Few things are more important in business than customer opinions, as they help entrepreneurs shape strategies for product development, sales, marketing and customer service. One of the best gauges of customer opinion is the Net Promoter Score (NPS), which is based on a simple question: How likely are you to recommend <COMPANY> to a …
Curious CapitalistFederal Reserve
Money Talking: Has the Fed Run out of Tools?
Does the Fed have any weapons still left in it’s arsenal to help the economy? How much will the drought drive up food prices this year? For thoughts on this, as well as how much steam the U.S. Manufacturing boom still has left, check out WNYC’s Money Talking with myself and Joe Nocera.
New Score Says You Have Better Credit, But Will It Get You a Mortgage?
The recession and its aftermath, including stubbornly high unemployment, did a number on Americans’ credit scores. The average person’s credit score is 655, according to Credit Karma. Unfortunately, the average credit score you’ll need to get a mortgage is 764, or 770 if you want to refinance. Into this gap, two companies have partnered …
7 Myths About the Economy, Jobs, Taxes and Small Business
America’s Got Talent is the No. 1 show. Spider-Man is the No. 1 movie. “Call Me Maybe” is the top song in the country. Who’s the most popular guy in Washington, D.C.?
Why, me! The small-business guy. Everyone’s buzzing about …
Making Personal Finance Cool to Kids
Financial education has garnered new attention in the post-recession world. Now schools, non-profits and financial institutions are partnering to find ways to make personal finance cool to kids, all the way from kindergarten to …
Baby Boomers Like Discounts – Just Not the ‘Senior Discount’
The senior members of the Baby Boom generation are turning 65 at a clip of roughly 10,000 per day. Even so, the generation famous for being at the center of the “youth culture” of the ’60s, doesn’t particularly like to think of …
Driver Consensus: It’s Silly to Upgrade Cars Every Couple of Years
Today’s car buyers are in it for the long haul. Earlier this year, a report indicated that drivers could be expected to hang onto a new car for an average of six years after purchase, up from four years not long ago. According to …
401(k) Loan Defaults Soar, Stirring Call for Insurance
Billions of dollars are leaking out of 401(k) plans as workers lose their jobs and cannot repay loans from their plans. This has stirred some to call for insurance policies that would restore 401(k) money lost through loans that …
Oregon Senator Jeff Merkley’s Plan to Get Homeowners Treading Water
There have been some positive signs for the housing market lately, with many saying that real estate has finally hit bottom. The end of relentlessly falling real estate prices will have a positive effect on the economy by …
How Low Can Facebook Go?
Facebook shares have fallen 36% since the IPO, which generated $9 billion for company insiders. “It has become a show-me story,” one analyst said.
Need for Speed
Glamorizing cheap fashion costs more than you think
Set Ground Rules for Your Global Team
Managers of global teams need to make special considerations to ensure everyone is able to contribute, regardless of their culture or location. Here’s how: