From Halle to Angelina, Famous Body Parts in Demand
March 13, 2007, Fox News
By Hollie McKay - Fox News - Many Americans are taking extreme measures to look like their favorite stars, says Dr. Robert Rey, star surgeon of the E! reality show Dr. 90210. Many of his patients request celebrity features when coming in for a particular procedure. Some of the celebrities who are most frequently mentioned are Jessica Biel, Courteney Cox, Angelina Jolie, Nicole Kidman, Carmen Electra, Salma Hayek, Jessica Alba, Gisele Bundchen and Halle Berry
Americans spent nearly $12.5 billion on cosmetic procedures in 2005 leading some to worry that society is being saturated by celebrity worshippers.
Read more from this Fox News report
Saturday, March 17, 2007
Bt maize versus the billion-dollar bug
Bt maize versus the billion-dollar bug
The Western corn rootworm, introduced to Europe just 10 years ago, causes immense damage in the USA and has been steadily extending its domain ever since.
It is said that the Western corn rootworm (Diabrotica virgifera) causes one billion dollars worth of damage annually in the maize-growing areas of the USA.
A new genetically modified maize aims to provide new control strategies. How best to prevent the development of resistance in this beetle, however, remains controversial.
Read more from this report @ GMO Safety
The Western corn rootworm, introduced to Europe just 10 years ago, causes immense damage in the USA and has been steadily extending its domain ever since.
It is said that the Western corn rootworm (Diabrotica virgifera) causes one billion dollars worth of damage annually in the maize-growing areas of the USA.
A new genetically modified maize aims to provide new control strategies. How best to prevent the development of resistance in this beetle, however, remains controversial.
Read more from this report @ GMO Safety
The 15 billion dollar question for manufacturing tools
The 15 billion dollar question!
09/11/2005
Mike Abberley
President, Sandvik Coromant
In the United States, the manufacturing industry could save 15 billion dollars by using the right tools from the start, even if companies paid more for the tools, says this article.
The cost of the tools themselves is negligible (about 3% ) when compared to the total cost of production cost. Instead there are other, more profitable ways of doing business. The article goes on to say that the significant cost savings are achieved when we address the issue of use of these tools. Rather than concentrating on the tool alone, if a purchase focuses on a better performing tool and speeds up by increasing cutting data then he can reduce the cost of the component by 15 percent, goes on this analysis.
Read more from this 2005 article from American Machinist
09/11/2005
Mike Abberley
President, Sandvik Coromant
In the United States, the manufacturing industry could save 15 billion dollars by using the right tools from the start, even if companies paid more for the tools, says this article.
The cost of the tools themselves is negligible (about 3% ) when compared to the total cost of production cost. Instead there are other, more profitable ways of doing business. The article goes on to say that the significant cost savings are achieved when we address the issue of use of these tools. Rather than concentrating on the tool alone, if a purchase focuses on a better performing tool and speeds up by increasing cutting data then he can reduce the cost of the component by 15 percent, goes on this analysis.
Read more from this 2005 article from American Machinist
Friday, March 16, 2007
He Sold Over A Billion Dollars Worth Of Stuff, and Tells How He Did It
A Person Who Sold Over A Billion Dollars Worth Of Stuff Tells How He Did It.
The Ron Popeil Story @ Uncommon Business Ideas that Work blog
US Entrepreneur Ron Popeil, the inventor of products such as the Pocket Fisherman and the Food Dehydrator, introduced the Showtime Rotisserie BBQ. Marketed in the seductive TV infomercial format he pioneered, Popeil demonstrated the durability, versatility, and appeal of the oven -- a contraption equally adept at producing a "scrumptious, flavorful rib roast" as it was a "mouthwatering pork-loin roast", and made it a hit. He is said to have sold iver 7 million of pieces, generating a billion dollar plus revenues.
Read more about how he did it at the blog post here , written in May 2006
The Ron Popeil Story @ Uncommon Business Ideas that Work blog
US Entrepreneur Ron Popeil, the inventor of products such as the Pocket Fisherman and the Food Dehydrator, introduced the Showtime Rotisserie BBQ. Marketed in the seductive TV infomercial format he pioneered, Popeil demonstrated the durability, versatility, and appeal of the oven -- a contraption equally adept at producing a "scrumptious, flavorful rib roast" as it was a "mouthwatering pork-loin roast", and made it a hit. He is said to have sold iver 7 million of pieces, generating a billion dollar plus revenues.
Read more about how he did it at the blog post here , written in May 2006
Multi-billion Dollar Seniors Industry in Singapore
Cashing in on the silver age - Philip Yeo heads committee in Singapore to tap a multi-billion dollar industry catering to seniors
Loh Chee Kong
Mr Philip Yeo — who will soon relinquish the helm of the Agency for Science, Technology and Research to head Spring Singapore — will now start turning the challenge of an ageing population into a billion-dollar opportunity. He will head a 14-man committee to recommend national policies to develop the silver industry here.
In 2005, Singapore's senior citizens spent about US$1.95 billion ($3 billion). This rapidly greying population should fuel a boom in businesses catering to the elderly, such as healthcare and wellness...
Read more from this report @ Today Online (Mar 9, 2007)
Loh Chee Kong
Mr Philip Yeo — who will soon relinquish the helm of the Agency for Science, Technology and Research to head Spring Singapore — will now start turning the challenge of an ageing population into a billion-dollar opportunity. He will head a 14-man committee to recommend national policies to develop the silver industry here.
In 2005, Singapore's senior citizens spent about US$1.95 billion ($3 billion). This rapidly greying population should fuel a boom in businesses catering to the elderly, such as healthcare and wellness...
Read more from this report @ Today Online (Mar 9, 2007)
The $50 Billion Dollar Challenges for Issues Facing Humanity
The $50 Billion Dollar Challenges for Issues Facing Humanity
A report by Great Dane Consulting
Executive Summary
Great Dane Consulting was commissioned by Roger Pielke Jr. to allocate $50 billion to address the twelve largest issues facing humanity. The twelve challenges include climate change, communicable diseases, conflicts and arms proliferation, access to education, financial instability, governance and corruption, malnutrition and hunger, migration, sanitation and access to clean water, subsidies and trade barriers, energy and land degradation.
Our firm approached this task by developing an explicit goal statement: to allocate a total of $50 billion to projects that provide immediate and lasting maximum net positive human benefits to developing countries. We define human benefit as an improvement in the quality of human life through protection and enhancement of basic human needs. Basic human needs include, but are not limited to, access to adequate food, water, and shelter, and health, as well as protection from violence and discrimination.
Using our goal statement as a guiding principle, we evaluated the applicability of 61
opportunities to solve the 12 global crises. We used 11 criteria1 to guide our decision making process and eliminated all but 16 of the opportunities. Presented in the table below are the opportunities selected, the ranking they received, and the dollar amounts allocated. It is important to note that the dollar amount allocated to each project does not reflect the value of the project, rather it is the estimated cost of funding the project for one year.
Read more from this report ( in PDF format)
A report by Great Dane Consulting
Executive Summary
Great Dane Consulting was commissioned by Roger Pielke Jr. to allocate $50 billion to address the twelve largest issues facing humanity. The twelve challenges include climate change, communicable diseases, conflicts and arms proliferation, access to education, financial instability, governance and corruption, malnutrition and hunger, migration, sanitation and access to clean water, subsidies and trade barriers, energy and land degradation.
Our firm approached this task by developing an explicit goal statement: to allocate a total of $50 billion to projects that provide immediate and lasting maximum net positive human benefits to developing countries. We define human benefit as an improvement in the quality of human life through protection and enhancement of basic human needs. Basic human needs include, but are not limited to, access to adequate food, water, and shelter, and health, as well as protection from violence and discrimination.
Using our goal statement as a guiding principle, we evaluated the applicability of 61
opportunities to solve the 12 global crises. We used 11 criteria1 to guide our decision making process and eliminated all but 16 of the opportunities. Presented in the table below are the opportunities selected, the ranking they received, and the dollar amounts allocated. It is important to note that the dollar amount allocated to each project does not reflect the value of the project, rather it is the estimated cost of funding the project for one year.
Read more from this report ( in PDF format)
Multi-Billion Dollar South African Infrastructure Projects
Exporters to Learn Details of Multi-Billion Dollar African Infrastructure Projects, Hear From U.S. Trade Rep, China Eximbank President, at April Conference in D.C.
Feb 2007
WASHINGTON, Feb. 16 /PRNewswire/ -- U.S. exporters attending the 29th
annual conference of the Export-Import Bank of the United States (Ex-Im
Bank) will gain useful information about billions of dollars in potential
export opportunities, including nearly $25 billion dollars in planned
infrastructure improvements in South Africa.
Read the full report from the PR News wire report
Feb 2007
WASHINGTON, Feb. 16 /PRNewswire/ -- U.S. exporters attending the 29th
annual conference of the Export-Import Bank of the United States (Ex-Im
Bank) will gain useful information about billions of dollars in potential
export opportunities, including nearly $25 billion dollars in planned
infrastructure improvements in South Africa.
Read the full report from the PR News wire report
Singapore to tap into multi-billion dollar carbon trading market
Singapore to tap into multi-billion dollar carbon trading market
Singapore aims to be a key player in trading unused greenhouse gas quotas, estimated to be worth at least US$25 billion last year.
Under the Kyoto international agreement to reduce harmful emissions by 2012, some countries can buy extra greenhouse gas allowances from developing countries under a scheme called Clean Development Mechanism credits, or CDM.
Read more from this Yahoo news report, Jan 2007
Singapore aims to be a key player in trading unused greenhouse gas quotas, estimated to be worth at least US$25 billion last year.
Under the Kyoto international agreement to reduce harmful emissions by 2012, some countries can buy extra greenhouse gas allowances from developing countries under a scheme called Clean Development Mechanism credits, or CDM.
Read more from this Yahoo news report, Jan 2007
Halal Food Market A Multi-billion Dollar Global Opportunity
Halal Food Market A Multi-billion Dollar Global Opportunity
US$150 billion global market, says a forum
Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Feb 07, 2007
The increasing regional and global importance of the Halal food market will be highlighted at this year’s Gulfood, a food, drink, food-service and hospitality equipment exhibition.
With Muslims making up around 1.79 billion of the world’s population, the rapid expansion in the Halal food sector has become a key area of opportunity across the industry, according to senior executives from the World Halal Forum (WHF).
Read more from this news release @ DWTC
US$150 billion global market, says a forum
Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Feb 07, 2007
The increasing regional and global importance of the Halal food market will be highlighted at this year’s Gulfood, a food, drink, food-service and hospitality equipment exhibition.
With Muslims making up around 1.79 billion of the world’s population, the rapid expansion in the Halal food sector has become a key area of opportunity across the industry, according to senior executives from the World Halal Forum (WHF).
Read more from this news release @ DWTC
Wildlife Recreation: Rural America's Newest Billion Dollar Industry
Wildlife Recreation: Rural America's Newest Billion Dollar Industry
by Jason R. Henderson, Economist, Center for the Study of Rural America, Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City
"In today's search for the next billion dollar industry to revitalize Main Streets, many rural leaders are again pinning their hopes on nature. New opportunities are not arising from traditional sources commodity industries like agriculture or mining. Tomorrow's opportunity may well be wildlife related recreation - already a $108 billion industry nationwide" - states this news letter article from the Iowa State University web site (Jan 2005)
by Jason R. Henderson, Economist, Center for the Study of Rural America, Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City
"In today's search for the next billion dollar industry to revitalize Main Streets, many rural leaders are again pinning their hopes on nature. New opportunities are not arising from traditional sources commodity industries like agriculture or mining. Tomorrow's opportunity may well be wildlife related recreation - already a $108 billion industry nationwide" - states this news letter article from the Iowa State University web site (Jan 2005)
Antipsychotics - From Blockbuster Brands to Billion Dollar Generics
Antipsychotics - From Blockbuster Brands to Billion Dollar Generics
A report review
This page at Lead Discovery web site reviews an industry report on Second Generation Antipsychotics.
In sum, it says, "Second Generation Antipsychotics (SGAs) continue to drive the antipsychotic market with a growth rate of 27.2% between 2002-2003, yielding revenues of over $9.5 billion in 2003 responsible for a 93.3% share of the market. However, several patent expiries and product launches are set to send the market through a period of change."
Read more of the report review from here
A report review
This page at Lead Discovery web site reviews an industry report on Second Generation Antipsychotics.
In sum, it says, "Second Generation Antipsychotics (SGAs) continue to drive the antipsychotic market with a growth rate of 27.2% between 2002-2003, yielding revenues of over $9.5 billion in 2003 responsible for a 93.3% share of the market. However, several patent expiries and product launches are set to send the market through a period of change."
Read more of the report review from here
The 9 billion dollar self-development boom?
While reading a classified, my eye caught an interesting factoid - The title read - Capitalize on the 8.9 Billion Dollar Self Development Boom!; the classified went on to say - "The easiest thing in the world to sell is opportunity. From the moment people wake up to the time they go to bed, they are thinking of how they can work less and make more." Quite true, I'd say, at least for most ordinary folks like me.
So is there an opportunity out here? The classified in question was touting a rather sketchy looking scheme, so I won't trouble re-touting that here, but if the overall assumption (work less, earn more and the need for self-development) is true - and I think it is - then there ought to be a number of opportunities clever entrepreneurs can come up with.
So is there an opportunity out here? The classified in question was touting a rather sketchy looking scheme, so I won't trouble re-touting that here, but if the overall assumption (work less, earn more and the need for self-development) is true - and I think it is - then there ought to be a number of opportunities clever entrepreneurs can come up with.
The next billion-dollar opportunity in gaming
The next billion-dollar opportunity in gaming
Keynote address at game investor conference suggests the industry is due for a major overhaul - By Brendan Sinclair, GameSpot, Posted Jun 22, 2006
Stewart Alsop and Gilman Louie, head partners of venture-capital firm Alsop Louie, shared some of their views about the next big thing in the gaming industry. While they mentioned mobile and casual gaming, massively multiplayer titles, immersive worlds, dedicated game devices (like Nokia's N-Gage), and games for girls, they felt that none of these have achieved the status of the next billion-dollar opportunity. According to them, the real next billion-dollar opportunity is the Internet. Not exactly a eye popping surprise, but they have more to add to this. Read more at the GameSpot news story here
Found this story via this Game Producer blog post
Keynote address at game investor conference suggests the industry is due for a major overhaul - By Brendan Sinclair, GameSpot, Posted Jun 22, 2006
Stewart Alsop and Gilman Louie, head partners of venture-capital firm Alsop Louie, shared some of their views about the next big thing in the gaming industry. While they mentioned mobile and casual gaming, massively multiplayer titles, immersive worlds, dedicated game devices (like Nokia's N-Gage), and games for girls, they felt that none of these have achieved the status of the next billion-dollar opportunity. According to them, the real next billion-dollar opportunity is the Internet. Not exactly a eye popping surprise, but they have more to add to this. Read more at the GameSpot news story here
Found this story via this Game Producer blog post
Sunday, March 11, 2007
Future of IT - Emerging Trends in IT & Software
See an interesting and useful web page at eIT.in on the big business trends emerging in IT & software. See The Future of IT & Software @ eIT.in .
It is quite a comprehensive listing.
It is quite a comprehensive listing.
Blog Maverick - Billionaire Mark Cuban's Blog
If you have not heard of the Blog Maverick, well, firstly, it will be a surprise, secondly, just go have a look at it!
Blog Maverick is a blog run by the billionaire Mark Cuban, and you don't have to read it just because it is written by a very wealthy man. Mark does a good job of giving numerous ideas on the blog, as well as his favourite rants, the latest of which is of course Gootube, sorry YouTube.
Blog Maverick
Blog Maverick is a blog run by the billionaire Mark Cuban, and you don't have to read it just because it is written by a very wealthy man. Mark does a good job of giving numerous ideas on the blog, as well as his favourite rants, the latest of which is of course Gootube, sorry YouTube.
Blog Maverick
Saturday, March 10, 2007
How to Build a Billion Dollar Business? article at Forbes
How to Build a Billion Dollar Business? an article at Forbes.com - Sep 2006
Five Ways - How To Build A Billion-Dollar Business
Hannah Clark, 09.28.06
There's no secret formula that will make your company the next Google. Or is there?
David G. Thomson thinks there is. In his book, Blueprint to a Billion, Thomson identifies traits that fast-growing companies share. But this book isn't based on a theory, or even on Thomson's experience as a management consultant and sales executive. It's based on hard evidence.
The five ways mentioned by Thomson
1. Get a big idea - sounds difficult, but perhaps not so difficult, says the author
2. Find a marquee customer - always helps to have one big account that acts as a growth propellor
3. Embrace Big Brother - hitching your wagon to a star helps
4. Master the inside/outside dynamic - have a team focus on operations while another at marketing and outside world.
5. Put billion-dollar experts on your board - makes sense, doesn't it?
Full article here @ Forbes
Five Ways - How To Build A Billion-Dollar Business
Hannah Clark, 09.28.06
There's no secret formula that will make your company the next Google. Or is there?
David G. Thomson thinks there is. In his book, Blueprint to a Billion, Thomson identifies traits that fast-growing companies share. But this book isn't based on a theory, or even on Thomson's experience as a management consultant and sales executive. It's based on hard evidence.
The five ways mentioned by Thomson
1. Get a big idea - sounds difficult, but perhaps not so difficult, says the author
2. Find a marquee customer - always helps to have one big account that acts as a growth propellor
3. Embrace Big Brother - hitching your wagon to a star helps
4. Master the inside/outside dynamic - have a team focus on operations while another at marketing and outside world.
5. Put billion-dollar experts on your board - makes sense, doesn't it?
Full article here @ Forbes
Thursday, March 8, 2007
The Billion Dollar Molecule: One Company's Quest for the Perfect Drug
The Billion Dollar Molecule: One Company's Quest for the Perfect Drug - by Barry Werth
Review from Amazon - From test tubes to the Wall Street IPO and beyond, this is the riveting true story of a start-up pharmaceutical company working to create an anti-AIDS drug. Scientifically accurate, yet written with an attention to plot, timing, dialogue, and development of character more characteristic of the best thrillers. This intriguing looks at the nexus of biotechnology and high finance.
Book Details
Paperback: 464 pages
Publisher: Simon & Schuster; Reprint edition (March 1, 1995)
See more details and ordering info from Amazon
Review from Amazon - From test tubes to the Wall Street IPO and beyond, this is the riveting true story of a start-up pharmaceutical company working to create an anti-AIDS drug. Scientifically accurate, yet written with an attention to plot, timing, dialogue, and development of character more characteristic of the best thrillers. This intriguing looks at the nexus of biotechnology and high finance.
Book Details
Paperback: 464 pages
Publisher: Simon & Schuster; Reprint edition (March 1, 1995)
See more details and ordering info from Amazon
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