Why the Floppy Disk Just Won’t Die | WIRED

March 9, 2023March 8, 2023 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

WHEN MARK NECAISE got down to his last four floppy disks at a rodeo in Mississippi in February, he started to worry.

Necaise travels to horse shows around the state, offering custom embroidery on jackets and vests: “All of the winners would get a jacket and we’d put the name of the farm or the name of the horse or whatever on it,” he says.

Five years ago, he paid $18,000 for a second-hand machine, manufactured in 2004 by the Japanese embroidery equipment specialist Tajima. The only way to transfer the designs from his computer to the machine was via floppy disk.

Internet Enraged Over Video Claiming Landlords Deserve Tips | Entrepreneur

March 8, 2023March 6, 2023 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

There’s nothing more uncomfortable than checking out of a to-go restaurant or store and being prompted by the establishment’s payment systems to tip — even if it’s on a $3 coffee.

While some may argue that tipping in the service industry should be commonplace and standard protocol, nearly all agree that some people’s expectations are being taken too far.

This seems to be the case in a now-viral TikTok by two creators performing a skit saying landlords should be tipped for being “on-call” and helping with routine keep-up around tenants’ units.

How to Cut Costs as a Small Business Owner | Getentrepreneurial.com

March 8, 2023March 6, 2023 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

As a small business owner, it’s important to be mindful of your spending. Cutting costs is one way to help ensure the success of your business so you can expand into a major corporation like Black Tie Moving Here are some tips on how you can cut costs as a small business owner.

Review your business expenses and cut out anything that is unnecessary

The first step to cutting unnecessary business expenses is reviewing what you’re spending your money on. Take a close look at your past invoices and compare them to your budget. Are there any areas where you’re spending more than you had planned? If so, see if there are any cheaper alternatives. For example, if you’re spending a lot on office supplies, see if you can buy in bulk or find a cheaper supplier. Once you’ve identified areas where you can save, make a plan to cut those expenses.

RV Cummins Hybrid Energy Concept | Cool Business Ideas

March 7, 2023March 5, 2023 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

Global power company Cummins is exploring how RVers can ease their reliance on gasoline while still enjoying all the off-grid power they need to run camping equipment and accessories at camp. Its new hybrid concept seamlessly blends battery storage and gas-driven generation to decrease noise and emissions while still offering days of power.

Much like RV makers themselves have been doing for years now, Cummins starts its electrical system with a large lithium-ion leisure battery designed to store ample energy for running a variety of onboard camper equipment, on or off grid. Instead of relying solely on solar panels and vehicle alternator charging to keep the 6.7-kWh battery topped off, however, Cummins adds in a 2.8-kW Onan QG 2800i gasoline generator for ensuring the batteries don’t deplete to zero.

Cummins says the combination offers the same amount of overall power as a 5-kW generator but with less noise, emissions and vibration. The batteries operate silently, while the QG 2800i has been designed for efficient operation with less noise and vibration than larger generators. A comparison of spec sheets puts the sound level of the 2800i at 65 dB(A) compared to 69 dB(A) for the 5.5-kW Onan QG 5500 RV generator.

Van Leeuwen’s Malted Milkshake and Fries ice cream could have been perfect: An honest taste test | Mashable

March 7, 2023March 5, 2023 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

You have to respect Van Leeuwen’s audacity. For the artisanal ice cream chain based out of Brooklyn, the question is never whether one should push the palatable limits of a classically sweet, simple dessert with off-putting flavors and bizarre mix-ins. The question is whether you can.

Fortunately (or unfortunately, depending on who you talk to), the answer to this question is usually a hard yes. Left-field flavors that have graced Van Leeuwen’s freezer shelves in the past include mustard, onion, and Kraft Macaroni & Cheese. Whether they’re gunning for actual tastiness or viral bait is something you could argue either way. Nevertheless, Van Leeuwen persists.

8 Misconceptions of Time That Make You Less Productive | LifeHack

March 3, 2023March 2, 2023 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

“Time is money,” as we have all heard. While time is valuable, it does not appear to be something we can grasp. And, despite the fact that we are all aware of the importance of cherishing our time, we unconsciously waste it at the tip of our fingers all the time! It’s as if we’re still grappling with the concept of time and how it works. Time management, on the other hand, has become a cultural obsession, and it, like any cultural phenomenon, is surrounded by myths.

With a limited understanding of time and these myths, it becomes increasingly difficult to use our time wisely and be truly productive. These misconceptions cause us to have a distorted view of productivity, causing us to become less efficient, less motivated, more prone to burnout, and more prone to making poor decisions.

12 Business Skills You Need To Master | business.com

March 1, 2023February 26, 2023 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

Success demands more than hard work, resilience, and expertise in your field.

Too many businesses fail because translating passion into a successful business model is difficult.

Developing a small business into a successful enterprise demands more than passion. Unfortunately, facts speak for themselves. Over half of new businesses fail mainly because entrepreneurs cannot translate their passion into practical business skills. Success demands more than hard work, resilience, and expertise in your field. In order to succeed, you need to understand and to become proficient in a set of fundamental business skills.

The companies backtracking on flexible work | BBC Worklife

February 28, 2023February 26, 2023 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

Amid looming economic instability and widespread layoffs, bosses are ordering their workers back to the office. Does it mark a permanent return to in-person work?

In January, Disney employees received a memo from CEO Bob Iger. Like other entertainment conglomerates, the media giant had been operating a hybrid-working policy, in which teams were allowed to work remotely twice a week. However, Iger explained in the memo, the company was now reversing course, mandating a four-day return to office beginning in March.

“As you’ve heard me say many times, creativity is the heart and soul of who we are and what we do at Disney,” he wrote. “And in a creative business like ours, nothing can replace the ability to connect, observe and create with peers that comes from being physically together, nor the opportunity to grow professionally by learning from leaders and mentors.”

3 Mistakes to Avoid When Naming Your Business | The Startup Magazine

February 27, 2023February 26, 2023 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

Starting a business is daunting; it’s filled with countless decisions that need to be made. One of the crucial decisions you’ll make is choosing the right name for your business. The initial business naming is the first impression people will have of your business, and it will set the tone for all future interactions.

However, the naming process has its pitfalls. To help you navigate this tricky process, we’ve compiled a list of the top three mistakes people make when choosing business names. Keep reading to find out what they are and how to sidestep them.