June Kronholz summarizes the OECD’s Program for International Student Assessment, which finds that:
The percentage of top-achieving math students in the nation is about half that of other industrialized countries, and the gap between scores of whites and minority groups — who will make up an increasing share of the labor force in coming decades — is enormous.
Here’s the report. Slashdot discussion.
Norm Brodsky offers up some useful tips on employee retention in his article: “Pennies from Heaven”.
I’m giving the latest iPod photo a try. This mp3 player also includes the ability to store and display photos (including the optional storage of the large, original image files – which makes it a handy backup device). It also will playback slideshows through your TV, along with music.
I also have the first iPod (5GB). It’s rather amazing to think that the latest ipod is a bit smaller, yet holds 12X the music and/or photos. So far, I’ve been quite impressed with it (I’ve dropped it a few times, including on a tradmill). It just works 🙂
Michael Arndt wrote about Kraft’s possible sale of Oscar Meyer several weeks ago. Avrum Lank keeps the thread going this morning.
iPods, personal mixes and to a lesser degree satellite radio are evidently cutting into traditional radio listeners time tuned in. I actually think that most radio stations have become ad vehicles rather than creative outlets. For example, I used to listen to 105.5 (triple m in Madison) rather frequently. However, the past two years, I listen to our fine student station 91.7, WSUM and my iPod. 105.5 has no shortage of commercials and a reasonably predictable playlist (they do offer up new music periodically).
The best station, hands down is Fordhams WFUV, available via mp3 stream.
Michael Booth says that Denver stations are trying to change…..
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Palm Press publishes a very attractive set of Holiday Greeting Cards.
Carolyn Said takes a look at the greeting card business.
Lots of data around to show that all organizations must consider where and how they spend their marketing and advertising dollars:
Circulation dropping is a blog dedicated to the recent newspaper circulation scandals. Newsday (one of the papers involved) summarizes the story here.
Take a look at these gorgeous aerial photos – shot by remote controlled airplanes.
Perhaps my mind fails me, but in years past, I recall receiving a pleasant marketing letter from the Mayor extolling the hard work that went into limiting the annual increases in our property tax bills. This year, I found only the bill. I’ve emailed the Mayor’s office asking for comments on this.
Perhaps, given the size of this year’s increases, they did not want to be that closely identified with the tax bills? (OTOH, eliminating the letter does save a few dollars).
Great fun watching the University of Wisconsin Women’s Volleyball stage an impressive first period rally to beat Notre Dame 36-34, 30-16 and 30-16 Saturday night at the Field House.
The Badgers advance to the NCAA Regional semifinals played at the Resch Center in Green Bay, Wis., Friday evening. Wisconsin will take on third-seeded Hawaii Women’s Volleyball (30-0) with the winner moving on to play either Texas Women’s Volleyball (26-4) or Stanford Women’s Volleyball (26-6) in the regional final. For ticket information, call 1-800-895-0071.
I smile at the thought of Hawaii, Texas and Stanford joining the UW in Green Bay (Resch Center) next weekend 🙂
You can follow the NCAA finals here.