upside

Felknor Ventures 82506 Topsy Turvy Upside-Down Tomato Planter
$20.00
First planting tomatoes looked good for ca 2weeks then colapsed and died.When i dumped the soil the ring holding plant was bright gold. I felt this might be an extruding oil. I soaked the product in soapy water for 1 hr rinsed well and replanted. My tomatoes are doing great.Please ask the maker to try growing tomatoes in product as sold.Felknor Ventures 82506 Topsy Turvy Upside-Down Tomato Planter

The Upside: The 7 Strategies for Turning Big Threats into Growth Breakthroughs
$27.50
According to Slywotzky, the success of any business comes down to a series of well-thought out and bold moves, which allow the company to seize an opportunity or neutralize some threat. Often, when successful, these moves are counter-intuitive and fly in the face of traditional business doctrine. Slywotzky challenges the widely-accepted doctrine that risk and reward are inextricably linked. According to this author, such unconventional and proactive moves are exactly why some of these companies have had the monumental successes they've had, while their peer companies have faltered. Slywotzky's Upside is a well-researched, well-written and easy read.

Upside presents a small history of the companies that we grew up with, that are currently battling it out in the marketplace and with which we interact on a daily basis. We know these companies well and this book gives us an insider's view of what's happening with them before the products hit our store shelves. Battle plans exposed! Slywotzky also highlights some corporate, brand and product strategies that have failed, leading to the devaluation or extinction of other companies that we've known and loved over the generations. In the process, Upside takes a good look at the following questions, among others:

1. Which companies develop a diversified portfolio of products, frequently rolling out new ones and which companies put all of their eggs (and the very best of their resources) into one basket, launching one behemoth?
2. Which companies have survived and thrived through myriad iterations by gathering and using data better than others? What does that mean for how your company uses its data?
3. Which major retailer strategically chose to redefine its market, making itself the dominant player in the process?
4. Which competitors combine resources as a cost-saving, survival tactic? How can you turn a competitor into an ally?
5. What are the bold moves these companies make to de-risk each strategy?

Slywotzky ends each chapter with a summary of each company's strategy and ends the book with a two-chapter workbook for readers to use to assess their own companies, industries and battle plans. I would stress that much of his work is also applicable to both small businesses and to individuals navigating their ways through their own strategic environments.

Readers of his earlier works know that Slywotzky's books tend to have an innovative delivery, and this book doesn't disappoint. In addition to using sports analogies in Upside, Slywotzky keeps a running tally of each endeavor's odds of success. This is innovative because it allows him to quantify that success is really the sum of many small decisions, none of which alone guarantees success, but taken together can add up quickly to very strong odds of success.

A great book, written by a management guru, student and teacher of business and corporate strategy, Upside makes a great addition to any business library.

The Upside of Anger
$12.98
I must admit, I first watched the movie because Kevin Costner starred in it. I'm a big fan, I love his acting style and he's extremely easy on the eyes ;) This movie definitely didn't disappoint! Joan Allen was a perfect fit for the character she portrayed. The movie had elements of dry humor, and that's exactly my cup of tea. Even though seemingly both of the main actors were cast in roles that they had both done before (Kevin Costner being a former sports star, and Joan Allen a housewife), the movie took unexpected twists and turns every time you'd think that it was getting predictable. Overall, I rate it two thumbs up! Enjoy!

Betty Crocker Pineapple Upside Down Cake, 21.5-Ounce Boxes (Pack of 12)
$34.88
I'm sending many thank yous to Amazon.com for having the supply of cake that couldn't be found in upstate NY.

Sandi