Popularity is not a state of grace. In business, it is treasure hard-won on the battlefields of product development and marketing, then leveraged or squandered or stolen back. Most of the products and ideas showcased here—the stuff we buy, sell, and otherwise consume the most—owe their status in part to aggressive sales tactics, from knocking on doors to strong-arming grocers to gain the best shelf space. In its most potent and permanent form, however, popularity transcends sales pitches, advertising, fads, and maybe even conscious choice. One rarely reads or talks or thinks about peanut butter, yet Jif has eaten Skippy's lunch for 20 years, a sustained level of popularity that the iPhone can only dream about. While Jif rolls on, the iPhone—the most buzzworthy product of the last decade—will probably take its place amid the Palm and the Walkman in the great closeout bin in the sky. In short, if we have to think about a purchase, it's in a precarious position. The things we rarely pause to consider are the ones that stay on top.
www.yahoo.com
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Robin finds out LeBron pendant worth about 10000 thousands
We never know whats gonna happens and what is written in our destiny nobody knows..When Vaneisha Robinson bought a diamond studded pendant in the shape of LeBron James' number 23 jersey at a yard sale four years ago, basically she thought its a costume jewelry.
Robin said"I used to go to high school with it around my neck, not knowing the value of it,"
Robinson got curious about the pendant's value a few months ago when she noticed the diamonds were set in the same way real ones are. She took it to a local jewelry store for a once-over.
Jewelry store tested the diamonds and they told that it was real and that she should invest in getting it certified.
The pendant she paid $5 for four years ago is worth nearly $10,000. She's put the jewelry up for sale on eBay.
Despite the backlash caused by James' decision to leave the Cleveland Cavaliers and play for the Miami heat, Robinson believes the pendant will sell for top dollar.
Robin said"I used to go to high school with it around my neck, not knowing the value of it,"
Robinson got curious about the pendant's value a few months ago when she noticed the diamonds were set in the same way real ones are. She took it to a local jewelry store for a once-over.
Jewelry store tested the diamonds and they told that it was real and that she should invest in getting it certified.
The pendant she paid $5 for four years ago is worth nearly $10,000. She's put the jewelry up for sale on eBay.
Despite the backlash caused by James' decision to leave the Cleveland Cavaliers and play for the Miami heat, Robinson believes the pendant will sell for top dollar.
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Photo shoot : 10 hrs late
Lindsay Lohan may be blasting Bravo with accusations that producers set her up to make her look bad on last night's episode of Double Exposure, but an insider tells me that LiLo has no one to blame but herself.
"She was 10 hours late," the insider insists. "The show has actually been nice to her and only has her being eight hours late."
In her most recent Twitter tirade, the embattled actress claims she was purposely given a wrong calltime for a photo shoot being filmed for the new reality show to make it look like she messed up.
Read more: http://www.eonline.com/uberblog/marc_malkin/b187374_lindsay_lohan_was_10_hours_late_photo.html#ixzz0rkFT1c17
Thursday, May 6, 2010
5 things you should know about Starbucks
The Seattle company opened its first shop in 1971.
Starbucks is the coffee icon people either love or love to hate.
One of My friend name Patricia is addicted to
it...lol.. all these years later,
the coffee giant is still brewing up
addictive drinks and venti-sized controversy across the globe.
1) Logo: At close inspection, the Starbucks logo makes no sense. Since Starbucks was named after a nautical character, the original Starbucks logo was designed to reflect the seductive imagery of the sea. An early creative partner dug through old marine archives until he found an image of a siren from a 16th century Nordic woodcut. She was bare-breasted, twin-tailed and simply screamed, “Buy coffee!”
2)Nothing says marketing genius like an extremely vague literary reference. At
least that was the logic of Starbucks’ original founders — two teachers and a
writer — who chose to name their fledgling coffee bean business after a
supporting character in Moby-Dick.When the first Starbucks opened, it didn’t
sell coffee drinks, just beans. The founders wanted to name the place after Captain Ahab’s first mate Starbuck. Right… that guy. Before that, they considered naming it after Ahab’s boat, the Pequod, but changed their mind — according to a Starbucks spokesperson — when a friend tried out the tagline “Have a cup of Pequod.”
3) Every Corner:
You won't believe but there are over 16,700 Starbucks locations in more than
50 countries. During a particularly heady period in the late 1990s and early
aughts, Starbucks was opening a new store every workday.In 2008 and 2009, as millions of Starbucks customers lost their latte money — and their homes, cars and first born children — to the recession, the coffee giant was forced to shrink just a tad. It closed 771 stores worldwide and has plans to close a couple hundred more. Australia was particularly hard-hit, losing 61 of its 84 Starbucks in July 2008. At least they still have giant beer and koalas.But before you start feeling sorry for the Seattle-based mega-retailer, consider this statistic gathered by Harper’s magazine in 2002, confirming the nagging suspicion that Starbucks is stalking you: 68 of Manhattan’s 124 Starbucks are located within two blocks (!) of another Starbucks.
4) Hand in the Tip Jar:
Back in 2008, a San Diego judge ordered Starbucks to pay back $86 million in tips (plus interest) to over 100,000 of its California baristas. For years, Starbucks had a policy of spreading the tip jar love among all employees, even shift supervisors. The cash and coins (and occasional Skittles) were pooled weekly and divvied out according to how many hours the employee had clocked, adding up to an extra $1.71 an hour.
An ex-barista filed a class-action suit in 2006 citing that supervisors aren’t entitled to tips under California law. The Super Court judge agreed, and dropped the $105 million bomb on Starbucks in a curt four-paragraph ruling. Starbucks called the suit “fundamentally unfair and beyond all common sense and reason,” citing the fact that supervisors also make coffee and serve customers.
In a rare win for corporate American (ahem), the judge’s ruling was reversed a year later by the Court of Appeals, who agreed that supervisors “essentially perform the same job as baristas.” Just don’t tell that to their girlfriends.
5)The Starbucks-Peet’s Connection
Remember the first time you saw The Empire Strikes Back?
All you Peet’s Coffee & Tea fans are about to have your own one-hand Luke moment. Back in 1970, Starbucks co-founder Jerry Baldwin worked at the original Berkeley location of Peet’s, the creator of the American specialty coffee concept. When Baldwin and his buddies Zev Siegel and Gordon Bowker decided to open their own coffee shop in Seattle in 1971, they bought all their raw beans from Alfred Peet.
But here’s the kicker. Baldwin actually bought Peet’s in 1984, then he sold Starbucks in 1987. He was the chairman of Peet’s until 2001 when the store went public and he became the director. In other words, “Peet’s, I am your father!”
So if you’re one of those people who hates Starbucks and loves Peet’s Coffee & Tea or one of those people who hates Peet’s and loves the bux, it turns out you’re only hating yourself.
Starbucks is the coffee icon people either love or love to hate.
One of My friend name Patricia is addicted to
it...lol.. all these years later,
the coffee giant is still brewing up
addictive drinks and venti-sized controversy across the globe.
1) Logo: At close inspection, the Starbucks logo makes no sense. Since Starbucks was named after a nautical character, the original Starbucks logo was designed to reflect the seductive imagery of the sea. An early creative partner dug through old marine archives until he found an image of a siren from a 16th century Nordic woodcut. She was bare-breasted, twin-tailed and simply screamed, “Buy coffee!”
2)Nothing says marketing genius like an extremely vague literary reference. At
least that was the logic of Starbucks’ original founders — two teachers and a
writer — who chose to name their fledgling coffee bean business after a
supporting character in Moby-Dick.When the first Starbucks opened, it didn’t
sell coffee drinks, just beans. The founders wanted to name the place after Captain Ahab’s first mate Starbuck. Right… that guy. Before that, they considered naming it after Ahab’s boat, the Pequod, but changed their mind — according to a Starbucks spokesperson — when a friend tried out the tagline “Have a cup of Pequod.”
3) Every Corner:
You won't believe but there are over 16,700 Starbucks locations in more than
50 countries. During a particularly heady period in the late 1990s and early
aughts, Starbucks was opening a new store every workday.In 2008 and 2009, as millions of Starbucks customers lost their latte money — and their homes, cars and first born children — to the recession, the coffee giant was forced to shrink just a tad. It closed 771 stores worldwide and has plans to close a couple hundred more. Australia was particularly hard-hit, losing 61 of its 84 Starbucks in July 2008. At least they still have giant beer and koalas.But before you start feeling sorry for the Seattle-based mega-retailer, consider this statistic gathered by Harper’s magazine in 2002, confirming the nagging suspicion that Starbucks is stalking you: 68 of Manhattan’s 124 Starbucks are located within two blocks (!) of another Starbucks.
4) Hand in the Tip Jar:
Back in 2008, a San Diego judge ordered Starbucks to pay back $86 million in tips (plus interest) to over 100,000 of its California baristas. For years, Starbucks had a policy of spreading the tip jar love among all employees, even shift supervisors. The cash and coins (and occasional Skittles) were pooled weekly and divvied out according to how many hours the employee had clocked, adding up to an extra $1.71 an hour.
An ex-barista filed a class-action suit in 2006 citing that supervisors aren’t entitled to tips under California law. The Super Court judge agreed, and dropped the $105 million bomb on Starbucks in a curt four-paragraph ruling. Starbucks called the suit “fundamentally unfair and beyond all common sense and reason,” citing the fact that supervisors also make coffee and serve customers.
In a rare win for corporate American (ahem), the judge’s ruling was reversed a year later by the Court of Appeals, who agreed that supervisors “essentially perform the same job as baristas.” Just don’t tell that to their girlfriends.
5)The Starbucks-Peet’s Connection
Remember the first time you saw The Empire Strikes Back?
All you Peet’s Coffee & Tea fans are about to have your own one-hand Luke moment. Back in 1970, Starbucks co-founder Jerry Baldwin worked at the original Berkeley location of Peet’s, the creator of the American specialty coffee concept. When Baldwin and his buddies Zev Siegel and Gordon Bowker decided to open their own coffee shop in Seattle in 1971, they bought all their raw beans from Alfred Peet.
But here’s the kicker. Baldwin actually bought Peet’s in 1984, then he sold Starbucks in 1987. He was the chairman of Peet’s until 2001 when the store went public and he became the director. In other words, “Peet’s, I am your father!”
So if you’re one of those people who hates Starbucks and loves Peet’s Coffee & Tea or one of those people who hates Peet’s and loves the bux, it turns out you’re only hating yourself.
Monday, May 3, 2010
$17K Diamond Ring Found at Thrift Store
A retired jeweler sorting through items donated to a Pennsylvania charity spotted one fabulous find: a 2.6-carat diamond and platinum ring.Officials from Goodwill Industries say the ring has been appraised at $17,600, making it the most expensive item ever donated to Goodwill Industries Keystone Area.
The ring was discovered last week by retired jeweler Barry Landis, who has sorted through donated jewelry in Goodwill's Harrisburg distribution center for the last two years.Most of it is costume jewelry, but the donated diamond shone through.
www.ktla.com
The ring was discovered last week by retired jeweler Barry Landis, who has sorted through donated jewelry in Goodwill's Harrisburg distribution center for the last two years.Most of it is costume jewelry, but the donated diamond shone through.
www.ktla.com
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Amost 15 Millions people take dip in the Ganga
Nearly 1.45 crore pilgrims took a dip in the Ganga on Wednesday, the day of the last royal bath during the Mahakumbh in Haridwar.
The mela administration made elaborate security arrangements for the fourth and last royal bath of the Mahakumbh with 25 companies of PAC, 20 companies of RPF, 10 companies each of RAF and ITBP being deployed at the mela area.
The mela administration made elaborate security arrangements for the fourth and last royal bath of the Mahakumbh with 25 companies of PAC, 20 companies of RPF, 10 companies each of RAF and ITBP being deployed at the mela area.
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Dancing With the Stars
The actress was the first celebrity eliminated from the new season of the hit ABC show. She and professional partner Mark Ballas were axed during Tuesday's episode.
"Dancing isn't really my thing," she said after learning her fate. "I did it for my dad."
The 38-year-old "Charmed" and "90210" star said on last week's season premiere that she joined the "Dancing" cast to honor her father, a big fan of the show who recently suffered a stroke. He sat in the audience, watching his daughter perform.
"Dancing isn't really my thing," she said after learning her fate. "I did it for my dad."
The 38-year-old "Charmed" and "90210" star said on last week's season premiere that she joined the "Dancing" cast to honor her father, a big fan of the show who recently suffered a stroke. He sat in the audience, watching his daughter perform.
Saturday, January 30, 2010
5 Reasons Not to Get an iPad Too Soon
1. Bugs happen. It is almost inevitable that there will be a slew of complaints once the first wave of iPads hits the streets. Some complaints are more trivial than others, but better to let other users play Guinea pig for you. If it works as described--awesome! Get one the second month, or even the second week after the dust settles.
2. iPhone OS 4.0. Remember the lack of 3G wireless, Exchange messaging support, or the ability to copy and paste text from the original iPhone? The iPhone has improved steadily with each release of the OS and rumors suggest that version 4.0 will have a number of improvements you will want for your iPad.
3. Missing Features. The iPad was expected by many to include a camera. Not so much so you can hold your 10-inch iPad up and snap a photo of your goldfish, but to provide a webcam and video conferencing capability for the device.
4.The entry level price of $499 seems quite reasonable, but things change and prices drop. Perhaps Apple will find that nobody is willing to pay extra for 3G connectivity, phase out the Wi-Fi only models and offer the Wi-Fi plus 3G iPads for the same low price, or maybe after the initial euphoria wears off Apple will cut prices to jumpstart sales as it did with the iPhone. It could happen.
5. Improved E-Reader, but it also lacks some of the annotating, bookmarking, and cross-platform syncing found on competing e-readers. Apple is bound to tweak and improve the e-reader functionality over time.
When it comes to some things that can be altered with a simple operating system update, early adopters have little to fear. However, if the iPad 2.0 ends up having a camera, faster processor, and expandable memory no amount of syncing with iTunes will fix that for the original iPad owners.
Keep that between us, though. We don't want everyone flooding Craigslist with iPads and driving prices down.
2. iPhone OS 4.0. Remember the lack of 3G wireless, Exchange messaging support, or the ability to copy and paste text from the original iPhone? The iPhone has improved steadily with each release of the OS and rumors suggest that version 4.0 will have a number of improvements you will want for your iPad.
3. Missing Features. The iPad was expected by many to include a camera. Not so much so you can hold your 10-inch iPad up and snap a photo of your goldfish, but to provide a webcam and video conferencing capability for the device.
4.The entry level price of $499 seems quite reasonable, but things change and prices drop. Perhaps Apple will find that nobody is willing to pay extra for 3G connectivity, phase out the Wi-Fi only models and offer the Wi-Fi plus 3G iPads for the same low price, or maybe after the initial euphoria wears off Apple will cut prices to jumpstart sales as it did with the iPhone. It could happen.
5. Improved E-Reader, but it also lacks some of the annotating, bookmarking, and cross-platform syncing found on competing e-readers. Apple is bound to tweak and improve the e-reader functionality over time.
When it comes to some things that can be altered with a simple operating system update, early adopters have little to fear. However, if the iPad 2.0 ends up having a camera, faster processor, and expandable memory no amount of syncing with iTunes will fix that for the original iPad owners.
Keep that between us, though. We don't want everyone flooding Craigslist with iPads and driving prices down.
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Apple iPad Pressure on AT&T
As AT&T prepares to provide high-speed connections for the new tablet-style computer, it's redoubling efforts to make its network more reliable.
ASteve Jobs unveiled the tablet-style iPad computer Jan. 27, many of his pronouncements were greeted with cheers. In contrast, his revelation that AT&T (T) would be the exclusive U.S. provider of high-speed wireless connections for the Internet-capable device was met with audible sighs.
The reaction reflects dismay with the performance of AT&T's wireless network and concern that adding the iPad will only add to the strain. AT&T is the exclusive U.S. carrier of Apple's iPhone, a device that already places heavy bandwidth demands on AT&T's equipment. Even executives of the phone company concede the network isn't up to snuff in New York and San Francisco. "Consumers may expect more from their iPad than the network can deliver at this point," says Shira Levine, an analyst with Infonetics, a telecommunications market research firm. "There's potential for more consumer dissatisfaction."
ASteve Jobs unveiled the tablet-style iPad computer Jan. 27, many of his pronouncements were greeted with cheers. In contrast, his revelation that AT&T (T) would be the exclusive U.S. provider of high-speed wireless connections for the Internet-capable device was met with audible sighs.
The reaction reflects dismay with the performance of AT&T's wireless network and concern that adding the iPad will only add to the strain. AT&T is the exclusive U.S. carrier of Apple's iPhone, a device that already places heavy bandwidth demands on AT&T's equipment. Even executives of the phone company concede the network isn't up to snuff in New York and San Francisco. "Consumers may expect more from their iPad than the network can deliver at this point," says Shira Levine, an analyst with Infonetics, a telecommunications market research firm. "There's potential for more consumer dissatisfaction."
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