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tag:econsultancy.com,2008:/topics/strategy-operations Latest Strategy & Operations content from Econsultancy 2016-07-27T14:02:00+01:00 tag:econsultancy.com,2008:BlogPost/68102 2016-07-27T14:02:00+01:00 2016-07-27T14:02:00+01:00 Why there should be more plaudits for digital audits Chris Bishop
Those at the top of organisations don't feel they have the strategic sweep to justify the time and effort required to commission them.

Audits are viewed at times as a little "too tactical" or only done once every blue moon by agencies aiming to impress for your business, only to then collect dust on top of Econsultancy buyers guides print outs or even your old New Media Age magazines (Ed: We let this lie, but only to show we have a sense of humour).

For the in-house Head of Ecommerce, requesting a digital audit might sound dangerously like a turkey voting for Christmas.

Are we selling audits wrongly?

Or is it the slightly cheesy marketing of website or marketing auditors themselves that is putting people off?

All that tired 'digital health check' stuff might be the kind of foot in the door tactic that make brands feel suspicious of then giving access to their precious AdWords account, affiliate network or analytics suite.

How important are digital audits anyway?

In reality, though, digital audits are absolutely vital. And third party objective auditing ensures that you're not marking your own home work or ignoring long term problems.

Proper auditing, UX testing and CRO analysis means you can elongate the lifetime and effectiveness of your website and digital media activity, in a way that can be done on any budget.

Your digital real estate is often an expensive investment - you've got to maintain it properly to get results.

Regular servicing is vital

Think of that shiny new website you've just spent months developing as a new car you've just acquired.

To start off with, it's the envy of everyone who sees it. After-sales support is pretty good and you can see years of trouble free motoring ahead of you. Before you know it, though, your warranty is up and you're on your own.

As the car ages, small problems become big problems. It performs less effectively. You're paying for petrol, but it's becoming less and less economical to run. There are so many things going wrong with it you don't know where to start. Eventually the car's value is so diminished you might as well scrap it and buy a new one.

It's the same with websites and digital marketing campaigns. They can't be left to look after themselves – and even the mechanic themselves might need some fine tuning or training themselves.

What a digital audit can do for you

Audits can show you how to balance your budget more effectively through action and prioritisation. They can identify common issues like plateaus in activity and drop offs in acquisition; all the elements that reduce profitability.

The Lessons of the Audit

Constantly learn, constantly improve, constantly trade! A timely and constructive audit will help you:

Keep up to date with the latest channel trends - Google changes, new publishers in affiliate, new platform or techniques for social.

Use competitor analysis to keep your enemies close! It's crucial to analyse and understand market share/spend and its consequences for your brand.

Help you (re)define your goals.

Confirm your objectives or KPIs so you can measure success.

Understand new opportunities.

Benchmark improvements or conversely measure areas of decline.

Ensure corporate compliance – its best practice to have someone external "rubber stamp" your activity.

Encourage serendipity – the uncovering of that nugget of information that transforms your understanding and makes the commercial difference.

Should you take the plunge?

Regular and skilled digital auditing is a detailed and never ending task. It can transform the effectiveness of your digital advertising, website and budget.

Is it sexy? It's showing your website a lot of love and attention. It's optimizing and maximizing your marketing profitability and performance. Sounds pretty sexy to me.

More on auditing:

Answering the key question of content auditing - where do I start?

 tag:econsultancy.com,2008:BlogPost/68091 2016-07-27T12:24:13+01:00 2016-07-27T12:24:13+01:00 How five charities are innovating with contactless payment technology Nikki Gilliland
But apparently, I'm not the only one.

Cash usage has declined by 14% in the past five years – a statistic that sparked Cancer Research's 'Tap to Beat Cancer' campaign.

Last year, the charity placed 'contactless giving' windows in four of its UK shops, allowing passers-by to donate £2 with one tap. For World Cancer Day 2016, it's taking things one-step further by using the technology in face-to-face campaigning.

Surpassing £1.5bn for the first time this March, the growth of contactless payment shows no danger of slowing down. Not surprisingly, a whole host of other charities have been experimenting with the trend.

Other examples

Sue Ryder

The hospice and neurological care charity recently began a trial of two contactless payment options.

One, a portable device, allows people to donate £2 during sales events. The other, a static device, allows visitors to its Nettlebed hospice the opportunity to donate £16 – the price of one hour's care.

We're now accepting contactless #donations making it easier for you to help us to continue providing incredible care pic.twitter.com/gWn6tIBqu4
 — Sue Ryder Nettlebed (@SRNettlebed) June 14, 2016

Mary's Meals

Earlier this year, Scottish-based charity Mary's Meals installed contactless donation boxes in cafes across England.

Allowing donations of just 30p (enough to provide some of the poorest children with five meals) – the campaign used the café environment as a powerful correlation to the cause.

Having received 1,500 taps in just six weeks, the initiative is set to be rolled out in further locations.

Blue Cross

The Blue Cross created the world's first team of canine fundraisers.

By embedding contactless technology into specially-designed jackets, it enabled the public to donate by patting dogs during charity events.

The Barbican

Art galleries with 'optional' entry donations often lose out to lack of cash.

The Barbican gallery is the first to try and counteract this, recently placing a contactless donation point at the entrance of its Curve Gallery.

Why it works

Autonomous

The problem with face-to-face fundraising is that people assume they are going to be asked to commit long-term.

The beauty of contactless donations is that it is a one-off, one-time action. Even easier than a text donation, it is something that can be done without too much thought or consideration.

Innovative

As the Blue Cross example shows, contactless giving disrupts traditional notions about donating to charity.

Using the technology to create a fun and unexpected experience, it is more likely to pique interest and involvement.

Interactive

The beauty of Cancer Research's 2015 campaign was that it used digital technology in more ways than one.

When store windows were tapped, a screen was activated to show a scientist actively working in the fight against cancer. This immediate pay-off gives the experience an immersive, interactive element.

Relevant

For charities, contactless technology could be a viable way to adapt to changing behaviours.

Fast, easy and practical, it is simple to install as well as use. What's more, it is simple to roll out, and accessible enough for even smaller charities.

With more of us using contactless payments for everyday purchases, the charity sector could be next in line to embrace the technology.

Find out more about out-of-home advertising:

Six case studies that show how digital out-of-home advertising is changing
 tag:econsultancy.com,2008:BlogPost/68095 2016-07-21T11:42:00+01:00 2016-07-21T11:42:00+01:00 Measurement and Analytics Report 2016: Four key challenges in dealing with data Nikki Gilliland
Of course, the sheer amount of data available isn't the only problem.

Here are four key charts from the report, highlighting four further challenges for companies in measuring the value of data.

Securing executive sponsorship

While many view digital analytics as a vital part of a company's digital transformation, there is somewhat of a discrepancy in securing support from the top down.

51% of company respondents say that they don't have executive sponsorship.

As a result, this can have a marked impact on approach, with these companies 29 percentage points less likely to have a formal data strategy in place.

Lack of ROI measurement

Without a direct correlation between investment in digital analytics and financial outcome, the value of data can never be defined.

Research found that 48% of companies are failing to measure that return on investment – a statistic which puts the aforementioned problem of securing sponsorship into context.

On the other hand, the below graph does show some encouraging signs, with over half of companies citing that they do measure ROI on analytics investments.

Implementing a formal strategy

62% of companies do not have a formally documented data analytics strategy in place, which goes to show just how much room for improvement there still is.

Taking heed from those who do, a combined offline and online strategy could prove to be the most effective, with a merging of the customer journey providing the most insight.

When it comes to the reasons for a lack of formal strategy, money is a big factor, with companies that turn over less than £50m being 11% less likely to have one.

Bridging the skills gap

While 'producing reports' is one of the biggest skills in demand, research shows that this is being met internally.

On the other hand, there does appear to be a growing skills gap in more specific areas like business intelligence tools.

This appears to be a result of the growing focus on digital transformation, and in particular, the way that digital integration is becoming a business-wide objective.

As more training is needed to match the pace of technological change, it's not just a case of cherry-picking the most useful data – but having the support and skills to do so.

For further insight into this topic, subscribers can download the Measurement and Analytics Report 2016 in full.

July is Data Month at Econsultancy, so be sure to check out our latest reports and blog posts.
 tag:econsultancy.com,2008:Report/3008 2016-07-21T11:30:00+01:00 2016-07-21T11:30:00+01:00 Internet Statistics Compendium Econsultancy
Econsultancy's Internet Statistics Compendium is a collection of the most recent statistics and market data publicly available on online marketing, ecommerce, the internet and related digital media.

The compendium is available as 11 main reports (in addition to a B2B report) across the following topics:

Advertising

Content

Customer Experience

Data and Analytics

Demographics and Technology Adoption

Ecommerce

Email and eCRM

Mobile

Search

Social

Strategy and Operations

B2B

Updated monthly, each document is a comprehensive compilation of internet, statistics and online market research with data, facts, charts and figures.The reports have been collated from information available to the public, which we have aggregated together in one place to help you quickly find the internet statistics you need, to help make your pitch or internal report up to date.

There are all sorts of internet statistics which you can slot into your next presentation, report or client pitch.

Those looking for B2B-specific data should consult our B2B Internet Statistics Compendium.

 Regions covered in each document (where available) are:

Global

UK

North America

Asia

Australia and New Zealand

Europe

Latin America

MENA

A sample of the Internet Statistics Compendium is available for free, with various statistics included and a full table of contents, to show you what you're missing.
 tag:econsultancy.com,2008:Report/4191 2016-07-14T10:00:00+01:00 2016-07-14T10:00:00+01:00 Digital Shift Report: Q3 2016
Digital Shift, a quarterly service from Econsultancy, is intended as a guide to support strategic thinking.

Focused tightly on digital technologies, marketing and ecommerce, it's about delivering actionable insight on trends that will be significant in the short to mid-term, and which can be used to generate new ideas, improve business performance and stay ahead of the competition.

The Q3 2016 report explores the most notable developments impacting digital marketing this quarter. The critical shifts are summarised below:

 The end of earned media? With growing algorithmic curation, ever-declining organic reach and limited impact, typically coming from shared content, we consider whether this is the end of earned media, or perhaps just a reason to redefine it.

 Disruption and unbundling. The so-called 'unicorn startups' have been the recipients of a huge amount of attention and focus. However, are large companies disrupted by multiple sources, leading to the unbundling of entire businesses and sectors?

 AI, chatbots and machine learning. This quarter saw more announcements in this rapidly burgeoning area so we look at some of the more interesting developments, a way of understanding the key drivers of acceleration and the future of bots.

 Is the mobile app boom over? New data suggests that a new maturity is being reached – not only in the incremental improvement of smartphones, but in declining numbers of apps being downloaded.

 Mary Meeker's internet trends. We take a look at some of the key highlights from Meeker's annual trends deck, including factors slowing growth, new image and video formats and platforms.

 The ever-changing role of video. The growth in video is being accompanied by significant divergence in formats, leading to new distribution, consumption, engagement and monetisation opportunities. Is video the new HTML?

 Trends from Cannes. Virtual reality (VR), creating consumer movements and hacking platforms – we take a look at some of the most interesting but less high-profile examples from Cannes.

Download a copy of the report to learn more.

You can access the previous Digital Shift report (Q2 2016) here.
 tag:econsultancy.com,2008:BlogPost/68055 2016-07-12T11:14:47+01:00 2016-07-12T11:14:47+01:00 How Dyson is bringing technology to life in its new London flagship store Nikki Gilliland
The brand's very first brick-and-mortar store to open in the UK, it is a conceptual space designed to offer consumers a 'hands on' shopping experience.

Similarly, it's yet another example of retail stores bridging the gap between the digital and physical experience. (Note I did not say 'phygital'… that ever-so-divisive word).

But is it a gimmick, or is it really a rather lovely way to purchase a vacuum cleaner?

Here's a run-down of what the store has got to offer.

Customer-centric experience

As well as some fancy technology, the first thing that strikes you when walking into the Dyson store is a number of rather important-looking people standing around.

These are Dyson 'experts' – people that are not just employed to sell you a product, but to offer demonstrations and speak in-depth about the science behind them.

For the average shopper, i.e. the kind of person who might pop in to have a browse out of curiosity or mild interest, this presence could prove slightly off-putting. After all, there's nothing worse than feeling out-of-place in a shop.

But on the other hand, for anyone actually interested in purchasing a Dyson product, it certainly signals a focus on meeting the customer's needs.

With instant and one-to-one interaction, it brings to mind the sort of service (and attention) that you get in a car showroom – something that's obviously lacking in the world of ecommerce.

Integrating digital

Whether or not you're determined to buy a Dyson product, the demonstration aspect of the store is hard to resist.

Whether it's an air-purifier or a cordless-vacuum, staff are ready and waiting to give demonstrations – even allowing you to choose between the type of dust or dirt you'd like to hoover up.

When it comes to giving the customer a comprehensive overview of a product, it certainly beats any 360-degree video you might come across online.

But if you like that sort of thing, you won't be disappointed with a lack of digital integration - the store is covered in screens, further emphasising its high-tech nature.

Try before you buy

While the ground floor is exciting, I was most impressed by the Supersonic salon – a mock-up hair salon on the first floor that offers visitors the chance to test-drive the brand new Dyson hairdryer.

With an appointment booking system on Eventbrite, it is the gimmickiest part of the store. And yet, it's undeniably smart.

If you're serious about spending almost £300 on a hairdryer, why on earth wouldn't you want to take the time to test it out?

What's more, you're probably rather curious to learn why it costs so much – which means hearing about the complex engineering behind each product will be music to your ears.

In conclusion

With its slick design and hand-on approach, the new Dyson flagship sort of feels like the Apple store, but a bit fancier and more educational.

Located just across the road from Selfridges (where another creative shopping space has also just launched), it's certainly worth a visit if you're on the look-out for a new Dyson.

But even if you're not, it might be worth popping in for a nosey anyway...

By focusing on how products work as well as what they do, it provides a far more interesting experience than the majority of its neighbouring stores.

And just finally, it's worth noting that Dyson hasn't installed any self-serve kiosks or touchscreens, which had threatened to be one of the big retail trends of recent years.

Maybe retailers have realised that most people don't want to go in-store to browse products on an iPad?

For more on this topic, see:

What's now & next for digital technology in retail stores?

In-store tech: the screen in the corner that nobody wants to use

Starbucks' new London digital concept store puts focus on customer experience

 tag:econsultancy.com,2008:BlogPost/68039 2016-07-12T10:01:00+01:00 2016-07-12T10:01:00+01:00 What is B2B account-based marketing & why should you care? Nikki Gilliland
In line with this growing trend, here's a basic run-down of ABM, as well as a few reasons why B2B marketers could benefit from using it in future.

What is ABM?

In a nutshell, account-based marketing is used to identify and target a key set of accounts, using personalised and highly tailored campaigns to generate leads.

It is based on the assumption that B2B buying decisions are usually made by a select group of people rather than a single person.

Targeting the core decision-makers (through IP addresses) should bring a greater chance of success.

Ultimately, it's all about delivering a relevant message to the most relevant people within a company, and it utilises new technology in order to do so.

How does it work?

There are many software-as-a-service account-based marketing systems out there, as well as those that are able integrate with existing platforms.

Most will be able to identify and manage data and offer the tools to deliver personalised campaigns.

For smaller companies, this is one of the biggest limitations, as it means investing in new technology as well as ensuring that employees have the relevant skills to use it.

What does it offer?

Social data insight

An important part of the accounts-based model, social data allows marketers to get under the skin of potential clients and find out what really matters to them.

With insight into company updates and general topics of conversation, marketers can greater personalise messages and tailor offers accordingly.

Direct conversation

As well as providing the platform for personalisation, ABM allows for much more frequent one-to-one communication.

Whether it's an email or follow up phone call, its direct nature means that there is the opportunity for relationships to form rather than just a one-sided sales pitch.

Retargeting

The always-on approach of ABM means that marketers can target companies that have gotten lost along the way.

By retargeting at crucial moments – such as when an account is browsing a specific website or displaying buying signals – clients are much more likely to respond.

By using IP addresses instead of cookies, a specific account or group of accounts can be simultaneously targeted.

What are the biggest benefits for B2B marketers?

No more dead-ends

With ABM, marketers are free to prioritise the most important projects.

Instead of flogging a dead-horse, they will be able to determine ahead of time who is the worthiest target. This creates a more streamlined strategy and a great targeted approach.

Alignment of sales and marketing

One of the biggest benefits of ABM is its ability to break down the barriers between sales and marketing teams.

The process can only work if both teams work together (as well as get on board with each other's way of thinking).

Usually, it is the marketers' job to identify and satisfy customer requirements, and up to sales to persuade customers to close the deal.

However, with marketers getting closer to the point-of-purchase commitment, and sales reaching into earlier stages of the process, the traditional rules no longer apply.

Even without ABM, the changing customer journey means there is a growing need for integration between the two teams.

As highlighted in Econsultancy's new Convergence of Marketing and Sales report, with the customer's own online research driving much of the decision-making, there is no need to speak to different teams at different times.

Instead of a traditional funnel, a single evolving conversation with the vendor is much more typical of the path to purchase.

Increase in revenue

According the recent stats, 80% of marketers say AMB outperforms all other marketing channels in terms of ROI.

What's more, when ABM has been in use for at least a year, 60% of users reported a revenue increase of at least 10% & 19% reported a revenue impact of 30% or greater.

This certainly shows what a valuable tool it can be, and as the technology becomes even smarter, this only looks set to continue.

Continual optimisation

One of the best things about ABM is that it can potentially enable marketers to get instant results.

This means that as soon as the data is analysed, campaigns can be altered accordingly, and strategy can continously be tweaked and improved.

So…

With personalisation a growing focus for businesses of all kinds, it was only a matter of time before B2B companies realised its potential.

Of course, account-based marketing does not spell the end for inbound and outbound marketing, but with greater relevance to the individual client, there's a reason it is the buzzword on every B2B marketer's lips.
 tag:econsultancy.com,2008:BlogPost/67984 2016-07-08T11:16:57+01:00 2016-07-08T11:16:57+01:00 Eight lessons for new digital agency account execs & managers Ben Davis
As preface I should say, I've never worked in an agency, but I have been a client and also met and worked with lots of agency bods.

There are many articles like this on the internet, this is just my take on common business sense.

1. Don't shirk the groundwork

Account managers (AM) must pray at the church of research.

Even if you are only working on a niche project - perhaps some copywriting or a microsite - and not a brand-defining above-the-line campaign, that doesn't excuse you from research.

It doesn't take long to get an appreciation of brand and industry history, to follow/subscribe to brand comms, to experience a service or product, to trawl through owned media, to read an annual report - and that's before any discipline-specific research (e.g. SEO analysis).

Then, of course, an AM should understand how a client's competitors stack up.

This should really be instinctive, like preparing for a job interview, and helps the AM understand the context of a client's wants and needs.

2. Think preparation before communication

Nothing can make a client (or any human being) as angry as sitting on a conference call, waiting patiently for their account manager to join, only for the AM to wing it.

However smart they may be, account managers must not improvise even informal meetings - they need the latest figures, timeline and must be abreast of recent communication.

Being late or underprepared for a meeting or a phone call completely negates the client's feeling of being valued, i.e. it's better to reschedule than to fudge it.

But remember, although the client wants to feel the AM is in control, that doesn't mean you can't ask questions or admit where your knowledge is limited.

Clarity is key to meeting expectations.

3. Clients want opinions not minions

Yes-men rarely deliver everything they say yes to. Account managers mustn't shy away from constructive disagreement, but shouldn't be truculent or self-righteous and detached.

Knowing when to back yourself and when to shut up might not be something that comes naturally - this is where your senior colleagues can lead by example. Learn from them where you can.

Lastly, building a 'personal brand' (chiefly via social media) can be a good thing, helping to place you within the context of a knowledgable community and letting clients know you're a respected figure.

However, AMs shouldn't be controversial or divisive, as this leads back to self-righteous territory. Discretion is paramount, too.

4. Zeal seals the deal

Zest is best when interacting with a client. Just be enthusiastic. Smile, laugh in the right places, but not a feigned laugh.

You can't fake this one very easily, so perhaps its inclusion here is pointless.

Maybe the correct message is to find the angle that allows you to be most enthusiastic about a client or the work in hand.

5. The devil is in the detail

An old sentiment - check everything thrice before it goes over to the client.

6. The fiend is in the fact

It's not just spelling and formatting that matters - where the client's data is concerned, a high degree of accuracy is a must.

7. Bring order where there is none

Have you noticed people at your agency moving data around from one place to another, manually, making work for themselves?

Are your colleagues making best use of appropriate collaboration tools?

If AMs can make processes more efficient, even by a relatively small degree, they are potentially saving their future ass.

via Dennis Brekke

8. Be likeable, but not at all costs

This is the nub of successful management. Being respected is more important than being liked.

AMs and PMs sometimes have to deliver news that isn't going to be met with universal positive regard (about cost, time or just a flat 'no').

Sugar-coating or, worse, prevaricating is the wrong thing to do - tell it like it is.

For more insight into agencies, see the Econsultancy Top 100 Digital Agencies report.
 tag:econsultancy.com,2008:BlogPost/68037 2016-07-07T14:48:39+01:00 2016-07-07T14:48:39+01:00 Amazon might be ditching the discount, sort of Patricio Robles
As detailed by The New York Time's David Streitfeld, list prices, which Amazon has traditionally used to highlight product discounts, are increasingly disappearing.

For example, according to Boomerang Commerce, a year ago only half of the 100 pet food products it identified as being sold at a discount to their list price still had the list price displayed.

The Times observed a similar trend across other product categories it has been monitoring.

So what gives? Why is Amazon apparently doing away with list prices at a growing clip?

Legal issues could be a motivator. Numerous online retailers have come under fire for displaying discount information based on list prices that are inaccurate.

More than two dozen lawsuits alleging violations of a California law that forbids deceptive advertising have been filed this year alone against retailers including Macy's, Ann Taylor and Ralph Lauren.

Other large retailers have settled similar suits.

Amazon has changed the game

But legal considerations probably aren't the only motivator for Amazon's changes.

As Clarkson University professor of consumer studies Larry Compeau told the Times, "They are trying to figure out what product categories have customers who are so tied into the Amazon ecosystem that list prices are no longer necessary."

In other words, Amazon increasingly doesn't need to compete on price; it has built a base of such loyal customers that many will likely purchase from Amazon even when they can get a slightly better deal elsewhere.

The reason? Amazon is frequently seen as having a superior customer experience.

By one estimate, Amazon now offers nearly half a billion products for sale, and thanks to Amazon Prime, tens of millions of customers can trust Amazon to deliver their orders within two days for free.

Amazon has also found ways to make itself a bigger and bigger part of many of its customers' lives.

For example, Prime offers access to streaming movie, television and music content, as well as ebooks through a number of Kindle programs.

And new technologies like Dash buttons could very represent the next step in the evolution of subscription commerce.

While none of this means that Amazon doesn't need to be price competitive at all, it seems entirely possible that Amazon is now at the point where it doesn't need to play by the rules most retailers have to play by.

And that could pave the way for it to put pricing hacks like dynamic pricing to use in ways other retailers can't.
 tag:econsultancy.com,2008:BlogPost/68016 2016-07-06T13:42:49+01:00 2016-07-06T13:42:49+01:00 Is the subscription commerce boom over? Patricio Robles
Typically, these services are focused on a particular product category, such as healthy snacks or children's books.

One of the poster children for subscription box services is Birchbox, which sends its subscribers five beauty product samples every month for $10 per month, or $110 per year.

Birchbox, like many subscription box services, adds a touch of personalisation, tailoring the samples it delivers based on profile information supplied by its customers.

The model has been a hit with consumers. Birchbox's customer base reportedly eclipsed the million subscriber count, producing a business generating eight-figures in revenue each year.

Not surprisingly, investors were impressed and funded the company to the tune of more than $70m, valuing the young business at nearly $500m.

But, as Bloomberg's Kim Bhasin and Polly Mosendz recently detailed, "Birchbox [found] cute boxes filled with makeup aren't enough."

The company laid off staff earlier this year, and launched a traditional brick-and-mortar retail effort.

But this week, the company laid off another 12% of its staff, suggesting that Birchbox is finding it more difficult to live up to expectations than it had hoped.

With volatile public markets and no funding since 2014, Birchbox is not in an ideal position. And neither are its many competitors and copy-cats.

As Forrester Research analyst Sucharita Mulpuru told Bloomberg, "Expectations have been too high. We've seen this story before..."

She was perhaps referring to the daily deals market which produced one of the fastest-growing companies of all time only to fade away a few short years later as consumers and businesses tired of the model.

Subscription box services are dead, long live subscription commerce

The rise and fall of subscription box services was just as predictable as the rise and fall of daily deal services.

Subscription businesses obviously have attractive attributes, the most attractive of which is arguably an annuity-like revenue stream.

But there are numerous cons to the subscription commerce model that make building a business for the ages a challenge.

As Philip Wilkinson, founder of Kopi, a subscription gourmet coffee business, noted:

They can get boring. A lot of subscription businesses just send the same thing each month and then it just becomes a dull commodity item.

With barriers to entry low, competition in many subscription box niches is rife, driving churn and customer acquisition costs up.

For highly-popular subscription box services like Birchbox, the model itself becomes an impediment.

While subscription revenue is great, once subscription growth slows, companies find that they have little to no means to increase revenue-per-customer unless they embrace a traditional retail model (eg. selling products, not subscriptions).

However, that is easier said than done because these companies are frequently in no position to compete with the major brands that dominate the conventional retail markets they're associated with.

For these reasons and more, it seems quite possible that subscription box services could go the way of the daily deal, leaving investors who have funneled over a billion dollars into the space very disappointed.

But even if subscription box services have already seen their best days, subscription commerce is not dead.

Some subscription box services will survive. And the Birchbox-pioneered subscription box isn't the only form that subscription commerce can take.

Amazon Subscribe & Save allows consumers to receive periodic scheduled deliveries of thousands of products with a focus on essentials like toilet paper, dietary supplements, diapers and pet food.

Other subscription services focused on essentials include Gillette Shave Club and hair coloring upstart Madison Reed.

But eventually, subscription commerce could merge with traditional commerce thanks to offerings like Amazon Dash, which allows customers to reorder products on demand with the tap of a branded button.

Amazon says orders through Dash have increased by 70% in the past three months and there are now more than 150 brands whose products are available through the program.

While it's too early to call Amazon Dash a success, or proclaim it the successor to subscription commerce as we know it, Dash has best of both worlds potential, offering much of the convenience and economic benefits of subscription services without a formal subscription.


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[FIC] Hidden Shades of Grey
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Hidden Shades of Grey--Chapter One
In the tranquil gardens of the Jedi Temple on the core world of Coruscant, Carth Onassi nervously paced in front of one of the fountains, while he waited with the rest of crew of the Ebon Hawk for their Jedi companions to return from the Council Chambers. He ran a finger over the golden medal given to him by Admiral Dodonna only a couple of weeks ago. He and his friends had all overcome incredible odds to earn this in their last missionfinding the Star Maps, destroying the Star Forge, and defeating the Dark Lord Malak and Carths own arch-nemesis, Admiral Saul Karath. It had been a long and arduous journey, both physically and mentally. Now they had finally made it to Coruscant and right away the Jedi were at their secret meetings once again.
He needed some no, *deserved* some time offtime to recuperate, relax, to come to terms with all that had happened, and, hopefully, to rekindle his relationship with his son, Dustil. But even in this very serene place, amongst the fountains and neatly manicured greenery, he could find no peace. Again, he felt the tug of the Republic taking precedence over his private affairs and the first sparks of conflict rise within him like the initial tinges of an ion storm.
Im bored, Mission Vao complained, as the young Twilek swung her legs back and forth from the low garden wall she sat upon. Apparently, she couldnt relax either, though Carth attributed the cause to youth, rather than any complex internal dilemma. Theyve been in there for hours, she moaned. What do you suppose theyre doing in there anyway?
Talking, Canderous the Mandalorian answered matter-of-factly, without looking up from the blaster he was polishing. Thats what the Jedi do best. They talk, and they talk, and when they are finished, they talk some more.
Trouble is, Carth sighed, they never seem to talk to us.
Cmon, Carth, said Mission, as she purposefully hopped down from the wall. Lets you, me, and Big Z go into the city. Itll cheer you up. You know, I heard that they have anything and everything in Coruscant. Exploring it is bound to be more fun than waiting around here.
Carth frowned a bit. Erm I dont think thats such a good idea, Mission.
I agree, said Canderous Ordo. The grizzled Mandalorian gave Mission a look that a commander reserves for disciplining his troops. Rade told us to wait here. So *thats* what were going to do.
Mission heaved an over-dramatic sigh. But weve been waiting for hours! she complained, stamping her foot for emphasis. I mean, the Jedi Temple is nice and all. Way better than being cooped up inside the Ebon Hawk, but sheesh! All these fountains, and flowers, and trees well, its its boring!
Arrr! Zalbaar grunted.
Erm sorry, Big Z, said Mission. The trees are nice. Really. Its just that Im not used to them like you are, you know?
Zalbar snuffled softly in apparent acceptance of her apology.
Cmon, Carth, please? Mission pleaded. This is the very first time Ive ever been to Coruscant. I just want to see whats out there. You know, grab a meal, do a little shopping, maybe even check out a few of the local hotspots. Is there anything wrong with that?
No, said Carth. And when Rade comes back, Im sure well all have time to go and see it. Together. But for now, we wait.
Its not like theyre coming out anytime soon, Mission continued in her plea. Besides, we need something to eat. Im starving!
Zalbaar roared in agreement.
See? Big Zs hungry, too. And you know what hes like when he gets hungry.
Wookies are always hungry, Canderous grumbled. Thats what makes them good hunters.
Zalbaars eyes narrowed and he growled softly at the Mandalorian.
What? Canderous gave Zalbaar an incredulous look. Its true.
All right, drop it you two, Mission chastised them. She turned back to Carth to continue her pitch. Look, I dont know about you, Carth, but Im getting sick of all this so-called healthy stuff the Jedi insist on feeding us. I mean havent they ever heard of . Missions words hung in the air and her jaw dropped, mesmerised at something she saw over Carths shoulder. Siths Blood, she said softly.
Carth frowned. What?
Zalbaar growled in a low, ominous tone.
Well, would you look at that . Canderous muttered to himself.
Carth turned to see what everyone was looking at. Escorted by a Jedi Temple guard, was, at first glance, what looked to be a small detachment of Sith. Their leader, a tall man with chiselled features and dark hair worn in a single braid down the length of his back, wore the black garb indicative of a Sith Master, but he carried no visible weapon. Walking at a brisk pace behind his Jedi escort, his stride exuded the confidence of a seasoned soldier yet, at the same time, the composure of a diplomat.
Behind him marched four individuals, soldiers by any account. Covered from head to toe in black, their faces were obscured by deep hoods and they armed themselves with intimidating, yet elaborately decorated, double-bladed brands which they carried upright. Ceremonial weapons, Carth surmised. These four dark soldiers surrounded a fifth individual, although it was unclear to Carth if the figure was being escorted or guarded.
Either way, their charge was blatantly different from the rest. Wearing not the traditional black of the Sith but a floor-length, deep-hooded robe of a most unusual shade of violet, Carth watched the fifth person float gracefully across the polished stone floor of the open air corridor while the remainder of the party proceeded forward with precision and purpose toward the entrance to the Jedi Council Chambers. The Temple Guard rapped twice on the door, and the party was ushered inside.
Carth scowled. What? There arent enough Sith roaming the Galaxy that the Jedi have to go and invite them to come here?
Only the leader was a Sith, Canderous said knowingly. The others are Jantessans.
Jantessans? Carth echoed. His brow furrowed in thought. Never heard of them.
Im not surprised, said Canderous. Jantessa is located far out on the Outer Rim, about as far as you can get without leaving the Galaxy. They prefer to keep to themselves. Few outsiders are ever allowed on their world.
So how do you know about it? No, wait. Carth smirked. Let me guess. You Mandalorians conquered them, right?
Conquered them? Canderous chuckled. We tried. Never could get past their defences though. They had some type of planetary shield that we could never break through. And though our forces were superior in numbers, their small fighters managed to take quite a heavy toll on our resources. So, we moved on to more rewarding targets.
Carths brow raised and he snorted with amusement. You mean to say, there was someone out there who defeated the Mandalorians before the Republic even got involved?
I wouldnt call it a defeat, Canderous said defensively. More like a draw. Even so, Id like to think we did them some damage.
So, why didnt they help the other worlds that were being ravaged by the Mandalorians? Mission asked.
Canderous shrugged. Like I said, they prefer to keep to themselves. But I did hear a rumour that after Revans fleet turned on the Republic, the Jantessans willingly co-operated with the Sith.
Mission scowled. So they *are* Sith!
Perhaps, Canderous answered. Perhaps not. Either way I can tell you this. They didnt come all this way for a social call. Like I said, they prefer to keep to themselves. They detest outlanders.
Carth rubbed his forehead. I dont like this, he said softly. Something tells me that were going on another mission.
Were not going anywhere until Ive seen the city, Mission said adamantly. Besides, if those Sith guys have just arrived, then theres no way our friends are coming out anytime soon. Please, Carth? Can we go? Pleeeease? She batted her eyelashes persuasively.
Carth rolled his eyes, and exhaled a sigh of defeat. Its against my better judgement, but all right, Mission.
Woohoo! Mission jumped for joy.
But just to get something to eat, all right? Carth interrupted firmly.
Yeah, sure, Mission agreed, though she couldnt hold back her mischievous smile as she rocked back and forth on her heels with anticipation. Just to get something to eat.
Think Ill stay here, Canderous said, giving Carth an unenviable smirk at what he perceived as babysitting duty. Ill go and see how the droids are getting on in the maintenance bay.
Yeah, you do that, Carth said flatly. And, if Rade comes . He paused, then shook his head. Oh, who am I kidding? he said under his breath. Well meet you back here in a couple of hours, Canderous. Cmon, Mission. Lets go.
No sooner than Carth had turned his back, than Rade Chanos voice called out his name from across the gardens courtyard.
Abandoning us already, are you? Rade grinned broadly and his dark eyes smiled as he approached with Bastila, Jolee Bindo, and Juhani in tow.
Startled at his friends sudden appearance, Carth floundered a bit. What? Erm, no, we were .
We were just going into the city to get something to eat, Mission interrupted, glaring at Carth not to contradict her. Care to join us?
You mean to leave the Temple grounds? Bastila shook her head in shocked disbelief. Oh, no. No, I dont think thats a very good idea, Mission. Coruscant is a very big place. Even dangerous, in some sections. Besides, youll find that the food provided here is far superior in its quality and nutritional value than anything you will find on the outside, especially for the needs of a .
If you say *growing child*, Mission warned her, I swear Ill .
Food sounds good to me, Rade chimed in, attempting to end the dispute before it got started.
Bastila stared back at Rade. But shes
Hungry, Rade finished for her. Lighten up, he added, giving her a quick wink. I think we could all use a little diversion for a while. Dont you?
Bastila blushed. Well, I suppose it wouldnt hurt to to get our minds off of Council matters for an hour or so.
An hour? Carth asked warily. So is that how much time you expect those Jantessans to take with the Council?
Rade winced. Ah. You saw them, did you?
Yeah, we saw them, said Mission. In all their creepy Sithiness, she added with a shiver.
What do they want? Canderous asked bluntly.
Rade sighed. I cant say.
Carth snorted. Typical Jedi, he muttered under his breath.
No, Carth, said Rade. I cant say, because I dont know. None of us do.
Then can you at least tell me what you were discussing in there for hours upon end? Carth asked testily. You know how much I hate being left out of the loop.
Rade grinned. I know, I know. He paused, looking first at Bastila, then Jolee, then Juhani. The Council didnt say I had to keep it a secret, he said to them.
Are you sure you want to tell them? Jolee asked with concern.
They are your friends, Rade, said Juhani. I think they have a right to know.
Bastilas brow wrinkled. Rade, I think it might be wise if you consulted with the Council before .
No, Rade said decisively. Juhanis right. They all travel with us by their own decision. They have a right to know. His deep brown eyes locked with Carths. The Council was trying some ancient healing techniques to help me gain some of my memories back.
Oh, Carth said, nodding even though he wasnt quite sure what to make of Rades statement.
Memories of when I was the Dark Lord, Rade added.
Carths anxious expression quickly turned solemn. Oh.
Jantessa is one of the worlds Revan visited. When the Council received the request from the Jantessans for an audience, they also received a curious query about Revan. He shifted uncomfortably. About me. They wanted to know if the Jedi had any information on where I might have travelled to after the Mandalorian Wars. The Council thought it was important that I try to remember visiting Jantessa to discover the reason behind their interest.
Oh, Carth said tonelessly.
And did they? asked Mission. I mean, did you remember anything?
Rade shrugged. Nothing substantial. Bits and pieces. Like the visions of seeking out the Star Forge.
Mission let out a tense sigh. Well, thats a relief. I mean, not that Im glad that you didnt remember anything useful, but Im glad that you didnt remember anything well, you know .
Sithy? Rade teased.
Mission smiled. Yeah. Sithy.
Dont worry, Rade said, and although he was answering Mission, he was looking at Carth. Im not Revan anymore. And if I ever do remember anything Sithy, youll be the first to know. As long as Ive got friends like you to help me, theres no way Ill ever fall again. He gave Bastila a look that told her what was true for him was true for her as well. No way any of us will fall again.
Well, thats good to know, Mission said.
Yeah, thats thats good to know, Carth echoed, noticeably relaxing, but still visibly tense.
So, cmon, said Rade, smiling once again. The city, and all of its inferior, unhealthy, non-nutritious culinary delights await us.
Ah! Jolee Bindo rubbed his hands together in anticipation. *Real* food! He put a grandfatherly arm around Mission and led the way out of the gardens. Now, Im not knocking the Jedis version of nutrition, but what I am really sick of is all that gunk that comes out of those damn processors on that ship of ours! Food? Hah! You know, he said conspiratorially to the young Twilek, there used to be this little place that I knew of not far from here, found it when I was a student here, oh, a millennia or so ago, that used to serve the best Szantisian Paddlefish steaks this side of .
As the rest of the group followed Jolee and Mission, Rade discreetly pulled Carth aside. I have a feeling that the Council will be sending us on another mission soon, said Rade. You up for it?
Carth nodded. Ive come with you this far. I wont let you down now.
And what about your son, Dustil? asked Rade. I know you havent had the time off that you deserve. Id understand if you had other obligations
Dont worry about me, said Carth. Ill see Dustil again, but not at the expense of letting you or the Republic down. I serve the Republic so he can have a better life. He knows that. Carth smiled weakly, then sighed. Cmon. Wed better catch up. Well need to keep an eye on those two, he said, nodding his head at Mission and Jolee walking up ahead. No telling what kind of trouble theyll get into.
Rade patted Carth on the back. Right. Ill take Jolee. Hes old, and easily distracted, he added with a grin.
Carth gave a quick grin back. Aw, gee, thanks. And, thanks, Rade, he added in a more serious tone. For keeping me in the loop about your memory and all. It means a lot to me, and I appreciate it. I shouldnt have doubted you.
Im your friend, Carth. Voicing any doubts you have only helps me to stay on the right path. So really, its me who should be thanking you.
Still, it was wrong of me, and and, well, Im sorry. I do trust you, Rade. You know that, dont you?
I know. Rades eyes narrowed mischievously. Just dont get all sentimental on me, okay? Bastilas watching, and, well , He winked. I have a reputation to uphold.
Carth laughed. I wont say another word.
Veni, Vidi, Velcro. (I came, I saw, I stuck around)
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text: Letters Extinct or Possibly Extinct? David L. RobertsRoyal Botanic Gardens Kew, Richmond, Surrey TW9 3AB, UK E-mail: (d.roberts{at}kew.org) Science 19 May 2006:Vol. 312, Issue 5776, pp. 997-998DOI: 10.1126/science.312.5776.997c David L. RobertsRoyal Botanic Gardens Kew, Richmond, Surrey TW9 3AB, UK E-mail: email@example.com this author on Google Scholar Find this author on PubMed Search for this author on this site Article Info & Metrics eLetters PDF You do not have access to the full text of this article, the first page of the PDF of this article appears below. Log in to view full text Username Enter your Sciencemag.org username. Password Enter the password that accompanies your username. Forgot your username or password?Log in Join/Subscribe Purchase Article Activate Member Account Renew Subscription Recommend a subscription to your library Help for librarians


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Rated 5 / 5 stars
Although this is a late review. Nice flow man, it shows why your at the championship round. Nice disses and references. Can't wait to hear your disses toward eye-cue!
I appreciate the review man; I can't wait for this battle to drop also!
Wish Eye-Cue would hurry the hell up though lol damn
Rated 5 / 5 stars
damn I am mad late on this
beat is hot
Rated 5 / 5 stars
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"Fuck white dudes, wait I'm white too,
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"Like Eye-Cue", lol.
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Rated 5 / 5 stars
lol Harry and the Hendersons lol I love it.
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Shortly before 123 million voters picked a president, 38 Louisiana monks moved the judiciary toward a decision that could change American governance more than most presidents do. The monksĺ cypress caskets could catalyze a rebirth of judicial respect for Americansĺ unenumerated rights, aka privileges or immunities.
In 2005, Hurricane Katrina damaged the trees that the monks of Saint Joseph Abbey near Covington, La., harvested to support their religious life. So they decided to market the sort of simple caskets in which the abbey has long buried its dead. Monasteries in other states sell caskets, but these Louisiana Benedictines were embarking on a career in crime.
In 1914, Louisiana created the State Board of Embalmers and Funeral Directors. Its supposed purpose is to combat ôinfectious or communicable diseases,ö but it has become yet another example of ôregulatory capture,ö controlled by the funeral industry it ostensibly regulates. Nine of its 10 current members are funeral directors.
In the 1960s, Louisiana made it a crime to sell ôfuneral merchandiseö without a funeral directorĺs license. To get one, the monks would have to stop being monks: They would have to earn 30 hours of college credit and apprentice for a year at a licensed funeral home to acquire skills they have no intention of using. And their abbey would have to become a ôfuneral establishmentö with a parlor accommodating 30 people, and an embalming facility even though they just want to make rectangular boxes, not handle cadavers.
This law is unadulterated rent-seeking by the funeral directorsĺ casket-selling cartel. The law serves no sanitary purpose: Louisiana does not stipulate casket standards or even require burials to be in caskets. And Louisianans can buy caskets from out of state -- from, for example, Amazon.com (it sells everything. A complaint filed against the monks by a funeral director said: ôIllegal third-party casket sales place funeral homes in an unfavorable position with families.ö That is, the bereaved become angry when forced to buy caskets from the funeral homesĺ cartel.
In a sense, the monksĺ troubles began 16 years before their monastery was founded in 1889, across Lake Pontchartrain in New Orleans. In the 1873 Slaughter-House Cases, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld, 5-4, New Orleansĺ government-created butchers cartel. This effectively expunged this clause from the 14th Amendment: ôNo state shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States.ö The court effectively expunged the phrase ôprivileges or immunities,ö construing it so narrowly it disappeared from constitutional law.
Since then, courts have retreated from protection of economic rights -- the right to earn a living without arbitrary and irrational government hindrances. Courts have complacently allowed any infringements of those rights for which governments offer any ôrational basisö -- such as, the supposed good done by conferring economic benefits on favored factions.
In 2002, the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, overturning a Tennessee law requiring a license to sell caskets, said the law did not protect the public from harm but protected licensed funeral directors from competition. But in 2004, the 10th Circuit upheld an Oklahoma law forcing online casket retailers to have funeral directorĺs licenses, which in Oklahoma, too, involve expensive and time-consuming requirements. The court acknowledged that the law is protection for funeral directors but said ôdishing out special economic benefitsö to favored interests is equivalent to ôthe national pastimeö of -- and a prerogative of -- state and local governments. The 10th Circuit believes this should continue undisturbed by judicial supervision, although it injures the public and abridges individualsĺ rights.
When circuit courts disagree, the Supreme Court should referee. The monksĺ lawyers -- libertarians from the Institute for Justice -- want the court to confront the consequences of its 1873 mistake. So, the monksĺ problem is much more than just another example of dumb bullying by government in cahoots with powerful interests. Last month, the 5th Circuit rejected Louisianaĺs casket nonsense, saying ôneither precedent nor broader principles suggest that mere economic protection of a pet industry is a legitimate governmental purpose.ö And: ôThe great deference due state economic regulation does not demand judicial blindness to the history of a challenged rule or the context of its adoption nor does it require courts to accept nonsensical explanations for naked transfers of wealth.ö
If courts once again become properly impatient with nonsensical explanations, much of what government does will become untenable. It is lovely that revitalized protection of the individual rights of property and striving may owe much to an abbey where all property is communal.
George Willĺs email address is email@example.com


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Is milkweed really the key to saving monarchs?
May 24, 2016, 1 a.m. by Russell McLendon
Milkweed is widely planted to slow the recent decline of monarch butterflies, but a new study suggests the insects' misfortune goes well beyond one plant.
How community gardens help (and even hurt)
May 18, 2016, 3:52 p.m. by Mary Jo DiLonardo
Gardens create bonds, but they're not always inclusive, researchers find.


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The Lady Vandals improved to 4-1 over the weekend, as they finished the Litchfield Tournament 3-1, which earned them a second-place finish.
After opening up the tournament with a 43-32 win over Nokomis, the Lady Vandals faced off against Carlinville last Tuesday evening.
Vandalia came out to a hot start early on, as six first-quarter points from Makayla Tinker helped give the Vandals an 18-5 lead going into the second quarter.
Seventh-Grade Girls Basketball
The seventh-grade Lady Vandals closed out the regular season with a 30-15 victory over Pana St. Pats last Thursday night.
Bailey Stewart led the way with a team-high 10 points. Allie Willenborg finished with eight points.
Vandalia finished the regular season 11-8.
Eighth-Grade Girls Basketball
The eighth-grade Lady Vandals closed out their regular season with a 25-17 win over Pana St. Pats last Thursday night.
Eighth-Grade Boys Basketball
The eight-grade VJHS boys basketball team improved to 4-0 last Thursday, defeating Ramsey, 45-17.
Matthew Wells was the leading scorer with 16. Thomas Rithcey and Jacob Fickes rounded out the scoring with 10 and six, respectively.
The eighth-grade Vandals kept its perfect record alive with a 54-36 win over Altamont Tuesday night.
Top scorers were Thomas Ritchey and Matthew Wells, with 14 and 13 points, respectively.
Seventh-Grade Basketball
Copyright © 2016
The Leader Union is your source for local news, sports, events and information in Vandalia, Il, and the surrounding area.


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- Grouping and Descriptive Categories (14)
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Gooper1 Building Creator
A revolutionary building creator for Skyscraper.12 weekly downloads
EPO extension project, a language / platform independant implementation of the EPO-Extension protocol. EPO is a performance monitoring tool for networks and organisations (http://www.epo-elements.com).2 weekly downloads
ODBC Pathway
Access your windows based database from any platform using a powerful XML based communication protocol.2 weekly downloads
eXsyst Anywhere Platform
A revolutionary software development framework based on eXegeSys Customizer Technology. It allows developers to build applications that can be customized by the end user without changing the source code, interrupting support, or limiting future upgrades.2 weekly downloads
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Call Center for Smartphones, Tablets and Computers1 weekly downloads
The FrameCode.NET project is a collection of articles and sample code in all kinds of programming languages that point out hints, tips, tricks, samples, and much more. Articles are community driven and are provided by the public!1 weekly downloads
NGmp .NET Mono Multiprecision Library
NGmp is a C# C++ Java Python VB.NET etc. etc. binding of GMP and MPFR multi-precision number libraries. With support of Microsoft .NET or Novell Mono runtime NGmp will run on mutliple platforms. It is faster than other libraries available on .NET or Mono1 weekly downloads
VegaStrike Developer Tools
Vega Strike developer tools. Create new missions and ships in a snap, create new bfxm files, even create new mods! Uses QT for cross-platform use. Proposed apps: Data Editor, Mission Editor, Mission Wizard, Base Editor, and QMesher. Pretty much an entire suite of tools to build any new game onto of the Vega Strike engine.1 weekly downloads
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Open-Source Massive Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Game engine. Server is semi-free, open for non-commercial use. Client is free software and the content is proprietary. Rehash from a 5-year-old project, active again since august 2007.1 weekly downloads
The library XReport is a report viwer based on wxWindows library.1 weekly downloads
Adventure Develop
Adventure Develop would be a free and open alternative to AdventureMaker, providing an user-friendly interface and a complete environment for develop point&click game. ********** Development has been stopped because the engine is too distant to be compli
It's software for a fanny chatting using your Google account
Multi-purpose, platform/language independent Server with the ability to handle multiple concurrent connections on 1 socket, interactively/dynamically starting and stopping service modules. Needs only 1 port opened to access many different services.
emuSICK is a free multiplatform radio automation system based in the QT framework from Trolltech and the best wonderful FMOD sound engine. It allows to play multiple playlist grouped in blocks of time. You should use it in Linux, Windows and Mac.


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IMDb > Janet Spence (Character)
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Filmographiesby yearby typeby ratingsby votesby TV seriesby genreby keyword
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Janet Spence (Character)
from Das Lächeln der Gioconda (1958) (TV)
The content of this page was created by users. It has not been screened or verified by IMDb staff.
FilmographyEdit Credits
There may be more credits available for this character. To edit the credits displayed or to add more credits to this character's filmography, click the Edit Credits link.
- Mona Lisan hymy (1966) (TV) Played by Kyllikki Forssell
- Das Lächeln der Gioconda (1966) (TV) Played by Agnes Fink
- "ITV Play of the Week"
- The Gioconda Smile (1963) TV episode, Played by Elizabeth Sellars
- The Gioconda Smile (1957) TV episode, Played by Yvonne Mitchell
- Das Lächeln der Gioconda (1958) (TV) Played by Inge Langen
- "Climax!"
... aka "Climax Mystery Theater" - USA (alternative title)
- The Gioconda Smile (1954) TV episode, Played by Dorothy McGuire
- Das Lächeln der Gioconda (1953) (TV) Played by Gisela Uhlen
- A Woman's Vengeance (1948) Played by Jessica Tandy
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How Do I Keep My Employees Motivated?
This outstanding book about managing with empathy is destined to become a business classic. Many books have been written about employee motivation, but it is a rare title that... Read More
This outstanding book about managing with empathy is destined to become a business classic. Many books have been written about employee motivation, but it is a rare title that... Read More
Entertaining and insightful, Constructive Wallowing provides clear instructions on how to "feel your feelings." Laughter is the best medicine, as many have said, and... Read More
Arnold lays out his evidence that seeds of a mass murderer are planted from mom's postnatal depression. It's a question equally likely to spark debate in college classrooms... Read More
An outline of techniques used by cult leaders vibrantly and cleverly offers insight into human nature. Attorney Paul Morantz's second edition of Escape: My Life Long War... Read More
James's relevant and useful research on women in leadership roles is thoroughly supported. The Gap: A Scholarly Perspective of Executive Women, by Wendy James, is a detailed... Read More
Science, psychology, and sociology merge to explain the theory of the biology of empathy. Who hasn't watched someone laugh and felt the need to laugh? In fact, humans often... Read More
This fascinating examination of our reaction to change is both impressive and inspiring. Although at first glance it may seem like a New Age self-help book, Dreams of Totality:... Read More
Provocative and thought-provoking, L. A. Lemmons' America Never Promised Us Happiness (Only the Right to Pursue It) leaves few unscathed in her criticism of the cultural... Read More
Menken illustrates how kids and adults are teachers and students, and how parents are not only raising their children but also improving their own inner lives. Parenting never... Read More
Memoir marries social science in a profoundly helpful way. Deborah Serani combines her own history of childhood depression with her vast experience as a child psychologist to... Read More
Sorry, ladies, says pornographer; men are just natural cheaters. Men are "hard-wired" to cheat on women sexually, says pornographer Dave Pounder, who explains why in Obscene... Read More
This comprehensive professional guide suggests a personal and open approach to psychological counseling. People who experience psychological distress manifest symptoms in ways... Read More


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July 22, 2016, 11:26 am
Adele posted this makeup-free picture to Instagram this week. Would you even recognize her??!
Vancouver, BC / Rogers Arena / July 20
A photo posted by @adele on...
Read More »
July 15, 2016, 2:39 pm
This makes us feel old!!
July 14, 2016, 4:40 pm
Back in 1990, this would have cost $2000....in time for the holidays you'll be able to get it for just $60. Nintendo is releasing a mini NES system with 30 games pre-loaded.
July 12, 2016, 8:59 pm
Rather ironic that Selena Gomez has surpassed herself and Justin Bieber with the most liked photo of all time on Instagram. Although THAT picture was on Justin's account and featured the two of...
July 10, 2016, 4:24 pm
The media finally got the chance to ask Tom Hiddleston about Taylor Swift. Boy, she's got his lips sealed pretty tight.
July 1, 2016, 2:45 pm
Certain Honda and Acura cars are effected by a very serious airbag recall. If you drive one of the cars listed below, you should stop driving it IMMEDIATELY and have the recall performed, if it...
June 30, 2016, 3:23 pm
Shawn Mendes graduated high school AND got his first tattoo this week. And he didn't even shed a tear. He's officially in the "bad boy" club now...
Follow our snapchat for...
June 28, 2016, 6:47 pm
Let's all admit it, it's been a tough couple of weeks for Calvin Harris. First, he was dumped (so no amicably by Taylor Swift) and now, he backs his car into a brick wall when he was asked about...
June 27, 2016, 4:32 pm
Lady Gaga got to meet the Dalai Lama this past week and talked some serious world issues. Check out the full interview:
June 26, 2016, 8:02 pm
This is scary how easy it would be to miss this credit card skimmer installed on this ATM machine in Vienna. If you're traveling this summer (abroad or here in the US), keep any eye out for this...


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This is the blog of freelance editor, cinematographer, photographer, director and founder of Brain Attic Productions, Jonathan Satchell. This site is a chronicle of his adventures as a cinematic entrepreneur.
In the Film tab you can find examples of work created for personal and professional use, and examples of Photography work in the corresponding tab. The Blog tab holds various thoughts on film as well as updates on current or upcoming projects. To find out more about Jonathan, you can read his biography in the About Me tab. And finally, if you have a professional inquiry, you can reach out using the Contact tab.
This blog is the culmination of many years of training and work in cinematography. The goal of Brain Attic is to make entertaining, engaging and insightful content that can be enjoyed by a wide audience. From weddings and corporate video production, to narrative short films and documentaries, Brain Attic hopes to provide enjoyable and thoughtful content for everyone. Feel free to leave comments or questions on any pages or posts on this site as connection is an important part of the content.
Thank you for visiting!


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KABUL, Afghanistan - A landslide triggered by heavy rain buried large sections of a remote northeastern Afghan village on Friday, killing at least 350 people and leaving more than 2,000 missing.
KABUL, Afghanistan — A suicide bomber blew himself up outside a Kabul restaurant filled with foreigners and affluent Afghans, while two gunmen snuck in through the back door and opened fire Friday in a brazen dinnertime attack that killed 16 people, officials said.
KABUL, Afghanistan - A Taliban suicide bomber rammed a motorcycle packed with explosives into a joint U.S.
KABUL, Afghanistan - Suicide bombers launched multiple attacks in a remote corner of southwestern Afghanistan near the Iranian border Tuesday, killing policemen and shoppers buying food to break their daily Ramadan fast.
KABUL, Afghanistan — A suicide bomber on a motorcycle killed at least 10 people, including three American soldiers, at a park in a relatively peaceful area of northern Afghanistan on Wednesday, part of an increase in violence at the start of the spring fighting season.
The Taliban, which claimed responsibility for the attack, are targeting Afghan and NATO security forces as they fight to assert their power and undermine U.S. efforts to try to build up the Afghan military, who will take the lead in combat responsibility over the next couple of years.
KABUL, Afghanistan - President Barack Obama apologized to Afghans on Thursday for the burning of Qurans at a U.S.
KABUL, Afghanistan - A suicide bomber hiding explosives in his turban assassinated former Afghan President Burhanuddin Rabbani, who headed a government peace council trying to cultivate contacts with Taliban insurgents.
CHARIKAR, Afghanistan - Six suicide bombers attacked a governor's security meeting in one of Afghanistan's most secure provinces, killing 22 people and driving home the point that the Taliban is able to strike at will virtually anywhere in the country.
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text: DOSBox 0.55 has been released. Dosbox is a full x86 emulator written in C/C++ with sound and dos. It's main use is to run old dosgames on platforms which don't have dos(win2k/linux). We had the intention to make this release a bugfixen release, but we added so many new features that it has grown to full release The most important new features: - fixed font problems (sierra adventures) - added full emm 3.2 and partial 4.0 support - many graphics fixes to the ega and cga videomodes - improved debugger to support breakpoints and such - fixed some cpu instructions - fixed startup problems with WinXP All these changes resulted in running Civilization and Colonization, Dune 2 with emm, Darklands. Get it at http://www.sourceforge.net/projects/dosbox


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OMG as much as I want to use this account for the nifty new beta features, I have been active and posting new artwork on my new account. You can watch me there if you'd like to see new stuff. This account will no longer have art posted, I'll keep everything up though for those who still enjoy it!
is my new account!! X3


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Since we started running our online Solar Executive MBA course—which teaches experienced solar professionals how to finance commercial solar projects—we have received a large volume of questions about financing non-profit solar projects. In this Q+A session course instructors Chris Lord and Keith Cronin answer 5 questions about due diligence, crowdfunding, and finding investors to finance nonprofit solar PPAs.
You may also be interested in our 60-minute recorded Q+A session that answers 7 questions about financing commercial solar projects.
The Five Questions We Answered
I'm in the process of completing my first PPA. Our company is no longer structured to take advantage of tax credits for PPAs, thus I am struggling to find investors to take a project. What is the best way to find investors? What is their profile? How should I approach them? How long does it typically take from the first time I speak with them to closing a deal?
Perhaps the first question is: What part of the investment is needed? Debt? Equity? Each part is different and often one party could bring one to the table and not the other. It also depends on the size of the deal. Small deals are often not as attractive to institutional investors.
If it is a small project, there's an opportunity to get a loan via the local bank. Finding tax equity investors is usually more challenging. The amount of time to closing can vary greatly and depends upon a deal's characteristics and competing deals with higher returns and lower risks.
If we are looking at a small project on a non-profit, like a house of worship, there could be affinity investors (high net worth), or people that go there, who could become investors. They could be accredited investors and be able to hurdle the SEC and financing rules to be a good fit for your project. If they have other investment vehicles, like real estate, then their profiles could match the profile of an energy project. Providing them with a summary of the project, a pro-forma and other related supporting documents can assist you in the marketing of the project.
If it is a larger project, where you need institutional investors, contact your local lending institutions to see who is doing deals. They usually know what is happening at loan origination or in their leasing departments (which are often now referred to as Equipment Financing). They will have access to contacts and it is those relationships that you will want to foster.
Approaching investors can come in a variety of ways. Offtakers for a for-profit business are going to look at all the documents related to the project and the company background. Often 3 years of audited financials of the company/host is required in order to qualify the project from an investor's perspective. There will also need to be title search done on the property to make sure there are no encumbrances. It is also critical to consider the type of business and its long-term goals. PPAs typically last 15-20 years. Will they be around? Can the PPA be assigned to the new owner? Is the property in a desirable location, and can it be sub-leased?
The amount of time this process can take can varies. We've seen spans of 8-12 weeks or more, depending upon the circumstances.
Does the recent push for, and acceptance of, crowdfunding in solar provide opportunities in financing not for profit solar projects? If so, how?
Yes, but before we get to how, let's talk about what crowd funding is and how it differs from traditional financing. Traditional project financing involves raising capital, debt and/or equity. Both the federal government (primarily through the SEC and banking rules) and each state (through "Blue Sky" and state banking requirements) regulate the when, how, and from whom of raising capital. The regulations were created in the wake of the prevalent fraud and abuse that characterized the 1920s capital markets right before the market crash of 1929. As a consequence of these rules, sophisticated financial institutions generally provide the bulk of all project financing in the U.S.
With the advent of the Internet age, Congress has begun loosening the rules that regulate raising capital, and one result is the emergence of crowdfunding. Crowdfunding uses the Internet to raise small amounts of money for a specific project from a lot of different people. For the moment it is primarily limited to debt; equity is still on the horizon but coming soon. (Even when it does come, it will probably be limited to very small transactions, for example under $1 million and not likely to be well-suited to provide tax equity.) But even so, low cost debt—well under 10 percent and probably average between 6 and 7 percent in today's market—can still greatly enable a project.
One of the leading crowdfunding platforms for solar projects is Mosaic. Here is how Mosaic works. Mosaic performs due diligence on the project, and, if the project meets its threshold requirements, will enter a funding agreement pursuant to which Mosaic lends the project $X at an agreed upon rate and term. Mosaic then raises money by posting the project investment opportunity on its website. Effectively, Mosaic is issuing its own non-recourse notes (secured solely by the revenue from the project company's note). Prospective investors have access to the due diligence material. Each investor that likes the project, including the return, can sign up for an amount of its choosing (subject to a maximum and minimum). Once the full amount has been raised, the transaction is closed to further investors.
Crowdfuning can work particularly well for non-profits because it provides "affinity investors" an opportunity to participate in a carefully structured transaction and benefit from the due diligence and data gathering performed by a company like Mosaic. An affinity investor is someone otherwise affiliated with, or supportive of, the non-profit's mission. For example, an affinity investor for a church might be a member of the congregation.
Crowdfunding is particularly useful for affinity investors because it offers smaller investors an opportunity to participate and—because it involves only debt and no tax equity —doesn't require investors with substantial "tax appetite."
The down side of crowdfunding for non-profits is that a tax equity investor must still be found. In fact, if a project is not viable without tax equity, then crowdfunding can only reduce—but never eliminate—the need for tax equity.
I'm specifically interested in issues associated with members of a non-profit organization providing the tax equity financing for a solar installation on their own church, temple, or faith community. How can this be done? What are the issues that need to be addressed with passive income and securities regulation for the investors in these third-party systems on non-profits?
As in our first question, identifying people that fit the profile is essential. Knowing what the characteristics are early and focusing on who your ideal candidate is will eliminate a lot of potential people who are interested but don't qualify. Like question #1, the issue always at hand is the passive income rules. This is something you need to talk to your accountant and attorney about. These deals are done often, but it requires more scrutiny from the investor's perspective. Sometimes non-profits don't have a long track record and could also cease business operations. As an example, even in a house of worship, a leader in the organization, like a pastor, could leave and take the flock with him to another location, emptying the church and its operations. This will adversely impact an investor and is a risk that should be considered.
Active income is income received like a salary from your company or a gain from the sale of an asset or a business. Passive income is from sources like a rental property. If you incur losses from a business but aren't an active participant in the business, that is considered passive income.
The challenge is that most individuals don't earn much passive income. This is a long-standing issue as it relates to investors' capacities with solar assets. The other issue is that passive investors can only use tax credits or depreciation to offset other forms of passive income.
What should be on a due diligence checklist for screening non-profit clients and potential investors for those projects?
Due diligence can be lengthy and can also be brief. We like to get as many details as possible about a project, but, in local markets, the vetting process for smaller projects is often relationship-based.
It is also desirable to set up an online data room to effectively store and manage documents and correspondence during this process. This keeps everyone informed and up to date with the latest document revisions and limits the need to dig through your email inbox for information.
Developing a detailed process for gathering this information is essential. Having a framework will enable your team to work efficiently and collaboratively and will be attractive to prospective investors. Investors often know others who are in the market for these types of opportunities, and creating a standardized template listing the requirements of all parties streamlines the process.
Here is a brief list of items you should consider in vetting a project. Note they are in categories and are essential in streamlining the process of lead generation to COD.
- Site Control — This by far is the most important first step in the process. Having a LOI with a building or landowner is the first step. Once this is secured, you can do your feasibility study to determine the system size and other environmental attributes associated to the preliminary permitting scope to provide the land owner with a MOU and lease document. These are usually contingent upon the findings of the next step.
- Permitting — This is one that will make or break the economics of a deal. You could have an unforeseen site condition that could halt the development of your project or an added cost that will make the return the investor needs to fund the project undesirable.
- Power Offtake — Who is buying your power? Rooftop and it's the customer and the utility or is it a PPA directly with the utility? Knowing these things early determines the economic desirability for an investors appetite and risk.
- Project Finance — What kind of funding sources are you looking for? What will be the terms of the deal for investors? Is is a direct purchase, sale-leaseback, partnership flip? Who will monetize the incentives? Are there insurance policies to manage risk? Is there a clear construction schedule and penalties for delay? Have you spoken to the utility for a schedule?
- Interconnection — Where is the transmission line? Is it rooftop project and interconnection is easy? Do you know these costs and have a contingency fund if there are cost overruns? Do you have consulting engineers costs figured out? Are there any studies that need to be performed by the utilities that could take time and be an added cost?
- Engineering — What are your critical path items? Will you do everything in house or outsource? Do you have sub contractors that have done the work before that work with and understand the engineering requirements? Who will fill out the interconnection agreement? What will happen if the utility needs to curtail the system? Who will do the testing and verification?
With all due diligence comes the risk of timing. As with solar tax credits, the end of the year timing is crucial in investor and tax planning. Not having your project built in the particular year you pitched to investors can have an adverse effect on their projected returns and can make a deal un-financeable.
When would we want to use a PPA and when would we want to use a lease to finance a non-profit solar project.
The selection of a PPA versus lease will be driven by at least two important factors. The first and most important is whether applicable law and the serving utility for the project permit a third party PPA. Under a PPA, the project owner sells power to a host customer. This sounds suspiciously like a utility's job: selling and delivering power to a customer. Utilities are heavily regulated entities, and—like all monopolies—jealously guard their turf. So, as a general rule, PPAs are not permitted unless expressly permitted by applicable state law or otherwise approved and acceptable to a utility. That is the bad news. The good news is that most states permit third party PPAs where the power is produced and used on site, but they do so under different schemes. For example, in California, PPAs are permitted in all investor-owned utility jurisdictions. Most municipal utilities either don't permit PPAs or limit how power may be produced and sold within their service territory. For example, the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) has long interpreted its charter as preventing any other party from selling and delivering power to a retail customer within its service territory. Luckily, where PPAs are not permitted, leases can and often do work. Under a lease, an electricity user leases a solar system from a leasing company. The user then uses the solar system to generate and deliver solar power for their own use. (In both cases—a PPA and a lease—you must still follow all of the interconnection requirements.)
The second factor in determining whether to use a PPA or lease depends on the economic objectives of the non-profit and the investors/project company. Under a PPA, a customer has little responsibility for a solar system other than to pay for the electricity delivered from it. The operating and maintenance (O&M) expenses, taxes, and insurance are all the responsibility of the power provider (and ultimately the investor). In addition, a PPA revenue stream looks variable because it will fluctuate with the number of kWhs delivered by the system. That variability is important because if a solar system under-performs or unexpectedly breaks, the risk and cost are all on the project company/investors.
By contrast, a lease shifts many of those risks to the non-profit. That is, under a lease, the payments due from the non-profit are fixed lease payments and not variable PPA revenues. Put another way, under a lease the non-profit will be responsible for operations, maintenance, taxes, and insurance. If the systems under performs or even fails to perform, the non-profit must continue to make the lease payments while bearing the cost of repairing the system.
In some cases, one might structure a lease to shift O&M, taxes, and insurance back to the leasing company, but this will be a rare exception. Leasing companies are financing machines, and they don't want any expenses. They prefer triple net type of leases and a fixed stream of revenue.
Additional Resources


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Emily Maynard and Daughter Play With Retro Toy: Did You Have One of These?shellthings
Did you have an Easy Bake Oven when you were growing up? I wanted one but never had one.
Emily Maynard has one for her daughter Ricki. Last night, Emily tweeted "Who remembers this?! Rickis making dessert tonight" along with this photo an Easy Bake Oven. The results made me glad that I never did have one:
Sharing this photo on twitter, Emily Maynard said "This is NOT what it looks like on the box. It must be pretty awful if even Ricki doesn't want to eat it!"
Though, much like my own kids would have done, Emily's daughter decided to eat it anyway! "I guess kids really will eat anything as long as it has chocolate :)"
Photos: Twitter
Article Posted 5 years Ago


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When you travel, it's handy to have a translation app on your phone. One app you might want to install before leaving on your trip is Translator with Speech. It is usually listed among the top-paid and best-rated language apps for Windows Phone. It has also just received an update to version 2.2, adding more languages.
Head past the break for our hands on video and walkthrough.


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The Pink Panther is a 1963 American comedy film directed by Blake Edwards and co-written by Edwards and Maurice Richlin, starring David Niven, Peter Sellers, Robert Wagner, Capucine, and Claudia Cardinale. The film introduced the cartoon character of the same name, in an opening credits sequence animated by DePatie-Freleng Enterprises. Wikipedia
Simone Clouseau: If I'm not being too nosy your highness, I read somewhere there was some dispute over the ownership of the Pink Panther.
Princess Dala: It belongs to me. It was a gift from my late father. I shall never surrender it.
Sir Charles Lytton: Why should you?
Princess Dala: When the present government seized power, they claimed the diamond was the property of the people. There's even some talk of the international court deciding the issue.
Sir Charles Lytton: I'll tell you what, why don't I steal the diamond, leave that old glove or whatever it is behind, and you and I can split the insurance.
Princess Dala: All right.
George Lytton: I feel like dancing.
(to Princess Dala)
George Lytton: Your Highness?
Princess Dala: I'd love to.
Sir Charles Lytton: (to Simone) How about you, Madame?
Simone Clouseau: Yes, of course.
Inspector Jacques Clouseau: Your leg is better, Sir. Charles?
Sir Charles Lytton: What?
Inspector Jacques Clouseau: I say your leg is better.
Sir Charles Lytton: Oh, yes. Much better. Thank you.
Inspector Jacques Clouseau: You know, Mr. Tucker...
(scalds his hand)
Inspector Jacques Clouseau: Argh!
(put his burnt hand into Mr. Tucker's beer)
Tucker: That's my beer, old man.
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