Can you image Seven Billion People? It’s such a big number, it’s hard to get your head around. Here’s how CBC.ca makes sense of it.
If everyone on earth joined hands to create a human chain, it would circle the earth at the equator 175 times. Or . . . it would stretch to the moon and back nine times.
Seven Billion People
Posted Monday, October 31st, 2011.
Everyone knows Texas is tough on crime. In 2004, the state of Texas had one in twenty of it’s adult residents incarcerated or on parole/probation. Can you imagine the cost of that? In 2005, they needed $2 Billion to build new prisons. Someone decided that was too expensive. Instead, they spent $300 million to improve drug treatment, probation & mental health services and supervision of parolees.
According to the Texas Department of Corrections, the rate of incarceration fell 9 per cent between 2005 and 2010. In the same period, according to the FBI, the crime rate in Texas fell by 12.8 per cent.
Canada’s planned $10 Billion tough-on-crime campaign sounds a lot like Texas in 2005. Should we learn from Texas or forge ahead?
Many of our news media outlets are asking questions. Let’s hope our government is asking themselves the same questions.
Posted Monday, October 24th, 2011.Congratulations to Nick at the Guitar Boutique. This is a fabulous addition to Downtown Peterborough!
Many Canadian’s have dual American citizenship. They live and work in Canada and file Canadian income taxes every year. Many did not realize they also need to file US taxes. If their Canadian income tax was at least as much as their American tax would have been, they owe nothing. HOWEVER, if they would have paid more in the US than they paid here, they owe the difference to the IRS.
Recent economic conditions have led the IRS to follow up on all the Americans living and working abroad who have not filed their US tax returns. This led to a lot of stress for many Canadian/American citizens living in Canada.
Today’s news should help to relieve the pressure a bit.
Posted Wednesday, October 19th, 2011.CURO was featured on Stu Harrison’s Business Beat on CHEX TV!
This is a feel-good video of a client’s grandson. It’s one minute and eighteen seconds that will leave you smiling for hours!
What a great way to spend Saturday morning! Followed by brunch with friends and I’ve got a perfect Saturday.
Posted Sunday, October 16th, 2011.I just read this great article by Tim Sanders.
Asking How’s it going? often gets a negative response – or one that has no meaning. Tim’s article offers some alternatives, my favorite of which is: What are you working on these days?
Next time you see me, be prepared for me to ask What are you working on this days? I really want to know!
Posted Wednesday, October 12th, 2011.Interesting presentation this morning by Tony Grady. Lots of valuable stories shared by a diverse panel of local business owners.
It was time well spent this morning thanks to the Business Advisory Centre at GPAEDC.
Posted Wednesday, October 12th, 2011.Sympatico finance published an article (attached) questioning the effectiveness of e-coupons. One of the most interesting quotes says “78% purchase deals because they like saving money. Only 19% use e-coupons because they want to try a new product or service.”
Also, the use of these deeply discounted coupons means “You’ve taught new customers that either you’re a discounter or your prices are too high to begin with. The people who pay full price are the ones who keep you in business.“
One business owner who had some success with e-coupons in her first year of business says “It’s great if you’re starting out and have a unique service to offer, but I would not want to rely on them.”
Posted Monday, October 10th, 2011.