Generally speaking, the main thing an average consumer needs to know about the value of the dollar is that when the dollar loses value compared to other currencies, American products are cheaper for foreigners to buy. When the dollar gets stronger, on the other hand, those foreign products or imports are cheaper for Americans to buy.

But you do not have to be a big international investment banker to participate in the currency markets. If you are planning a trip to Europe two years from now, for example, and you expect that the dollar is losing ground compared to the value of the Euro, you might want to convert some of your American dollars into Euro now. Read more…

Dell does not make a lot of acquisitions, but it has made a number of acquisitions all centered around one specific type of product market. Datamation will tell you which.


Dell plans to acquire KACE Networks in a move to beef up its compliance and systems management offerings for midsized businesses.

Terms of the deal to buy the privately held systems management appliance company were not disclosed.

That’s the second purchase this week for Dell (NASDAQ: DELL), which is not normally an acquisitive company. Earlier in the week, it purchased the assets of Exanet, a bankrupt Israeli company that makes Linux-based clustered network-attached storage management software.

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The Wall Street Journal
Fans of HSN, the home shopping network, might recognize Debbie Meyer, the soft-spoken uber-housewife who sells nifty inventions – say, a device that creates holes in cupcakes, while they’re baking, for no-mess filling – as if teleported from the 1950s. What many may not realize is that behind the apron is a shrewd entrepreneur who’s built a company, Housewares America Inc. of Clearwater, Fla., with more than $100 million in annual revenues. Her patented products, including best-seller Debbie Meyer GreenBags, are now sold in Target, Kohl’s, Bed Bath & Beyond and other stores. Mey

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Who would have expected that the culture for philanthropy would have grown in such a ravaged economy? The Wall Street Journal reported that although private giving has fallen 6% in 2008. Nonetheless, the recession seems to have triggered altruism in certain individuals and the urge to help others is stronger than ever. 

If you’re of those who gave in to their altruistic instincts and started a philanthropic organization, you might have already considered making your organization a tax exempt nonprofit under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. If so, you’ve probably already had a look at some of the formation requirements.  

B

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Will the next great tech company join Apple, HP, Google or Intel in claiming Silicon Valley as its birthplace? A new report brings the odds of that happening down several pegs from what most observers would have thought likely as recently as a few years ago.

The preamble to the annual Index of Silicon Valley states “The Silicon Valley has entered a new era of uncertainty, with a set of vulnerabilities that could compromise our long-term prosperity. Our continued ability to import and develop talent, fund innovation, and rely on state government for overall support are seriously in question.

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February 8th, 2010Rules of Engagement

Are you a good boss or a bad boss? Or, more to the point, do you care what your employees think about you?

Bosses are generally dictatorial because they know it’s the best way to get things done quickly. By contrast, an owner-manger who is too friendly with staff will often fail to command respect and that will be reflected in the running of the company.

Not so long ago, a report was commissioned by the Department for Business to look at the issue of employee/employer engagement. Quite reasonably, the report states that the more leaders and management engage with the rank and file, the more productive and efficient a company will be. <

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