The Harvard Business Review puts the current economic crisis in the perspective of the last 60 years.
Business Buzz The U.S. and global markets are reacting to the triple news of Lehman’s bankruptcy, Merrill Lynch’s sale to Bank of America and AIG’s request of a $40 billion bailout from the government. Someone’s got a bad case of the Mondays.
Culture Buzz Broadway musicals are dropping like flies due to tough economic times. Godspell, Brigadoon, and For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow Is Enuf have been scrapped before opening, and others are threatening the same. We say, what gives? Why is it that when pennies must be pinched, tap shoes and glitter are always the first things to go? Sigh.
Business Buzz Online coupon sites thrive as the economy declines. Companies like to offer coupons in slow economic times because consumers are looking for bargains and are less “brand loyal”. I don’t know about you, but I am shocked and offended that anyone would question my brand loyalty - even in the toughest economic times I insist on only smoking Newports.
Food Buzz The Wall Street Journal coins a phrase to describe how restaurants are dealing with rising food costs. Hamburger as steak tartare, pasta instead of steak, and McDonald’s Dollar Menu items that cost - gulp - more than a dollar. Now’s the time to start scaling back your expectations.