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- John Deere invests in research, sales force to achieve growth
John Deere continues to grow and owes its success to R&D investment and its reliable dealers, according to this article. The company has been able to report record revenue increases in 10 consecutive quarters and aims to have revenues of $50 billion by 2018. Deere allocates 4% of its annual revenue to research and development, and its equipment dealers work closely with their customers. CNNMoney/Fortune
(2/25)     
| Industry Buzz | | |
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- From trucks to the Snow Dragon, Mass. landscapers move snow
Some landscaping companies that offer snow removal services in Massachusetts report that snowstorms in February have boosted their business and payrolls. However, the need for their services is uncertain and the work brings additional costs. "Our trucks take a beating, equipment goes down in the middle of the night and our employees aren't working their regular rate at all hours of the night," said one landscaper. Meanwhile, the city of Natick uses a $270,000 Snow Dragon to melt collected snow. MetroWest Daily News (Framingham, Mass.)
(2/26)
- "Rainscaping" can do more than control stormwater runoff
A landscaping method known as "rainscaping" aims to curb stormwater runoff while adding beauty, wildlife habitat and a source of food, according to this article. Rainscapes involve the use of native and edible plants in rain gardens, permeable paving, berms and rain barrels. "It's becoming a pattern of capture and reuse rather than simply moving the water off," said Pat Sauer, administrator of Rainscaping Iowa Program. The Washington Post/The Associated Press
(2/26)
| Economic Indicators | | |
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- U.S. consumer confidence improves despite higher taxes
Topping estimates of economists who keyed on a boost in U.S. payroll taxes, consumer sentiment improved to a reading of 69.6 this month from a revised 58.4 in January, as measured by a Conference Board index. The latest number is up sharply from a post-recession average index reading of 53.7. Bloomberg
(2/26)
| Inside & Out | | |
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- Leave your products alone and focus on customer's experience
Some business owners place too much emphasis on making their product as close to perfect as possible, when the products are probably just fine and the customer service could use some work, writes John Jantsch. He suggests bringing in new people to review your processes. The outsiders' view could lead to "simple innovations that deliver far greater return than any improvement or tweak in what you sell could even offer," he writes. Duct Tape Marketing
(2/25)
- Distinguishing innovation from inventions and initiatives
Many companies get distracted by new initiatives and the drive to invent new products in the quest to innovate, but innovation is all about culture, writes Henry Doss of T2 Venture Capital. "Creating an innovation culture is about normative values, leadership, trust, diversity ... all those things which can cause eyes to glaze over," he writes. Forbes
(2/25)
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