The Interview Question That Employers Should Stop Asking | Entrepreneur

July 12, 2017July 12, 2017 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

During the interview process, the conversation of salary is unavoidable. But is it invasive for employers to ask candidates what their current salary is? Most Americans think so.

In a recent survey by job search website Glassdoor, more than half of the 2,224 respondents, made up of U.S. workers 18 and older, said they do not think employers should ask candidates about their current and past pay. In fact, some people and organizations believe that the traditional interview question can lead to pay inequality practices within companies.

The Hidden Value of Inspiring Your Customers | PROFITguide.com

July 11, 2017July 11, 2017 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

Erica Dao used to shop at malls once a month, looking in stores and seeing what the mannequins displayed. Now, she mainly looks for inspiration on social media. “I discover brands through Instagram,” said Dao, 33, of St. Paul, Minnesota.

Those kind of shifts illustrate the way people are changing how they buy clothing. Shoppers aren’t just showrooming at stores and then buying the same items online if they can find better prices—it’s a more significant separation from the mall. That is spelling big problems for mall chains like The Limited, which has shut all 250 of its stores, and Wet Seal, which filed for bankruptcy.

Caliburger founder to discuss how $3.1M investment will fuel robotics in the kitchen | Fast Casual

July 11, 2017July 11, 2017 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

If Cali Group has its way, the phrase, “The Robots are Coming,” will not only be the headline for Caliburger founder John Miller’s upcoming discussion on restaurant robotics at this year’s Restaurant Franchising & Innovation Summit in London July 18 -20, but it also describes a growing food service industry trend.

Cali Group’s, Miso Robotics, this week secured $3.1 million in funding to bring Flippy, its burger-flipping robotic kitchen assistant, to the rest of the restaurant industry. The substantial investment is the combined effort of Acacia Research Corporation, Match Robotics VC, and a number of undisclosed strategic investors, who have faith that the mechanical kitchen assistant will soon prove a popular way to improve restaurant operational efficiency with Flippy work alongside humans.

A First: Running Shoes Made From ‘Algae Foam’ | Gear Junkie

July 7, 2017July 7, 2017 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

A bucket of pond water might not seem like a performance enhancer. But that could change this year with VIVOBAREFOOT’s latest shoe. The VIVOBAREFOOT x Bloom running shoes will be the first made entirely of algae-EVA foam. They offer an alternative to the petroleum-based foam that’s found in almost every other running shoe on the market. U.S.-based bio-material producer Bloom culls algae from freshwater sources like lakes, rivers, and ponds around the world. The brand then mixes it with EVA (ethylene vinyl acetate) to make a pliable, cushiony material.

Startups: Don’t Fall Into The Culture-Fit Hiring Trap | Forbes

July 5, 2017July 5, 2017 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

I once worked with a startup that wanted to hire a new VP of engineering. When I asked the CEO what he was looking for in a candidate, he said, “Someone who can play the drums.” (This CEO happened to be learning the drums at the time.) He was dead serious.

This may sound like a crazy, off-the-wall request, but it highlights a surprisingly common problem in recruiting. I work with startups all the time who say they need someone with the skills and experience to help them scale their company and take it to the next level, business-wise. But when it actually comes time to interview candidates, they’re completely – and myopically – focused on cultural issues instead.

This Company Grew to $70 Million When the Kids Took Over for Mom and Dad | Inc.com

July 5, 2017July 5, 2017 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

In 2013, Teddy Fong was roaming the showroom of a factory in Shenzhen, China, when a stylish, modern sectional caught his eye. He asked the factory owner how much it cost to make. About $200 to $300, the owner replied. Fong was astonished. It was the kind of sofa that might sell for thousands at a Room & Board. “There are crazy margins in the sofa business,” Teddy thought.

At the time, Teddy was in the crib business–but this was enough to make him think maybe he ought to be in the sofa business, too. Teddy runs Million Dollar Baby, a $70 million children’s furniture wholesaler his parents, Daniel and Maryann Fong, started in 1990. (Since then, MDB has made six appearances on the annual Inc. 5000 list of America’s fastest-growing private companies.) It produces six brands of cribs, at nearly every price point and style, and sells them through almost every major online retailer, including Amazon, Walmart, and Target, and at many specialty retailers. Heard of the best-selling $379 minimalist Babyletto Hudson crib? That’s MDB. Beyoncé’s $4,500 translucent acrylic Vetro crib? That’s MDB, too.

Renting Your First Office? What You Should Know About Leasing | Business News Daily

July 3, 2017July 3, 2017 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

There’s a lot to consider when you’re leasing a commercial space for the first time. The process can be complicated, and numerous factors could impact your final decision.

“The tenant has to think through lease location versus cost, lease terms and duration … and whether or not the office space … provides options for growth or expansion of the business,” said Jeb Ory, CEO of Phone2Action.

If you think you’re ready to rent your first office, here are three important tips to follow throughout the leasing process.

How Do the Chemicals in Sunscreen Protect Your Skin? | Live Science

July 3, 2017July 3, 2017 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

Not so long ago, people like my Aunt Muriel thought of sunburn as a necessary evil on the way to a “good base tan.” She used to slather on the baby oil while using a large reflector to bake away. Aunt Muriel’s mantra when the inevitable burn and peel appeared: Beauty has its price.

Was she ever right about that price – but it was a lot higher than any of us at the time recognized. What sun addicts didn’t know then was that we were setting our skin up for damage to its structural proteins and DNA. Hello, wrinkles, liver spots and cancers. No matter where your complexion falls on the Fitzpatrick Skin Type scale, ultraviolet radiation (UV) from the sun or tanning beds will damage your skin.

Work Off Summer Flight-Delay Rage Without Leaving the Airport Gym | Bloomberg

June 30, 2017June 30, 2017 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

America’s airports are where long lines, crowds, and the TSA combine to make life miserable. But once the metal detectors, explosives-sniffers, and pat-downs are behind you, suddenly all is transformed into boutiques, bars, and restaurants.

Why not gyms, too?

The airport terminal has long been lucrative commercial real estate, thanks to a captive audience. For those who have hours to wait, there’s not much else to do except shop, drink, and eat. So two graduate business students at the University of Oregon started wondering whether an airport gym could thrive in such a setting. After researching the airport and fitness industries, Cynthia Sandall and Ty Manegold concluded that the only obstacle is mainly cost—not because air travelers consider it ridiculous. Thus, a business model was born.

Finding The Right Company Car | Getentrepreneurial.com

June 30, 2017June 30, 2017 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

Purchasing cars for you employees can be a huge expense, especially if you aren’t a large corporation that can make deals with car manufacturers. But, it is sometimes necessary. If your employees travel often, it is important to provide them with means of transportation. I am here to give you some quick and easy ways to find the right cars for your company.

Do your research.

One of the most important things you can do for you and your company is to do research on the cars you are buying. I recommend doing this for a number of reasons. The first is that there are thousands of cars out there. Finding the right brand, make or model can be very overwhelming. One of the websites I often use before making a car purchase is Cars.com. They are a great resource to see a huge selection of cars in one place. Additionally, I love to utilize their review features to see the pros and cons of popular vehicles. Another reason I suggest performing research is to get the right price on your car. Because car prices are often negoitable, it pays off to be educated on your potential purchase. This is especially important if you are shopping for used cars. Performing research will help you know the impact the number of miles has on the price of a car.