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Economics and Finance
Let's explore the dismal science. Find out if money really does make the world go 'round. Photo by dolphinsdock on Flickr.
Network Leader: Milena Thomas
Milena Thomas
What do you think of this story about a woman who claims she was fired from Citigroup for being "too hot" among other things? I can see how this might happen. I had a colleague at a former job who was routinely criticized about her outfits, despite the fact she was fashionable, not trashy, and did a great job in her position. http://www.styleite.com/media/debrahlee-lorenzana-citigroup/
102 weeks ago from Economics and Finance and Business Development
Photis Patriotis:
Maybe this because I'm a male engineer and I work at a start-up with no real dress code, but I don't care how attractive/unattractive someone is ...MoreMaybe this because I'm a male engineer and I work at a start-up with no real dress code, but I don't care how attractive/unattractive someone is or whether they dress inappropriately. If someone's a great performer, I'd be stupid to let him/her go over something as superficial as the way they dress.
That being said, this woman is definitely just grabbing attention wherever she can. It looks like she had a photo-shoot in some of these articles, and she's even got a new job at JP Morgan, who's threatening to fire her if she keeps up all of the press. I find it hard to believe someone that's really interested in being a banker for a living wants to threaten that to talk to the media about turtlenecks, pencil-skirts, etc.
102 weeks ago
That being said, this woman is definitely just grabbing attention wherever she can. It looks like she had a photo-shoot in some of these articles, and she's even got a new job at JP Morgan, who's threatening to fire her if she keeps up all of the press. I find it hard to believe someone that's really interested in being a banker for a living wants to threaten that to talk to the media about turtlenecks, pencil-skirts, etc.
102 weeks ago
:
@Photis - I agree. I am not even remotely ugly am in a fast paced technical field myself. Being "hot" only gets you so far. You don't get fired ...More@Photis - I agree. I am not even remotely ugly am in a fast paced technical field myself. Being "hot" only gets you so far. You don't get fired from jobs because you are too pretty, you get fired from jobs because you don't do your job. I don't keep my clients because I am nice to look at I keep my clients because above and beyond what they get from us is kick ass apps that work and drive business processes. I guarantee if that stopped so would the work.. So no I don't believe this girl she seems to be the perpetual victim which I loathe.
102 weeks ago
102 weeks ago
Glenn Capeding
Hi, I am recent graduate with a degree in Finance. I am looking for some guidance on how to jumpstart my career. I bring with me two years experience in finance and sales.
Caroline Ceniza-Levine
I'm helping some of my corporate clients on the coaching side with 6 recruiting requests. These roles are all based in NYC, and any recommendations are appreciated! Internal Consultant to media co, Media Director for beauty account, Strategy Consultants in CPG and risk management, and Recruiter for media. See all details at
http://www.sixfigurestart.com/job-posting/cool-job-alert-6-openings-in-d...
Thanks for any ideas!
22 weeks ago from Ask A Coach, Brazen Careerists in New York City, Economics and Finance and Jersey Pride!2 more
Kathryn Smith
Anybody catch President Obama's "Townhall on Jobs and the Economy" on LinkedIn? What did you think?
Brett Kunsch
The holidays are upon us, but does the stress have to be? I'm trying to follow Suze Orman's advice: "People first, then money, then things." http://bit.ly/b6lKQ6
How are you all dealing with the stress of gift/food/travel purchasing and party-going coupled with the fear of debt and lack of time?
78 weeks ago from Productivity & Time-Management, Personal Finance, I am Gen Y, GenYJourney: Tips, Insights, Experiences For Young Professionals and Economics and Finance3 more
Kim Luu:
The main stress we have is finding the time to see everyone from the extended families. We're very upfront with people. No gifts required unless ...MoreThe main stress we have is finding the time to see everyone from the extended families. We're very upfront with people. No gifts required unless it's something you feel we absolutely have to have or try like a food. The biggest gift that we ask is 1/2 hr to an hour of one on one time to just talk with each person.
Frankly I prefer not to get any gifts and that includes gasp... "jewelry" which used to be a favorite of mine.
77 weeks ago
Frankly I prefer not to get any gifts and that includes gasp... "jewelry" which used to be a favorite of mine.
77 weeks ago
Brett Kunsch:
One on one time is a hot commodity...it's silly when you think about it. That 1/2 hour to an hour you could spend with someone enjoying a cup of ...MoreOne on one time is a hot commodity...it's silly when you think about it. That 1/2 hour to an hour you could spend with someone enjoying a cup of cocoa, you instead spend finding a gift they'll forget about in a month. I'll forgo whatever gift it is for some time with my favorite people.
Food, drink, music, and games is a cherished experience. And it's low on the stress meter (unless you have a family feud, as @JRandom warns).
77 weeks ago
Food, drink, music, and games is a cherished experience. And it's low on the stress meter (unless you have a family feud, as @JRandom warns).
77 weeks ago
Kim Luu
Cheating is everywhere. What happened to true personal pride? I saw an interview with students regarding the Florida business school cheating scandal. Students were saying that cheating is normal in life and everyone cheated at the school. They felt that highlighting cheaters and punishing them is just a witch hunt. I thought it was rather sad that holding someone to a basic standard is now considered to be bullying. Do you set a higher standard for yourself than the world demands?
79 weeks ago from Work/Life Blur, Entrepreneurs, Economics and Finance and Blogging Ideas2 more
:
ISTM, the article Jeremy points to fully validates my point. If the article is accurate (you never know), the students were using ...MoreISTM, the article Jeremy points to fully validates my point. If the article is accurate (you never know), the students were using publicly-available material to prepare for an exam, without warning not to. This is, to use Ioannis's definition, not "dishonest". They were just trying harder. Yes, they obtained an advantage. Good for them. People who try harder *should* obtain an advantage.
If you didn't think of this for yourself, you would probably feel bad. Accusing people of wrongdoing, because they thought of a way to achieve that you didn't, is a gross misuse of the word "cheating". It's also a common use. As Jeremy notes, people will often accuse others of "cheating" just because the alleged cheater had an advantage they didn't think of. Claiming that advantage was unfair or "dishonest" is just a way to reduce the playing field to the lowest of the low.
Ioannis: I see you as the police officer. Good is good; bad is bad; good people are good people; bad people are bad people, and there can never be any blurring of the lines or crossing thereover. As you can tell, I think you're wrong. I also think history shows you are wrong: the 6 shelves of my (tiny) law library, and the 300,000 volumes of my law school library, show that life is never so simple.
My job (I'm an attorney, and I have 25 years experience) involves frequent accusations of nearly criminal behavior by people who really were only (1) skirting the line, (2) merely in error, or even (3) not paying attention. The distinction between "right" and "wrong", at least in the realm of human behavior, is quite grey. Human acts are not engineering.
Moreover, when two parties (or institutions) have a fuzzy line drawn between them, it is in both of their interests to take actions to see if the line was really crossed. You can see this frequently yourself in what people deduct on their taxes, on what is allowed in antitrust law, in what is considered a "reasonable" search or "reasonable" use of force, and at least 100 other examples. See, e.g., International Conflict for Beginners (Roger Fisher).
And Ioannis, your definition, while appearing clear, includes many hidden normative statements which allow the accuser to include legally and morally correct behavior within "cheating". Just what does *dishonest* mean, for example? As Jeremy points out, much "dishonest" behavior serves a higher cause. And I will point out that quite often, "dishonest" behavior is merely dishonest in the ear of the listener.
As an amusing grace note on this, I note a religious interpretation I find hilarious in its effort to reconcile honesty with social peace. It is a commonplace to say on a wedding day that "the bride is beautiful". But this is not always factually so. Accordingly, at least one school of thought declares that, on their wedding day, *all* brides are beautiful, just for being brides. Now, who is being dishonest here?
74 weeks ago
If you didn't think of this for yourself, you would probably feel bad. Accusing people of wrongdoing, because they thought of a way to achieve that you didn't, is a gross misuse of the word "cheating". It's also a common use. As Jeremy notes, people will often accuse others of "cheating" just because the alleged cheater had an advantage they didn't think of. Claiming that advantage was unfair or "dishonest" is just a way to reduce the playing field to the lowest of the low.
Ioannis: I see you as the police officer. Good is good; bad is bad; good people are good people; bad people are bad people, and there can never be any blurring of the lines or crossing thereover. As you can tell, I think you're wrong. I also think history shows you are wrong: the 6 shelves of my (tiny) law library, and the 300,000 volumes of my law school library, show that life is never so simple.
My job (I'm an attorney, and I have 25 years experience) involves frequent accusations of nearly criminal behavior by people who really were only (1) skirting the line, (2) merely in error, or even (3) not paying attention. The distinction between "right" and "wrong", at least in the realm of human behavior, is quite grey. Human acts are not engineering.
Moreover, when two parties (or institutions) have a fuzzy line drawn between them, it is in both of their interests to take actions to see if the line was really crossed. You can see this frequently yourself in what people deduct on their taxes, on what is allowed in antitrust law, in what is considered a "reasonable" search or "reasonable" use of force, and at least 100 other examples. See, e.g., International Conflict for Beginners (Roger Fisher).
And Ioannis, your definition, while appearing clear, includes many hidden normative statements which allow the accuser to include legally and morally correct behavior within "cheating". Just what does *dishonest* mean, for example? As Jeremy points out, much "dishonest" behavior serves a higher cause. And I will point out that quite often, "dishonest" behavior is merely dishonest in the ear of the listener.
As an amusing grace note on this, I note a religious interpretation I find hilarious in its effort to reconcile honesty with social peace. It is a commonplace to say on a wedding day that "the bride is beautiful". But this is not always factually so. Accordingly, at least one school of thought declares that, on their wedding day, *all* brides are beautiful, just for being brides. Now, who is being dishonest here?
74 weeks ago
Ioannis Kremezis:
A classical definition of "cheating" and wishful thinking!!!
You have understood wrongly my thinking.
@Jeremy: "Also that definition..." I didn't ...MoreA classical definition of "cheating" and wishful thinking!!!
You have understood wrongly my thinking.
@Jeremy: "Also that definition..." I didn't mean that. You apply totally wrong and see everyone as a cheater.
@Steven: I don't see everything as on/off but you forget that on/off also exists between many levels of grey.
"My job.." and "Moreover,..." paragraphs are the bitter reality.
"And Ioannis..." paragraph I didn't make any law and any accuser. In order to be precise I use a dictionary meaning.
Another difficult choice among grey zone:
Who is the bad guy, the one with good purpose and bad manner or the one with bad purpose and good manner?
As an another attorney said: There are people like angels with dark secrets and people like devils who sometimes act in a honest way.
74 weeks ago
You have understood wrongly my thinking.
@Jeremy: "Also that definition..." I didn't ...MoreA classical definition of "cheating" and wishful thinking!!!
You have understood wrongly my thinking.
@Jeremy: "Also that definition..." I didn't mean that. You apply totally wrong and see everyone as a cheater.
@Steven: I don't see everything as on/off but you forget that on/off also exists between many levels of grey.
"My job.." and "Moreover,..." paragraphs are the bitter reality.
"And Ioannis..." paragraph I didn't make any law and any accuser. In order to be precise I use a dictionary meaning.
Another difficult choice among grey zone:
Who is the bad guy, the one with good purpose and bad manner or the one with bad purpose and good manner?
As an another attorney said: There are people like angels with dark secrets and people like devils who sometimes act in a honest way.
74 weeks ago
Kim Luu
Here are the jobs that employers are hiring for. Straight from the horse's mouth. Manpower's survey of talent shortage based on employers worldwide. http://us.manpower.com/us/en/multimedia/Global-Shortage-Survey-Results.pdf Skilled trades tops the list along with sales.
The lack is real. Fed Reserve exec told me he can't find enough finance PhD to fill positions at $240K/yr. They had to hire from outside US. Are your job skills in demand?
52 weeks ago from Entrepreneurs, Personal Development, We're Hiring, Economics and Finance and Work/Life Blur3 more
Kim Luu
Alan Greenspan recently said that Gen X workers are "lazy" and doesn't compare to Baby Boomers. He feels that we need to import talented immigrants to keep our economy going. This comment is made despite the high unemployment that we have. http://www.foxbusiness.com/markets/2011/07/13/alan-greenspan-its-gen-xer... What's your thoughts?
44 weeks ago from Entrepreneurs, Economics and Finance, Brazen Careerists on Twitter and We're Hiring2 more
Jason H. Parker:
Gen X workers don't compare to Boomers, just like Gen Y workers don't compare to Gen X. There are different value structures in place, and the ...MoreGen X workers don't compare to Boomers, just like Gen Y workers don't compare to Gen X. There are different value structures in place, and the definition of "work" is different for each generation. Interesting comments from Greenspan, and perhaps he is right.
44 weeks ago
44 weeks ago
Edward Antrobus:
Different generations may have different values and different definitions of work, but work has evolved a lot less to require different things of ...MoreDifferent generations may have different values and different definitions of work, but work has evolved a lot less to require different things of workers. There hasn't been a fundamental shift in the requirements of the workplace since the end of the era of factories, which was already under way during the Boomer generation.
44 weeks ago
44 weeks ago
Kim Luu
Do you have a sponsor? I've seen discussion about mentors but how they work differ widely. Is your mentor a sponsor as well? Do you have a higher level executive in your company working with you to promote your profile with management. For women, this is important if they're not comfortable with self promotion.
In an old-fashioned example, do you have a star to hitch your wagon to as it rises to the top and take you with it. Obviously there are pros and cons to having a sponsor.
Kim Luu:
Mentors help direct and steer you through land mines in your career path. Sponsors are actively helping you move up in your career. They can be ...MoreMentors help direct and steer you through land mines in your career path. Sponsors are actively helping you move up in your career. They can be the same person or different person.
They can also be a different sex than you. For women, this is something to keep in mind. In some cases, a man is more open to be a sponsor than a woman.
Sponsors are critical for both men and women in moving up especially for senior management. Talk to any top managers and ask them how they find out about their jobs. Whether it's in the same company or across multiple companies, there will be a thread of one or two of the same people who opened the door for them.
The female CFO of a large multinational distribution firm shared with me that she got her opportunities from Disney, to McKinsey, to multiple firms and finally her current firm via one man. He was leading the way and when he's established at any firm, he always extended an offer to her.
She has moved up based on the opportunities he provided, her skills, the flexibility for traveling throughout most of her 20s -40s, and a supportive spouse who shaped his career to accommodate her needs as they moved to a different country every 3-5 years.
58 weeks ago
They can also be a different sex than you. For women, this is something to keep in mind. In some cases, a man is more open to be a sponsor than a woman.
Sponsors are critical for both men and women in moving up especially for senior management. Talk to any top managers and ask them how they find out about their jobs. Whether it's in the same company or across multiple companies, there will be a thread of one or two of the same people who opened the door for them.
The female CFO of a large multinational distribution firm shared with me that she got her opportunities from Disney, to McKinsey, to multiple firms and finally her current firm via one man. He was leading the way and when he's established at any firm, he always extended an offer to her.
She has moved up based on the opportunities he provided, her skills, the flexibility for traveling throughout most of her 20s -40s, and a supportive spouse who shaped his career to accommodate her needs as they moved to a different country every 3-5 years.
58 weeks ago
Kristina E. Smith:
I have someone that's a sponsor at my work. He helps me stay focused and is a tremendous cheerleader and is determined to help me grow as a ...MoreI have someone that's a sponsor at my work. He helps me stay focused and is a tremendous cheerleader and is determined to help me grow as a professional.
I also have a mentor outside of my 9-5 job that's helped me stay motivated, focused, and helped in confusing career times. She's amazing and the professional I aspire to be.
58 weeks ago
I also have a mentor outside of my 9-5 job that's helped me stay motivated, focused, and helped in confusing career times. She's amazing and the professional I aspire to be.
58 weeks ago
Kim Luu
Women being underpaid is a myth. http://www.bnet.com/blog/ceo/the-gender-pay-gap-is-a-complete-myth/6928?... Very valid points that are rarely brought up.
Kim Luu:
@Rebecca. I definitely will check out the book.
As to whether I produce less than my partner, definitely yes. We're paid based on actual ...More@Rebecca. I definitely will check out the book.
As to whether I produce less than my partner, definitely yes. We're paid based on actual revenue produced. Less hours means less face to face meetings with clients that are billed. He does his research in off hours. I do mine during work hours. The difference in the work focus and expertise that we each chose also affect our differing income. Pay is identical in the areas that we overlap.
Sometimes I take up long term consulting projects for clients that actually pays out substantially less on an hourly basis than our normal work after all the hours and costs are factored in. However, I enjoy those projects and it's not about the money but the challenge.
In fact, I just paid for a program last week in order to accommodate the needs of our women who work from home. It cuts down their time on writing proposals to minutes instead of hours. The cost of the program basically means that at best, we break even in that segment of the division because it's such a tiny fraction of our business. I'm actually anticipating a loss for the year due to the cost. The program will help the women be more productive per client so they can choose to spend their extra time however they want.
58 weeks ago
As to whether I produce less than my partner, definitely yes. We're paid based on actual ...More@Rebecca. I definitely will check out the book.
As to whether I produce less than my partner, definitely yes. We're paid based on actual revenue produced. Less hours means less face to face meetings with clients that are billed. He does his research in off hours. I do mine during work hours. The difference in the work focus and expertise that we each chose also affect our differing income. Pay is identical in the areas that we overlap.
Sometimes I take up long term consulting projects for clients that actually pays out substantially less on an hourly basis than our normal work after all the hours and costs are factored in. However, I enjoy those projects and it's not about the money but the challenge.
In fact, I just paid for a program last week in order to accommodate the needs of our women who work from home. It cuts down their time on writing proposals to minutes instead of hours. The cost of the program basically means that at best, we break even in that segment of the division because it's such a tiny fraction of our business. I'm actually anticipating a loss for the year due to the cost. The program will help the women be more productive per client so they can choose to spend their extra time however they want.
58 weeks ago
Kim Luu:
@JRandom. You should check out the full legal filings for the Wal-Mart case. I read it when it first came out. It's fascinating. There's no ...More@JRandom. You should check out the full legal filings for the Wal-Mart case. I read it when it first came out. It's fascinating. There's no doubt that there's discrimination but the cases that were being presented aren't that strong. In a company that large, you will always have it somewhere. The allowance by corporate headquarters to allow business meetings at Hooters and strip clubs definitely was stupid, disrespectful and inappropriate..
The fight right now is based on whether the Supreme Court allows gender discrimination to be applied broadly across all 1.5 Million women based on the 6 claimants. The lawyers for the claimants is claiming that it's not cost effective for them to sue for these 6 women on an individual basis as their total claims is $1,100 per person and that it needs to go to a class action.
3 of the claimants don't claim wage discrimination as they were frequently promoted and got raises. Christine Kwapnoski's complaint was being yelled at by her male manager. Betty Duke got promotions and raises and then demotions after she repeatedly violated company policies. She doesn't dispute the violations but claimed that they came from retaliation by a woman supervisor. After her last demotion, her complaint came from being paid less than two other cashiers who were male.
Edith Aranna was being encouraged by a female supervisor to apply for promotions directly with their district manager but she never did. She didn't claim pay disparity.
The Wal-Mart internal documents that were filed against the company showed that since 1992 they have been trying to address the gender discrimination along with race and age.
Some of the discussions were about whether they should institute quota to make sure that women were promoted in proportion to their percentage, regardless of qualification or not. They talked about whether quota would be resented.
Some of the struggles were:
1) Size of the workforce and how to educate everyone about what the appropriate behavior is.
2) Fear and behaviors in the rural areas.
3) How to change personal bias one by one
4) How to encourage people to socialize with each other instead of grouping by personal preferences.
5) How to break the informal old boys' network or force inclusion of the women into it.
Lawyers on the two sides are fighting over which types of statistics studies to use in order to prove or disprove pay discrimination based on gender.
One of the reports that came out was that in female dominated department, women consistently got promoted more than men while in male dominated department, men got promoted more than women. I wonder if the men will use this for another class action.
The biggest weak point for Wal-Mart is that job postings below Store Manager is not always put into their job posting system. When a job is in the system, it seems that the award is fairly equitable. If I didn't remember the numbers wrong, it was something like 59.8% went to women.
Lower level job promotions seems to be word of mouth locally and that's an issue for them overall. There was one memo that discussed how they needed to figure out a way to educate the hourly employees about promotion opportunities. No one knew what to do, whether they were men or women.
Wal-Mart also required managers to move from store to store frequently as part of the management training and for promotion. This was not popular with women.
The fight ultimately will be decided by who wins on the statistic side.
The claimants wants the discrimination to be judged based on all employees, hourly and salaried, to be lumped together in one big bundle and then parse out what men make vs. women. (I'm not sure if they're even factoring out overtime. I know that they're not willing to separate out job titles or responsibilities.)
Wal-Mart wants the statistics to be based on per store, job titles and region. Obviously, some stores will show discrimination and others may not.
Do I believe there's pay discrimination at Wal-Mart? Yes. I think pay discrimination is in most companies, both private and public. Will we solve it overnight? No. I think that it will be a long process as we fight human nature, personal biases, and a whole host of variables.
58 weeks ago
The fight right now is based on whether the Supreme Court allows gender discrimination to be applied broadly across all 1.5 Million women based on the 6 claimants. The lawyers for the claimants is claiming that it's not cost effective for them to sue for these 6 women on an individual basis as their total claims is $1,100 per person and that it needs to go to a class action.
3 of the claimants don't claim wage discrimination as they were frequently promoted and got raises. Christine Kwapnoski's complaint was being yelled at by her male manager. Betty Duke got promotions and raises and then demotions after she repeatedly violated company policies. She doesn't dispute the violations but claimed that they came from retaliation by a woman supervisor. After her last demotion, her complaint came from being paid less than two other cashiers who were male.
Edith Aranna was being encouraged by a female supervisor to apply for promotions directly with their district manager but she never did. She didn't claim pay disparity.
The Wal-Mart internal documents that were filed against the company showed that since 1992 they have been trying to address the gender discrimination along with race and age.
Some of the discussions were about whether they should institute quota to make sure that women were promoted in proportion to their percentage, regardless of qualification or not. They talked about whether quota would be resented.
Some of the struggles were:
1) Size of the workforce and how to educate everyone about what the appropriate behavior is.
2) Fear and behaviors in the rural areas.
3) How to change personal bias one by one
4) How to encourage people to socialize with each other instead of grouping by personal preferences.
5) How to break the informal old boys' network or force inclusion of the women into it.
Lawyers on the two sides are fighting over which types of statistics studies to use in order to prove or disprove pay discrimination based on gender.
One of the reports that came out was that in female dominated department, women consistently got promoted more than men while in male dominated department, men got promoted more than women. I wonder if the men will use this for another class action.
The biggest weak point for Wal-Mart is that job postings below Store Manager is not always put into their job posting system. When a job is in the system, it seems that the award is fairly equitable. If I didn't remember the numbers wrong, it was something like 59.8% went to women.
Lower level job promotions seems to be word of mouth locally and that's an issue for them overall. There was one memo that discussed how they needed to figure out a way to educate the hourly employees about promotion opportunities. No one knew what to do, whether they were men or women.
Wal-Mart also required managers to move from store to store frequently as part of the management training and for promotion. This was not popular with women.
The fight ultimately will be decided by who wins on the statistic side.
The claimants wants the discrimination to be judged based on all employees, hourly and salaried, to be lumped together in one big bundle and then parse out what men make vs. women. (I'm not sure if they're even factoring out overtime. I know that they're not willing to separate out job titles or responsibilities.)
Wal-Mart wants the statistics to be based on per store, job titles and region. Obviously, some stores will show discrimination and others may not.
Do I believe there's pay discrimination at Wal-Mart? Yes. I think pay discrimination is in most companies, both private and public. Will we solve it overnight? No. I think that it will be a long process as we fight human nature, personal biases, and a whole host of variables.
58 weeks ago
Selina Burgoon
High Growth SF Peninsula Firm Hiring for Entry Level Sales and Trading Associates. Collegial, Fast-paced, Work Hard Play Hard environment! Please email your resume to: sburgoon@caeonline.com if you're interested in learning more!
Emily K
I am on a mission to fortify my money saving strategies. It is difficult for me to save money when it comes to purchasing food - from groceries to dining out. Sometimes it is hard for me to make time to cook, hence dining out becomes a necessity - unless if I want to eat cornflakes for dinner. What area is most difficult for you to cut back on when it comes to saving money?
Kim Luu
Share one trait that you think is the most critical for success. My choice is flexibility. Being open minded in all things and flexible enough to roll with the punches is important in both personal and business life. It allows you to see opportunities.
66 weeks ago from Work/Life Blur, Economics and Finance and Entrepreneurs1 more
Diane L recommended this
Corey Stary:
Be your own strongest advocate and your own toughest critic. You'll attract positive attention and at the same time, continue to self-improve.
63 weeks ago
63 weeks ago
Mark W.
Eric Fitch, MIT mech. engineering grad, is CEO of PurposeEnergy, Inc. whose company's slogan is "Saving the earth, one beer at a time. The slogan is catchy and a goal which he has attained. He invented and installed an anaerobic methane digester at Magic Hat Brewing Co. which extracts energy from the spent hops, barley and yeast left over from the brewing process — and it processes the plant's wastewater. The article at http://tinyurl.com/66ouqcs also mentions other brewers and solutions.
65 weeks ago from Beer, Economics and Finance, Engineers and Green and Environmental industries2 more
Megan Atkinson recommended this
Megan Atkinson:
Awesome article, Mark! Thanks for sharing it. I have always been fascinated with anaerobic digestion - primarily in landfills. But I might just be ...MoreAwesome article, Mark! Thanks for sharing it. I have always been fascinated with anaerobic digestion - primarily in landfills. But I might just be in love with them now that they can help the brewing industry. Too stinkin' cool.
65 weeks ago
65 weeks ago
Mark W.:
I'm glad you liked it Megan. The funny thing is the way I happened to "find" my way to the article. I listened to Radio Health Journal ( MoreI'm glad you liked it Megan. The funny thing is the way I happened to "find" my way to the article. I listened to Radio Health Journal ( http://tinyurl.com/6k3wadg ) on the radio yesterday morning and one of the guests was Jonathon Bloom at the Wasted Food website ( http://tinyurl.com/dxvu2h ). One of the recent links mentioned this article at the Boston Globe. I went to the Boston Globe but was only able to read one page. If I wanted to read more I had to sign up to their site. Instead I found the article at another news source - Washington Examiner. So even though it was some work and a little bit of tracking using bread crumbs, it was worth the effort!
65 weeks ago
65 weeks ago
Kim Luu
Have you gone green? I want to be ecologically sensitive and have converted my life into a paperless existence (except for books). It's been a 2 years process and still ongoing. The start was costly such as investing in technology to provide document storage for my business but others have actually saved me money and time. In the end, it will be a wash over 5 years.
My life has actually changed because of my choice.
Have you thought or try to go green? What are the results?
67 weeks ago from Work/Life Blur, Economics and Finance and Entrepreneurs1 more
Jennifer Liu:
I grew up learning to Reduce, Reuse, Recycle back home in Canada so I am definitely environmentally conscious. However, I forget to account for ...More I grew up learning to Reduce, Reuse, Recycle back home in Canada so I am definitely environmentally conscious. However, I forget to account for the fact that any sort of travel, especially flying abroad drastically increases my carbon footprint. My love for travel pretty much offsets my daily efforts to go green. I guess it's better than doing nothing!
67 weeks ago
67 weeks ago
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Trisha Bishop:
In 2005, I decided to become a minimalist and rid myself of everything I owned that was not sufficient including my silver Subaru, CD player, TV, ...MoreIn 2005, I decided to become a minimalist and rid myself of everything I owned that was not sufficient including my silver Subaru, CD player, TV, DVD player, and all other electronics. Since then, I have slowly developed the natural tendencies of owning unnecessary items. The point is to find a balance and choose companies that have a sustainability element within their business model and through the purchase there is a supportive promotion made to the company that their sustainability business philosophy. I believe having the awareness of purchasing items better for the environment and knowing the impact imposed by my purchases keep me in check. This method is evaluated with usage of my purchases as well.
65 weeks ago
65 weeks ago
Mark W.
A short video shown on Fox and Friends about the Beer Stimulus Plan.
Basically a plan to lower the taxes on the craft brewers so they can invest more in their business and subsequently hire more people. Three brewers are featured in this video ( http://tinyurl.com/46u6t2b ).
Amazing stat - 5% of beer production and 50% of jobs iin the industry are created by craft brewers.
Hopefully the new bill will get passed.
65 weeks ago from Beer and Economics and Finance
Edward Antrobus:
First of all, it was refreshing to read a bill that was only two pages! I had begun to think that bills that weren't the length of novels were a ...MoreFirst of all, it was refreshing to read a bill that was only two pages! I had begun to think that bills that weren't the length of novels were a lost art.
According to the bill, it defines a small brewer as producing less than 6 million barrels per calendar year. I drink about a six-pack (and mostly wheat beer) per year, so I really don't have any good reference as to how big that is.
65 weeks ago
According to the bill, it defines a small brewer as producing less than 6 million barrels per calendar year. I drink about a six-pack (and mostly wheat beer) per year, so I really don't have any good reference as to how big that is.
65 weeks ago
Mark W.:
Edward, thanks for checking out the HR bill as I didn't think to do that. I did some more investigating this morning to see if I could find out ...MoreEdward, thanks for checking out the HR bill as I didn't think to do that. I did some more investigating this morning to see if I could find out any more info. on the definition of a craft brewer on the BA site - at least according to them. The Brewers Association has a fact page (top menu tab - Business Tools>Craft Brewing Statistics>Facts) where they say "Craft brewers sold an estimated 9,115,635 barrels* of beer in 2009". Located on another page (Business Tools>Craft Brewing Statistics>Craft Brewer Defined), they define a craft brewer as " ...small, independent and traditional." and then define small, independent, and traditional separately. A part of the 'small' definition is "Annual production of 6 million barrels of beer or less." I still don't know the breakdown by brewer though. However, I'm closer thanks to this thread. :)
65 weeks ago
65 weeks ago
peterb6086
Here is what Gen X and Gen Y have to look forward to when it comes to Social Security. Are you worried or do you not care?
http://hubpages.com/hub/The-Social-Security-Trust-Fund-Holds-Nothing-But...
Edward Antrobus:
I understand what you are saying about benefits rising with income, but at a certain point, we have think, what is the likelihood that Bill Gates ...MoreI understand what you are saying about benefits rising with income, but at a certain point, we have think, what is the likelihood that Bill Gates (to use his example) is ever going to apply to receive social security benefits. Earners making over $500,000 per year may make up less than .5% of the population, but as a group earn more than the rest of the country combined.
I can't say anything about the author of that article, but the Heritage Foundation is a libertarian think-tank. Not too surprising that they consider a person earning $125,000 to be "middle class"
67 weeks ago
I can't say anything about the author of that article, but the Heritage Foundation is a libertarian think-tank. Not too surprising that they consider a person earning $125,000 to be "middle class"
67 weeks ago
Kim Luu:
@Edward, it doesn't matter how much someone makes or owned. At this point Social Security is an entitlement that they feel they earned. Yes, ...More@Edward, it doesn't matter how much someone makes or owned. At this point Social Security is an entitlement that they feel they earned. Yes, millionnaires file for Social Security all the time because it is prudent to get everything that you invest in.
For a millionnaire who is worth $87 million dollars, social security covers part of the salary of one of his employees so of course he would take it.
@Peter, my information about what social security was designed for is based directly on facts from the legislation and discussion when social security was created in 1935. It was influenced by the Great Depression wiping out the savings of seniors who lived past their time. You can get a lot of it directly in the history of the government's social security site. The average life expectancy at the time was 63 and that was heavily discussed.
I also talked about the attitude on social security at that time with many seniors who are over 100 years old. Their understanding was that retirement came from their own savings and if lucky, their company's pension. It's very different from our expectations now.
For them social security is a lifeline that helped them when they ran out of money because they lived way past what they thought and saved for.
67 weeks ago
For a millionnaire who is worth $87 million dollars, social security covers part of the salary of one of his employees so of course he would take it.
@Peter, my information about what social security was designed for is based directly on facts from the legislation and discussion when social security was created in 1935. It was influenced by the Great Depression wiping out the savings of seniors who lived past their time. You can get a lot of it directly in the history of the government's social security site. The average life expectancy at the time was 63 and that was heavily discussed.
I also talked about the attitude on social security at that time with many seniors who are over 100 years old. Their understanding was that retirement came from their own savings and if lucky, their company's pension. It's very different from our expectations now.
For them social security is a lifeline that helped them when they ran out of money because they lived way past what they thought and saved for.
67 weeks ago
J. Maureen Henderson
So, yesterday's post (http://tinyurl.com/4k5o2lk) focused on the fact that it's pretty flippin' difficult to think about designing or optimizing your life when you're just struggling to keep afloat and hinted at my firm belief that the approach/assumptions/rhetoric of self help and personal development have a strong classist undertone that is rarely acknowledged. A fellow BCer suggested I mention it here to see how community members see the issue. What say you?
70 weeks ago from Economics and Finance and Personal Development
Sadya Siddiqui, Ty Unglebower and Robin Mills recommended this
Raquel Elle Bell:
I think I'm going to write a self help book. It will have two pages #1 "Everything is your fault" - Decisions made or not made will result in the ...MoreI think I'm going to write a self help book. It will have two pages #1 "Everything is your fault" - Decisions made or not made will result in the outcomes you get #2 "Today is the day" - You have to be present to get lucky - The END
70 weeks ago
70 weeks ago
Heather:
@Michael, I hope you're signed up for the Brazen Careerist Network roulette! I'm looking forward to offering help to others (jobseeker or ...More@Michael, I hope you're signed up for the Brazen Careerist Network roulette! I'm looking forward to offering help to others (jobseeker or otherwise). I applaud your efforts to survive and keep an eye on the future. ... I think I hear the theme to Rocky :)
70 weeks ago
70 weeks ago
Ryan Paugh
Last night I had drinks with a friend who is a financial advisor and I was telling him about how he really should start a blog to market himself. He said that the big firms, like the one he works for, won't let their employees blog at all because of the sensitivity around providing financial advice. This seems crazy to me. Any financial advisors out there in similar situations?
71 weeks ago from Economics and Finance, FinanceAnswers, Personal Finance and Blogging2 more
Raquel Elle Bell:
** I think that while some advice is specific and if taken the wrong way can put people in a precarious state, but there are ways to give advice ...More** I think that while some advice is specific and if taken the wrong way can put people in a precarious state, but there are ways to give advice without compromising the end user.... Like don't spend more than you have and will make in the future... Pay your taxes.... etc. etc. etc.
70 weeks ago
70 weeks ago
Mehul Kar
Anyone heard of Barefoot Economics? Love this guy. Breaks many of the paradigms that subscribe to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v5Cnwf-3FHY
TOP IDEA:
Stephen Alred
the numbers are in and I'm officially at 50.4% return for the investments that I've recommended for clients. And I've annualized 27% since I began in 2008. This is great news, I believe only one mutual fund in the country has a higher return over that time period and I remember when people were saying "you're a college student there's no way you can do that kind of stuff without a degree!!"
75 weeks ago from Economics and Finance, Personal Finance and Entrepreneurs1 more
peterb6086:
You may want to be careful putting this type of advertisement on a blog. FINRA is strict.
71 weeks ago
71 weeks ago
Stephen Alred:
I wouldn't be telling anyone what to invest in, nor would I be managing anyone's money. I'm in the clear.
71 weeks ago
71 weeks ago
Ryan Paugh
My girlfriend and I have been talking to a personal finance guy about how we can save more money. One of the things he mentioned was that focusing on a couple areas where we could save money would be dramatically more effective than trying to focus on everything. Coincidentally, my friend Ramit Sethi just emailed me one of his recent WSJ articles with the same advice: http://nyti.ms/fzF9jL
76 weeks ago from Economics and Finance and Personal Finance
Sarah Peck recommended this
Holly Hoffman:
We've been doing the Dave Ramsey thing for about a year and a half now. The two things that are most useful that we've done is a monthly budget, ...MoreWe've been doing the Dave Ramsey thing for about a year and a half now. The two things that are most useful that we've done is a monthly budget, plus using cash envelopes for variable purchases, like groceries, entertainment and clothing. The budget didn't work for me until I used the cash envelopes. Once the cash is gone, I don't get to spend in that category. It works! I feel like I have more money now that I tell it where to go every month.
72 weeks ago
72 weeks ago
Cameron Plommer
What's your take on the fiscal crisis as a whole (national debt, social security, etc.)? Will anything change or can anything change for the better until we go bankrupt?
V. Holman:
I agree with Steve! The Key is entrepreneurs believing in their business making a plan and executing it. This is the time!
72 weeks ago
72 weeks ago
Sam Rye:
When the US has a Federal Reserve Bank lending money to the government with interest-owing, then the nation will always be running at a debt. ...MoreWhen the US has a Federal Reserve Bank lending money to the government with interest-owing, then the nation will always be running at a debt. Until the banking system is nationalised instead of privately owned (as is the case in many other countries) then as a country you will always be in the red.
72 weeks ago
72 weeks ago
TOP IDEA:
Stephen Alred
the numbers are in and I'm officially at 50.4% return for the investments that I've recommended for clients. And I've annualized 27% since I began in 2008. This is great news, I believe only one mutual fund in the country has a higher return over that time period and I remember when people were saying "you're a college student there's no way you can do that kind of stuff without a degree!!"
75 weeks ago from Economics and Finance, Personal Finance and Entrepreneurs1 more
Cameron Plommer
I have a quick question for you all related to a Millennial/Generation Y research project I'm working on.
So, if you are Gen Y what would it take for you to become engaged/support/get involved in fiscal issues (government spending, social security, national debt, etc.) in the U.S? What would motivate you to get involved?
75 weeks ago from Economics and Finance, Non-Profit Management and Nonprofiteers1 more
Kevin Li:
Seeing that it's relevant to my future. Not relevant as in big picture relevant, but personally relevant.
75 weeks ago
75 weeks ago
Beatriz Alemar:
A few ideas I thought up of (and a few from my friends as well):
Show me why it matters now and in the future.
Show me how easy it can be to ...MoreA few ideas I thought up of (and a few from my friends as well):
Show me why it matters now and in the future.
Show me how easy it can be to get involved (and make it easy).
Make it easy to share with people via social networks.
Speak to me in simple, layman terms.
75 weeks ago
Show me why it matters now and in the future.
Show me how easy it can be to ...MoreA few ideas I thought up of (and a few from my friends as well):
Show me why it matters now and in the future.
Show me how easy it can be to get involved (and make it easy).
Make it easy to share with people via social networks.
Speak to me in simple, layman terms.
75 weeks ago
