One window into the nature of the current recession and the uncertainty that it’s causing is through the fancy curtains at the Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts. The revenue per available room (the hospitality industry’s key financial measure) is down 25% year-to-date and for the first time in its history, the hotel management company has [...]

Economics lacks meteorology’s scientific basis, although many economists make their money forecasting where the business cycle is headed (albeit with less success than weather channels). This economist has little faith in economic predictions today as they are based primarily on past trends and relationships, captured through rigorous econometric models. The depth of this recession, its [...]

If  your business can’t offer its target market(s) differentiated benefits that matter, recognize that your business is stuck in a quicksand called commoditization. Endless cost cutting to survive the recession-magnified price discounting will only push you deeper into the muck, making it even harder to escape competing on price. You only have three smart options: [...]

Image via Wikipedia IT technology companies filled business page news the last few months with press releases leading us to rethink what business these companies are really in. Cisco is moving into HP’s market space. Dell with acquisition funds in hand is soon to follow. Intel whose margins are terribly low for a company so [...]