July
2006
Western executives have gotten many things wrong when they've attempted to expand their businesses into the Islamic world, says John L. Esposito, a longtime expert on the region. But there are abundant opportunities to succeed there, even amid all of the current tensions. In this wide-ranging interview, Esposito tackles common misperceptions about Islam and reveals such things as how to socialize in a dry country -- and the best way to close a deal.
People who are otherwise thoughtful and reasonably intelligent can take appalling risks -- and make really bad decisions -- when it comes to the important task of managing their investments. A study of the Thai stock exchange explores why.
Proposals to increase the federal minimum wage continue to come before Congress, and continue to generate intense controversy. Opponents of hiking the wage say it will victimize small-business owners. But is that the case? Gallup's chief economist isn't so sure. In this Q&A, he assesses the potential impact of a minimum wage hike on the economy and explores other pressing issues, such as illegal immigration and job offshoring.
There's no easier way for a company to generate buzz than by launching new products. And Wall Street sure loves to hail businesses for their creativity and innovation. But is churning out one new offering after another really effective? What happens when every pizza chain decides to offer a stuffed-crust pizza and every cellphone maker develops a slim Razr clone?
Over the past decade, many organizations have designed their buildings to encourage conversations and interaction. They want employees to socialize -- a lot. This excerpt from the upcoming book Vital Friends, by bestselling author Tom Rath, explains why.