An odd buzzing that sounded suspiciously like a vibrating cellphone interrupted a conference call convened last week for a status hearing in the Security and Exchange Commission’s fraud case against several former Qwest executives.
Several lawyers participated in the call, and none of them claimed responsibility – or apologized – for the interruption. Fortunately, U.S. Magistrate Judge Craig Shaffer didn’t seem to mind too much.
“We don’t accept Morse code,” he quipped.
As for the settlement talks, the SEC said discussions are ongoing.
Additional business news briefs:
Drop catchy clichés, keep it simple, direct
Are you tired of being told to “take it to the next level”? Being accused of picking “low- hanging fruit”? Being asked to “think outside the box”?
You’re not alone. Advertising and marketing executives consider those phrases among the industry’s most annoying, according to a poll conducted by national staffing firm The Creative Group. Other overused phrases on their list: ROI, paradigm shift and “Make it pop.”
Buzzwords can easily work their way into corporate vocabulary, but because they’re so prevalent, they also can lose their impact, said Dave Will mer, The Creative Group’s executive director. His recommendation: Drop the catchy clichés and shift to simple, direct, concrete statements.
“When professionals find their communications laden with buzzwords, they should consider how they might convey their thoughts more clearly,” Willmer said.
More online: The Denver Post business desk likes to poke fun at poorly written press releases. Visit www.denverpostbloghouse.com/bizbuzz, and look for “The Jargon Buster.”
“Apprentice” advises entrepreneurs
More than eight out of 10 Americans consider themselves “entrepreneurial,” and one-quarter dream of owning their own business, a new Ace Hardware survey shows.
But to get their business off the ground, 71 percent said they need financial support, while 42 percent would like mentoring from successful entrepreneurs. Ace polled 1,059 adults in December.
“Entrepreneurship is what made this country great, but so many people are afraid to fail and don’t even try to start their own business even if they want to,” said Bill Rancic, the first winner of the television show “The Apprentice” and spokesman for Ace’s “Dream Ace” contest.
Eight years ago, Rancic launched a successful company called cigarsaroundtheworld.com from his studio apartment. Rancic offers the following tips for aspiring entrepreneurs:
Around-the-clock work: If you’re looking for more free time and extra money, starting your own business is not for you. “Running your own business is like a baby. It requires a lot of attention in the beginning, but as it grows, it needs less and less,” Rancic said.
Lower lofty goals: If you set your goals too high in the beginning, you’re setting yourself up for failure. Maintain realistic expectations and manage those expectations as your business grows.
Stay agile: If the world changes around you, don’t be afraid to change your business plan to fit the new environment.
More men, women teaming on finances
Last year saw more men and women tackling household finances together than in 2005, according to a recent survey from OppenheimerFunds.
Forty percent of male and female respondents reported that they manage the household budget, update their wills and teach their children about money with their spouse, up from 30 percent the year before.
Additionally, half said they share retirement saving and investing responsibilities, while eight in 10 think it’s important to discuss investment decisions with their spouse.
“While overall results for these categories showed that the majority of women are still in charge of the financial ‘chores’ around the house, the needle is moving in the right direction,” said Lauren Coulston of OppenheimerFunds.
OppenheimerFunds surveyed 500 female and 500 male investors last year.
FROM STAFF AND WIRE REPORTS
