Tuesday, May 24, 2016

How Governmental Regulations on Lyft & Uber Are Affecting Other Rideshare Companies

Minature toy taxi

Once young upstarts in the ridesharing community themselves, companies Uber and Lyft have in recent years seen a wave of backlash directed at them. Originally and primarily from taxi companies, they've also seen a rash of government enforcement of regulations that have effectively crippled the ridesharing services' ability to offer rides to people in certain communities. In the city of Austin, Texas, for example, both Uber and Lyft ride-sharing services have stopped operating after voters in the usually liberal city rejected a ballot measure that would've allowed the companies to regulate themselves. The vote had 56% supporting tighter regulations, with 44% opposed. Austin's mayor had this to say on the matter:

 "The people have spoken tonight loud and clear. Uber and Lyft are welcome to stay in Austin, and I invite them to the table regardless. Austin is an innovative and creative city, and we'll need to be at our most creative and innovative now."

Is the GOP Buying What Trump is Selling?

Queen Elizabeth II Great Court
As the eternal campaign season slaloms into summertime, both Democrats and Republicans face a PR crisis unprecedented in the modern era. Both top candidates face major unfavorable ratings, and both also face a strong insurgency from outsider candidates. Hillary is fighting Independent Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders, who is neck and neck for the nomination despite not actually being a Democrat.

Tuesday, May 17, 2016

Michael Strahan Will Energize Good Morning America!

Night shot of Times Square, Good Morning America

When Regis Philbin left LIVE it was “common knowledge” Kelly Ripa would be the star of the show, no matter who they brought in to team with her. Then the network found ex-NFL superstar Michael Strahan, and he hit daytime TV every bit as hard as he mauled opposing QBs in his playing days. Fans loved the congenial gap-toothed former Giant, whose easy banter and sharp wit kept them smiling and engaged.

Monday, May 16, 2016

Fiat CEO Sets a Timeline for Self-driving Cars

Fiat CEO sets a timeline for self-driving cars

Ask just about any automaker and they’ll tell you self-driving cars are likely an inevitability. But at least one brand is willing to put a timeline on the project. Fiat Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne recently told the Associated Press driver-less cars could be on the road within five years.

Thursday, May 12, 2016

Make It a Great Place to Work!

Guy wearing blue shirt writing with a pen

Hey manager, your office can be a great place to work, but it’s up to you to turn that “want” into reality. Every person in your organization is in a key position to be a positive or negative influence on your office morale, but you are the center of that dynamic. You control all the levers and buttons to put things in motion. It is absolutely up to you to set the standard and create the expectation that leads to a dynamic, positive working environment. Here’s how to make it happen.

First, change the dialogue. You don’t have “tasks” that must be accomplished. You have “opportunities” that you get to achieve. It may sound corny and cheesy and, it is a little. But it’s also effective. Because it’s not just about changing the verbiage. It’s about changing the approach. These shifts have to be reflected in more than the language. They have to be apparent in the how and the why.

Wednesday, May 4, 2016

Can Sprint Really Compete?

Sprint logo. can spring compete by david milberg

It’s a question many mobile industry watchers wonder. Even as the brand continues a full court press toward going head to head with industry leader, Verizon, people want to know, can Sprint really compete?

In 2014, when Marcelo Claure was appointed CEO, Sprint was in dire trouble. Not only did they have the slowest 4G network, the company had just been rated the “worst carrier in the country.” Not an auspicious start, but hey, there’s something to be said for “only way to go is up.”