much does it cost roughly to start one? I am aware I would have to get the equipment like (computers, back drops, cameras, etc.) but how much would it cost to just start the business itself, like leasing a location/getting a business permit, etc.? Thanks! more

Resolved Question: What other reasons may explain the fact that 15 %of Domino’s outlets are managed directly by the?

This is the case study, i need to answr the question from this case study..hep me plz..really stuck.. question: What other reasons may explain the fact that 15 per cent of Domino’s outlets are managed directly by the company rather than by franchees? Domino’s Pizza Group Many people dream about setting up their own restaurant. For somebody who loves food, the prospect of giving up a 9am to 5pm office job and spending all their working life developing new menus may seem irresistible. Sadly, although thousands of people have ventured down the route to becoming a restaurateur, the success rate is low. Estimates vary, but it is generally reckoned that about three quarters of all new restaurants are not a success and close within three years of opening. Large corporate restaurant chains generally succeed better, and it is the sole trader that is particularly likely to face problems. Instead of experimenting with new recipes for beef bourguignon or duck a l'orange, the small restaurant owner is likely to spend much of their time on more mundane matters. Filling out the VAT return, recruiting staff, calculating their income tax and paying their National Insurance contributions, keeping abreast of new legislation concerning minimum wage levels, maternity leave, and disabil¬ity discrimination are all distractions from the kitchen. Then there is the never-ending task of promoting the restaurant. Many restaurateurs think that customers will beat a path to their door, but diners can be fickle, and, as soon as a new restaurant opens in town, they may be off to try it out. With so much to do in simply running the business, it is not surprising that many small restaurateurs become disillusioned and move on. Some fail simply because they haven’t developed a realistic business plan. Many of these could have benefited by belonging to a franchise organization, rather than going it alone. In franchised systems, the franchiser typically provides valuable support for administrative and promotional matters, leaving the franchisee to develop their business. Within the restaurant sector, franchising has been relatively slow to take hold at the gourmet end of the market, where the owner's individuality and style can add to the appeal of a restaurant. But in the convenience food sector, franchising has become popular and allows dedicated individuals to build a secure and profitable business. The Domino's Pizza Group has used the energy of talented and hard-working indi¬viduals to deliver good financial rewards to its franchisees. Although the company's pizzas may not appeal greatly to people who love fine food, its approach to the franchising of food outlets generally offers much more security and profitability than going it alone. In 2004, Domino's reported that ten of its 100-plus UK and Ireland franchisees owned businesses that were worth more than £1,000,000 each. These figures are based on a standard calculation of twice annual turnover. With an average start-up cost of £183,000 this is a significant return on franchisees' initial investment. How many sole traders running their own restaurant could match this? In 2002, Domino's franchisees earned around £120,000 a year on average (although some considerably more), which was more than three times the average income of a typical business manager (£38,1071). Further¬more, no Domino's franchise failed during the year, compared with over 22,000 business failures elsewhere in the UK economy. Domino's research into the skills set and characteristics of the most successful fran¬chisees, both in the UK and internationally, has found that the majority of franchisees believed the traditional corporate management career path failed to offer either the scope to succeed or adequate financial rewards. Typical of the hard-working individuals attracted to a Domino's franchise was James Swift. As a 16-year-old delivery driver for Domino's Pizza, Swift spotted the potential to run his own business at an early age. He soon secured a position as the manager of the Domino's branch in Swindon. This operational experience was critical for learning everything from how to make a pizza to how to manage a big team. It was about three years later that he got the chance to buy a share in the franchise. By the age of 24, he had become co-franchisee of three Domino's outlets in Swindon, Newbury and Bath. He put his success down to sheer hard work and determination, with the backing of a well-known brand and the commitment that only the owner of a business can give. Maybe one day, James Swift will match the success of Richard P. Mueller, Jnr, Domino's Pizza's most successful global franchisee. Mueller joined Domino's in 1967 as a delivery driver and became a franchisee in 1970. By 2003, he owned 158 stores in the USA and employed over 3,000 team members. His company sold over ten million pizzas a year, as many as the entire UK Domino's business. That equated to five million pounds of do more

Resolved Question: having trouble in a marketing class?

You have managed to convince everyone at QMCthat a marketing plan is needed. Additional analysis has revealed some interesting information: There is strong local recognition. QMC has long-term, low cost contracts with manufacturers and suppliers People have started calling from other states to place orders (QMC has had to turn them away) Your next step is to begin to develop a plan to expand QMC's business: Target: Whom do you want to target? Why? Can you foresee this target market changing or expanding in the future? Segmenting: if the target market is varied, how can it be segmented? Positioning: how are you going to position QMC? Differentiation: there are many computer companies. How are you going to differentiate your smaller computer from better known name brands, such as Dell, Sony, and HP? When thinking about targets, don't forget to consider customer needs, marketplace trends, potential customer demographics, and competitors. Put your thoughts together in a draft marketing analysis for QMC's owner and financial advisor. Since your report might have numbers, you may want to use charts or graphs on slides within the presentation. You may find the following websites useful while determining target markets: US Census Bureau: Population by Sex, Selected Age Groups, and State http://www.census.gov/popest/states/asrh/SC-EST2003-02.html The Gourmet Connection Magazine http://tgcmagazine.com/ more

Resolved Question: how to stay focus om my plan?

My Husband and i been having little problems in our marriage. I did a self evaluation and I realize that I am part of our problems just as well as he.My problem is that I don't trust him and there are reasons for my distrust. In the beginning of our relationship I was easy going, Understanding, Loving and very trust worthy. In other words I was a push over. As time went on him and I relationship started hitting rocks that's when i realized I had to change from being misses push over and defend myself. Anger started to develop in me, distrust, low self esteem and depression. Now that we are much older we have a six year old daughter that is becoming affected by the arguing fusing and disrespect. Recently I begin to ask her questions about her emotional state, I came to find that she's not very emotional stable and it's because me as her mom isn't emotionally stable. By me seeing my child this way was a wake up call for me. I sat my husband down and told him that if we don't stop I was going to leave he's working with me on that this are getting better, But I still feel lost of love for my self. I am trying so hard to love myself again and except me for who I am, But today he had to go and take care of some business and I started accusing him of cheating cursing and carry on. I'm tired of being this way. How do I change for the sake of myself and my child? Please help. more

Resolved Question: How do I stay focused on my plan?

Voting Question: Is it worth it to get your CPA license if you only plan on using it PT?

I work for Costco Wholesale in Financial Accounting as an analyst for one our departments. I look at individual orders all the way to the department P&L's and gross margin numbers. I like what I do and the pay isn't bad. I know I can make more elsewhere, but I've been with the company for 18 yrs and at the age of 40 I'm a little scared to leave. Mind you, I have no kids nor am I married. Condo owner with little to no debt minus the mortgage. I meet all the requirements to take the exam and am seriously thinking about it in the next 1-3 years. I plan on taking the Becker Review. The classes are conveniently located less than 10 minutes from where I live. Here is my dilemma. I'm not sure I want to quit Costco and I know for a fact I do not want to move up into management (quite honestly, a CPA license would be total overkill at Costco). I was thinking that if I did get my license I could get something going on a part time basis. My question is....just how feasible is this? I mean, I know I could find some work during tax season, but if that's all that I'm going to be able to do, why get the license. I'm wondering if there is someone out there who is a part time CPA? :) I can slowly see myself weening off the Costco tit (so to speak) and developing my own side business and having it turn into something on a more full time basis, but this isn't something I would want to do until close to retirement age. It's too scarey for me to leave that security I have at Costco (6 weeks vacation, great benefits and the NOT low man on the totem pole). Guess I'm looking for words of encouragement or to see if there is anyone else out there who thinks this is a feasible plan :) more

Resolved Question: What is the Main Objection to the Public Option in Healthcare Plan?

Surely it's not the idea of government offerring a reasonably priced and fairly administered health insurance contract? We have seen how corporate America works. From the big banks, to the big credit card companies and mortgage lenders, right. You don't pay these guys at least $10 million per year, they wouldn't even consider showing up for work. Most of them wind up getting $20 Million or $50 million when all parts of their pay and compensation and pension and healthcare and expense account are figured in. So the idea that corporate America is ludicrously greedy and rapacious is not news to anybody who has actually been on planet Earth for the past 10 years, right. Now comes government, and says it wants a non-greedy, and non rapacious healtg insurance company. It wants to set one up. It wants a chance to compete with the insanely greedy private companies, maybe offer a better product, or make them offer better products by giving them some honest competion. Well, if that's all there were to the offer, only a real Chicago School Purist would object. So, what's the big objection to the Public Option? Here it is. Imagine a company that wanted to sell flood insurance. OK so they sell most of their policies in the floodplain areas of the USA. In order to attract customers they say "We will pay off on these policies even if you buy them after your house has been completely washed away and destroyed utterly by a flood." Well, of course they sell a lot of policies, particularly after big floods. Everybody whose house has been destroyed buys a policy for $5,000 and then puts in their claim for their destroyed house for $500,000. Miracle of miracles this company soon finds itself in big financial trouble. Why? Because $5,000 is a much smaller number than $500,000. Now come the company executives, and they say, "How were we to know that our business model was faulty?" We went to Princeton, Harvard, and Yale, we studied speechmaking, and community organizing, and political theory. We have never seen the inside of any business, met any payroll, done any cost accounting, kept any books, or developed any business models. How were we to know? Is this really similar to a health insurance company that agrees to insure all persons regardless of pre-existing conditions. Imagine that the person is like the house. Imagine that the pre-existing condition, perhaps glioma of the brain, is the house already having gotten washed away in the flood last week. Imagine that the premium is $5,000 per year. Imagine that the operation for the glioma costs $500,000. Now, the rule of arithmetic that we visited earlier is still true, $5,000 is a smaller number than $500,000. Who could possibly imagine that such a health insurance company would run into financial trouble, and quite quickly, and quite deeply? No one in government. They went to Princeton, Harvard and Yale, you know the drill. The problem is this: The bad flood insurance company only hurts itself, it's policyholders, its employees and it shareholders. It winds up in bankrupcy Court and gets eliminated, within about 6 months. But the bad (crazy) U.S. Government backed health insurance company, can't go bankrupt. It has the full faith and credit of the Federal government behind it, who can print money, or take the bad debt onto the Fed Balance sheet. So this becomes the money black hole. It's like a cash whirlpool. The money disappears down it, and never comes back, and it gets bigger and hungrier every day, every hour. The rathole down which USA disappeared. So -- the problem is all about the fact that the government has a completely crazy business model for how a health insurance company can operate -- and it's not their fault -- what do they know from insurance? Zilch -- they are community organizers! So this is an idea in which everybody is a victim, even the ones coming forward with the idea now, they are victims too ''How were they to know?" more

Resolved Question: Seeking investment for a business, must the business/company be established first?

I have a well developed business plan, and wish to start seeking angel investors. I have not yet established the company, and my business plan notes this fact. In looking into angel investor groups and forums, all of them without exception refer to submitting a plan for a company, or such. My question is thus: How necessary is it to register/establish my business/company before seeking investment, and is there any point if the business/company will not be operating as described in the plan?Yorky: I think you have misread my question. The business is not ill structured, it does not yet exist, and I am looking for capitol to start this. more

Resolved Question: Is this a ridiculous career plan or no?

I am finishing up my economics/math dual major (a full econ and 3/5th of a math major) and plan on applying into a quantitatively focused public policy school with a focus on something like transportation network analysis. Then, I would like to work for a private firm that is contracted by the government to carry out services (such as Deloitte, a private firm which is often hired by the government to develop various public policies)... And, essentially, in the future, I would like to go for an MBA and sort of find my niche working in the area of where public and private sectors overlap... Being able to be the guy either on the public sector or the private, who understands both sides, can work on either one, and say, "Hey, I know how to make a profit for your business while it works on public projects..." or "Hey, I know how to get this public project done effectively while relying on top-notch private service." Does this sound like a decent career plan? more

Resolved Question: Salary while starting a non-profit charity?

Over the last few years I have developed a very rough draft of a business plan and mission statement for a non-profit charity to help veterans out in various ways. My current employer is in the process of closing down and money may be very tight for quite some time. I have looked into getting fiscal sponsership to help start this up, but I am concerned that I will not be able to collect any sort of salary for a very long time while getting the foundation set up. I never thought that money would be an issue during this, but unfortunately, it may stop me from doing this... Do you know maybe how long it would be before a salary would be collected? more

Voting Question: How can I move on from so many setbacks and failure?

I have become sad and paralyzed at times. For a decade I've been working and planning on developing a life that's useful and have purpose, but I can't get a break. I tried to manage: Continuing my education Starting a Business Getting Healthy Organizing My House Working On My Finances And all have been put on hold with set backs. I tried to analyze if some of this is my fault--some is, and a lot of it isn't. I must know various aspects of business to become successful...but everything I start, I advance rapidly, but end up falling off due to an external or internal problem. It makes me frustrated and feel like a failure. I hate my life, and feel like I'm imprisoned. I'm always working on improving, but can't develop meaningful friendships and relationship due to family problems. HOW CAN YOU WIN BATTLING SO MANY FRONTS? more

Resolved Question: My college english essay PLEASE HELP!!!?

Hi everyone! I am a freshman at a community college and in my English 1 class our first assignment was to write a short essay on " Why we chose to take this class" I have never been good at writing essays so its sorta hard for me. I take positive and negative criticism very well. So any advice you have whether its positive or negative I will not be offended I JUST NEED HELP! loll thank you so much! Essay:: Why did you chose this English class? In high school I didn’t do as well as I could have done. I didn’t study and barely did any homework. I just didn’t care about school at all. It was probably my last priority at that time in my life. To be honest I cared more about sports, my friends, my boyfriend, and partying. Over the summer I have come to learn that high school was just one phase of my life. I realized the many more opportunities I have ahead of me to change my bad habits and replace them with good ones and do all the things I didn’t do in high school in college. I am in this English class to better myself. I have come to college with a new attitude and perspective about school. Hopefully this class leads me to the direction of my dream job, and teaches me information that will be useful in the future. I hope to improve my knowledge as much as I can. I hope to learn how to read and evaluate literature at a higher level than you would if you simply picked up a book to read. No matter what your major is in college, you will always have a lot of papers to write. And in your career, no matter if you are in accounting, engineering or education, there will be letters, proposals, recommendations, emails, business plans, etc. to write. So it’s very important to develop good writing and good grammar skills when you are young. I thought this class would be a great way to earn three credits. A previous student that helped me at orientation here at OCC knew of Professor Portnoy’s classes and advised me to take it because they said her classes were interesting and fun to be in. Another reason I am here is for my family. I am the first Katechis in my family to attend college. My parents have such high expectations of me and expect me to get straight A’s in college not because they are pressuring me but because they know what I am capable of. I hope to make my family very proud of me by receiving the best college education so I can achieve my goals in the future and become very successful in life. more

Resolved Question: Anyone willing to translate...?

Hei!! I'm sorry that I'm doing research in the restaurants and I need to distribute a survey but they need to be in Finnish. Can any Finns help to translate? I know it's a bit long and time consuming... --------------------------------------… Dear customer, we are students of Kemi-Tornio University of Applied Sciences, and are doing research on customer satisfaction of the restaurant. Please write your honest opinion. Thank you very much in advance! How important to you? How you assess this restaurant? tastiness of food temperature of the meal the restaurant’s appearance cleanness of the restaurant Staff appearance dining materials easily obtained. level of comfort dining privacy The service is prompt. error-free service friendly, helpful, polite staff attentive staff Staff has sufficient knowledge. Staff can understand your needs. Staff are willing to serve sympathetic dealing of complaints. individual attention from the restaurant service in language of your preference price level You paid more than you have planned overall evaluation of the service quality You would return to the restaurant You would recommend the restaurant You will switch to another restaurant What kind of programs or on-going training have you developed to strengthen employees’ ability to improve customer service? What measures you have taken and how did these measures affect customer satisfaction? How do you integrate different cultures into your company? Which factor is the most important to you?/Which one is the least important to you? 1.The restaurant’s facilities, equipment and atmosphere. 2. ability to provide prompt service and help . 3. staff’s knowledge and courtesy 4. The individual attention the restaurant pays to you. 5. The restaurant’s interest in customer problem and benefits. B: Your experience with the restaurant 1. How often you come to this restaurant? ○ Every week ○2~ 3 times a week ○every 1 or 2 days ○Every month ○ seldom ○This is the 1st time I come to the restaurant. 2. Why you come here to eat? ○No time or inclination to eat at home. ○I'm away from home and dependent on restaurants. ○socializing ○business needs 3. Why do you pay a revisit? □The meals are delicious. □The environment is excellent. □The service quality is good. 4. How did you know this restaurant? Through: □Friends/Family □The restaurant's website □Advertisement □Business Networks □I happened to pass by and drop in --------------------------------------… Kiits avusta!! :) more

Resolved Question: Any nice friend to solve my problem ?

First of all thanks to read this surprising story. My age is 29.i am male from India.iam tall and little fare too.i am from a middle class family. my father is doing business. I believe sometimes God. some times against God. I did my schooling in non-English medium school in a village in state of India( Tamil nadu state). I am an average student .(10th 62%,+2 65% , B.com 52% with 2arrear attempt, MBA70% with 1arrear attempt) I have done bachelor degree(b.com).later I was wasted 5 years in a small jobs which is not related to my degree. Then I joined regular MBA(hr/finance) in a deemed university by spending 2.5lakes.After finishing MBA I was without job. because I don’t have depth knowledge in any subject and English communication also not so good. you can know my English knowledge by above written sentences. I am not interested in marketing job also. Now I finally planned to do a partnership business at the share of each 1.5lake.Total cost of the business is 4.5lakes.This business too marketing related .I am not knowing much about the business. Every day have to go 7 companies and have to drive 6 hours a day. My question is 1.How I can make me to be succesful man? 2.how to develop my business.? 3.How to work and drive without tired and under the sunlight? 4.Almost I have a bad history.how can I make me as successful story? 5.I changed my name as per numerology due to these reasons.Is the horoscope is bad for me? Am I had bad time in my life? 6.I am little introvert too.is it the reason for the negative story? 7There is no fire in my heart to achieve anything. why my mind is like this? 8.is there any motivating things to make a successful person ? 9.Inferiority complex is coming from geans ? 10.i am wasting time on Watching TV and net and also addited to sleep.how to come out of it? 11.i don’t smoke and drink .even thou iam far behind in life why? 12.Iam not interested to read general books .after reading 2or 3 page I get bored .why? please analyze my story which is written above and I expect some great ideas and suggestion from experienced people, psychologist Thanks in advance to your great answers and spending time to me. is any friends to help me..? y not mail me to help ? Savi_tkv@yahoo.co.in more

Resolved Question: a very serious question for all my contacts?

i asked this a few days ago, and i got some very good, insightful answers but i would like some more users opinions. my fiance's 17 year old sister committed suicide last month. the family is taking this very hard, especially my mil because she feels like this was all her fault. sherry, the deceased sister, was into drugs and drinking and lived with her 26 year old bf, and that is where she killed herself. (hung herself in the garage of the boyfriends house when no one else was home) my mil let her move in with the bf back in dec of 08 after she stole from the family for drug $. but my question is that im worried about my mil. i know that losing a child must be the most terrible thing a mother can go through, and i cannot imagine it. but i am worried about my mil not handling this healthy at all. she never leaves the house except to go to the cemetery daily and next door to her sisters house. she built a shrine for sherry in the dining room w/ pics of sherry and poems and flowers and candles and things, which she cleans daily. my mil also takes her other daughter, whose 15, for an ice cream cone and they eat it down at the grave site "with sherry" a couple times a week. my mils bday was a few days ago, and my fiance and sister got her a card and they signed it. mil got upset b/c nobody signed for sherry and demanded that somebody signed for her since "sherry wasn't available to sign it today." my mil also talks to the grave and says see you tomorrow baby sleep tight tonite. sherry's 18th bday is in 3 weeks, and my mil's sister is baking a cake for her and every1 in the extended family is going down to the cemetery on sherry's bday w/ cards and gifts to lay on her grave. they are also going to eat cake down there by the grave and sing happy birthday to her. my mil is also taking sherry's cat down to see her for her bday. im not being insensitive, i am honestly asking if this is normal grievance. i am worried my mil will never get back to normal. she seems to be in denial to me. very severe denial. she has even gone so far as to say she pretends that sherry stills lives across town and she can call if she wants to. she plans to get sherry's cat cremated and bury the ashes over sherry's grave when the cat passes away. i have never lost a child so i really have no idea, but i don't want my mil to harm herself in the process of grieving. is this natural or normal behavior? when and will she get better? the strangest part to me is the my mil acts as if sherry is still living. i think by doing this, she prolongs grieving and letting go. not that i expect her to do that immediately or soon or anything like that. this just reminds me of those couples who still set a place at the table and dish out food for there deceased spouse, my mil would honestly probley be doing this if sherry had lived here when she died.. it hurts me to see her this way. i am not going to say anything b/c frankly it isn't my business to say the least. but i don't want my mil to develop some serious issue in a few years when i saw the red flags from the beginning. like i mentioned, i have no clue how hard this can be for my mil. but i wanted to see if it was normal or a serious red flag. more

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