A reader asks:

Why do you give away your business ideas for free? Is it because free business ideas are bad business ideas?

I give away “free” business ideas because I have, read about or come across more business ideas than I could every possibly execute myself. Besides business ideas in and of themselves are essentially worthless, it’s difficult to protect business ideas and pretty hard to sell business ideas (for much more than a few pounds/dollars). The value created by a business comes from the execution of the business idea, not the business idea itself.

So is a free business idea a bad business idea? Maybe

Read more…

Outlook 2010: Is the recovery for real? The economy is growing again, but there’s reason to worry the better times won’t last.

Outlook 2010: When will the job market rebound? While employment is rising, in a few key sectors the losses look permanent.

Outlook 2010: Is this a real estate boom or a bubble? Housing prices have been defying gravity, but 2010 may bring back some sanity.

Outlook 2010: What’s next for the loonie? The dollar looks likely to remain strong for a while now. But does it really matter?

Outlook 2010: Are the deficits here to stay? As Ottawa trims to tackle the fiscal hole, what America does might matter more.

Read more…

WHEN it comes to buttonholing politicians, Westpac has staked out the nation’s best location. The bank’s tiny branch inside the walled-off areas of Parliament House dutifully looks after the savings accounts of some of the nation’s most senior politicians and bureaucrats.

But for years the branch has also been a de facto base for Westpac’s government relations staff, who have plotted high-level strategies from a cramped office behind the tellers.

The Westpac branch, no bigger than a country post office, sits right beside Parliament’s only real meeting spot — Aussie’s cafe.

During the global financial crisis and recent bouts of interest rate rises, the tab at Aussie’s was running hot as Westpac frantically pushed its views to politicians from all sides and their staffers.

On the surface, the Westpac branch is one of the more obvious symbols of where business and politics meet. B

Read more…

Success in business is tied to your ability to create and build relationships. With limited marketing budgets, networking is a must-have business builder for small companies, freelancers and consultants.

This week celebrate the key role that networking plays in the development and success of businesses across the world with International Networking Week. BNI, a large business referral networking company runs the event every year. With all types of global events around the world, you have the chance to connect with others in the business community.

The US Transportation Department has opened an investigation into brake problems in the 2010 Toyota Prius.

The move follows an admission from Toyota that it had had a problem with the brake system in the hybrid, which the carmaker said was fixed in January.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has received 124 reports from drivers about the issue, including four of crashes.

There have been no reports of any such accidents in the UK.

The investigation will look into allegations of momentary loss of braking capability while travelling over uneven road surfaces, potholes or bumps. However it will not suspend sales.

Read more…