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GM and Segway today unveiled the PUMA, a people-mover that resembles a genetically modified wheelchair. The vehicle, which is controlled wirelessly, goes up to 35mph, but looks like it would crumple if a Hummer came within ten feet of it. The Wall Street Journal reports: General Motors Corp. is teaming with Segway Inc., maker of […]
Incompetence is a national epidemic. Kids leave high school not knowing how to spell, C-level executives think they can supercede macroeconomic laws, government executives practically sell incompetence wholesale. Fortunately, incompetence has definable roots. Identifying these roots helps companies peg where they are breeding incompetence, then modify their shortcomings to benefit of both managers and employees. […]
Calyon Securities banking analyst Mike Mayo released a report entitled “Seven Deadly Sins of Banking” today. In it, Mayo says that US banks’ loan losses could hit the 5.5% mark by 2010–that’s 2.1% higher than during the Great Depression in 1934. The Wall Street Journal has more details: Mayo titled his report “Seven Deadly Sins […]
Gold, formerly a losing proposition, is experiencing a revival as investors scurry to inflation-proof their assets. A smaller industry lurks in the shadow of bullion and maple leaf coins. It is the edible gold industry, which invests only in appetite and opulence. Here are 10 ways that people eat their gold: 1. Gold Brick Chicken […]
The Group of 20, or G-20, is a coalition made up of the countries that make up 85% of the world economy. In light of the ongoing crisis, this year’s G-20 conference is especially important. It could result in globally coordinated bailout action, new power for the IMF, and new global regulations. However, if personal […]
Let me ask you a quick question: What demographic comes up with the best April Fool’s pranks? College students? Internet pranksters? Independently funded joke-lovers? You might be surprised to find that companies–including media outlets–comes up with some of the most creative and believable pranks of all. Here’s a list of the 10 most hilarious April […]
Update: This story is a hoax. Nice work, Mark Stephens. More here. Google Cheat View is an informal new use for Google Streetview. The Sun reports that a wife caught her husband cheating when she found his Range Rover parked at her friend’s house through Google Streetview. The husband had claimed he was away on […]
Fiat’s coolest creation Reading about Obama’s Chrysler/Fiat restructuring mandate made me wonder: What’s in it for Fiat? Quite a bit, it turns out (from ANSA): Fiat in January signed a preliminary non-binding agreement with the struggling American carmaker (Chrysler) to create a global partnership in the production and distribution of automobiles and other motor vehicles. […]
Today’s IBM layoffs have a different nuance than most corporate axings. The company is transferring most of its global business services unit to India. From the Wall Street Journal: International Business Machines Corp. plans to lay off about 5,000 U.S. employees, with many of the jobs being transferred to India, according to people familiar with […]
AIG Financial Products VP Jake DeSantis sent his open resignation letter to the New York Times, which published it last night. Here’s the first part: DEAR Mr. Liddy, It is with deep regret that I submit my notice of resignation from A.I.G. Financial Products. I hope you take the time to read this entire letter. […]
