Author Archives: markkolier

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About markkolier

Futurist, entrepreneur, left lane driver, baseball lover

The U.S. pushing China on trade practices won’t work

Posted on January 27, 2012 by markkolier

It’s an election year here in the United States. 2012 will also mark changes in the Chinese government as well. The backdrop to all of this is a seemingly constant stream of rhetoric from the U.S. that China has unfair … Continue reading →

Posted in Best business practices, Business in China, China, Living in the World Today | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

If you have a vendetta, think twice before posting on a social network

Posted on January 25, 2012 by markkolier

The old saying that ‘information is power’ is true, except when it’s the wrong information. Among other things social networking allows communication to large numbers of people by one single individual. A very cool feature indeed but with that comes … Continue reading →

Posted in Living in the World Today, Personal Privacy, Social Media | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

People have no time to be idle

Posted on January 23, 2012 by markkolier

I saw it again last Saturday night. At the restaurant where my wife and I were sharing a nice dinner on a snowy Saturday night there was a couple at the next table who spent a good part of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Communication, Customer Experiences, Living in the World Today, Technology | Tagged , , , , , , | 3 Comments

My recent Amtrak ‘experience’

Posted on January 20, 2012 by markkolier

I am far from unique in looking at train travel as an option to air, bus, and car travel. Having ridden trains in a number of countries (most recently in China) I am favorably inclined to ride a train since … Continue reading →

Posted in Customer Experiences, Living in the World Today, Travel | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

Aren’t you ready to leave Spaghetti city?

Posted on January 18, 2012 by markkolier

As Apple readies the release of its Apple TV, iTV is its likely name. From what Steve Jobs reputedly averred on his deathbed, Apple has finally ‘solved it’ – it being the marriage of internet and television. It’s about time … Continue reading →

Posted in Living in the World Today | Leave a comment

Is your office open on Martin Luther King Jr. Day?

Posted on January 16, 2012 by markkolier

Until this year we’ve never been closed on MLK day. There are a number of reasons none of which are all that compelling. From years past we have traditionally offered ten official ‘company’ holidays. At the beginning of each year … Continue reading →

Posted in Best business practices, Living in the World Today, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

How far the mighty have fallen – American Airlines is now an acquisition target

Posted on January 13, 2012 by markkolier

The last of the major airlines to declare Chapter 11 bankruptcy, American Airlines is reportedly http://nyti.ms/yKLPAc on Delta Air Lines/TPG Capital’s radar for acquisition. In case you are not aware Delta Airlines is now the world’s largest airline. US Airways … Continue reading →

Posted in Travel | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Burger King is poised to fall to #3

Posted on January 11, 2012 by markkolier

With McDonald’s continuing to reign as the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world when it comes to burgers/QSR’s, the contest between Burger King and Wendy’s for second place has suddenly become more interesting. Wendy’s is about to surpass Burger King … Continue reading →

Posted in Advertising, Marketing stuff, Media | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The debate on advertising-supported public schools is heating up

Posted on January 9, 2012 by markkolier

Let me start by acknowledging that we have a client who has signed up some prominent school districts around the United States who have agreed to allow outlets like in-school video screens with ads and scoreboard sponsorships (among others) to … Continue reading →

Posted in Advertising, Marketing stuff | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Why didn’t I think of that?

Posted on January 6, 2012 by markkolier

Does that ever happen to you? It happens to me all the time. Yesterday I read about the idea of having a ‘Guest’ application on a mobile phone such that you could offer your phone to someone else to use … Continue reading →

Posted in Best business practices, Innovation, Living in the World Today | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments