Commerce

Chinese websites mourn

In China, Commerce, Disaster, Internet on 27 May 2008 with no comments

Chinese corporations and multinationals doing business in China toned down the colors on their websites after the devastating Sichuan earthquake. Most opted for black.
Although white more commonly signifies death and mourning in China, black is a more effective way of expressing grief on the white background of a Web page.

Local government yet to discover Paypal.

In Commerce, Criticism, Innovation, Internet, Local Government on 12 May 2008 with no comments

One of Terry Heaton’s criticisms of municipalities is that a lack of competition has kept them from adopting all those convenient little innovations that make internet commerce a relative breeze. It’s very difficult to find an online vendor asking you to use anything but your internet connection and a credit card to complete a transaction. [...]

High quality service provision is an economic development tool

In Commerce, Infrastructure, Local Government, Planning on 29 November 2007 with no comments

“The most important economic development tool in a municipal government’s toolbox is to do what you’re supposed to do: provide public services and do it well.” - Dr. John Matthews, in class tonight.
Forget tax incentives and selling your city’s soul for a Mercedes plant; firms are increasingly attracted by good roads, good police, good schools, [...]

A map of Wal-Mart’s spread in the United States

In Commerce, Geography, Mapping on 9 October 2007 with no comments

A map of Wal-Mart’s spread in the United States, from 1962-2004.