India’s Development – Not the Tata Nano

Many of you have been ranting on my previous Tata Nano post about equal opportunity. I will go on record and synthesize my point of view here: I have no problem if people own cars and don’t drive them. Rich or poor. If the car is a status symbol that they need to show off

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Trend Radar 2008: Offshoring

Did you know, China now offshores manufacturing to Vietnam? If Pakistan behaved itself, may be India would start offshoring some call-centers over! In 2008, outsourcing, offshoring and globalization are likely to continue as major trends. Rising wages in the most popular offshore centers (especially Bangalore), are eroding the cost advantage that drove this business to

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Star Professor Lewin

Have a look at this beautiful story from NYTimes on how MIT’s OCW program has made an international star out of Physics Professor H.G. Lewin. Gives me hope, when a Physics professor is celebrated rather than the empty-brained celebrities discussed on PopSugar.

Blue Nile Needs to Up-Sell

Back in May I rated Blue Nile (NILE), the leading online retailer of diamonds and fine jewelry, very well in terms of Web 3.0. Blue Nile takes the approach of providing in-depth educational content and vertical search tools that aim to make consumers feel in control of the jewelry shopping process. Many males will admit

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Web 3.0 & MSN (Part 2)

Vertical Strategy MSN (an abbreviation of Microsoft Network) is a collection of Internet services provided by Microsoft. MSN provides a range of Internet services and it services have changed significantly since its release. We will take a look at the Company’s various online businesses below, with a special emphasis on its verticals. Horizontal Search MSN

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Turning Around LeapFrog: CEO Jeff Katz (Part 10)

SM: Do you work with foundations? JK: We do. We do not have what I call a structured program with any one foundation. What we have done in the past, in fact annually we do something with one or more foundations. SM: Given the strength is in the reading area, and Bill Gates is spending

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Turning Around LeapFrog: CEO Jeff Katz (Part 9)

SM: In the next 10 years, do you see LeapFrog morphing into more of an online company as opposed to a toy company? JK: I think we will be more of a content company, and by that virtue, I think we will be more online. SM: At some level these chips may not be necessary.

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Pioneering Video Conferencing: Polycom CEO Bob Hagerty (Part 10)

SM: How would that work? The doctor’s office has to buy the Polycom suite? BH: The best example I have seen is Escorts Hospital in India. There, the population is not served well in rural areas. They have outreach clinics and they have our device in a regional center. People will come into the regional

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