The Contribution of A Black Market

(8/30/2013) I came cross with this interesting article about black market and global economy. It reminds me of some business activities in Asia and how it ran and operated when I grew up. When a market has a demand for something but it is inconvenient for consumers to get it (cigarettes, alcohols, drugs, prostitutions, or even some luxury goods in some developing countries), the black market fills this gap. It bypasses the regulation and intervention of the government. In a black market, the consumers know where to find the supply and the suppliers will rush in when there is a business opportunity to profit from it. I wonder if a more open and free economy has a relative small black market? Is it better off to the whole society?

Men Do Not Want Their Partners Doing Better?

(8/30/2013) Do men feel threatened by their female partners' success? Most of us may wish this is not the case. But It looks like guys are really ego-centric selfish bastards, hmmm? Are we? See the study above.

Moto X Is Smartly Made In US

(8/29/2013) Can electronic gadgets still be made in the US and remain price competitive? Moto X is defying the gravity of off-shore production. By taking out some components and parts that adding rarely-used feature on smartphone, Moto X can offset the higher production cost for it to be made in the US. Will patriot consumers buy Moto X? We will see.

(9/11/2013) There is a short interview about Moto X's production in Texas, US on Reuters. If the demand of Moto X explodes, the production will be able to pick up soon. But why do they only offer 16GB version without a micro SD slot to consumers? I want a larger capacity of Moto X.

Zurich's Drive-in Sex Box

(8/27/2013) "Swiss city aims to increase safety of sex workers and contain trade with doorless, alarmed buildings in a former industrial area. Zurich has launched a novel experiment to make prostitution safer: publicly funded drive-in "sex boxes"."

I will be happy to do queuing management research for the sex box business.

Amazon Entering the Art Market

(8/11/2013) Amazon recently just launched its AmazonArt website. There are various comments about Amazon's new initiative and whether it will work. Here provides a positive outlook for Amazon Art. I would say Amazon does not need to make a lot of money or capture a big chunk of art transactions. What Amazon wants is to provide a more complete services to its tens of millions of customers and some short-term collectors as described in this analysis.

The $4.85 million Rockwell, titled "Willie Gillis: Package from Home." Still from Amazon.com.

Wegmans Improves Its Bottom Line By Helping Employees Shrink Their Waistlines

(8/6/2013) There is benefit to help employees to become healthy. Smart companies like Wegmans Supermarket have started their way. Employees in Wegmans can take yoga class and receive nutrition counseling. Research says employees in such companies are less likely to switch companies.