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Is Silicon Valley Losing Its Mojo?

Short-term thinking and increasing risk aversion have stifled the tech center's spirit. But innovators still lurk there, if you look for them

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Unlike some of the big financial institutions that haven't opened up the checkbooks despite government aid, GMAC is moving quickly to write loans.

—David Welch, The Auto Beat

Peter Schiff of brokerage Euro Pacific Capital saw this housing bust coming from a mile away.

—Peter Coy, Hot Property

People close to Citadel say despite the miserable performance of its two main funds, which now have less than $10 billion in assets, it has a better source of funding than other hedge funds and can weather the financial crisis.

—Matthew Goldstein, Investing Insights

While Japan's problems remain the same—slowing demand and a surging yen—the size of their combined impact is growing remarkably quickly.

—Ian Rowley, Eye on Asia

Outgoing FCC Chairman Kevin Martin has dropped his porn filtering idea in hopes of garnering more support for a nationwide free wireless broadband network for use by all.

—Olga Kharif, The Tech Beat

Exactly who is in the middle class? Seems that middle class is all in the eye of the wage earner, since there is no clear definition of what income range actually qualifies for that designation.

—Cathy Arnst, Working Parents

Are fresh management ideas dead? We don't think so. We want to hear what new approaches you're experimenting with at your business.

—Jena McGregor, Management IQ

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MyTake: Charlie Gaffney

Make Customer Service Local and Strong

Instead of outsourcing help desks and call centers, businesses should use e-mail wisely and hire in-house employees for phone queries

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News & Analysis

The Downside of ADM's Focus on Biofuels

With ethanol a political football, ADM's chief executive, Patricia Woertz, and its stock are getting hit

Bill Richardson Withdraws as Obama's Commerce Pick

New Mexico's governor is entangled in a grand jury investigation of CDR Financial Products, a corporate donor that won a big state contract

Are Vice Stocks Losing Their Allure?

Shares of alcohol, tobacco, gambling, and other vice vendors have gained during recessions. But the sinful strategy hasn't paid off lately

The Coming Desktop Revolution?

Companies as varied as Nortel, Nationwide, and Bechtel are experimenting with virtual desktops that are likely to improve security—but will they reduce costs?

The Lobbyist v. The New York Times

Vicki Iseman's action against the Times for its article linking her to John McCain highlights the risks of filing a libel suit

ExecutiveSummary

Dell reorganizes its executive suite, chemical giant LyondellBasell ponders bankruptcy, and more business news from around the Web

Dialogue with Readers

Starbucks' Union Blues

Is Social Security a Ponzi Scheme?

The Worst Predictions About 2008

Digital Snoops Have Nothing on Joe Sales Clerk

Investing

McDonald's Supersized Retirement Plan

The fast-food giant is persuading more African American workers to enroll in 401(k)s. Can McDonald's keep talent by helping families save?

New Year's Resolution Stocks

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Companies

GMAC's Merkin on the Way Out

A board shakeup by GMAC's new biggest shareholder, the Treasury Dept., is likely to dislodge Merkin from the top spot, as well as several other board members

Technology

Companies Seek PC Alternatives

To cut costs and go green, businesses are toying with PC substitutes such as small devices that tap virtual desktop software

Bechtel Rebuilds Its Computer Network from Scratch

GigaOM Network: Social Gaming in 2009: Challenges and Opportunities

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Global Business

Behind the Russia-Ukraine Gas Conflict

Economics and politics drove Gazprom's decision to shut off gas to its neighbor

China 2009: The Confidence Deficit

New Year Blues in Japan

Gazprom Stokes European Energy Worries

Merkel Hints at Tax Cuts in 2009

Slovakia Joins Decade-Old Euro Zone

Innovation & Design

Consumer Electronics: Innovate or Die

Here are four ways the industry can fix what's broken and revamp its business strategies

Water Works: Hyatt's New Disinfectant Comes from the Tap

Innovation of the Week: Empathy Loves Company

Video: Ask the Innovation Guru

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Small Business

Where to Locate Your Business

Choosing the right place can mean the difference between success and failure for entrepreneurs

Making the Case for Business Ethics

Manage Your Fear of Public Speaking

Podcast: Before You Start a Business

Today's Tip: Finding and Keeping a Bank

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Managing

New Year's Resolutions for the Boardroom

After an unprecedented year in business, directors striving for better governance in '09 might want to adopt these three proposals

Harnessing the Power of the Sales Force

Video: E&Y's Muscat on Green Opportunities

Match the Urge to Purge with a Zest to Invest

Reporting for Board Duty

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Business Schools

With Funds Tight, College Students Get Creative

E-mail pleas, peer lending, and a new pay-for-grades site are supplementing traditional college funding plans

Queen's School of Business Tour

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Lifestyle

Ford Fusion Hybrid Due in 2009

Ford's 2010 Fusion will be the first second-generation parallel hybrid to market

Danish Supercar

Lung Cancer: Still the Biggest Cancer Killer, by Far

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The Debate Room

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The Print Media Are Doomed

Surpassed in convenience and economy by online content, printed magazines and newspapers will dry up in the next decade. Pro or con?

 

IN YOUR FACE: OBAMA'S EDUCATION STIMULUS

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Reader Damian Bebell Writes:

"One problem: Our children have fully embraced the opportunities afforded by computer-based technologies—whereas traditional school environments have not."

Stimulus Spending Ideas? Tell Us on Vox Stimuli