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Thursday, August 13, 2009

Russell Simmons Viewpoint

Interesting indeed. I don't think it's wrong to make a style statement with your choice of jewelry. He was spot on. You design and you do what you feel and this feels more honest.

Useful link:
www.simmonsjewelryco.com

Design Thinking 2009

Tim Brown's (IDEO) viewpoint on Design Thinking at TED Global in London was inspiring.

Useful links:
www.ted.com
http://designthinking.ideo.com

Fluorescence Blues

Michael Cowing's opinion piece on fluorescent diamonds and the techniques to separate true-white diamonds from false ones was insightful. www.acagemlab.com

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

Random Thoughts

You need to listen to adversaries and understand where they are coming from. Then find a way to find common ground with them. After all these years of working with different groups, I've gotten comfortable with Mick Jagger's idea that you don't always get what you want, but you get what you need.

- Jim Rogers
www.duke-energy.com

Spot on.

Asteroid Impact Craters

The asteroid impact craters actually looked like beautiful sculptures. Check out this link http://geology.com/meteor-impact-craters.shtml

Project Colorblind

I found Continuum's project Colorblind very interesting. Find out what they have discovered. www.dcontinuum.com

Artificial Leaf Project

I found the artificial leaf project intriguing. If all goes well, the researchers could eventually mimic, photosynthesis, and build artificial systems that can do the same to generate clean fuels such as hydrogen and methanol. These would then be used in fuel cells to make electricity or directly to power super-clean vehicles. Brilliant.

Useful links:
www.bio.ic.ac.uk/research/Barber
http://web.mit.edu/chemistry/dgn/www
www.ukerc.ac.uk

London Jewel Heist

How could the two robbers armed with handguns get away with 43 jewels and watches worth £40m? Hard to believe, really.

Useful link:
www.graffdiamonds.com

Lord Of War Update

A Thai court has rejected a US request for the extradition of Viktor Bout, an alleged Russian arms dealer a.k.a the 'Merchant of Death'. He is believed to have inspired Nicolas Cage's character in the 2005 film 'Lord of War'. He appeared on UN Security Council resolution travel ban list - along with the then Liberian President Charles Taylor and some of his ministers - as 'Victor Anatoljevitch Bout alias Butt, Bont, Buttee, Boutov, Sergitov Vitali', and was described thus: 'Businessman, dealer and transporter of weapons and minerals. Arms dealer in contravention of UNSC resolution 1343. Supported former President Charles Taylor's regime in efforts to destabilise Sierra Leone and gain illicit access to diamonds.' This is Thailand (TIT). Stay tuned.

­Peabody Essex Museum

The ­Peabody Essex Museum is exhibiting a visiting collection of work that reveals the very foundation of maritime painting—70 seascapes by Dutch contemporaries of Rembrandt and Vermeer. Don't miss. Thanks B L Scherer.

Useful link:
www.pem.org

Global Business BBC

In the latest edition Peter Day talks to Sunny George Verghese, Group Managing Director and CEO, Olam International about globalization and its impact on branding. Spot on.

Useful link:
www.olamonline.com

Campbell Bridges

It has been reported that Campbell Bridges, the first person to introduce Tanzanite (1967) and Tsavorite (1967-Tanzania/1970-Kenya) to the world has been killed over an unknown dispute at a mine in the Taita Taveta District in Tsavo National Park.

Useful links:
www.tsavorite.com
www.gemstone.org

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

Bethan Laura Wood

Bethan Laura Wood's beautiful designs caught my attention. Fresh and eye-catching, really.

Useful link:
www.woodlondon.co.uk

World Expo 2010

In 2010, Shanghai will host the World Expo. What's intriguing is the presence of design-conscious countries and their stunningly beautiful pavilions. Don't miss. http://en.expo2010.cn

The Energy Report

The report on uranium was interesting. I believe global acceptance of nuclear energy will have a big impact on uranium over the next decade as countries move towards a viable non-greenhouse gas-generating alternative to oil or coal. Of course safety measures must be carefully considered. That's the way to go.

Useful links:
www.theenergyreport.com
www.mineralfields.com

The Coffee World And Climate Change

Peter Baker's opinion piece was educational and insightful. As the New York Times columnist Thomas Friedman put it, globalisation is where everything is connected and nobody is in charge. Spot on. How do you tackle climate change and price stability?

Useful links:
www.cabi.org
www.scidev.net
www.guardian.co.uk/environment/network

Artists Pay For Stay With Artwork, Not Cash

Hotel Marienbad in Auguststrasse has opened its doors to artists, asking them to pay for bed and board not with money but with a work of art. A great project indeed. In fact I loved it.

Useful links:
www.kw-berlin.de
www.art-in-berlin.de/incbmeld.php?id=1405

Customer Experience

Strativity Group's research findings on customer experience was interesting. Consumers want an immersive experience, and they are willing to pay for it. Period.

Useful link:
www.strativity.com

The Jewelers Vigilance Committee Views

The Jewelers Vigilance Committee (JVC) has launched a free electronic newsletter, eNews and Views, for members that contains important information for the retail industry. Check it out.

Useful link:
www.jvclegal.org

Monday, August 10, 2009

Art Market Update

Souren Milikian's opinion piece on Sothebys and Christies was interesting. For years, the two auction giants have been at each other’s throats for art-market supremacy, and I think they will continue to do so to get a bigger market share. If history repeats itself, and the unexpected always happens, how incapable must man be of learning from experience. George Bernard Shaw.

Useful links:
www.sothebys.com
www.christies.com

Alex Katz

A Katz painting, for all its coolness, projects feeling. So true! It's really amazing at 82, he is still young and competes with artists half his age for the audience.

Useful link:
www.alexkatz.com

Gary Hamel Viewpoint

What a brilliant post! What everyone learned is that when you treat people like adults, they act like adults. So true!

Useful links:
http://blogs.wsj.com/management
www.garyhamel.com

The Gold Report

Brent Cook's views on the economy + Chinese purchasing + investment in gold and base metals stocks was interesting. www.theaureport.com

Noguchi Museum

The Noguchi Museum in Long Island City, New York is indeed a work of art. Don't miss.

Useful link:
www.noguchi.org

David Byrne

David Byrne's musical artwork was brilliant. I loved it. www.davidbyrne.com

Sunday, August 09, 2009

The Cove

The Cove is a documentary about dolphin slaughter in Japan. The filmmakers literally took their life in their hands to make it. I think it's one of the best eco-documentaries of the year. http://thecovemovie.com

Heard On The Street

I have often tried to explain to the young ones how I can be wrong most of the time and still make money in business. Luck is important in any undertaking.

Panama Canal

4% of world trade passes through the Canal, and thanks to its widening. We will be in optimal condition, starting from 2015, to deal with what could be a possible increase of up to 6% of world trade through the Isthmus of Panama. Vielka Vasquez de Avila, University of Panama.

Useful link:
www.pancanal.com

I hope the environmental impact would be minimal.

Cathédrale d'Images

Fifty years ago, Picasso acted in Jean Cocteau's Testament of Orpheus, filmed in a limestone quarry in Les Baux-de-Provence. The quarry, now a cave-like gallery, is home to a Picasso exhibit in which his paintings are projected onto the irregular stone walls, which reach up to 40 feet high, accompanied by music from Miles Davis and Vivaldi. It's an immersive experience. Don't miss.

Useful link:
www.cathedrale-images.com

Earth's Oceans

I have always wondered whether the impactors were icy comets or rocky asteroids. Maybe it's both. Perhaps it was an happy accident. Every time I drink a glass of water I think about it.

Useful links:
www.nbi.ku.dk
www.astrobiology.cf.ac.uk
http://geosci.uchicago.edu/~dauphas

Beautiful Losers

The new film explores underground subcultures in 1990s New York. www.beautifullosers.com

Jim Rogers News

Jim is well respected for good reason. He is usually spot on, and he isn't afraid to speak his mind.

Useful links:
http://jimrogers.tk
www.youtube.com/user/JimRogersChannel

Gem Mining In The Kaluganga River, Sri Lanka

The Centre for Environmental Justice (CEJ) has filed a case in the Court of Appeal challenging licenses issued by Hasitha Thilakaratne, Gem & Jewellery Authority chairman, to mine gems in the Kaluganga River bed at Kahangama, where mining has allegedly damaged the environment. I hope they do the right thing. Check out the link www.ejustice.lk

Random Thoughts

Thousands perhaps are in the backwaters of life because of the debacles in 1997 and 1998. These stories should be a lesson to those trading today, with the same systems enlivened with better kinds of flashing lights. It was some kind of miracle that I took $25,000 and turned it into $115,000 back in the heydays. The market just went up and up and I could not pick a bad stock. I would make $10,000 in a few days. Then the market turned and I did not recognize it, played the same game, did not change my style, kept reading web pages from the bulls. But the bears had taken over. Then by the time I recognized my error the bulls had taken charge again and by that time I was listening to the bears. I lost both ways.

- Ken Smith

Spot on.

Japanese Akoya Pearls

Mikimoto's new akoya pearl culturing project in Ainoshima was interesting. If they are able to harvest akoya pearls with good color and luster, then it's good news for the pearl industry.

Useful link:
www.mikimoto.com

Saturday, August 08, 2009

The Fantasticks

A great musical. Really. www.fantasticksonbroadway.com

Innovation In A Downturn

The Mckinsey report was insightful. It's amazing how innovation transforms traditional businesses to successful business models of tomorrow. A New Normal. Really.

Useful link:
http://whatmatters.mckinseydigital.com

Copenhagen Consensus Centre Report

The scientists proposal of using cloud ships to launch clouds into the sky via 1,900 unmanned wind-powered ships criss-crossing the oceans, sucking up sea water and spraying it from the top of tall funnels to create vast white clouds was interesting. The Copenhagen Consensus Center estimates that it will only cost US$9 billion to launch in the next 25 years, compared to the US $250 billion that many countries plan to spend on climate change every year. It's mind boggling, really. The question is, will it work?

Useful link:
www.copenhagenconsensus.com

Friday, August 07, 2009

Random Thoughts

The worst thing you can do in a trade is try to get back to even. I call that the 'prayer trade.' I can spot guys on the floor who have it on because they shake back and forth, basically in prayer, mumbling, 'Oh, please God, just let it come back to me. Let me break even.' What is that? Break even? That’s a loser. I’m not in this business to break even. There’s always opportunity in the markets, so forget breaking even. If breaking even is your goal, you’re not trading anymore.

- James Lackey

So true!

Butler & Wilson

I think imitation jewelry will never go out of style. For 40 years Butler & Wilson has been the jewelry company of choice for film stars and princesses, they have made imitation into chic, and its amazing their deliciously sparkling gems and fantastically oversized jewelry has adorned the pages of Vogue for four decades. A great story indeed. Hats off to Simon Wilson!

Useful link:
www.butlerandwilson.co.uk

Thirty Second MBA

I loved it. Directly from the people who make business happen. Good advice from the trenches. Short. Sweet. Unfiltered. Entertaining. Relevant. Thanks, Fast Company. 30 Second MBA

Shepard Fairey Update

Shepard Fairey is back with a new Barack Obama portrait with a brow knit in determination, surrounded by a halo of stars. It's on the cover of the August 20, 2009 Rolling Stone. www.rollingstone.com

Useful link:
http://obeygiant.com

Gemfields Report

Gemfields auction results were interesting. They were able to sell 26 of 27 parcels of rough emeralds in London for US$5.9 million, an average of US$4.37 per carat. The 1.36 million carats offered in the auction represented the higher quality stones produced at Kagem, but only 5% of total production by volume. The only parcel that failed to reach its reserve price contained just over 3,000 carats for which Gemfields wanted US$300/carat. Great timing. www.gemfields.co.uk

Chaim Even Zohar Viewpoint

Spot on Chaim. Lack of action will damage both KP (The Kimberley Process Certification Scheme) and the diamond industry, and impact consumer confidence. It's a catch-22 situation.

Useful links:
www.kimberleyprocess.com
www.riotinto.com
www.acrplc.com
www.worlddiamondcouncil.com
www.globalwitness.org

Robert Young Pelton

I am a big fan of anything Pelton. He is an author, journalist and documentary filmmaker. www.comebackalive.com

Thursday, August 06, 2009

Certified Gold Coins

Collectors are investing in certified gold coins because they believe it's the only real money in existence. The basic fact that gold retains its value over time has been true for thousands of years and is still true today. Want to give it a try? www.encoregold.com

Useful links:
www.pcgs.com
www.ngccoin.com

Ten Mysteries Of You

There is nothing more fascinating to most of us than ourselves. The New Scientist report on human behavior was interesting. www.newscientist.com

Overnight Success Phenomena

Great review. No one knows for sure as to why ideas and behaviors catch on and spread like wildfire, and then boomerang. Could it be state of mind? Momentary autism? I think it's 'This is here today, gone tomorrow' syndrome. Forever. Really.

Vancouver Convention Centre

It's more than a building. With its thoughtful design, it's a living green roof. What a great view! www.vancouverconventioncentre.com

Useful links:
www.lmnarchitects.com
http://vimeo.com/user1406895
www.pwlpartnership.com/people/principals/bruce_hemstock

BIF-5 Storytellers

Mark your calendar. The BIF-5 Collaborative Innovation Summit bring together today's most compelling innovators, business model renegades and true transformers to discuss innovation success through personal storytelling. http://businessinnovationfactory.com

Budd Schulberg

Budd Schulberg, the legendary screenwriter and novelist who won an Oscar in 1954 for his classic film 'On the Waterfront,' (one of my favorite films of all time) has died. He was 95. May his soul rest in peace.

The Music Painter

Meet Kilford. The music painter. Quite simply, he paints music. http://themusicpainter.com

The Edinburgh Art Festival 2009

The festival has something for everyone. www.edinburghartfestival.com Don't miss.

New Ruby And Sapphire Guide

CIBJO has made its new Ruby and Sapphire guides available to the public at large in a printable single-sheet format for download. www.cibjo.org

New Gem Cutting Styles

How Optix® Facets Work. Check out the link www.byrex.com

Tungsten Rings

It’s a darker gray, and men like it because of its masculine look and feel. Tungsten is hard and doesn’t scratch easily, it’s user-friendly. Give it a try.

Wednesday, August 05, 2009

Zero Emissions Research Initiative

Gunter Pauli's Nature's 100 Best, a shortlist of one hundred technologies inspired by proven design systems from Nature was brilliant. A must read.

Useful links:
www.zeri.org
www.n100best.org

Olivia Judson Viewpoint

I completely agree. Since the techniques for extracting DNA and sequencing it have improved, I hope we would be able to expand our understanding of evolutionary patterns as an invaluable source of knowledge. Thanks Olivia.

Useful links:
http://judson.blogs.nytimes.com
www.drtatiana.com

Matt Held's Project

I really liked Matt Held's Platform Project Space. A brilliant idea indeed.

Useful links:
www.heldstudios.com
http://platform.denisebibrofineart.com

Environmentaland

Environmentaland is the brainchild of Global Inheritance, a non-profit that works to engage young people in bringing social and environmental change to their communities. Great concept.

Useful link:
www.globalinheritance.org

Global Business BBC

I love listening to Peter Day's Global Business. Listen to Learning Curve. The message is fresh, relevant and insightful.

Useful links:
www.bt.com
www.sun.com
www.bersin.com
http://daretoshare.wordpress.com
www.saba.com

Capturing The 19th Century

Rarely seen images from the British Library's collection was brilliant. Old is always gold. Check out the link www.bl.uk

Tuesday, August 04, 2009

Brecon Jazz Festival 2009

The 26th Brecon Jazz Festival is set to come alive to the sounds of jazz legends from across the world from August 7 - 9, 2009. Don't miss. www.breconjazz.org

The Curious Case Of Dina Wein Reis

The grifter, wrote David Maurer in his classic 1940 study of con men, 'has a gentle touch.' He takes his 'toll from the verdant sucker by means of the skilled hand or the sharp wit ... Of all the grifters, the confidence man is the aristocrat.' What's intriguing about Dina Wein Reiss was that she was so good, she was able to pull it off in a really cool way. She knew how to play the game. She took advantage of everyone in the distribution chain. The hardest tumble a man can make is to fall over his own bluff. Ambrose Bierce. What a story! Thanks to James/Doris.

Knowing Your Limits

Great post (May 20, 2007) by Victor Niederhoffer. At times it's hard to keep up with the rule of ever-changing cycles. As Clint Eastwood said, 'Man's got to know his limitations.' This holds true in business and life.

Vivid Pink Diamond

A rare, 5-carat pink diamond set in a so-called cushion-cut ring by famed jewellers Graff Diamonds will be sold in Hong Kong this December by Christies. I think this diamond is going to fetch a sweet price. Stay tuned.

There are pink diamonds and then there are pink diamonds. It is extremely rare for a stone of such top quality to appear on the market with top notes in color, cut, clarity and carat weight. This 5-carat vivid pink gem combines the best of all criteria.
- Francois Curiel, Christies

Useful links:
www.christies.com
www.graffdiamonds.com

Bijoux Terner Necklace

This Bijoux Terner resin necklace was exquisite in its design. Beautiful and simple. Really. www.bijouxterner.com

Ron Arad: No Discipline

Ron Arad: No Discipline
August 2, 2009–October 19, 2009 @ www.moma.org

Ron Arad is one of the most influential designers of our time. I think his designs have the ability to communicate and connect the dots. A must visit. Really.

The Art + Fashion + Architecture Of Louis Vuitton

Extraordinary work of art/architecture indeed. I loved it. www.louisvuitton.com

Random Thoughts

Sixty years ago, my wife Sheila and I bought the house we live in to this day. We could not afford carpets or curtains but, more importantly for us, we had a few pictures for our walls. We have loved and cherished these wonderful pieces throughout the course of our lives but, in all truth, art belongs to no-one. Some of us are simply its temporary, fortunate and delighted custodians.

- Lord Richard Attenborough
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Attenborough

So true!

Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) Report

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has notified the Jewelers Vigilance Committee (JVC) + the American Gem Trade Association (AGTA) that it will not take action against those who imported or sold irradiated gemstones in the United States before November 2007. The decision came as a result of the JVC and AGTA asking the NRC to exempt certain gemstones in light of the efforts the industry has made to comply with new laws surrounding irradiated gemstones. The JVC and AGTA have developed an easy-to-understand guide on the requirements of importing and selling irradiated gemstones in the United States, 'The Essential Guide to the Trade in Irradiated Gemstones.'

Useful links:
www.nrc.gov
www.jvclegal.org
www.agta.org

Monday, August 03, 2009

Watching People Look At Art

For me visiting museums has always been about total internal reflection. Slow looking helps to record memories and see them better. Thanks Michael for the insightful piece.

Useful link:
www.louvre.fr

Personal Scenario Planning

Peter Schwartz's tutorial on scenario planning was brilliant. A great guidepost. Really.

Useful links:
www.gbn.com
www.longnow.org

Julie & Julia

Every time Meryl Streep appears on screen, the film just glows. Really. Julie & Julia is comedy-drama film. Meryl Streep is Julia Child and Amy Adams is Julie Powell in writer-director Nora Ephron's adaptation of two bestselling memoirs. Go and watch the movie. www.julieandjulia.com

Sunday, August 02, 2009

The American Time Use Survey

The American Time Use Survey was intriguing. Sleeping, eating, working and watching television took up about two-thirds of the average day. The New York Times interactive graphics was brilliant. I would really like to know how different groups in India would have spend their day.

Useful link:
www.bls.gov/tus

Extinction: Bad Genes Or Bad Luck?

Extinction: Bad Genes or Bad Luck? by David M. Raup + Stephen Jay Gould is a delightful book on the history of life, extinction, and shows some interesting methods for sorting fact from fiction. A must read.

Useful links:

The Biofeul Trilema

The report on triple challenges of energy, environment and food as the biofuel 'trilemma' was interesting. It's an unending debate. Stay tuned.

Useful links:
http://greeninc.blogs.nytimes.com
www.bio.org/worldcongress
www.icsu-scope.org

Art Market Update

Thanks Souren for the great review. It is interesting to see thousands of new buyers enter the auction arena, some acquiring works of art as status symbols and others buying them like money men play the stock exchange. Profits are up, but for how long? I wonder how much farther the collectors will go.

Useful links:
www.sothebys.com
www.christies.com

Rwenzori Sculpture Foundation

A unique architectural project is taking shape in Uganda. The main force behind the project is Rungwe Kingdon, who runs the largest bronze foundry of its kind in Europe, together with his wife, Claude Koenig. They are giving back to a country that has given so much to them.

Useful links:
www.ruwenzorisculpture.com
www.pangolin-editions.com

The Museon Arlaten

The Museon Arlaten is indeed a unique time-capsule of 19th-century life in Arles. I think it's a place of fantasy and wonder as well. The museum doesn’t shut until October 25th, so hurry along.

Saturday, August 01, 2009

Faces In Places

I found facesinplaces blog colorful, inspiring and entertaining. I loved it. http://facesinplaces.blogspot.com

Statement Jewelry

Simon Chilvers's piece on statement jewelry was intriguing. Bold and sparkly indeed. http://www.guardian.co.uk/profile/simonchilvers

Tatil Design

Business cards etched onto laser cut leaves? Wow! Brazilian Design firm Tatil Design came up with the idea, which I thought was stunninly impressive. http://www.idsa.org/IDEA2009/gallery/award_details.asp?ID=21

Useful link:
www.tatil.com.br

Old Market Related Books

Go to Jeff Watson's blog http://masteroftheuniverse.wordpress.com/books-to-download The books provided great insights to the markets. Thank you Jeff.

Random Thoughts

For a big dealer in a central market to be successful he also had to acquire a keen understanding of human nature… None of the knowledge needed by a high-class horse and mule dealer could be learned from books or schools, and it would be well understood that these men were usually middle age or over. Last but not least, he had to be a man with a lot of nerve, who was willing to back his own judgment and that of his buyers and to face the risks involved in shipping, loading, and unloading (together with the possibility of various shipping diseases) that were a hazard of the business… It is easy to see that with money going out in both directions it took larger amounts of capital, accompanied by a good nerve and judgment, to be a successful central market dealer.

- Ben Green
Horse Tradin'

Spot on.

Cutthroat Capitalism: The Game

You are a pirate commander staked with $50,000 from local tribal leaders and other investors. Your job is to guide your pirate crew through raids in and around the Gulf of Aden, attack and capture a ship, and successfully negotiate a ransom. Interesting game. Keep it up Wired!

Rankin Retrospective

Rankin's work was interesting. Shoot Me, Rankin!, is an ambitious project which will see the celebrated photographer shoot 1,000 members of the British public for the gallery walls.

Useful links:
www.rankin.co.uk
www.trumanbrewery.com

Diamonds Are A Wound's Best Friend

Hats off to Dean Ho and his team for discovering a new kind of therapeutic treatment for wound care via diamonds.

Useful link:
www.n-base.org/people.html

The State Of The Retail Jewelry Business

Nicholas White's analysis on the state of the retail jewelry business was spot on. Many will lose a lot of money in 2009. http://www.glgroup.com/Council-Member/Nicholas-White-112557.html

Friday, July 31, 2009

Rajeev Samant Viewpoint

Great review. Those who grow quality grapes will always find buyers even in the hard times. You were spot on. The Indian wine drinker may be in for a great time in the years to come.

Useful link:
www.sulawines.com

Angela Adams’s Rugs

The rugs’ textures and colors were unique, inspiring and worth studying for their sheer beauty. Check out the link www.angelaadams.com

Koen Olthuis

I was really impressed with Koen Olthuis's Citadel, a unique energy-efficient floating residential complex. Check out the link www.waterstudio.nl

Tim Burton Retrospective

I am a huge fan of Tim Burton. His paintings, drawing and photographs, which have never been seen by the public are to be shown at the Museum of Modern Art in New York. www.moma.org

US Renews Burma Sanctions

President Barack Obama has renewed sanctions aimed at the military junta that rules Burma, continuing the ongoing ban on the importation of jade and rubies into the United States. Stay tuned.

Useful links:
www.agta.org
www.cibjo.org
www.jvclegal.org

Chaim Even Zohar Viewpoint

It is hard to fully understand what is happening to many diamond companies in India and elsewhere when they mess up with diamond financing banks/financial institutions. The troubles created by a handful of players could adversely impact the exemplary record of the industry. Thanks Chaim for reporting the issues.

Useful link:
www.diamondintelligence.com

Thursday, July 30, 2009

Mapping The Global Recession

India + China may be growing much faster, but for how long?

Useful link:
www.economy.com

Diamond Imitation Jewelry

To most untrained eyes paste/glass jewelry will look real. But most knowledgeable buyers buy paste jewelry for the look.

Random Thoughts

The lesson for all startups—and BDCs (big dumb companies)—is that innovation is all you have. Once you stop innovating, you lose your talent, and you lose the race. Never. Stop. Innovating. Never. Never. Never.

- Jason Calacanis
http://calacanis.com

Spot on.

Greenopia Wine Report

Greenopia's comprehensive list of major wineries ranked in order of sustainability was interesting. www.greenopia.com

Here is the list:
1. Alma Rosa www.almarosawinery.com
2. French Rabbit www.frenchrabbit.com
3. Frog's Leap www.frogsleap.com
4. Benzinger www.benziger.com
5. Demetria www.demetriaestate.com
6. Franzia www.franzia.com
7. Grgich Hills www.grgich.com
8. Bonny Doon www.bonnydoonvineyard.com
9. Cakebread www.cakebread.com
10. Kendall Jackson www.kj.com

Nancy Schuring Viewpoint

The key to jewelry store survival today is bonding between jeweler and consumer. Thank you Nancy for the insightful article. You were spot on. http://www.colored-stone.com/stories/july09/marketing-tips.cfm

Useful link:
www.devonfinejewelry.com