Businessweek Online: In the sales world, one of the most common stumbling blocks is price objection. A potential deal may be moving ahead smoothly, but when numbers enter the conversation, eager customers can suddenly turn and flee. What I’ve found, however, is that humor can be used to move the sale along at almost every stage of the process. Humor […]
Laugh All the Way to the Bank
Tenants’ Mobile Solution
icSouthlondon: A text message service telling council tenants about housing repairs could be introduced. Under the scheme tenants’ representatives will get an alert about “one-off jobs” on things such as communal lighting and stairwells. But recipients will not be able to reply and messages won’t be worded in trendy teen speak, authority chiefs have promised. Lambeth council computer expert David […]
BMW’s Move
BBC News: BMW is preparing to enter the market for car-style people carriers, the firm’s chief has told BBC News. Speaking at a BMW event ahead of the Geneva motor show, Helmut Panke predicted demand for such crossover vehicles would soar in Europe. In contrast, he said, the popularity of van-style seven-seat vehicles and traditional saloon cars would fade. “Customers […]
Ants Collective Intelligence Inspires Technology
we make money not art: Scientists are studying ants behaviour to help solve technical problems. An ant can work out the quickest way from A to B more efficiently than a boffin with a computer. It bases its behaviour on pheromone trails laid down by its nest-mates. So now human communications networks are often based on virtual pheromone trails. Nigel […]
CoolBusinessIdeas Newsletter Issue 11
CoolBusinessIdeas Newsletter Issue 11: 14/02/05 – 06/03/05 New Business Ideas/Opportunities Featured In This Issue: GADGETS Microsoft Child Surveillance Toy The idea behind this plush toy is that it will be able to follow the movement of the child round the room, turning its head and allowing parents to spy and instruct their child. Archimedes: Chia Pet Meets Tamagotchi “Oribie Navi […]
Microsoft Child Surveillance Toy
Shiny Shiny: How to give your child a lifelong uneasy feeling that it’s being watched: sit this ugly stuffed toy into the corner of its room. This Teddy Bear is something Microsoft’s been showing off recently. It’s still, thankfully, only a prototype, but there’s a chance that a creature like it may one day emerge to begin a reign of […]
Trash With Solar-Powered Compactor
we make money not art: New York is testing a trash can that uses solar power to sense when it is full and automatically compact the garbage inside. When the can is full, a red indicator light goes on and it can even send out a wireless call for a pickup. The BigBelly can’s tryout began February 14 in Chinatown […]
Racing Fishes
Popgadget: Feeling guilty for keeping your goldfish in a little tiny bowl? The Goldfish Racetrack has an “infinity shape” so your goldfish (said to have a memory of 7 seconds) will think they are exploring the seven seas. I’m not sure if it’s humane or extra super cruel, tricking your fishies like this. I keep thinking of the fishbowl neurotics […]
Easy Driving
Technology Review: A car that swerves back into lanes on its own and a video system that makes parking a breeze were part of technological features on display by the Japanese automaker Nissan Motor Co. The technology that reporters tried out in test drives Monday at a research center outside Tokyo is part of Nissan’s efforts to make driving safer. […]
Super Trainer Bicycle Treadmill
Gizmodo: My brain goes all crunchy with potential Jetsons-type disaster of the Super Trainer Bicycle Treadmill. At about twelve feet long, three feet wide, and something like twenty-five hundred pounds, the Super Trainer simulates a patch of road with far more clarity than the so-called streets here in New York. With no restraints to hold the bike in place the […]