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The Changing Music Business: The Chart
We’ve all heard that the music business is changing, and here, from The Times Online, is a chart to prove it. The red line at the top is the revenue from sales of recorded music. The light green line below that is the revenue from live music. The dark green line below that, “PRS revenue,” is the revenue from royalties. Basically there’s more and more money being spent on live shows and, consequently, more money going… -
How to Set Up a Bike Repair Service
Did you read that great article in The New York Times Magazine called “The Case for Working With Your Hands”? Well, if you want to put Matt Crawford’s advice into practice and make some money fixing real, tangible problems, check out this comprehensive guide to setting up and operating your own bike repair service from The Oil Drum. Bonus: This job can’t be outsourced. -
Robin Hood Taps Long Tail to Feed Hungry Families
There are about 4 million people in New York City who struggle to afford food. In 2003, it was half that number. This time of year, as temperatures drop and holidays come and go, the pangs of hunger can be especially brutal. But thanks to an innovative new effort by the organization Robin Hood, you can help make a difference for one family in need. Have a look. http://www.vimeo.com/4604123 To accomplish the goal of delivering 15,000 meals… -
Goldman Sachs Launches 10,000 Small Businesses Initiative
Warren Buffett; the Initiative for a Competitive Inner City; Community College Associations; and Others Join to Support Small Business Job Creation and commit $500 million to fund the new program. Original article: Goldman Sachs | Press – Goldman Sachs Launches 10,000 Small Businesses Initiative -
Social Impact Business Plan Competition
The Social Impact Business Plan Competition “identifies social sector scaling initiatives with demonstrated impact and readiness to grow and supports them with up to $100,000 of financial and consulting awards.” Open to U.S.-based nonprofit organizations with a focus in education, youth development, health, poverty alleviation or community economic development. Go here for more information. -
Action, In Words and Pictures
A new book looks at the surprising and inspiring ways people of all stripes can affect social change. With his new book Actions Speak Loudest, Bob McKinnon has brought together some disparate names to explain how change is fueled by action—not just talk. From Newt Gingrich to Donovan McNabb, Jeffrey Sachs to Jimmy Carter, the book illustrates the many ways in which changemakers leave their mark. McKinnon also heads up Yellowbrickroad, a communications and marketing company… -
The Kids Are All Right
Ten9Eight, a new documentary by Mary Mazzio, looks at how turning kids into budding businesspeople may be the antidote to the dropout crisis. When President Obama delivered his stay-in-school speech, reminding students for the umpteenth time that they can’t all grow up to be rappers and basketball players, he caused a stir. It sparked overblown controversy, but it also brought into the national conversation the fact that every year, 1.2 million kids drop out of school—or, one… -
How Much Could We Save With Electronic Medical Records?
It’s no secret massive waste pervades the health-care industry. Some of that waste stems from unnecessarily complex interactions between doctors, patients, and insurance companies. By making the entire process hospital care more efficient, we could help limit that waste. By using electronic medical records and streamlining procedures, hospitals could save billions of dollars, which could in turn be spent on better care. A collaboration between GOOD and Oliver Munday.
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Disruptive Innovation for Environmentalists
How to identify the game-changing ideas and technologies that will replace outdated businesses with better, smarter, and more sustainable alternatives
“If I had asked my customers what they wanted, they would have said a faster horse.” —Henry Ford One hundred years later, Ford’s customers are asking for greener SUVs, and that is what Ford is giving them. Whoever gives Ford’s customers a whole new greener way of getting from A to B will become one of the…
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The Confusion of Microlending
The Times has an interesting story on a small imbroglio that has broken out in the microlending world, specifically concerning GOOD friends Kiva and Global Giving. Namely, do you know where your money is going? Luckily, it’s nothing insidious. The money all gets loaned out to people who need money. Rather, it’s a question of perception and transparency. When you go to Kiva to donate money, you are not giving your $25 money to a specific entrepreneur, which is…
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Contributing Editor
Joe is a writer, techy, entrepreneur, and all-around geek and lives in New York. His GOOD business column is "Diary of a Social Venture Start-up." 
