Google the growth company

Where does Google go next? (Fortune, CNNmoney.com, May 12, 1960) looks at the ventures of former Google employees, Google diversification into services beyond search, and the process versus innovation struggle of a large fast growth company. Marc Benioff, a Google partner, summarized the Google diversification challenge as follows: "What they need to do is build a full portfolio of revenue, as Microsoft has ....They have a fantastic cash cow. They need a goat and a chicken."

Throw-away furniture...

"Biodegradable home product lines, ready to rot" (NY Times, 8May08) looks at textiles, home furnishings, and even furniture that is being produced and marketed as not just environmentally friendly but biodegradable, completely disposable. .... I couldn't help but think of my mom's paper dress that she sported back in 1968 or so -- very fashionable -- and also a throw-away trend that was thrown away...

Business students as consultants

The practice of seeking out college business students as consultants is reportedly growing. This NY Times article looks at a class at Stetson University (Deland, FL) that provided consulting for Complete Parachute Solutions and a class at Babson College (Ipswich, MA) that has provided consulting services for a specialty salt business, Earthwatch Institute, and Habitat for Humanity, among other organizations.

Federal government jobs

From an article in today's Washington Post, "Across the government, about a third of full-time employees will retire in the next five years, according to estimates prepared by the Office of Personnel Management." Recruiting efforts are being stepped up in response.

So, if you're nearing graduation and considering career options, the federal government might be a place to look...

financial crisis and reforms...

In a recent column (Success Breeds Failure), economist Paul Krugman at the NY Times believes that the financial crisis may be nearing an end but, unfortunately, the Federal Reserve may now back down from some needed reforms in the financial markets. The next financial crisis could then be even worse...

Facebook for recuriting, job-hunting...

Another NY Times article, this one on the use of social networking sites such as Facebook for recruiting and job-hunting. Jobster and now CareerBuilder.com both have applications on Facebook for companies to find candidates. MySpace has always been popular for music industry networking. LinkedIn is still preferred by some recruiters for professional networking.

Entrepreneurship courses in college

A Classroom Path to Entrepreneurship in today's NY Times -- talks about growing trend, offering entrepreneurship courses in business schools. Includes a focus on one successful business, Nanina’s Gourmet Sauce, that grew from a course at Monmouth University in West Long Branch, N.J.