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Continue reading Can Wal-Mart keep its recession-era customers in the future?

02 07 2009

Can Wal-Mart keep its recession-era customers in the future?

Posted by: in Companies Competitive Strategy

Filed under: Competitive strategy, Wal-Mart (WMT)

When Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE: WMT) changed its corporate slogan from “Always Low Prices” to “Save Money. Live Better” over a year ago, tiny did the retailer know that a recession would pour many new customers into its doors for bargains. With millions of families still strapped for cash, the retailer is still booking green at a time when many retailers are seeing red on the bottom line. The question, then, becomes this: can Wal-Mart retain its newer customer legions once the economy returns to normal (whatever normal is)?

Can Wal-Mart keep its recession-era customers in the future? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 30 Jun 2009 17:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Continue reading GE invests in Michigan, USA — new technology center

02 07 2009

GE invests in Michigan, USA — new technology center

Posted by: in Companies Competitive Strategy

Filed under: Good news, Products and services, Industry, Rants and raves, Competitive strategy, General Electric (GE), Workspace

The federal government, for superior or worse, has been increasing the money supply as fast as it can in an attempt to prevent a collapse of our financial system, stabilize the housing market, improve the employment outlook and rehabilitate our nations infrastructure.

Most economists have some fear of inflation as a result of this, even if the fear isn’t for three to five years. To combat the increase in money supply we need to balance it out with an increase in productivity.

GE invests in Michigan, USA — new technology center originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 30 Jun 2009 16:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Google argues that it isn’t really that massive after all

01 07 2009

Google argues that it isn’t really that big after all

Posted by: in Companies Competitive Strategy

Filed under: Competitive strategy, Google (GOOG)

Google, Inc. (NASDAQ: GOOG) is the largest search provider on the entire internet. It handles more advertising than any other company in the world and is extending its reach into multiple areas still to today, including several disruptive on the web areas. Yet, the behemoth still thinks it’s not that large in the grand scheme of things. Do you agree?

Google argues that it isn’t really that huge after all originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 30 Jun 2009 16:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Continue reading Energy billionaire strikes again with Enterprise-Teppco deal

01 07 2009

Energy billionaire strikes again with Enterprise-Teppco deal

Posted by: in Companies Competitive Strategy

Filed under: Deals, Competitive strategy

Dan Duncan, who is a billionaire, understands the importance of patience (especially in creating lots of wealth). An example of this is his latest deal; that’s, his company, Enterprise Products Partners LP (NYSE: EPD), has been pursuing Teppco Partners LP (NYSE: TPP) since March. At that time, Duncan offered about $2.8 billion for the company. And yes, according to the senior management at Teppco, it was too low.

Well, after some wrangling, there’s now a deal. Of course, the price tag is higher — at $3.3 billion (it’s a stock-for-stock swap).

Energy billionaire strikes again with Enterprise-Teppco deal originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 30 Jun 2009 13:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Dell developing a pocket Web pal?

30 06 2009

Dell developing a pocket Web pal?

Posted by: in Companies Competitive Strategy

Filed under: Competitive strategy, Google (GOOG), Apple Inc (AAPL), Dell (DELL)

According to The Wall Street Journal, Dell (NASDAQ: DELL) is developing a pocket-sized electronic device to be used for connecting to the internet. The “gadget” would use Google’s (NASDAQ: GOOG) Android software. Reportedly, the device will be slightly more massive than Apple’s (NASDAQ: AAPL) iPod touch, and Dell may start selling the device later this year. That stated, the story’s source noted that the plan could be delayed or scrapped entirely.

The importance of this potential device should not be lost, as it is one of the first experiments by a major Computer maker in the world of mobile world wide web devices (MID). These devices are seen as bridges over the gap between smartphones and laptops.

Dell developing a pocket Web pal? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 30 Jun 2009 09:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Justice Department pushes back on Continental immunity request

30 06 2009

Justice Department pushes back on Continental immunity request

Posted by: in Companies Competitive Strategy

Filed under: International markets, Industry, Competitive strategy, AMR Corp (AMR), Contl Airlines’B’ (CAL), UAL Corp (UAUA), Delta Air Lines (DAL)

Continental Airlines (NYSE: CAL) is seeking immunity from antitrust laws to work more closely with United Airlines (NASDAQ: UAUA) and others on international routes. And, since airlines operate in a say of seemingly perpetual turmoil, what’s the harm? According to the Justice Department: plenty.

The airline sought broad immunity as part of an effort to join Star Alliance, which includes US Airways, Lufthansa (OTC: DLAKY), and Air Canada — along with United. Continental believes that it needs to join Star Alliance in order to remain competitive, especially with airlines that have this type of immunity already.

Justice Department pushes back on Continental immunity request originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 30 Jun 2009 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Birdfeed: A slick Twitter client for your iPhone

29 06 2009

Birdfeed: A slick Twitter client for your iPhone

Posted by: in Services

Filed under: Web services, Commercial, Social Software, iPhone, web 2.0

Over the past year, there’s been something of a gold-rush for Twitter clients on the iPhone. From Twitterrific to Twitterfon, Tweetie to the recently-launched TweetDeck, there’s a bucketload of apps to let you use Twitter on the go. Today sees the launch of another challenger for space on your homescreen: Birdfeed [iTunes Link]: “A very nice Twitter client for your iPhone”.

In trying Birdfeed this evening, it’s clear that a big amount of time has been spent on the application from the exceptional icons (similar in style to those in another Download Squad favourite-app, Things) to some smart touches. Here’s just some that caught my eye:

a small dot in the ‘Compose Tweet’ button to show the presence of a draft
a super-handy ‘home’ button that takes you back to your original list of tweets when you’re drilling-down in the options
the auto-loading of more tweets once you reach the bottom of the list
integration with services like Favrd.

It’s worth noting that Birdfeed doesn’t do totally everything you might see in other clients. However that’s of little concern to me quite frankly, as it features all the options I need on the go. Birdfeed is extremely well designed, super-snappy and well worth the $4.99 price. I know, we’re fickle here at Download Squad when it comes to Twitter clients. However if you’re wanting a slick new Twitter client, Birdfeed gets our thumbs up.

Birdfeed: A slick Twitter client for your iPhone originally appeared on Download Squad on Mon, 29 Jun 2009 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Continue reading Best Purchase welcomes new CEO Dunn, the prince of ‘connectivity’

29 06 2009

Best Purchase welcomes new CEO Dunn, the prince of ‘connectivity’

Posted by: in Companies Competitive Strategy

Filed under: Management, Competitive strategy, Best Buy (BBY)

Last week, Best Purchase Inc. (NYSE: BBY) CEO Brad Anderson ceded the throne to 24-year Best Purchase vet Brian Dunn, who took over as CEO. Dunn, who started with the largest consumer electronics chain in the U.S. by belting out the theme to Miami Vice to amp up home theater sales in the 1980s, has said that he wants to “connect” every consumer that steps inside Best Buy’s doors. That’s, make sure wireless phones, PCs, and home theater become the chain’s biggest opportunities. In other words, take advantage of the “three screens of opportunity.”

Ideal Buy welcomes new CEO Dunn, the prince of ‘connectivity’ originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 29 Jun 2009 10:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Entrepreneur’s Journal: Gain new business … with referrals

29 06 2009

Entrepreneur’s Journal: Gain new business … with referrals

Posted by: in Companies Competitive Strategy

Filed under: Competitive strategy, Google (GOOG), Yahoo! (YHOO), Small business

Yodle helps companies drum up new business by managing on the web advertising campaigns, such as through Google (NASDAQ: GOOG), Yahoo! (NASDAQ: YHOO), and other ad networks.

And Yodle has continued to grow despite the recession. In fact, the company has attracted venture capital from top firms like Bessemer Venture Partners, Draper Fisher Jurvetson, and JAFCO Ventures.

How does Yodle do it? One reason is referrals. Actually, about a third of Yodle’s revenues come from referrals. In all, the company pays $200 for each new customer.

Entrepreneur’s Journal: Gain new business … with referrals originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sun, 28 Jun 2009 17:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.