We have been very conservative in my own business, and therefore while that means we have missed a few opportunities, it also means we have avoided some tough problems that is associated with taking bad business risks, or too much aggressiveness.

I believe ditto for these companies.

But while no layoffs is commendable, that should not be the goal of an employee.

Look rather for companies that is tough enough to let go of people who don’t perform.  It is these companies that are also growing enough to present opportunities for growth - which should be what a good employee should be looking for in a company.

No layoffs — ever! - Nugget Market (1) - FORTUNE

The global financial crisis has led many companies to slice payrolls, but these employers are staying loyal. Meet 9 of this year’s Best Companies that, as of mid-January, have never had a layoff.

I know. It is difficult.

But in times of crisis, you want to do everything to get rid of unproductive or bad employees, but you still want to retain the good ones.

I’m sure the terms of the bonuses were agreed upon during easier times, and when the person does what he can to hit his goals, you just have to give him something, can’t you?

After all, you need to save, but you also can’t stop spending to do what you can because in times of crisis, and especially in bad times, it will still be good employees that will pull you through.

Obama scolds Wall St. executives over bonuses - Jan. 29, 2009

Obama, his vice president and chief spokesman all fired off statements voicing outrage after the New York comptroller reported $18.4 billion in 2008 bonus payouts at a time when taxpayers’ money was shoring up a financial system in crisis.

It is not easy to find many entrepreneurs who were successful 2 or 3 times in a row.

Many are qualified, but sometimes hitting the home run requires timing, and some good luck!  You can learn the basics, and not fail, but hitting the top is never guaranteed.

Microsoft founder’s cable company in a debt bind (AP) by AP: Yahoo! Tech

Allen, 56, who started Microsoft with Bill Gates in 1975, once ranked as the world’s third-richest person, with a $30 billion fortune in 1999, according to Forbes magazine. But he has had a mixed record as an investor, which is reflected in his decline on the Forbes rich list. Last year Allen was No. 41, with an estimated $16 billion in holdings.

Allen has plowed his money into such diverse targets as DreamWorks SKG, the Seattle Seahawks and the Science Fiction Museum and Hall of Fame. He had success with USA Networks and CNET, and failures with Priceline, Egghead.com and online retailer Value America. But Charter may be his biggest disappointment.

In the late 90s, we found out that just because you invest in internet or tack a dot com name does not mean that you have a better business.

A lot has been said also in innovation, but again, that is part of the business.  The quality of management, products, and the vision of the company, as well as the execution, as well as timing are also important things that should not be ignored.

Buzzwords, are just that , buzzwords.

Some people will get a breakthrough, some people will die trying.

In short, some people will get lucky, and just because they do, does not mean that you will too.

Why Innovation Could Not Save Nortel - BusinessWeek

Two years ago managers of Nortel Networks (NT) unveiled a risky wager to transform the troubled telecom equipment maker through innovation and design. Their agenda included modernizing research and development, creating so-called future-proof gear, and experimenting with emerging technologies ranging form virtual worlds to Web 2.0. “We’re not tweaking; we’re turning Nortel on its head,” John Roese, Nortel’s chief technology officer, said last August, describing the changes underway.

Chinese businesses may be in for some very bad adjustments.

For the last 15 or so years, they have just known rapid growth.

A lot of businesses go in without safety nets, or even plan B.

A lot of them are a little bit overextended.

maybe a lot of people also have not a good financial base because they have only known growth….

Advice for Struggling Business Owners in China - BusinessWeek

The global financial crisis is taking its toll on small Chinese exporters. Survival means diversifying customer bases

I had a good talk with an entrepreneur whom I hold in high esteem,and the talk invariably moved towards American politics, and particularly the candidacy of Sarah Palin.

My friend does not hold her in high regard and it was obvious. He values being smart, intelligent and competence, and it was obvious he felt Sarah has none of those qualities.

When I said that she might run for the presidence come 2012, he said,

“Well, it might as well. Barack Obama might well be very difficult to defeat come 2012 unless he does something stupid, so the other party might as well not be able to get a credible candidate to contest him, and Palin might jump at the chance.”

“But if she wants to even have a chinaman’s chance to win, she has to work hard int he next four years to gain the semblance of being smart and competent.

I am saying gain the semblance because unless you have the right foundation already, it is kind of difficult to become smart or intelligent in just four years.“

I’m sure we are willing to wait a long time before our kids or our employees become smarter or competent, but it might just be a quality that is not easily learned.” - I was thinking.

There are some ….

Health care because more people are stressed out…

shoe Repair because people are walking more and not buying new shoes.

Budget hostels because people are down classing….

Discount stores because people are looking for better prices.

Online reservations because people are looking for bargains.

Lawyers ( gosh!) - why do people have to spend for expensive lawyers when they run out of money….

I just talked to a friend who says more people are writing books because they have more time….

more people may also be going to school to learn new skills, or just fill the time.

maybe more videos and games because people want to go out less.

Recession? Not for These Businesses - BusinessWeek

While the U.S. recession is largely a story of bank failures, job losses, and consumer penny-pinching, the downturn is also stimulating sections of the economy that run counter to such economic cycles. People look to repair, not replace. Workers switch industries, seeking recession havens where possible such as health care and education.

I just read that Mama Mia! ( an ABBA musical) starring Meryl Streep has just become the all time highest grossing movie in the United Kingdom, even overtaking 1997’s Titanic from the top spot.

This is a pretty mean feat ( I like Mama Mia! and while it grossed well, it hardly registered, in my own estimates not even in the top 50 highest grossing movie of all time)…

It also sold 1.7 copies of DVd sales in its first day, again another record.

The other thing of course is that Mama Mia the musical has been playing in the London stages since 1999.

So that means the people like the musical, so went to see the movie. and they like the movie, so they bought the DVD.

What do they say about overexposure?

Just read a newspaper article whose title is ” It is time to stop Improvising our way out of trouble.”

It just reminds me that it is what many people, and company do.  They fail to plan, and relies on their skills of snaking out of issues as it happens. IN a way, it is a great skill, but it also means that people rely on it too much and fail to anticipate and be proactive, then it is no good.

Global uncertainty or not, If you know what the consumers want or need, the consumer probably will still allocate their money for you!

November video game sales near $3 billion (AP) by AP: Yahoo! Tech

U.S. retail sales of video game hardware, software and accessories jumped 10 percent last month from the year-ago period to $2.91 billion, boosted by strong sales of Nintendo Co.’s Wii, Microsoft Corp.’s Xbox 360 and the alien shooter game “Gears of War 2.”