Business Idea of the Day

Inquirer.net: SURE, baby shoes are cute. But the truth is, babies aren’t supposed to wear shoes until they’ve learned how to walk. Rianna Roces-Trinidad and Sheryll Ang-Tiong, the mom-entrepreneurs behind Proud Mama, discovered this fact online. “We’re very proactive moms.

emergencyyodel.swf From Business Opportunities Weblog .

Update: Looks like Google is back to normal. Don’t worry, this site won’t harm your computer.

If you took the time to write down every thought that bubbled up in your head, how long would the list be by the end of the day? Stepping out of the bounds of a traditional social network, SodaHead.com is asking everyone a very important question, “What’s Bubbling in your head?” As the brainchild of Jason Feffer and Michael Glazer, SodaHead.com allows their members to ask questions and share their own opinions on topics posted by the other members. With every bit of the interaction that anyone would expect from a social network, this is one website which will also offer their visitors something to think about. What was the inspiration behind SodaHead? Michael (Co-Founder & President) and I wanted to create the best place on the Internet for people to discuss their opinions and connect with others on a more substantive basis than other social networks.

TrendWatching.com: British grocer Waitrose launched a locally-focused giving program that enlists customers’ help in focusing on issues closer to home. Waitrose’s Community Matters program assigns each store GBP 1,000 each trading month to donate among three local organizations such as community groups, schools or local divisions of national charities. Customers nominate the organizations to benefit, and Waitrose’s local democratic bodies make the final selection. Customers are then offered a token each time they shop that can be inserted in any of three Perspex tubes—one for each of the selected charitable groups. At the end of the month, the pile of tokens donated to each organization is weighed and the beneficiaries receive a corresponding proportion of the cash.

Yesterday we talked about how the USPS is hurtin g from the decrease in mail volume. Companies that sell add-on services for the postal system must be hurting too. Pitney Bowes is offering their Personal Post postage meter for only $15 per month

photo credit: DownTown Pictures Staying focused on the good during difficult times is by far the hardest and most challenging part of doing business today. But you have to remember that the the one person who must concentrate on staying focused is you! If you lead, your people will follow. Your staff members can waste countless hours talking about how tough times are and bemoaning what they cannot change. This provides an unneeded distraction at a time when focus is more important than ever. Even worse than wasting time on “what we can’t do” is wasting time on “why we can’t do what we can’t do.” How do you keep everyone focused

Red Ferret: The Internet Entrepreneur Starter Kit is a package of 50 different Archie McPhee novelty items in a ready to sell format. The pack value is apparently $2,600.00, but you, sir, can have it for the bargain basement price of just $399.95.

The Wall Street Journal: The Internet advertising market, like all markets, responds to changes in supply and demand. In the current recession, demand for advertising is likely to decrease. At the same time, supply of online inventory, page views, is continuing to increase.

The Australian: In the days of modern cellular technology, the idea of having an Agent 86-style phone inside a shoe might not seem particularly advanced. But Paul Gardner-Stephen, who first developed his device as an amateur theatre prop, insists there are practical and technological advantages. It seems the shoe phone might offer extended battery life and could even be used in medical applications to detect falls or other medical emergencies and automatically call for help