Strictly Business

From Business Today:

How many times have we complained that a company was not prepared the the onslaught of customers it gets after a big promotion? The lines are too long,  not  enough supply, untrained workers? Well, Verizon took it to the other extreme on Thursday when it started selling the Apple iPhone. The company did such a good job with its pre-ordering effort for existing customers that the crowds at its stores were modest at best. Store staff members were trained, and there were plenty of them to handle questions. But the crowds didn't show. Our guess is most people are locked into existing phone contracts, so the switchover to the costly iPhone will be more gradual. And less frantic.

The Erie County Industrial Development Agency helped 67 projects last year with $230 million in incentives. Many of the projects were smaller than in the past, as the recession put a damper on big deals. The cost savings of IDA tax breaks are now being figured into almost all projects in the region, large and small.

The campaign being waged by New York State supermarkets to sell wine has become like water dripping in a cave. The slow, steady force of erosion seeks to break through opposition from the liquor stores. A recent study funded by a supermarket-backed group says letting stores sell wine would raise money for the state. Liquor store owners say it will kill jobs. Drip, drip, drip...

Who is getting hired, promoted and honored?



Let's spill the wine...