“The American consumer is toast,” said Stephen Roach, Chairman of Morgan Stanley Asia, at our panel, “The Frugal New Consumer” [watch video], on day two of the Milken Institute Global Conference. As far as the Great Recession goes, he went on to say, “we’re only in the third inning.”
On "The Frugal New Consumer" panel at the Milken Global Conference
For those who’ve been reading the paper and watching the tentatively promising numbers on Wall Street, this news may come as a shock. (more…)
Wi-Fi. Hi-def. Super-sized. 200GB. High protein. Low fat. With every brand getting upgraded to meet today’s newfangled demands, you might think there would be no room in the market for good old-fashioned values. That’s where you’d be mistaken. With so much hubris cluttering the shelves, a little bit of minimalism can offer weary customers a breath of fresh air. (more…)
Why are we here? A big question. Businesses should be profitable for their stakeholders and their employees, but in these desperate times, business must also give back. The needs of our society are so great and government is stretched beyond its capacity. A company that isn’t helping to make the world a better place – either through the inherent value of its product or service or through charitable giving – isn’t realizing its potential. “Doing well by doing good” is good for business, too. Because consumers also care that those they do business with are good citizens of the planet.
I’m sure there are many businesses out there that would like to practice this ethic but are unsure of how to go about it. That’s where 1% For The Planet comes in. Read on to learn how this mighty little organization is affecting big changes for our planet, and how your business can join in. (more…)
Slow food. Organic. Local produce. Healthful, sustainable food is no longer a trend; it’s become part of the nation’s social conscience, with even the First Family raising their own victory garden.
With 20 years’ experience in the market, Adaptive Plastics is taking the next step by introducing a modular greenhouse that makes growing so simple even those of us with brown thumbs can raise a bumper crop – for a fraction of the price of store-bought organics.
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One of the great things about technology is that it creates a level playing field. Just as Get Satisfaction helps small businesses get a handle on customer service, LegalZoom makes performing certain everyday legal tasks fast, efficient, and utterly affordable. Now even small entrepreneurs can jump in the game and play right alongside the big guys. And with the opportunity of the Great Recession upon us, the timing couldn’t be better.
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When the underlying basis of your business is philanthropic, it can be difficult to remain true to your original business model. But in this new economy, doing good is key to doing well: Customers care where their money goes. (more…)
When Anthony Holloway experienced lackluster customer service while buying specialty dog food, he didn’t gripe. Instead, he saw the experience for the opportunity it was. Holloway used other companies’ mistakes as a blueprint for what not to do, a strategy that saw his company become top dog, with a 50-percent growth each month in its first year. (more…)
As the national zeitgeist begins to embrace both environmentalism and thriftiness, Zipcar finds itself at quite a profitable intersection. The rent-as-you-go car company has developed a business model so successful that they’ve convinced some Americans to give up their most prized possession: their cars. (more…)
When money’s tight, eating out may seem like an unnecessary indulgence, especially when all the affordable options seem about as nutritious as a deep-fried Twinkie. That’s where sweetgreen comes in. By serving wholesome yet filling meals for less than $10 per person, the D.C.-based chain is changing the definition of fast food, one salad at a time. (more…)
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