Forge Alliances With the Competition?

That doesn't even sound right when it comes to business does it? Most businesses spend all their time trying to out do their competition at every stretch and gain an advantage. At least if they even take the time to study their competition at all. A big mistake that a lot of business owners make is ignoring their competition entirely, sadly. Either because they are only interested in their own little world, or that they just don't ahve any idea of the 4396508 other competitors they have.

HAve you ever thought about forging alliances with your competition? Probably not. There is some strategic vbalue in getting to know, and in some cases befriending some of your competitors. Not only does it help you learn more about your own business, but there may also be situations where you NEED your competitors if things are happening to your industry.

While this article doesn't promote that you send them business, it does give you a good idea of why you would want to reach out to some of your enemies and see where it takes you.

Snoop Dog advises young entrepreneurs

Did you jsut read that right? Snoop Dog, the rap mogul, that made his way talking about how to get high and getting his homies some is talking about how to succeed as an entrepreneur.

It is no surprise that the rapper has some advice in this department. HE is rollin' in dough now and has good advce to avoid the need for anti wrinkle treatment.


He was one of the speakers at the of the second annual Global Entrepreneurship Week. Sitting on the panel was Blake Mycoskie, founder of the eco-friendly footwear company TOMS Shoes; restaurateur Stephen Hanson, founder and president of B.R. Guest Restaurants; chairman of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide and president and CEO of Starwood Capital Group, Barry Sternlicht; and rapper Cordazar Calvin Broadus, better known to hip-hop fans as Snoop Dogg. Maria Bartiromo, host of CNBC's Closing Bell, served as the moderator.

Work at Home Sams? Why Not?

I'll bet you have contemplated some sort of make money quick scam that you have seen on TV over the years. From that guy who tells you to "place tiny ads in the newspaper", to the boom in the real estate con artist game. Thinking that you are going to strike it rich and not need cozumel vacation packages, but rathe rmove there doing little to no work is a nice dream. For the people who sell these scams to you. HEre's the story of someone who got burned.

Kathy Ebarb of Stonewall, La., was having a difficult time locating a new position after losing her job last fall. She applied for at least 200 jobs, she says, and became discouraged. At 64, she worried her age was getting in the way.

Her daughter had a comfortable work-at-home position. Ebarb thought this type of situation would be a good way to make money on the side during her job hunt. She searched online business opportunities and e-mailed companies for more information.

Ebarb received a call back from a prospect she described as "an extremely good talker." She said he offered her the opportunity to earn money from a website.