A tuning fork is an acoustic resonator in the form of a two-pronged fork with the tines formed from a U-shaped bar of elastic metal (usually steel). It resonates at a specific constant pitch when set vibrating by striking it against a surface or with an object… Wikipedia

If what Richard Solomon is saying over at [...]

The Inklings was an informal literary discussion group associated with the University of Oxford, England, for nearly two decades between the early 1930s and late 1949.
Two of its most famous members were C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien.
Readings and discussions of the members’ unfinished works were the principal purposes of meetings. Tolkien’s The Lord of the [...]

In a Smart Company article by James Thomson called MP renews calls for investigations into mistreatment of Bakers Delight franchisee, he quotes:
NSW parliamentarian Joanna Gash has renewed calls for the Australian Federal Police to launch an investigation into accusations Bakers Delight and ANZ bank colluded to put a franchisee out of business.
Quoting emails between the [...]

Michael Webster over at Misleading Advertising Law picked up on my recent posting: Franchisng is the latest Big Con.
I absolutely agree with him: the best defense against post franchisor opportunism is a well-funded, professionally managed independent franchisee association, IndFA.
There is no substitute for collective action and only a fool thinks otherwise.
The power of “sticking together” [...]

Top marks to Jim Coen at Franchise Perfection for bringing up a very important topic.
He posted a great article called Franchise Statistics Debunked Again! on his Let’s Talk Franchising blog and Blue MauMau.
I could not agree with him more: I get really, REALLY irritated when self=serving numbers are thrown around. The unsubstantiated drivel that comes [...]

The Shawshank Redemption is often mentioned as one of the best movies of all times.

Red (Morgan Freeman) explains how the prison walls take Brooks’s (James Whitmore) life.

Most people figure financially successful franchisees pay nothing for turning their backs; for denying their fraternal relationships; complicit in their silence.
Cowards die a thousand deaths. The valiant taste of [...]

Photograph by labatata on Flickr

Gothamist went on the Wall Street roller coaster during a crazy week for financial institutions (bankruptcy, sale, bailout) and the county.
Phillyist analyzed the problem of hecklers at live performances.
Londonist eagerly anticipated the annual Open House Weekend, where for one weekend only, the public get to poke around some of the capital’s [...]

One of Shanghai’s luxury fairs with the most god-awful names is getting a makeover. And a name change. From now on, the Millionaire Fair will be known quite simply as — The Fair.
The name change, however, still doesn’t mean we’re going to be able to afford anything at the fair. The over-the-top luxury sports cars [...]

It’s a wonderful, wonderful opera, except that it hurts.
We have not even to risk the adventure alone, for the heroes of all time have gone before us – the labyrinth is thoroughly known. We have only to follow the thread of the hero path, and where we had thought to find an abomination, we shall [...]