What sharing-economy startups know that you don’t

seret

What goes on behind the scenes that the general public or entrepreneurs don’t see?

Whatever you want to call “the sharing economy” or “marketplace startups,” peer-to-peer marketplaces continue to gain popularity, with a flurry of startups growing rapidly to keep up with all of this “on-demand” demand.

 

 

Continue reading… “What sharing-economy startups know that you don’t”

Do states with no income tax save residents money?

no state taxes

A state might have no income tax, but it might make up for that through other taxes.

If you’re thinking about moving to a new location, it’s reasonable to seek out spots that might cost you less. Thus many people turn to states with no income tax. However, there’s more to the picture than income taxes.

 

 

Continue reading… “Do states with no income tax save residents money?”

Crowdfunding will provide $65B to boost the 2014 global economy

crowdfunding money

A new law will allow entrepreneurs to equity crowdfund from anyone with the cash and the interest.

Crowdfunding is really big and it’s only going to get a whole lot bigger.  If you’ve been skeptical of all the crowdfunding buzz, consider this: By the end of 2014, crowdfunding is estimated to add at least 270,000 jobs and inject more than $65 billion into the global economy, according to estimates from crowdfunding platform Fundable. (Infographic)

 

 

Continue reading… “Crowdfunding will provide $65B to boost the 2014 global economy”

Micro-payments between connected devices could enable a new layer of the economy

micropayments

Many of us now receive payments as well as make payments.

Ross Dawson: Last week I gave a keynote on The Future of Banking to a group of the most senior risk leaders in a major bank, sharing some provocative ideas on how the banking landscape may change in the years to come.

 

 

Continue reading… “Micro-payments between connected devices could enable a new layer of the economy”

The ‘sharing economy’ – sharing isn’t free and price gouging isn’t mean

uber-surge-pricing

Uber implements “dynamic pricing,” which some customers see as price gouging.

There is plenty of press these days on the pros and cons of the so-called “sharing economy.”  Consider the diverse takes last week from MIT Technology Review, the New York Times, and the Kansas City Star.

 

 

Continue reading… “The ‘sharing economy’ – sharing isn’t free and price gouging isn’t mean”

The zero marginal cost economy

car sharing

The consumer “sharing economy” gives us a taste of what it’s like to live in a world where we own less.

There’s a tremendous change going on right now in our society. Those of us who enjoy services like Uber and Kickstarter are experiencing it firsthand. The sharing and collaboration practices of the internet are extending to transportation (Uber), hotels (Airbnb), financing (Kickstarter, LendingClub), music services (Spotify) and even software development (Linux, Drupal).

 

 

Continue reading… “The zero marginal cost economy”

Eight facts that explain what’s wrong with health care in America

american-health-care-system

Obamacare is not universal health care.

If the American health care system were to break off from the United States and become its own economy, it would be the fifth-largest in the world. “It would be bigger than the United Kingdom or France and only behind the United States, China, Japan and Germany,” says David Blumenthal, executive director of the non-profit Commonwealth Fund. Here are eight facts that support reality.

Continue reading… “Eight facts that explain what’s wrong with health care in America”

Here are 40 maps that explain the Roman Empire

roman empire

Caesar Augustus died two thousand years ago, on August 19, 14 AD. He was Rome’s first emperor, having won a civil war more than 40 years earlier that transformed the dysfunctional Roman Republic into an empire. Under Augustus and his successors, the empire experienced 200 years of relative peace and prosperity. Here are 40 maps that explain the Roman Empire — its rise and fall, its culture and economy, and how it laid the foundations of the modern world.

Continue reading… “Here are 40 maps that explain the Roman Empire”

Discover the Hidden Patterns of Tomorrow with Futurist Thomas Frey
Unlock Your Potential, Ignite Your Success.

By delving into the futuring techniques of Futurist Thomas Frey, you’ll embark on an enlightening journey.

Learn More about this exciting program.