Gap changes logo, then changes mind

On October 6, Gap announced that it would change its logo from the iconic navy square with a classy white type to a background-less Helvetica type with a tiny blue box behind “p”. The company explained that it was a “more contemporary, modern expression.” Consumers begged to differ. After a week, the company apologized and brought back its old logo.

Jobs to iPhone 4 users: You’re holding it wrong

The iPhone 4 was one of the most anticipated items of the year. But after a video was uploaded on YouTube of the phone losing reception depending on hand placement, the product’s credibility was tainted. It didn’t help when Jobs answered an inquiry on the problem by merely saying, “Just avoid holding it in that way.”

Buzz off, Google

To try to break into the dominance of social media sharing networks, such as Facebook and Twitter, Google launched Buzz earlier this year. But because of the gravity of the perceived private information breach, users were quick to disable their Buzz accounts. Google even faced a privacy lawsuit that ended with a $8.5 million settlement.

Kardashians create, then kill, debit card

Last November 9, the Kardashian sisters launched a new debit card as their newest business venture. By November 26, Connecticut attorney general Richard Blumenthal demanded for the card to be brought down. The debit card had a price tag of $100 per month for usage, plus $1.50 for merely swiping it at an ATM, another dollar for balance check, another $1.50 dollar for a customer service call, and $10 for replacement for a lost card. “The Kardashian Kard is particularly troubling,” wrote Blumenthal, “because of its high fees combined with its appeal to financially unsophisticated young adult Kardashian fans.”

See the full list here: <a href=”http://money.cnn.com/galleries/2010/news/companies/1012/gallery.business_dumbest_moments_2010.fortune/index.html”>Dumbest moments in business 2010</a>

CNN Money

Suzhou (Population: 6.3 million)

Suzhou boasts a $113.4 billion local GDP – that’s China’s fifth largest. It’s also the second-largest factory town after Shanghai, with Samsung, Nike, and Epson lured to stay in this region.

Qingdao (Population: 8.5 million)

Qingdao is a prime tourist and economic destination due to its proximity to Japan and Korea.  This year, the city’s port will open the world’s largest iron ore terminal.

Shenzhen (Population: 8.9 million)

This is China’s first special economic zone. Thirty years later, this city gains the credit for having the highest GDP per capita in the country, with $13,581. Shenzhen has a very good real estate market and a sophisticated financial services sector.

Ningbo (Population: 8.7 million)

The city is a leader in garment and industrial machinery production, with a 2009 GDP of $61.7 billion. It has an exciting financial trading sector and, interestingly, it relies more on domestic private investments than on Chinese cities.

Dalian (Population: 6.2 million)

It was former Mayor Bo Xilai’s dream to turn Dalian into the ‘Hongkong of the North’. Now, the city is one of China’s primary petroleum production centers. And this month, Intel will open a $2.5 billion semiconductor factory in the city.

CNN

In Dubai, for example, five-star hotels lavish buffet meats, vegetables, and desserts each night during Ramadan. Iftars and suhoors – places where Muslims gather to breakfast – are becoming increasingly commercialized. Also, with Dubai’s economy in recession and hotel occupancy rates low, managers are pressing their staff to keep the business up.

Egypt is also offering low hotel rates, while a Toyota newspaper ad offers a special holy-season sale – no payments until Ramadan 2011. Since Muslims also have more leisure time due to reduced working hours, special Ramadan soap operas are created and advertising spending spiked up to 62%.

Like Christmas to US and to other parts of the world, the United Arab Emirates retailers are counting on the Ramadan sales to serve as the foundation for a year’s worth of business.

With this changing attitude, some charitable groups have launched campaigns to remind Muslims of the real spirit of Ramadan. Hefth Al Ne’ma, a charity that collects leftover food from banquets and weddings since 2004, has collected Ramadan leftovers to donate to suhoors. The Environment Agency of Abu Dhabi also reminded Emiratis against wasting food. After all, the Koran teaches the faithful that God is with those to restrain themselves.

Source: Time

Myth #1 The Myth of Resources

You don’t need more time, money, experience, or contacts to start earning extra cash. You can always focus on providing a service, like consulting, tutoring, or even dog-walking, instead of selling products.

Myth #2 The Myth of Type

Stop convincing yourself that only risk-takers succeed in the game called entrepreneurship. You don’t have risk everything just to be a successful entrepreneur. Running a quiet, safe business can also be financially rewarding.

Myth #3 The Myth of Opportunity

Don’t wait for the perfect timing to launch the perfect idea to start earning from the perfect entrepreneurial venture. In reality, what you really need is to start looking at your prospective market and see how you could combine your idea with what people are willing to pay for.

It’s always easier to make excuses, to whine, and to daydream about a better financial standing. Stop wasting your time. Don’t let these myths fool you into thinking that keeping your job and earning more is impossible.

Source: Gulf News

Investing on business attire can be costly. Decent business suits can run up to a few hundred dollars and with today’s economy, not everyone can spare that much money just to appear a bit more formal and crisp.

Then again, there’s still value on dressing to impress. For starters, it sends out the message that you’re not that hit by recession. And people always want to deal with someone who’s recession-proof. Suits also connote importance and authority.

You can always be a recessionista. Finding good deals and bargains. It’s really more about the style of dress. You need not be in $1,000 suits to be able to power dress. Neatness, fit, and confidence can trump any Italian brand.

Then again bums wear suits.