Swine Flu & the Economy

This is a 2007 video of the BRILLIANT Laurie Garrett discussing pandemic readiness. Her talk is in relation to the H5N1 virus, but covers t

Someone You Should Know

Barry Schwartz is BRILLIANT!Here he talks about a new pathway to turning around the fortunes of all members and organizations within our so

70% off HOME PRICES?

Homes that sold for $275,000 in 2006 are selling for $80,000 now.The problem is there's still loads of inventory on the market at these unb

Uh Oh!

After 5 months of predicting (but ultimately praying I was wrong) this is where this company was headed, the shoe dropped on a Giant.The Gu

Cost Plus Joins the Coupon Camp

Our friends over at Cost Plus World market are going the Borders Books route. Coupons may bring a small bump in new customer business, but

Who's Going To Pay For All This?

We are, that's who!This weeks must read article, from the New York Times."Cities Turn To Fees To Fill Budget Gaps"Essentially it lists thin

Opposite Day!

I spent the better part of last week listening to everyone on television and the newspapers telling me "we have reached the bottom!" Since

How the Olympics ARE Already Benefitting Chicago

I will say out front, I am not in support of the Olympic Games being held in the city of Chicago. There are too many reasons to list, but I

Please Listen to Nassim Taleb

He is BRILLIANT!I really cannot believe he is making the television rounds. Please note the music played over his voice for the last 9

Feeling Froggy?

Then Leap.Here they go again. Time for this season's first to blink contest.And the winner is ...............SAK'S FIFTH AVENUE!!!!!!!

I Am Legend

Before we start, I promised a very helpful young lady that I would let my readers know about Lord & Taylor's free shipping for online p

The Economy's War on Children

I have been reading a number of interesting developments in regards to companies that service children and young adults.Hopefully you have

A Big Black Eye

This is a story you may, or may not, know about, but it is certainly something you should know is going on...and on it's way to your city (

Applying Pressure

These are a couple of interesting articles on the New Economy applying pressure on the Old Economy. Some benefit us, some do not. 

Banking on Sin

These are indeed dark times.And in dark times, sometimes, cloudy judgement can catch on and go from shameful whisper to shout, then ultimat

The "New" Economy

People, we are in a New Economy. An economy that requires: a higher level of awareness, to be more connected to others than ever before, a

We're Back!

After a month of: stockpiling information, sussing out news stories and travelling the country in search of new ideas, the Oasis is BACK!Ne

We're Moving

The Oasis is on the move.Sorry for the inconvenience.Go back and read the November and early December posts and match them to today's busin

Sak's Reacts...

To Costco!The plot thickens, as the profit at a troubled retailer thins...

The Difference Between Coal and Diamonds is...

Pressure!In our case, let's call it "Downward Pressure."As a result of: being heavily inventoriedawful Holiday sales resultsshrinking

December's Echo

More shakeout from December retail business (click headline to read story):Saks To Cut 9% of WorkforceSaks, as previously noted, is one of

Psychology in the Economic Marketplace, Part I

Ben Bernanke needs some help. This is my contribution:In 1969 Elisabeth Kubler-Ross described, with great specificity, the five stages huma

Slipping Into Darkness

I promised  today, Thursday, would be a hot day for the press, as retailers reported December figures.Here are a few stories to illust