Blogs

At Least You Have A Job

April 2, 2010 4:14 am | by by Anna Wells, Editor, IMPO | Comments

“Well… I guess I should just be glad I have a job.” Ugh. I sincerely feel that this distasteful phrase is the ugly ribbon tied around our pre-packaged recession malaise. Don’t get me wrong… I AM glad to have a job. But as we grapple up this economic canyon, the lingering cries of a desperately submissive workforce have muted our national confidence.

Your Brain Wants Chocolate Cake

March 26, 2010 4:55 am | by by Krystal Gabert, Associate Editor, Food Manufacturing | Comments

When your eyes dart between the grilled cheese and the salad bar during your lunch break, what are you really thinking about? How do you decide between the real-fruit sorbet and the chocolate cake? We recently ran a video from CBS news , which suggests that the reasons we choose to eat what we choose to eat may be more complicated than they seem at first glance.

For Health Or Money?

March 23, 2010 5:28 am | by by Jeff Reinke, Editorial director | Comments

It should be rather straight forward. Eating better = living healthier. Greater overall health = reduced nation-wide health care costs and less taxpayer burden. Again, this seems like a clear connection to make. The unfortunate truth is that clarity has never been a strength of bureaucratic organizations, and the political pessimist in me says our governments are no different.

Pin The Integrity On The Upper Management

March 18, 2010 12:17 pm | by by Joel Hans, Associate Editor, IMPO | Comments

Let’s talk about CEOs, all right? CEOs are important people, to say the least. They’re the figureheads of some of the world’s biggest entities, entire nations notwithstanding. They get to make the big decisions that either carry a company into our hearts and minds (not to mention wallets), or drive them into bankruptcy.

We Regret To Inform You

March 16, 2010 10:36 am | by by David Mantey, Editor, PD&D | Comments

When I put together a comprehensive daily news resource (fancy talk for the PD&D Design Daily ), I have the opportunity to not only cover the latest news in the industry, but I also have a chance to transform into a maniacal news junkie. I click on provocative headlines to read about the unfixable economy, to listen to analysts bang their chests and make wild predictions in hopes of creating some new conventional wisdom by sparking a little awareness-building fear, and to sift through the PR rabble — it’s a practice similar to listening to white noise for hours with hopes of connecting to voices from the other side (dead people).

A Bitter Sweet Takeover

March 15, 2010 10:08 am | by by Krystal Gabert, Associate Editor, Food Manufacturing | Comments

I guess there’s not much to defend, really. Kraft made an offer; Cadbury accepted. The once-British company is soon to join the ranks of the American food giant. And because Cadbury shareholders voted to approve the takeover bid, defending Cadbury would mean defending it against itself.

On The Edge Of My Driver's Seat

March 12, 2010 8:46 am | by by Carrie Ellis, Editor, Chem.Info | Comments

So what’s the holdup, you ask? And rightfully so. Lawmakers have been hailing the environmental revolution as the way out of this deep pit called an economic recovery, but have yet to sign anything that would toss a ladder into the deep hole to offer a few folks a glimpse of light.

Vicious Circle Defined

March 12, 2010 4:24 am | by by Jeff Reinke, Editorial Director | Comments

Yeah, I have to admit that I can be a real sucker for an interesting headline. Maybe it’s some form of subliminal, professional courtesy or just the simple fact that I gravitate towards unique points of view — especially if they differ from my own. That might be the only reason I read a recent article about the environmental benefits of … wait for it … mining.

Apple Cares About Your Employees

March 9, 2010 3:33 am | by by David Mantey, Editor, PD&D | Comments

Yesterday, it was reported that Apple found more than a dozen serious labor law violations that needed quick fixing – keep in mind that this includes Apple’s own labor policies to which its suppliers need adhere. Similar to Wal-Mart’s green supplier push after a history of eco-PR terrorism, Apple took the initiative when an employee from a Chinese iPhone factory leapt off of the 12th floor of his apartment building after a prototype went missing.

My Garbage Blanket

March 8, 2010 3:58 am | by by Anna Wells, Editor, IMPO | Comments

As I drove down Madison’s Beltline highway during last Friday's lovely 40-degree afternoon in search of lunch, I saw some of the first signs of spring. The city-wide blanket of snow was beginning to look like a blanket soaked in beer and run across a dirty wood floor.

I'll Miss You, Olympics... But Only A Little

February 25, 2010 10:59 am | by by Anna Wells, Editor, IMPO | Comments

At the risk of being pelted with apple pies, I’ll just come right out and say it: I’m not really into the Olympics. As someone who has dedicated a lot of time to sports—a lifetime cumulative I’d find embarrassing and depressing, I’m certain—the Olympics was never really very compelling for me.

What Smells Like Eggs?

February 22, 2010 7:59 am | by by David Mantey, Editor, PD&D | Comments

The situation is nothing to rival the coffee crisis of 2009 or the interoffice email crisis . We lost many good Cubites in the conflicts that ended with the dismantling of the Great Foam Wall. The site of our latest office scandal hangs over an olive-colored bog wading through the aisles of a once great, now crumbling foam city.

Uncloaking The Food Industry

February 22, 2010 7:59 am | by by Krystal Gabert, Associate Editor, Food Manufacturing | Comments

Some American consumers seem to believe that a “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy with regard to the production of our food is the only thing that keeps Americans eating pre-packaged and processed foods—that if we were exposed to the real processes by which our food made it to the shelf, we’d all fork over the extra dollars and spend the extra hours required to cook fresh produce and free range meat.

I'm Suing You, And You, And You

February 18, 2010 8:40 am | by by Joel Hans, Associate Editor, IMPO | Comments

We’ve all heard enough talk about Toyota’s recalls and quality control troubles of late, and I’ll do my best to not repeat what’s already been said about the company. Frankly, I’ve grown tired of it, and I’m sure some of you have as well.

If Anyone Laughs Last, It’s Mexico...

February 11, 2010 6:03 am | by by Anna Wells, Editor, IMPO | Comments

“Oh, What a Feeling: Watching Toyota Flunk for Once” When I first read the headline a few days ago on NYTimes.com, I assumed the feature would be thinly veiled tongue-in-cheek commentary about the recent debacle with Toyota’s massive recalls. In my mind, the prospect of anyone taking satisfaction in this highly terrifying safety breach is hard to believe.