I read at businessweek.com yesterday about the new book In-N-Out Burger: Professionalizing Fast-Food by Stacy Perman. She tells the story of the enormous success this business has had and points out it has been due primarily to the vision of the deceased founders Harry and Esther Snyder, the management qualities and the great treatment of its employees.

Living in California for many years and having two family members that work there for 6-8 years I can attest firsthand they are amazing from the customer perspective. They beat any fast-food chain out there hands down…

What a great snapshot from Pew Internet of who’s online and why technology is not for just certain segments but it is affecting all walks of life! This is HUGE for those of us in business.

A series of charts related to the “Generations Online in 2009″ report released on Jan. 28, 2009.

After reading a blog post by Seth Godin today discussing the first question every web designer must ask I said, amen Seth…but there is an even more important question that needs to be asked in my opinion that really starts with the client NOT the web designer.

I have had a web development company for over 13 years now and have been a digital marketing consultant before it became cool One of the greatest web presence problems I have encountered when it comes to designing a web site is…

Check out my video where I share with you my findings from the phone survey I did with small business owners…

Today I read this on E-Commerce Times…
[The king of the video rental stores, Blockbuster, is struggling for survival as its business model falters against competition from Netflix and Internet distribution of films. Still, the company has managed to persuade lenders to rejigger its financing, holding back the threat of bankruptcy for the time being.]

The explanation cited in the article for Blockbusters demise was the main reasons they are in trouble was because of Internet distribution and sinking franchises. Of course Netflix was also on their blame radar.

Yes, I…

I read today in Yahoo finance the $819 billion House bill, the so-called “Buy American” provision passed Wednesday. It will with some notable exceptions, ensure that only U.S.-produced iron and steel be used for construction. It expands on a 76-year-old federal law. The Senate, which is likely to take up stimulus next week, would go even further, effectively requiring that any products and equipment be American-made.

Of course, the European Commission said it might challenge such a move if it were signed into law. The proposal also appears to fly in the face of a G-20 agreement reached in November, when world leaders decided not to raise new trade barriers in 2009.

Hat’s off to Senator Bryon Dorgan, D-N.D.who wrote the provision.”The Buy American provision will help stimulate our own economy,” he told CNNMoney. “When taxpayer dollars are used, we should urge that money to support the things produced here at home.”

I totally agree with him and others who believe our country should look after ourselves now. We are always helping everyone else in the world (which is something I love about our country) but its time for America to take care of her affairs and her people first or we won’t be around to help others in the world.

Count me in to do everything in my personal power to buy American made products to support American owned business! I for one am pretty tired of our leaders selling out our best interest for special interest. I am not too naive to know foreign powers pretty much own America. But…they don’t own us Americans and I put my money on the American people and the grace God has on us.

How about you? Will you support Made in America?

P.S. Here is the story is you would like to read it…
‘Buy American’ – Sparks Fly