The 50 Best Blogs for PR Professionals

Posted on May 8th, 2011

In a world where it's hard to go five minutes without seeing an advertisement, and news travels around the world in the blink of an eye via the internet, companies have to be more conscious than ever about their public image. That's where business professionals like those working in public relations come into play. They can make sure that brands look good at home and internationally though smart advertising, marketing and customer relations. Here are some of the best blogs for public relations professionals (or those hoping to enter the field after college) offering a way to keep up and keep abreast of this dynamic field.

News

In order to stay on top of everything going on in your field, you'll need to read some great news blogs. Try a few of these out to get your PR news fix.

1. PR Daily: Keep up with the latest PR news stories through this great tech-focused blog. Recommended post: "Report: PR pro is the second-most stressful job."
2. PR Newser: If you'd like to see what other companies are putting out in press releases, this site is the place to do it. Recommended post: "The Ten Myths of Creating Web Content."
3. prnewspros: Check out this blog to find news geared especially towards those who are trying to build a career in the PR field. Recommended post: "Your PR Career: What Your College Coursework Doesn't Teach You About Succeeding in the Workplace."
4. PRSay: The Public Relations Society of America maintains this blog, chock full of the latest news and views on everything PR-related. Recommended post: "The Nine Lives Of Public Relations?"
5. PR News: From advising you on how to make business calls to providing the latest news on business, this PR blog has it all. Recommended post: "PR News' Going Green: Outstanding Green Business Practices."
6. Everything PR: Follow the public relations field as a whole when you read this blog and learn a bit more about global news and pop culture that can help your business. Recommended post: "100 Media Monitoring Tools for PR."
7. PR Fuel: This blog will teach you about the power of a press release and offers up some ideas on how to get the most out of online press release sites. Recommended post: "30 PR Experts You Should Follow on Twitter."

For PR Pros

These blogs will help to educate you on things you'll need to know to get ahead as a professional working in the field of public relations.

8. Wired PR Works: Barbara Rozgonyi offers her expertise on getting your business noticed, finding new clients and building a better business community here. Recommended post: "3 YouTube and Video Marketing Tricks You Should Not Miss."
9. ComPRehension: Explore the field of PR with some experts in the Public Relations Society of America through this blog. Recommended post: "Annual Grunig Lecture: Remembering The "Relationship" In PR."
10. Strategic Public Relations: Learn a bit more about public relations strategies both online and off from this blog. Recommended post: "Starbucks' In-Store Wifi Leveraged Into Branded Media Network."
11. The Publicity Hound's Blog: Looking for some publicity for your company or clients? Then check out this blog for some tips, tricks and tools that can help you get all eyes on your business. Recommended post: "9 ways to spy on your competitors online."
12. 6 A.M.: This PR firm shares their business strategy and some great PR pointers, a great read for anyone interested in establishing their own business or trying to get ahead in their field. Recommended post: "A Word to the Wise."
13. POP! PR Jots: Jeremy Pepper, the author of this blog, works in PR and communications. Through this site, he shares his own commentary on the biz and offers some great insights to newbies and seasoned vets alike. Recommended post: "PR Pitching and Blacklists."
14. A PR Guy's Musings: Stuart Bruce's blog touches on a wide range of PR topics, from social media to business basics to politics. Recommended post: "Public relations is about reputation, not SEO."
15. The Flack: Through this blog written by Peter Himler, you'll be able to learn how PR impacts fields like politics, pop culture, business, entertainment and more. Recommended post: "Long Live PR (and the Press Release Too)."
16. National Public Relations Examiner: Valerie Merahn Simon, Senior Vice President at BurrellesLuce media monitoring and measurement, maintains this blog that is the perfect place to learn about some of the biggest issues in PR today. Recommended post: "What are the major differences between B2B and B2C social marketing?"
17. Murphy's Law: Blogger and PR guy Tom Murphy shares his thoughts on a wide range of topics related to PR, social media and CSR on this site. Recommended post: "PR + CSR = Just Good Business."
18. Valley PR Blog: This blog from a PR firm is maintained by several experts in the field who comment on topics like social media, marketing, the world of PR and current events. Recommended post: "The REALITY of publicity."
19. PR at Sunrise: From working with difficult clients to navigating the strange new world of social media, you'll find a wealth of advice for PR pros here. Recommended post: "Top 10 Signs You Are The Official Social Media Nerd Of Your Company."

Communication

Whether it's with clients or with the general public, there's no doubt that communication is a key component of public relations. These blogs will give you an idea of how to improve your communication skills and be a savvier PR pro.

20. SteDavies: This PR blog is a great resource for professionals hoping to learn a bit more about the role of communications in PR and find some fun and engaging articles about everything from business to finance. Recommended post: "10 Trends of 20-Somethings."
21. PR Communications: Learn more about marketing, social media and the internet on this blog from marketer John Cass. Recommended post: "Corporate Blogs in the Fortune 500."
22. Public Relations Matters: Dr. Barbara B. Nixon posts to this blog about a number of public relations and communications issues. Recommended post: "Five Ways to Keep Current in Public Relations News & Trends."

New Media Marketing and PR

These blogs are focused on using the latest technology to get the word out about brands, campaigns and businesses.

23. A Shel of My Former Self: Focused on communication and technology, this blog by Shel Holtz is a great read for any PR expert looking to take their business digital. Recommended post: "Business-produced content could fill the sharable-content gap created by paywalls."
24. The Future Buzz: Find commentary on media, marketing and PR from Adam Singer on this blog. Recommended post: "19 Reasons You Should Blog And Not Just Tweet."
25. aimClear: This blog offers up some great articles that can help you promote your brand or business through search engine optimization. Recommended post: "Blog Optimization, Post Title SEO & Deadeye Targeting."
26. 360 Days in Our Circle: With several contributing bloggers in the PR business, this blog offers some multifaceted insights into PR in the digital age. Recommended post: "Email and Social Media- A Match Made in Marketing Heaven?"
27. ProPR: CEO of firms Thornley Fallis and 76Design Joseph Thornley writes this blog. Check it out to learn more about building strong client relationships, implementing creative designs and latching onto the power of the internet for PR. Recommended post: "Six keys to success in social media."
28. What's Next? Blog: B.L. Ochman is an expert on new media marketing, and she shares some of that expertise, as well as her commentary, though this blog. Recommended post: "Five Reasons Why Companies Should Not Block Employee Access to Social Networks."
29. Deirdre Breakenridge: From using Facebook to cyberbranding, Deirdre Breakenridge shares her thoughts on all things PR 2.0 on this blog. Recommended post: "PR 2.0 Sharing With Your Competition."
30. Diva Marketing Blog: Get some tips and tools for better marketing your brand, especially using digital media, on this site. Recommended post: "RSS Beyond Blogs."
31. Media Culpa: These Swedish bloggers follow media and public relations on their site, posting about topics like Twitter, blogging, branding and much more. Recommended post: "Flickr reaches 5 billion photos."

Social Media

Social media plays a huge role in most businesses marketing and PR work these days. Learn more about how you can better implement it in your own work through these blogs.

32. PRSarah Evans: For advice and information on getting your business rolling with social networking and online media, check out this site. Recommended post: "STUDY: The Future of Content."
33. Dave Fleet: This blog, by PR professional Dave Fleet, discusses communications, PR and social media. Recommended Post: "57 Social Media Policy Examples and Resouces."
34. PR Squared: Learn more about social media and marketing from blogger and public relations expert Todd Defren on this site. Recommended post: "Facebook Marketing: Success Factors."
35. Danny Brown: Need some help understanding what role social media and online marketing should play in your business? This expert may be able to help. Recommended post: "52 Cool Facts About Social Media."
36. Chris Abraham: Chris Abraham, the president and COO of a social media marketing firm, shares his insights into using online tools for business promotion here. Recommended post: "Best Practices of Social Media Marketing."
37. The Proactive Report: Help your business stay ahead of the curve by reading this blog written by Sally Falkow. It focuses on social media, but also contains general advice about online PR. Recommended post: "Are Your Customers Too Old for Social Media — Not a Chance!"
38. Fresh Influence: Learn more about social media and word of mouth marketing from this 360 Digital Influence blog. Recommended post: "10 Stunning (And Useful) Stats About Twitter."
39. Convince and Convert: Here, Jay Baer shares information on using social media and online content in PR marketing. Recommended post: "Develop a Social Media Strategy in 7 Steps."
40. prTini: If you've got an interest in better utilizing social media to promote your business or product, give this blog by Heather Whaling a read. Recommended post: "The 5 Cs of Blogger Relations."
41. Peter Shankman: Social media entrepreneur and consultant Peter Shankman offers some business advice on using social media to its fullest on this blog– much of which can be quite useful to PR professionals. Recommended post: "Is your social media expert really an expert?"
42. Communications Conversations: Get a leg up in the social media marketing world by reading some of the tips Arik Hanson has to offer here. Recommended post: "5 LinkedIn groups for PR pros."

Niche

From tracking your stats to learning from the mistakes of others, these blogs focus on some niche areas of PR.

43. Brian Solis: Want to learn more about new media and how it's affecting those who use it? This blog from research firm professional Brian Solis is a must-read. Recommended post: "The Rise of Social Commerce."
44. Young PR: PR isn't just for businesses. Learn a great deal about using social media, technology and marketing to help a non-profit through this blog. Recommended post: "PdF Audio: Using Social Media for Non-Profit Fundraising."
45. SpinSucks: PR has a bad reputation for being manipulative and dishonest. This blogger shares some ways that PR professionals can get out of this mindset as well as posting about topics like social media, communications, advertising and more. Recommended post: "Five Signs A Social Media Star's Reputation Is Spin."
46. Bad Pitch Blog: Read this blog to see bad PR pitches get called out and to learn what you shouldn't do in your own work. Recommended post: "PR People: Stop Being Bad at Stuff and Read This."
47. PR Measurement Blog: Learn how to more effectively monitor the impact of your online marketing, public relations, internal communications and more with the help of this blog. Recommended post: "The originial HITS = How Idiots Track Success Speech."
48. Spinning Around: This blog is a fun place to see some creative marketing campaigns for other brands. You may just be inspired to come up with your own. Recommended post: "The UK's Top Marketing Weblogs."
49. PR Disasters.com: Want to see some PR campaigns gone wrong and big PR snafus? This blog is the place to do it. Whether they make you laugh or cringe, you'll get an idea of what not to do while you're on the job. Recommended post: "Five lessons from Nestle's Facebook PR disaster."
50. Personal PR: While you're sure to find some great PR tips here, this blog also offers up some ideas on how to be more productive and get ahead in your career. Recommended post: "27 Secrets to Linking LIke a Master Networker."

The 50 Best Tips for Small Businesses on Facebook

Posted on May 3rd, 2011

As a small business, you may have heard what a great tool social media, and Facebook in particular, is for a business like yours. Of course, you can't just plunge headfirst and expect incredible outcomes. Learn from these seasoned pros to find out how you can master your small business presence on Facebook.

General

Here you'll find great tips for all areas of Facebook.

1. Show personality: People want to interact with a real person, not a robot.
2. Commit to the idea: Know that connecting with customers can sometimes be hard work and take time, but it will pay off.
3. Manage your expectations: Set realistic goals for your social media work.
4. Be persistent: You won't see a great reward from Facebook right away, but by sticking with it, you'll be able to build an active customer base.
5. Import contacts: Import contacts from your email accounts to collect friends and fans.
6. Choose your target: Plan who you want to reach with your Facebook presence.
7. Create a vanity URL: Make your Facebook Page easy to find with a vanity URL.
8. Promote your Facebook identity off of Facebook: Put a "Like" button on Facebook, share it on your website, blog, and Twitter.
9. Get feedback: Ask fans for feedback on Facebook.
10. Give people a reason to engage with you: Post information that calls for interaction.
11. Make time: Set aside 30 minutes to an hour a day that you'll use to work on your business page.
12. Be careful not to violate Facebook terms: Learn about the Facebook platform and avoid violating terms by not running contests or tagging people without permission.
13. Don't get moody: Keep a cool head when posting and responding on Facebook.
14. Designate a social media updater: Find a specific person in your organization that will be responsible for updating Facebook.
15. Connect with existing customers: Instead of trying to use Facebook to find leads, build better relationships with your existing customers.
16. Don't just broadcast: Remember that you need to interact and follow up with fans who comment on your posts.
17. Don't sell: Be careful not to push sales on Facebook-use it as more of an interactive tool.
18. Don't overdo it: Don't spend hours upon hours a day maintaining and interacting on Facebook, just stop in once a day at most.

Pages

Use these tips to better develop your Page on Facebook.

19. Create a Page, not a profile: Separate your business page from your personal page and make a more interactive storefront with Pages.
20. Fully develop your page: Add images, your website, company info, and other items to make sure you've filled in all the blanks.
21. Post photos of customers and tag them: Make sure your business shows up on the pages of the best customers by sharing photos of them with personal tags.
22. Don't just post during business hours: Post to Facebook outside of business hours to get more feedback and impressions.
23. Do cross promotions: Ask clients to post tagged photos of themselves with your product and share them on your page.
24. Subscribe to other Pages first: Check out other pages to see how businesses add content and interact with fans.
25. Appeal to core clients: Identify the people that interact on your page the most, and work to share information and content with them directly.
26. Use participatory promotions: Target Facebook fans with participatory promotions.
27. Offer a forum: Turn your fan page into a place where customers can express themselves.
28. Share success stories: Ask your customers to discuss how you've helped them on your page.
29. Share exclusive content on Facebook: Give Facebook fans something they might not find on your blog or website.
30. End with questions: Generate engagement by ending your posts with questions.
31. Don't be boring: Mix up what you're sharing so it's not all status updates, or all photos, or all videos.
32. Build a Facebook landing page: Create your own mini website within Facebook by using FBML.
33. Send suggestions to friends: Facebook pages allow you to send suggestions to friends, so remind them periodically and when you connect with new friends.
34. Offer loyalty rewards: Reward customers for checking in, adding a "Like" to your page, or mentioning Facebook.
35. Add content before you broadcast: Before you add friends or advertise your page, be sure to add photos, videos, events, and other content to get new fans interested.

Apps

These apps and app ideas will help you make better use of Facebook's capabilities.

36. List events: With the Events app, you can invite clients and gather awareness for your event.
37. Integrate your Twitter feed: Install applications that will let you push your Twitter feed onto your Facebook Page.
38. Use Facebook Connect: Add social networking features to your website using Facebook Connect.
39. Add a store: Use Facebook's Marketplace capability to sell your product on Facebook.
40. Claim your business on Facebook: Make sure to claim (or create) a Place check in for your business.
41. Use the Questions feature: With Questions, you can engage your fans and get answers on your page.
42. Join Groups: Join network, industry, and alumni groups related to your business.
43. Encourage check-ins: Offer a special to customers who check in to your Place on Facebook, and you'll be in your fans' news feeds.
44. Syndicate your blog: Use apps that will allow you to auto-post to your Page any time you write on your blog.

Ads

With these tips, you can get the most out of Facebook's ad platform.

45. Tell people what's in it for them: Explain what you have to offer when people click your links.
46. Pay attention to targeting: Run campaigns with a very specific audience for a better price and relevance.
47. Check out the graphs: Facebook does a pretty good job of reporting impressions, so pay attention to how well your campaigns are doing.
48. Do lots of testing: Run tests and find out what really works for you with Facebook ads.
49. Time it carefully: Plan your campaign for a specific period of time, and one that you know will be well targeted.
50. Make your ads pop: Be irreverent and avoid traditional copy-speak to connect better.

50 Best Blogs for Following Asian Business

Posted on April 25th, 2011

It's impossible to be involved in international business today without paying attention to the economies of Asian nations like China, India and Japan. These countries are major players in technology, manufacturing, research and development and many other facets of business. Whether you're a business student or already working in the field, it never hurts to know a little more about these booming markets. Take a look at these blogs to follow the latest business and economic news that include everything from breaking stories to tips on managing overseas.

Asian Business

These blogs cover a wide range of countries and topics when it comes to business.

1. AsiaBizBlog: Follow along with the latest news related to business in China and other Asian nations on this blog.
2. Eye on Asia: This Bloomberg Businessweek blog is a great, authoritative source for commentary on everything Asian business.
3. Asia Business Media: Mark Cochrane of Business Strategies Group in Hong Kong reports on Asian business to business news here.
4. Asianbiz: Keep up with sports, technology, business and culture news out of Asia with this blog.
5. Asia Unbound: The Council on Foreign Relations maintains this great blog, full of the economic and political news you need to know about Asia.
6. CNN Asia News Stream: CNN correspondent Kristie Lu Stout provides a steady stream of Asian business news on this blog.
7. Blog of Asia: From business news to how to get around as a visitor in Thailand, you'll find a bevy of great articles here.
8. BBC Asia Business: Get your Asian business news from an authoritative source, the BBC, through this blog.

China

Learn more about the business and economic spheres in China through these blogs.

9. China Business Blog and Podcast: Whether you like to read your news or listen to it, you'll find some great information on doing business in China here.
10. Asia Business Intelligence: This Chinese business blog focuses on the technology markets, from green energy to mobile phone developers.
11. China Business Services: Through this consulting firm's blog, you can read some interesting posts about what it's really like doing business in China.
12. China Law Blog: Curious about Chinese law that might affect your business? This blog is the place to find answers.
13. China Business Blog: Visit this blog to find news and information about Chinese business.
14. Larry Salibra: Learning another language can invaluable to a businessperson, something this entrepreneur in the language learning and tech industries knows very well. On his blog, you'll find updates about Chinese language, entrepreneurship and much more.
15. China Hearsay: You'll find great commentary on Chinese law, business and economics from lawyer Stan Abrams here.
16. ChinaSolved: Learn more about effective management strategies for working overseas in China through this blog.
17. China Dialogue: With articles in both Chinese and English, this blog can be a great resource for learning about not only the business world of China but its culture and politics as well.
18. Managing the Dragon: Check out this blog to read some great articles about being a manager in China as well as commentary on the business world in general.
19. The China Observer: If it's related to Chinese business, economy and consumerism, you'll find it on this blog, a great resource to anyone working or planning to work in or with the country.
20. China Economics Blog: Written by an academic economist, this blog is a trusted place to get insights into the Chinese economy and its impact on the world.

India

These blogs are a great place to learn about Indian economics, technology and business.

21. India Business Blog: Stay in the loop when it comes to all the latest news in Indian business with a little help from this blog.
22. MoneyMint.in: You'll get some great access to articles about the Indian economy here.
23. Squamble: From management strategies to investing in India, you'll get a wide range of business blogs posts here that can help you become more knowledgeable.
24. Indianomics: Sriram Vadlamani, an IT professional working in India, shares his insights into the tech market in India.
25. The Big Picture: Professor of Finance and Accounting, TT Ram Mohan, shares his thoughts on everything India here.
26. Ajay Shah's Blog: Find updates about a wide range of Indian economic and finance issues here.
27. Capital Mind: Follow the markets, trading and finance world in India through this blog.
28. One Million by One Million: Follow Sramana Mitra, a leading Indian entrepreneur, through this blog.
29. The Startup Guy: Find out more about startups in India with a little help from Vijay Anand.
30. Atanu Dey on India's Development: From politics to business investments, you can learn more about the growing and changing face of India's economy here.
31. Blogworks: If you're more interested in the role Indian businesspeople are playing on the web, check out this blog to learn more about social media, marketing and public relations.

Japan

Japan's economy is one of the biggest in the world. Check out these blogs to learn more about Japanese business and more.

32. Japan Economy News & Blog: Make sure you always know what's going on in Japanese business by following this great blog.
33. Japan Inc: From diversity in the workplace to investing in Japanese real estate, this blog covers all the basics of Japanese business.
34. Japan Trends: Planning on marketing and selling a product in Japan? Keep up with the latest trends here.
35. Japan Intercultural Consulting: If you're an American businessperson working in Japan, this blog is a must-read to better understand how business works there and examine cultural faux pas you don't want to make.
36. Japan Economy Blog: Follow the ups and downs of the Japanese economy with commentary from Edward Hugh on this blog.

Other Countries

If you're interested in exploring some other Asian countries' business, these blogs can help, with posts about everywhere from South Korea to Malaysia.

37. The Korean Law Blog: This blog will help you learn about the legal issues that may affect doing business in South Korea.
38. Bridging Culture Worldwide Blog: You'll find some great posts on Korean global business through this blog.
39. Malaysia Finance Blogspot: If you're planning to do some business with Malaysia, learn more about the finance and economics of the country through this blog.
40. Guide Me Singapore: Here you'll find a wide variety of posts on business in Singapore, including articles on everything from branding to entrepreneurship.
41. Picture Thailand: Find business, cultural economic and travel news related to Thailand here.
42. Thai Business: The Business Exchange has a great archive of articles all about Thai business on this site.
43. PinoyDeal Business: From e-business to regulations to tech news, you'll find some good information on this blog about Philippine business.

International Business

These blogs aren't focused exclusively on Asia, but you're bound to get some coverage in through their posts on international business.

44. Global Edge: Find all the international business news you need through this blog.
45. The Global Small Business Blog: Just because you're a small business doesn't mean you can't go global. Read this blog for inspiration, news and advice.
46. ibt Blogs: This site is home to a great number of international business blogs, perfect for finding news on topics like energy, finance and technology.
47. International BS Blog: Help build a better business strategy in Asia and beyond with advice found on this blog.
48. Business 360: CNN's Business 360 is a great source of information for those working in international business.
49. HBR Blog Network: The Harvard Business Review posts some interesting articles that can help you expand, manage and build your business at home and abroad.
50. Customs and International Trade Law Blog: Through this blog, you'll learn more about the laws and regulations that will dictate your business overseas.

10 Best Study Abroad Destinations for Business Majors

Posted on April 18th, 2011

Any student, no matter her or his major, should snap up any affordable opportunities to study abroad that present themselves. Such experiences infuse lessons with far more diverse perspectives than the ones touched upon in the classroom. Business classes especially benefit from a generous shot of multiculturalism — and one need not focus on international trade to get something out of it! When the urge to hop a plane and head overseas for some valuable lessons hits, look into programs at some of the following locations first.

1. Hong Kong, China: This Special Administrative Region is touted as one of the top financial centers in the world, and business students harboring a love of economics come here to see laissez-faire capitalism in action. It's ranked 2nd on the Ease of Doing Business Index as well. Combined with its status as one of the world's foremost centers for banking, finance and international commerce and trade, Hong Kong should be one of the top destinations for business students hoping to study abroad.

2. Singapore: Considered one of the four economic juggernauts of Asia, Singapore ranks first on the Ease of Doing Business Index. A largely trade-based economy, the city-state thrives mainly on exporting goods and retooling imports. Suffice to say, it boasts one of the world's most active ports on top of being considered the fourth most prosperous financial centers anywhere. Business students hoping to enter into the chemical, petroleum, electronics, biomedical or mechanical engineering industries have plenty to explore here as well.

3. Taipei, Taiwan: Taiwan is considered another one of the "Asian Tigers" of business and commerce, with capital Taipei as its flourishing center. Even though the global economy is experiencing a downturn, the city boasts the 2nd -highest per-capita GDP in all of Asia and still expands at a rate of roughly 5% per year. Inflation and unemployment are both kept to a staggering minimum, too. Despite the popularity of textiles and electronics, business students with different goals can still easily walk away from a stint in Taipei with some great experiences and lessons under their belts.

4. Seoul, South Korea: LG, Hyundai, Samsung and Kia (among others) make their headquarters in South Korea's capital, one of the most economically prosperous cities in all of Asia. International banks such as Citigroup, JP Morgan, Goldman Sachs and others park international headquarters here as well. In fact, a staggering 21% of the nation's overall GDP hails from here. On a global scale, South Korea enjoys the 15th highest market economy and is the 6th biggest exporter and 10th biggest importer. However, recent political tensions with North Korea should be factored in when considering Seoul as a possible study abroad destination.

5. London, England, Great Britain: Londoners enjoy the world's 5th largest economy and the ability to brag about their home as one of the planet's three most influential cities for business (along with New York and Tokyo). Its volatile, ancient, multicultural history and strategic location make it an ideal hub for international and domestic transactions. Various industries spread themselves across five distinct business districts, with similar ones bunching together for maximum efficiency. No matter their area of interest, business students wanting to study abroad will inevitably find something relevant to their studies in London. Those particularly interested in finance or marketing creative pursuits like publishing and fashion should especially consider this kinetic, frenetic city.

6. Milan, Italy: While not the capital city of Italy, Milan serves as its central financial and business hub, sitting as the 4th biggest economy in the European Union. Students and professionals alike flock here to bask in (and hopefully learn from) its myriad successes in the design, fashion, banking, commerce and trade industries. Fashion in particular thrives here, and such illustrious names as Dolce & Gabbana, Prada, Versace, Armani, Gucci and more make Milan their headquarters along. Publishing enjoys far more prominence here than anywhere else in Italy as well, in keeping with the city's international creative and cultural influence.

7. Tokyo, Japan: Along with London and New York, this massive metropolis sports the world's largest urban economy and the 2nd largest stock exchange by market capitalization. It serves as Japan's central business, economic, political and cultural hub, with every industry imaginable represented in its 23 "special wards. Fishing and hatcheries, electronics and robotics, banking, finance, insurance, manufacturing, transportation, media, publishing and fashion businesses with international scopes either headquarter themselves or set up major centers right here. Knowledge of the Japanese language is not essential to academic or financial success, as the city is set up to accommodate English-speaking visitors.

8. Mexico City, Mexico: Given the current sociopolitical climate in Mexico as a result of the drug wars, any visitors are encouraged to thoroughly research and weigh the risks before making any commitments to study in its capital. As the 8th richest city in the world, it leads Latin America in finance and industry and serves as an ideal place for Canadian and American students hoping to attend classes comparatively closer to home. Considering Mexico's involvement with NAFTA, international business majors wanting to learn more about trade and economics should definitely think about snatching up any study abroad opportunities here. Many go because of the excellent Spanish lessons as well.

9. Dublin, Ireland: Ireland's capital and economic hub may be declining since its Celtic Tiger days, dropping from the 2nd highest wages in the EU to the 10th. But that doesn't mean this cosmopolitan city has little to offer the globetrotting business student. Like all other central business districts the world over, cultural, political and economic factors converge for a well-rounded, satisfying experience. This is an especially popular study abroad destination for those interested in the IT sector. Amazon, Yahoo!, Microsoft, PayPal, eBay, Facebook, Google and Symantec all set up major offices in Dublin. Hewlett-Packard and Intel both own major plants in and near the city as well.

10. Dubai, United Arab Emirates: Though more internationally renowned for its ambitious architecture experiments, business students know Dubai as a valuable education destination. Oil and natural gas were both responsible for launching it to economic prosperity, though lately the industries have stepped aside to make room for more tourist revenue. It also plays host to a very active port, perfect for anyone hoping to study international trade and commerce. One of Dubai's most interesting features, however, is its established, industry-specific economic free zones. These areas encourage businesses to congregate in certain areas in exchange for financial incentives, such as tax breaks and minimal regulation. TECOM, for example, sees IT staples such as Microsoft and IBM innovating side-by-side.

10 Great Companies Who Were Green Before It Was Cool

Posted on April 10th, 2011

These days, green business is such an overused buzzword that it can be hard to separate the truly eco-friendly from those who are using the term to polish up their image. Yet there are some companies who have been in on the green thing since well before it was a marketing ploy, establishing their companies on sustainable principles way before it was cool to be green. Here are some of the pioneers that green companies of today have to thank for paving the way and showing how conducting business is really done.

1. Patagonia: Patagonia, a California-based clothing company, has a long history of being a green business. Founded in 1972 by Yvon Chouinard, it has been a contributor to environmental causes since the beginnings, contributing 1% of their total sales or 10% of their profit (whichever is more) to earth-focused charities and organizations. Since the program was started, the company has donated over $25 million to over 1,000 groups. Their commitment to green doesn't stop there; as their facilities have served as models of LEED certification, they have supported a number of environmental initiatives -including a clothing recycling program and an internship program.
2. The Body Shop: Today, The Body Shop has over 2,400 stores in 61 countries. But back in 1976, it was just the dream of one woman who decided to open a natural and organic personal care store in her West Sussex hometown after being inspired by a California visit. While the shop started out selling natural products, its social activism increased over the years, with initiatives to help save the whales, not test on animals, support women and stop human rights abuses. Today, these initiatives which made the company so revolutionary (and ultimately profitable) when it was founded are still in place, with Community Trade programs that help locals get a fair price for the products they sell to the company. Of course, The Body Shop hasn't been without controversy, and a story in 2004 indicated that they might not be as green as they claimed to be.
3. Whole Foods: Based in Austin, Texas, this natural foods retail chain started in 1978 when John Mackey and his girlfriend opened a small store. A few years later, after merging with another one, Whole Foods was born and has since expanded to over 302 stores in the United States, Canada and the UK. Whole Foods is 3rd on the EPA's "Top 25 Green Power Partners" and is regarded as one of the most socially responsible businesses operating in the U.S. today. The store focuses on retailing food and personal care products that have met their standards for being natural or organic and that do not harm animal or human welfare. This green pioneer in the food market hasn't been without criticism in recent years, but its CEO and founder has assured customers that the company would work hard in the coming years to return to focusing on their roots by carrying less junk food.
4. Eden Foods: Eden Foods was founded over 40 years ago in 1968, when a group of students at the University of Michigan decided they were tired of the unhealthy, often chemical-laden offerings sold at the grocery store. Unable to find local retailers that sold something better, as this was well before the days of Whole Foods, they started their own organic food co-op. This eventually turned into a retail store, and the retail store into a production and distribution business that is one of the biggest and most trusted names in natural foods today. Eden Foods' commitment to natural products continues, and with the popularity of soy products and organic produce, the business brings in around $75 million in annual revenue, showing that being green can actually earn you green.
5. Collins Companies: History tells us that loggers and timber companies back in the day didn't give much thought to the long-term consequences of their practices, but there are some exceptions to that -and Collins is a good example. It has been using responsible forestry practices since the 1940s, never clear-cutting or destroying old growth trees when possible. The company has since further refined their practices, earning them Forest Stewardship Council certification. It might have meant losing some control over their business, but it has also resulted in bigger profits, cost and energy saving methods of operations and innovative practices that have kept it greener and leaner than its competitors.
6. Tom's of Maine: Tom's of Maine was founded in 1970 by Tom and Kate Chappell with a small investment of just $5,000. Since its humble beginnings, the company has focused on producing natural personal care products. They manufacture deodorants, soaps, and toothpaste using natural ingredients and without performing any animal testing. Many of their products are actually vegan. The company became so successful that in 2006, Colgate-Palmolive set out to buy it. The original owners sold it, but on the condition that any products sold under the name would still adhere to their natural and animal-friendly policies.
7. Honda: Honda has made a name for itself worldwide by selling some of the most popular and fuel-efficient cars manufactured in the world today. Yet even before Honda got into the green market it was a business focused on reducing waste and running lean and clean. Honda rolled out its "Green Purchasing Guidelines" in 2001, which laid out ways that the manufacturer could reduce greenhouse gases and reduce its carbon footprint through better supply chain management. While many other automakers have complained about stringent new emissions guidelines, Honda has been hard at work engineering ways to meet them, developing both a hybrid car and one that is powered by a hydrogen fuel cell. Working with the goal of being the greenest automaker in the world, the company has promised to reduce its CO2 emissions by 5% over the next few years, on top of reductions they've already made.
8. Xerox: Xerox has never been a business that reveled in waste, even when it could have made them more money selling products. The company has consistently worked to find ways to help office workers create the documents they need without using extra products or paper; in 1969 they introduced the first double sided copier. While they've always had a commitment to the lean ideal, the company has concentrated its efforts over the past 15 years to roll out a pretty serious commitment to going green. This includes a digital DocuShare program, a reduction in packaging and energy consumption, changes in supply chain management, reduction in the use of toxic materials, ink cartridge recycling and companywide contests challenging employees to come up with environmentally-friendly designs. These changes haven't just been good for the environment (cutting an estimated 2.6 million pounds of waste) but have also saved the company $10.2 million in 2010 alone.
9. Stonyfield Farm: Visit almost any grocery store today and you'll see dairy products from this sustainable producer. While they might be popular today, two decades ago when the company was founded, finding funding and marketing all-natural foods wasn't quite as easy as it is today. Company founder Gary Hirshberg managed to turn his farm with a mere seven cows into a thriving sustainable and socially responsible business with annual revenue of over $250 million. Stonyfield hasn't forgotten its green roots, however. They use only organic ingredients, donate 10 percent of their profits to environmental causes and use a number of energy-saving processes to produce their products making them not only admirable green pioneers but a model to be emulated for any of today's sustainable entrepreneurs.
10. Seventh Generation: The head of Seventh Generation, Jeffery Hollender wasn't always in the green market. He began his career selling audio books, but soon became intrigued by the ideas of natural and earth-friendly cleaning and personal care products, sold his company and joined the team at Seventh Generation. Founded in 1988, it has been working for decades to make eco-friendly products more readily available to consumers, well before most other businesses were keyed into the idea of being green. The company uses recycled and post-consumer materials in its packaging and products and can now be found in most natural food stores across the United States, bringing in revenue of over $150 million last year.

60 Slick Office Tricks for April Fool’s Day

Posted on March 31st, 2011

Corporate culture possesses a dry, stiff and overly formal reputation — making it fertile ground for revelry once April Fool's Day rolls around. But even the most ardent prankster out there may feel uninspired when it comes to pulling a few fast ones on coworkers. Consider a few of these when the creative well starts running dry, though it probably should (and sadly can't) go without saying to practice thorough discretion before attempting any of the following practical jokes. More strict office environments may frown on many of these, as would many upper-management types. Try to refrain from pulling anything too scary on heart patients as well. Put forth the effort to gauge what would and would not fly before even considering an April Fool's Day prank.

1. Rearrange the keyboard: This classic takes some delicate work and a bit of effort, but makes up for it in subtlety and success in watching coworkers struggle.

2. Post-It Note Carpeting: Another extremely common prank which can be easily adapted to suit various time, space and financial budgets. The Post-It Notes work on something as minor as a computer or as huge as an entire cubicle.

3. Foil Carpeting: Similar to the Post-It Note classic, the less popular foil version is just as flexible, weird and humorous come April Fool's Day.

4. Tie drawers shut: Confound coworkers by getting inside their desk drawers and tying them shut with twist-ties. While somewhat complicated in execution, the confusion it entails makes the effort well worth it.

5. A Plethora of Packing Peanuts: With a little bit of plastic wrap and a whole lot of polystyrene packaging material, a cubicle becomes ground zero for office tomfoolery.

6. Jell-O Office Supplies: Popularized, but not created by, the American version of The Office, a Jell-O mold starring staplers, mice and other corporate essentials is an April Fool's Day classic.

7. Shut It Down!: Follow the step-by-step instructions here for a super way to confuse coworkers who spend too much time gaming and not enough time on TPS reports.

8. Muffled Voices: If the target sports a gracious sense of humor, wrap a layer of tape beneath the foam on his or her headset. Anyone chatting over the phone will keep complaining of the hushed volume. Be sure to remove it rather quickly to make the day go by smoother.

9. Piney Fresh!: Keep allergies in mind before executing this simple joke. All it takes is a pine-scented air freshener hung up in a strategic spot.

10. Turn it all upside-down: Treat coworkers with a sense of humor to an obvious April Fool's Day prank that still elicits results. Flipping their furniture and supplies upside-down takes a while, but remains a popular trick all the same.

11. Paperclip Chains: Sneak into the target's office or drawers and link together all the paperclips together. This works especially awesome when they're held in a little magnetized container.

12. Stuck Pens: Purchase some lookalike pens — never use ones paid for by the company or victim — and superglue the caps on tightly. Swap them out with the ones on or in a coworker's desk.

13. Block the trackball: A small Post-It Note folded underneath a mouse trackball keeps it from moving around without causing any sort of damage.

14. Set up a fake conference call: If it won't result in a suspension or firing, prank two coworkers by organizing a conference call where one's number calls the other and vice-versa. Then sit back and enjoy the ensuing confusion.

15. (Very) Mini Golf: A couple of intrepid office workers converted a contemporary's desk into a tiny little putting green. This particular prank is as functional as it is humorous.

16. Keyboard Planter: Find a busted, lookalike keyboard — NEVER actually use someone else's — and grow tiny plants in between the keys. Remember to start this trick ahead of time to make sure the seedlings sprout!

17. Taped-up Laser Mouse: Mice without trackballs can still provide minutes of April Fool's Day amusement with the least amount of effort possible. Just place a bit of clear tape over the laser.

18. Jammed Pens: A quick swabbing of clear nail polish on ballpoint pens proves a subtle, but effective, way to baffle coworkers trying to write. Although wiping it off with nail polish remover afterward will salvage the writing tools, it's a good idea to provide some spares in case of emergency.

19. Mistaken Identity: If a new employee or intern happens to start on the hallowed day of merriment, add a little bit of levity to defray some of the stresses and introduce him or her by a different name during introductions. Only those in upper management should attempt this one.

20. It's Urgent!: Stuff an envelope full of copy machine leftovers and label it URGENT! Place it on the victim's desk. Something similar can also be accomplished via e-mail using Google Translate and a handful of random words and phrases.

21. Have the target make a new friend: Stick a truly bizarre portrait into a frame and hang it on the victim's wall or place it on his or her desk. See how long it takes before he or she notices. For a more subtle take, try a not-so-noticeable stranger.

22. Stuck Phone: Double-stick tape and a hearty (but not destructive) push is all it takes to rustle up a quick, easy and utterly harmless April Fool's Day chuckle.

23. Set up a candy trail: The candy trail prank works great on employees keeping dishes of the stuff on their desks. Empty it out and use the pieces to set up a winding path towards the bereft vessel.

24. Rubber band the phone closed: Sit at the target's desk with a pile of thick rubber bands and tie their phone shut using tight designs. More artistic types will appreciate working in such an unusual medium.

25. Wrap everything in newspaper: Before placing them in recycling, use old newspapers to wrap up an entire desk, cubicle or office. Don't forget to cover the walls as well!

26. Fiddle with Autocorrect: If possible, sneak into a coworker's Microsoft Word and play around the autocorrect to replace common words and phrases with more absurd ones. Make sure to change it back before the end of the day to make work flow much easier.

27. Copier Crazies: Pull one over on the entire office by making a few copies of a paperclip and nonchalantly slipping them into the paper tray. Enjoy the looks and gestures of confusion as coworkers try to figure out exactly where this rogue bit of office detritus is jammed.

28. Freeze!: Hide something a coworker loves in the company fridge or freezer. Just be sure to pick something that won't sustain any damage, like tech equipment.

29. Tres Chic: Bring several different outfits to work and change in them before every encounter with the target. It's crucial to involve most of the office here, as calling too much attention to the trick ruins the entire point.

30. Future's so bright target's gotta wear shades: Spend a week or two before the big day slowly adjusting the victim's monitor brightness. By the time April Fool's rolls around, it should be at peak eye-searing goodness.

31. Little Water Cooler Friends: Slip a small, clean(!!!) plastic fish/aquatic mammal or rubber ducky into the water cooler when nobody lurks nearby.

32. Monitor Switcharoo: In offices where such pranks wouldn't be the grounds for dismissal, switching around the chords linking monitors and desktops will definitely elicit considerable laughs. This only works when different terminals are within close enough proximity.

33. Empty out the office: An executive at The Cannon Group pulled off this elaborate trick, which requires a hefty amount of coordination, cooperation and assurance that nobody will get fired. All but the target call in with various excuses for missing work, join up at a bakery, then walk in late with an April Fool's Day cake.

34. Cups, cups everywhere: When pressed for time and creativity, consider filling an office or cubicle with as many plastic cups as can fit. Try to get some in different colors and place them in interesting patterns or spell out a taunting message.

35. Zen Garden: Convert a conference room, office, cubicle or desk into a peaceful place…at least until the target waltzes inside! Make clean-up time run easier by using white rocks instead of sand.

36. Frozen Screen: Another April Fool's Day classic, probably to the point of cliche – taking a screenshot of the desktop, then hiding icons to make the user think something's the matter with his or her computer.

37. Having a (rubber band) ball: Borrow an item favored by the targeted coworker and hide it inside a big, bouncy ball of rubber bands. For added humor, place it in the exact same spot and position.

38. Mystery Meat?: Label today's lunch something grotesque. Like reeeeeaaaaaaaally stomach-churning gross. Nobody's going to mess with it today, ha ha! That'll show 'em! That'll show 'em all!

39. Nom Nom Nom: Stick a small snack in a bag, then snugly hide it in a nearby garbage can. Fish it out and start eating whenever an unsuspecting coworker happens by and watch them gaze upon the scene in horror.

40. The names have been changed to protect the innocent: Assuming no newcomers or visitors will be dropping in on April Fool's, take the initiative to switch around everyone's nameplates. See how long it takes for them to notice.

41. A modern-day whoopee cushion: The jokester changes his or her own cell phone to a fart noise, hides it in a strategic location and makes calls to it throughout the day. Add a bit of stinky flare with some pungent sprays, sometimes available at magic and trick shops.

42. Make a bad smell: Another prank that can only be executed in an environment acceptable of such behavior, as it involves terrible smells and decaying plant matter. A few days before April Fool's, unscrew a desk chair and slip in the nastiness. If all goes according to plan, the rotting smell should transfer over to the victim.

43. Rent out cubicle space: Rent out the cubicles or desks of travelling coworkers and surprise them with a new inhabitant. Pulling off the prank, of course, requires perfect timing.

44. Balloonatics: Much like the previous packing peanut example, balloons can be pressed into service when filling up cubicles with something light and not-so-messy.

45. Gift-Wrapping: Infuse springtime with a touch of Christmas revelry by wrapping up an entire office in the appropriate paper. Make sure to recycle it all after!

46. Arrested Development: Switch out professional stationary for something a little more juvenile or important books for Babysitter's Club. Just make sure not to attempt this one if it would impede progress on a serious project.

47. Hearing Things: If possible, conceal a tiny little radio in the target's ceiling or desk. Keep it playing very faintly and see how long it takes for them to figure everything out.

48. Round of Applause: Clappers. Get some. Attach them to any noncrucial electronics in the victimized coworker's office and go to town.

49. Sorry about that: Slip a small note apologizing for the dent into the target's windshield wipers. Don't actually dent the vehicle, of course. Just enjoy the few minutes of panic. And expect retaliation!

50. Monkey Business: Name a monkey Employee of the Month. Post a picture or get especially surreal by bestowing the honor onto a stuffed simian instead.

51. Ransom, Lose Some: "Kidnap" a desk accessory and leave behind a trail of clues for the target to come find it. Some may call it a cliche, others an April Fool's classic.

52. Rats in the desk drawer: Though this article suggests sticking a real rat in a coworker's desk, but the liabilities incurred if a biting takes place doesn't make it terribly worthwhile. Try for a hyper-realistic rubber or plastic one instead.

53. Fun with Shrink-Wrap: Access to a shrink-wrapping machine opens up a wealth of possibilities to office pranksters excited over April Fool's Day.

54. Smashed Keyboard: No, don't actually cause damage to a coworker's keyboard. Rather, hide the real one and saw a lookalike in half. Securely fasten one side to the top of the desk and another to the bottom. Be sure to sprinkle some sawdust and small splinters around for added confusion.

55. Pretty, Pretty Princess: This rather involved joke transforms an office or cubicle into a pretty pink, sparkly wonderland full of magic and wonder and many, many laughs.

56. Upside-Down Screen: Sneak over to the target's computer and hit CTRL+ALT+down arrow to flip a Windows XP machine's screen flip upside-down. CTRL+ALT+up arrow reverses the "damage."

57. Domo Arigato, Mr. Roboto: A Mr. Microphone pressed into service near a new piece of office can provide minutes of entertainment.

58. A Little Extra: If the target just happens to be working on a small, mundane or otherwise not-terrifically-serious building project — like putting together a new chair, for example — toss a couple of extra washers or screws into the pile to mess with his or her head.

59. Squeaky Drawer: Stick a small, squeaky dog toy behind one desk drawer and laugh at the victimized coworker's attempts to figure out where and why the sound keeps occurring.

60. Zipline: Tie unbreakable desk items to chairs with the most invisible fishing line available. When the target starts shifting, they'll either move or completely fall off, resulting in utter bafflement.

The 10 Most Terrifying Bosses from TV and Film

Posted on March 29th, 2011

Many people have experienced the unfortunate situation of having a bad boss. Fictional characters in particular seem to have the worst of them. Self-serving, sleazy, and even downright evil bosses have been portrayed on TV and film. Here, we'll take a look at the worst of the bunch.

1. Miranda Priestly, The Devil Wears Prada: The Devil Wears Prada seems to revolve around the idea that Miranda Priestly (a fictional Anna Wintour) in an amazingly terrible boss. She's self serving, chilly, manipulative, and impossibly demanding.
2. Michael Corleone, The Godfather: In a family business (even if the family's business is organized crime), there's bound to be a few disagreements and even some layoffs. But Michael Corleone kills his own brother, making it clear he's taking management too far.
3. Bill Lumbergh, Office Space: This jerkwad is not only incompetent, but also cruel. Having employees come in on a Saturday and nagging about ridiculous reports make Bill Lumbergh a terrible boss.
4. Katharine Parker, Working Girl: In Working Girl, Katharine Parker seems like a great boss, at first. And then she steals ideas and seduces Harrison Ford. Not cool.
5. Nigel Wick, Drew Carey: Mr. Wick from the Drew Carey Show is an abusive, impatient boss who was once in rehab for cocaine. Poor Drew once had to marry Mr. Wick so that he could get his green card and keep his job as an evil overlord.
6. Paula, 40 Year Old Virgin: Jane Lynch's role as electronics store manager Paula channels over the top arrogance and confidence. She was overly willing to devirginize poor Andy, and she was a jerk to pretty much everyone else.
7. Mr. Burns, The Simpsons: The diabolical Mr. Burns has a long list of offenses that make him a bad boss. He can't remember the names of any of his employees, even though he monitors them on closed circuit TV. Burns is a great example of an uncaring, money hungry boss.
8. Michael Scott, The Office: As the Branch Manager of Dunder Mifflin Scranton, Michael Scott often requires more management than he actually does. He doesn't quite understand social graces, and has abused employees by running them over and dating their moms.
9. Franklin Hart, Nine to Five: Franklin Hart is such a bad boss, his employees have to kidnap him to be heard. He's sleazy, chauvinistic, and makes unwanted advances, but the ladies of the office eventually prevail.
10. Bob Kelso Scrubs: This Chief of Medicine at Sacred Heart Hospital in unpredictable and uncaring. He can often be found putting his own needs before others, including letting poor patients die so that wealthier ones will live to donate to the hospital.

The 10 Most Socially Irresponsible Big Brands

Posted on March 28th, 2011

Big business often gets a bad rap when it comes to looking out for the little guy and environmental causes. While many large corporations aren't as sinister as some would like to believe, there are others committing blatant crimes, causing harm to thousands and face few, if any, repercussions for their actions. For those interested in a career in business, these companies are a model of how not to run a transparent and socially responsible organization — though they certainly turn a profit– and serve as a lesson for future CEOs on how to create a future of more conscious corporate entities. Here are some of the biggest offenders in the corporate world.

1. Pfizer: Pfizer has a bad record on numerous fronts. They've been fined multiple times for environmental violations, most notably for pumping hazardous chemicals into the air in violation of the Clean Air Act and for sales of asbestos-contaminated insulation by one of their subsidiaries. Even worse, Pfizer has committed some horrible human rights violations, testing new drugs on poor, sick Nigerian children (many of whom died or suffered irreparable brain damage) without their or their parents' knowledge and consent and engaging price gouging on AIDS drugs — even when governments fought tool and nail to get generic licenses to treat the poor in developing nations, where these treatments are needed most! While Pfizer may not be the most socially responsible company, they've at least made some efforts to repay the damages they've done. In 2009, Pfizer gave more than $60 million to charity, amounting to an astounding 24.2% of its total net profits for the year.
2. Wal-Mart: Wal-Mart has become much more than a brand. In many circles, mention the name of this global giant and you'll get a laundry list of its offenses around the world, especially when it comes to treatment of its workers. Employees are often underpaid, overworked and have little recourse, as the bigwigs at the company spend millions each year making ensuring that any attempts to unionize are quickly terminated from employment with the company. The company has also been known to take out life insurance policies on their workers, profiting from their death or misfortune, while their families have little way to pay medical bills or cover funeral costs. And that's not where the bad press ends. The company also has a pretty bad reputation on the environmental front as well, paying fines for infractions all over the United States. While the company is making efforts to improve its environmental record, the low prices of its goods come with a pretty high cost for both humans and the planet.
3. BP: Images of the devastation caused by the recent oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico are hard to forget, notably the miles and miles of ocean coated in a greasy, globular mess, killing off countless numbers of fish, birds and other wildlife that call the area home. While they bill themselves as a business leading the way in green initiatives, BP's careless actions cost lives, damage the environment, and drain thousands upon thousands of jobs, especially in the hardest hit areas like the coast of Louisiana, where residents where already reeling from the effects of Hurricane Katrina. A PR campaign launched to help the company promised that they would take full responsibility for the cleanup and associated costs, yet news reports have shown that they haven't really fulfilled that promise, with dire consequences for Gulf wildlife and the people who call it home. Failed efforts to stem the spill, misinformation given to federal officials and ill-advised attempts at containing the leaked oil (with dispersants the EPA warned against) make this company one of the most socially irresponsible today.
4. ExxonMobil: Of course, BP isn't alone as one of the most socially irresponsible energy companies out there. ExxonMobil also had a pretty epically bad oil spill of its own, tainting miles of Alaskan coastline in a disaster that is still remembered to this day. Yet ExxonMobil's social irresponsibility doesn't end there when it comes to environmental destruction. The company ranks sixth on the list of most toxic air polluters in the US, has been accused time and time again of manipulating and influencing climate change studies, and in the past has actively supported global warming denial organizations — all while a PR program assures consumers that ExxonMobil is investing millions in clean energy. ExxonMobil outdoes BP in social irresponsibility, however, in their blatant disregard for basic human rights. In 2001, the company became the target of a lawsuit alleging that the army they hired to protect their oil fields in Indonesia has committed torture, rape and killings, and that the company was well aware of these violations. They even provided equipment to help commit and cover up these crimes! The case has yet to be settled, and if found guilty the company could be facing big fines and international censure.
5. Dow Chemical: It's hard to put a happy face on a company responsible for the research and development of Agent Orange, a chemical defoliant, and napalm, a thickening agent often mixed with gasoline, used by the U.S. military during Vietnam. These two chemicals alone cost hundreds of thousands of lives, a great deal of them civilian, and caused birth defects in the generations that followed. While they no longer produce either of these chemicals, they do output a number of others that have taken a big toll on the environment, releasing dioxins and chlorinated furans into local waterways– both of which are known to cause cancer and other serious health conditions. Decades of battle with the EPA over these chemicals has resulted in little change, with Dow refusing to clean them up or even warn citizens of the potential dangers they may pose. According to the EPA, Dow has some responsibility for 96 of the United States' Superfund toxic waste sites, placing it in tenth place by number. And their harmful toxic waste isn't just doing damage at home. Union Carbide, purchased by Dow in 2001, was responsible for a toxic leak of methyl iso-cyanide in Bhopal, India that killed over 20,000 people. The company has not helped to clean up nor taken responsibility for any aspect of this leak, and civil and criminal charges against Dow are still underway.
6. Chevron: Google this company and you're likely to find many times more articles about how evil it is than about its virtues. Committing violations in human rights and environmental issues, this corporate giant wreaks havoc around the world. Perhaps one of its most unforgivable and well-known offences took place in between 1964 and 1992. The company left over 600 unlined oil pits in the Amazon rainforest and dumped 18 billion gallons of toxic oil production water into the local rivers. The effect has been devastating, with locals suffering serious health effects ranging from cancer to skin lesions to birth defects. Unfortunately, the toxic effects of their business are felt elsewhere too, with refineries in Richmond, California causing serious health problems to residents there as well. Chevron is a hard corporation to stand up to, as protestors in Nigeria discovered. The company hired military personnel to open fire on a peaceful protest to the construction of oil fields in the area, and it was forced to pay a large settlement for their support of a regime that committed numerous human rights violations in Burma including torture, rape and forced labor.
7. Coca-Cola: It's likely that the products produced by this multi-national, multi-billion dollar company have crossed your lips at one point or another, yet there is a dark history behind the company that many aren't aware exists. Between 1989 and 2002, eight union leaders from bottling plants in Colombia were killed after they raised concerns about labor practices, and many members of the union and workforce there have been kidnapped and tortured to prevent them from supporting it. And that bottled water you drink? You might think twice before taking a sip when you learn where it comes from. Coca-Cola's plant in Kerala, India, gets that water from deep wells in the area, which is great for them – but not so great for residents who are left with little to drink or use for agriculture. While Coca-Cola's worst infractions occurred overseas, they aren't saints at home either, with over 2,000 African-American employees suing and winning a case against the company for race discrimination.
8. Monsanto: There has been an international outcry against genetically engineered produce, justified or not, and agricultural giant Monsanto holds the patent on the bulk of these products. Yet farmers often have little choice whether or not to use the seeds, as the herbicides they spray on their crops (also sold by Monsanto and highly toxic to the environment and humans – not just weeds) accumulate in the soil, making any other plant unable to grow or reproduce there. Only Monsanto's seeds can resist it, and are sold at inflated prices to the farmers. And get your hands on these seeds without going through them? Well, be prepared to be put out of business and perhaps your home, a reality that has hit farmers hard around the world, with some communities in India reporting over 10,000 suicides in response to the desperation caused by the debt and indentured servitude created by this business practice. Monsanto is also responsible for 50 of the world's worst environmental disaster sites, one of which they proceeded to cover up for decades, costing numerous lives and incalculable damage.
9. Nestle: The products Nestle sells may be sweet, but many of their business practices aren't — and you may find that you don't care to indulge in what they sell when you know how it got onto your grocery store shelves. Much of the cocoa used in Nestle's products comes from the Ivory Coast, a country known for using illegal and forced child labor in the production of this commodity. Nestle is and has been well aware of this fact, and agreed to stop doing business with farms that use this type of labor by 2005. Yet the company has still yet to make good on this promise. Nestle also comes under fire for their aggressive marketing campaigns for their baby formula in developing and poor nations. Why is this a big deal? Because the company markets its formula under false pretenses (making mothers believe it is more healthy than their own [free] breast milk) and millions of liters of the substance were found to be contaminated with harmful chemicals. And let's not forget their labor violations, in nations like Columbia. When workers protest absurdly low wages and unsafe working conditions, they're simply fired and replaced with new workers, often at an even lower wage than before.
10. Halliburton: If there ever was a company out there with a truly sinister reputation, it's got to be this federal contracting giant. Questionable bookkeeping and dishonest billing practices have cost American taxpayers billions of dollars for military contracts, a fact which came to light in 2003 and again in 2005 when the company was busted for overcharging and double billing. Halliburton's former CEO, Dick Cheney, also brought the company into question when he continued to receive income from them despite it being a conflict of interest when they provided government work. Halliburton raked in numerous contracts during the Bush era, most of which were later found to be orchestrated by Cheney himself, though he continues to deny his involvement. Of course, their infractions aren't limited to financial ones. They also bring in thousands of overseas laborers to perform the tasks set out in their contracts. These laborers have few, if any, rights in the countries where they work, sleep in crowded trailers, work 70 or more hours a week and are not given adequate medical care. Other infractions include doing business with countries known to engage in human rights violations, robbing workers' pension funds, employees exposed to asbestos and the list goes on and on.

10 Celebs Who Hate Paying Taxes

Posted on March 27th, 2011

It makes no sense that celebrities don't pay their taxes. They often get paid an exorbitant amount of money to do what they do; it really shouldn't be a problem to set aside a chunk for Uncle Sam, who has proven by now that he doesn't like it when you hold out on him. Most perplexing of all is the fact that these people are, you know, famous. They're high-profile people, raking in wealth in a very public way. Did they think they could just pretend not to have the money? We all saw the movies, heard the music, and watched the shows. We know how well you're doing. Socking away an extra million in the mattress and then claiming ignorance is just sad. Let this be a lesson: you're never too big to pay your bills, especially where the federal government is concerned.

1. Wesley Snipes: Even winning a Blockbuster Entertainment Award can't keep you out of hot water with the feds. Wesley Snipes had a decent career going for a while: comedies like Major League and White Men Can't Jump, sexy-but-not-really thrillers like Rising Sun and Murder at 1600. Plus who can forget the prescient vision of Demolition Man? Unfortunately, by the mid-'00s, most of his work was releasing straight to DVD. Either as a cause or effect, he started running into money troubles. He was hit in 2006 with charges of conspiracy and tax fraud, as well as multiple counts of a willful failure to file his income tax returns. This was the beginning of Snipes' long road to ruin. He was found innocent of conspiracy but guilty of failure to file his return, and in April 2008, he was sentenced to three years in prison. Appeals were rejected, and in December 2010 he reported to prison in Pennsylvania, where he'll be housed until July 2013. Hang tough, Willie Mays Hayes.
2. Joan Baez: Of all the celebs to ever skirt tax law, Joan Baez is one of the least surprising. In the late 1960s, a number of high-profile artist signed the Writers and Editors War Tax Protest pledge, promising to withhold income tax in protest of the Vietnam War, but Baez beat them to it. In 1964, the folk singer took a public stand against the man by refusing to pay most of her taxes. True, a 100 percent withhholding might have had more punch, but still, refusing to pay the IRS 60 percent of what you owe them is going to get you in the papers. That was also the year Baez founded the Institute for the Study of Nonviolence, and she also encouraged concert attendees to resist the draft. She was not, to put it kindly, the Johnson administration's favorite person.
3. Nicolas Cage: What do you know, the guy capable of freaking out like this turned out to have some instability in his personal life. Nicolas Cage, nee Nicolas Kim Coppola, nee Nicolas "Fruitcakes" Coppola, has been a major star for a couple of decades now, owing largely to his volcanic personality and willingness to don a bear suit and beat up women. But it's the mighty that fall the hardest, and after a series of major real estate purchases and sales starting in 2004, Cage ran into tax trouble. In July 2009, the IRS filed papers in Louisiana claiming unpaid federal taxes, claiming that he'd stiffed them for more than $6 million in 2007. Later that year, Cage sued his business manager for fraud, effectively saying that it was all the manager's fault that the government never got their checks. The manager filed a counter-complaint (yep) that said, essentially, that Cage was spending money like a madman, investing everything in real estate and a certain type of lifestyle that was flashy but profitless. Cage has had to sell several properties to make up for the delinquent payments.
4. Joe Francis: Running afoul of the law is never fun, but there's something grimly pleasing about seeing the book get thrown at Joe Francis, who became famous for aiding the exploitation of college girls on Spring Break by giving them T-shirts in exchange for letting him film them make out and fool around. Yes, Francis was the mastermind behind Girls Gone Wild, a video franchise that at one point raked in $40 million a year. Francis' success meant he was no stranger to complaints against him — harassment was a common charge — but in 2007 he graduated with an indictment of federal tax evasion from a Nevada grand jury. The Department of Justice claimed that Francis took more than $20 million in deductions he didn't earn, and when the location shifted to California, Francis pleaded not guilty. Long story short: he got arrested for not showing up to his hearing, then eventually pleaded guilty in September 2009 to filing false tax returns. That November, the IRS placed a lien of almost $34 million on his accounts for failure to pay taxes from 2001-2003. Maybe he can pay them in plastic beads?
5. Sinbad: Sinbad seems like such a nice guy, you know? His stand-up comedy is family-friendly and laced with nostalgia, and his TV and movie appearances — A Different World, Houseguest — are similarly broad. But the guy's made some bad spending choices, and he's made the issue worse by not taking into account how much he actually owed the federal government. In 2009, he made news as one of the worst tax debtors in the state of California, owing more than $2.5 million (!) in personal income tax. It got so bad that the comedian declared bankruptcy, stating he had only $50,000 in assets but up to $50 million in liabilities. (For the non-accounting majors out there, that's a bad ratio.) In early 2010, he put his home up for sale to start whittling away at the debt. Let this be a lesson: no matter how awesome people tell you your parachute pants are, you should always save money for a rainy day.
6. Richard Hatch: Even by the standards of celebrity ignorance, this is a bone-headed move. Richard Hatch was the first winner of Survivor here in the U.S., a pop culture feat that came with a $1 million prize. For reasons no one will ever be able to understand, Hatch didn't declare his winnings when filing his taxes for that year, perhaps hoping that his accountant wasn't a fan of reality TV. Even dumber, he apparently didn't declare the $321,000 he earned from promotional radio appearances. There's only one way this could have ended: punishment. Hatch was indicted in September 2005 and found guilty of tax evasion the following January. In May 2006, he was sentenced to 51 months in prison, but in May 2009, he was released to serve a term of home confinement. He got in more trouble (yes, more) for giving unauthorized interviews while under house arrest, finished his sentence in October 2009, and found himself back in court in December 2010 for — you guessed it — failing to file federal tax returns. On March 11, 2011, he was sentenced to 9 months of prison time to be followed by a couple years of supervised release.
7. Dionne Warwick: How did Dionne Warwick not see this one coming? (Zing!) After a lengthy career as a singer, actress, and professional spokesperson for a totally reputable group of psychics, Warwick was revealed to be quite the tax delinquent. A 2009 story disclosed that she owed more than $2 million to the government. At the time, her representative said that Warwick was working to pay off the debt, though she's also apparently been spending a lot of time in Brazil.
8. Pete Rose: Weirdly, Pete Rose's personal income tax issues feel like the least of his concerns, at least from the standpoint of rehabilitating his image from the shellacking it got when he confessed to gambling on baseball games (including those featuring his own Cincinnati Reds) and getting permanently banned from baseball. In 1990, Rose fessed up and pleaded guilty to charges of filing false income tax returns. He'd made money from selling autographs and from gambling on horse races — the man's got a style, that's for sure — and in July 1990, Rose was given five months' time in an Illinois prison and fined $50,000. He saw release the following January, but his debt to society wasn't repaid until he'd logged 1,000 hours of community service and paid more than $360,000 in back taxes. Way to go, Charlie Hustle.
9. Val Kilmer: Val Kilmer's off-screen persona — well-meaning, slightly bonkers — has lately come to overshadow his on-screen career. Once one of the hottest leading men in Hollywood, he's recently been spending a lot of time on his New Mexico ranch. Perhaps because of his increasingly tenuous ties to his old life, he hit some rough patches recently, particularly with regard to tax law. At the end of 2010, it was revealed that he owed almost half a million dollars in back taxes, the result of which was a lien placed against his ranch. The property was put up for sale with an $18.5 million price tag, and though that's a steep asking price just to rest your head in the home of the star of Real Genius, it's also a discount from the previously proposed $23 million.
10. Nas: Nas — who beefed with Jay-Z and had a baby with Kelis — is just one of the many musicians to get rich and forget to cover his assets. In fall 2009, news broke that the IRS had placed a lien against his property for a staggering $2.5 million and change, asserting that he didn't pay his income tax in 2006 or 2007. Considering he's already shelling out $50k a month to Kelis for child support, this was probably not a welcome development for the rapper. Over time, though, the story got worse: an update in January 2011 revealed that he owed more than $6 million. His story is an unfortunate one, but a reminder that he and others who've been hit with such bills have brought the problems on themselves. It's not like he woke up one day and was suddenly $6 million in the hole. If you don't pay what you owe, the IRS will come after you. Period. This tax season, be sure to claim your earnings, file a clean return, and be honest. Anything else is just suicide.

50 Killer Business Cards That Put Yours to Shame

Posted on March 21st, 2011

From dressing perfectly at your interview to keeping up with social media and blogging, you're already doing a lot to jump ahead of the competition in your industry and in the job market. A clever, well-designed business card will help you go even further, so check out these killer examples for inspiration on amping up your favorite networking accessory.

Art and Design Quality

From photography to illustrations, these cards show off impressive design work.

1. Doc Pop: Doc Pop designed his flipside off an iPhone contact entry.
2. Flipsides: This illustrator has a different design on each of his flipsides.
3. Elizabeth and Jane: Photographers should put their most appealing photos on their business cards — it should be a rule.
4. Arthur Porto: Cute, quirky, and very well done.
5. s.mohd: You'd hire this photographer on the spot.
6. James Wickenden: Sometimes, black and white is powerful enough.
7. Weheartit: Cool for hipsters and beyond.
8. Photo collage: Here's another nice example of using your card as a portfolio.
9. Square cards: A slightly different shape will make yours stand out.
10. SinusTV: These circle cards look like poker chips.
11. Illustrations: This illustrator chose to use personal drawings.
12. Home-made: A cardboard wrapper keeps this card together.
13. Henry Rodriguez: This tattoo artist used a clever design.
14. Yellow Canoe: This card isn't particularly edgy, but it's colorful and informative.
15. FrozenSheep: It's so simple and cute, it's irresistible.
16. McCarty PhotoWorks: An impressive example of the kind of photography work this company can do.
17. Made by Telaine: These creative cards can double as product tags.
18. Bubbles: Gorgeous, fun photography.
19. Sliced Orange: This director's card really stands out.
20. Talk to Chuck: Chuck made a special card to remind contacts where he'd met them.

Cleverness and Creativity

Plain card stock wouldn't do for these professionals.

21. Antonio Carusone: Simple and readable.
22. openthewindow.net: This card pays tribute to old-school contact sharing.
23. Second World Business Card: Designed like a concert ticket, this card will fit nicely in your wallet.
24. MacNet: Cards like these are harder to lose.
25. Gavin Martin Business Card: It might get crushed in your wallet — even more reason to set it up on your desk where you'll never lose it.
26. Dreamten Studios: You might hold onto this card if it reminds you of a credit card.
27. Another Bloomin' Designer: This card will convince you to keep it on your desk, not in your pocket.
28. Vancouver Biennale: Here's a simple version you could do yourself.
29. StickerCo: Made for a fictional company, this card looks like it's ready to be dropped off in the mail.
30. Taste Chocolate: Marcy Richards' card is as tasty as her chocolate.
31. Char: This person used a single nickname on the cards and will scribble down the most updated contact information when asked.
32. Bigger picture: If only each recipient could see the bigger picture!
33. Collect 'em all: Cheesy sports pictures make anyone laugh.
34. Adam Mayer: This paper gear card is truly creative.
35. Leaf Art: This delicate card involved etching a design onto a leaf.
36. Tea bags: Business cards made of Lady Grey tea bags show off this Etsy member's creativity.
37. La Charcuterie: Let your customers pick out their own business card from the meat netting.
38. Meat Card: It may be off-putting to some, but this card is made of real meat jerky.
39. Pop up: This card took a lot of extra time and thought.

Branding Brilliance

Match your card design to your business, and you'll achieve branding brilliance.

40. Aiza Tancinco-Bautista: From the background design to the coding clues, this card is perfection.
41. Etsy card: This card lists exactly what's sold on the Etsy site.
42. AdWorks: This designer proves he knows his stuff.
43. Rabbits: This card was just part of a homework assignment, but the cut-out bunnies are a perfect match for the fictional book publishing company, and it would be genius for the real world, too.
44. Dog tags: When design meshes perfectly with the company.
45. Watermelon Sugar: This card is shaped just like a watermelon slice.
46. Cafe Java: Jennifer Reed's card looks like the perfect cup on one side, and a coaster on the other.
47. The Bombay Bakery: You can actually eat this business card.
48. fotographix: The motto on this card is fantastic.
49. Broke Bike Alley: The material, design and fact that it's an actual pocket tool make this card a winner.
50. Brian Folchetti: Use a picture of yourself if you're afraid your contacts won't remember you.