Tough Love and Advice for Entrepreneurs from VentuRealization Mentors
Entrepreneurs often need a reality check as they prepare to launch their new venture.
Economy
To Catch Worker Misconduct, Companies Hire Corporate Detectives
As businesses face more complex regulations and heightened scrutiny by prosecutors, companies are turning to investigative firms to help keep watch over their employees. The idea behind the "corporate monitoring" business is to nip misconduct in the bud before law enforcement catches a whiff of it.
iPads, China: Twin Threats To Wisconsin's Paper Industry
The paper industry once employed thousands of people across the state. Now, mills are closing. John Schmid of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported on the state of the industry in Wisconsin as well as in China. He explains how the state is losing a publishing-grade paper mill each year.
After The 'Fiscal Cliff,' Businesses Say Some Uncertainty Remains
Even after Congress' action to avert part of the "fiscal cliff," business owners remain cautious about hiring and expanding. Those that are growing cite the underlying economy, but others say uncertainty about government spending is keeping them wary.
'Cliff' Deal Would End Payroll Tax Holiday
As part of the "fiscal cliff" deal moving through Congress, a two-year-old payroll tax holiday comes to an end. Under the tax holiday, the 6.2 percent payroll tax was cut to 4.2 percent for all American workers. NPR's John Ydstie talks about what the change will mean for employees and the economy.
Settlements Underscore Damage Done In Housing Crash
Some of the biggest banks in the country have agreed to pay more than $18 billion to settle allegations of wrongdoing in their mortgage lending. And in a separate settlement, 10 banks agreed to pay more than $8 billion to settle claims they made errors in foreclosing on people's homes.
A Strong Voice For Brazil's Powerful Farmers
Brazil is now a world power when it comes to food production. And a leading symbol of that might is Katia Abreu, a senator, landowner and head of the country's most powerful Big Agro association. But environmentalists say limits need to be placed on the farming industry in order to protect the forests of the Amazon.
Germany's Housing Market Is Hot. Is It Overheating?
Buyers are snapping up property in Germany, leaving some analysts worried that it's a bubble in the making. But others say the conservative approach to home ownership, including a tradition of large down payments, will protect the market from a U.S.-style crash.
London Real Estate, A Magnet For Mega-Rich From Around The Globe
In most of Britain, property prices are slumping amid a weak economy. But mega-rich foreigners see London's upscale neighborhoods as a safe place to invest, and they are snapping up properties and pushing up prices even though many don't plan to use these homes as a primary residence.
3-D Printing Is (Kind Of) A Big Deal
It's miraculous to see: Press a button, make anything you want. But will it transform the economy?