Xi Jinping said the Communist Party was the only force capable of ensuring the country’s rise. He said the party was essential in ensuring that China stayed on course to becoming a wealthy and advanced world.

Xi paid tribute to the party’s revolution and said the Chinese people will never allow foreign forces to bully, oppress or enslave us. “Whoever nurses delusions of doing that will crack their heads and spill blood on the Great Wall of steel built from the flesh and blood of 1.4 billion Chinese people.”

The warning brought rousing shouts and applause from tens of thousands of people on Tiananmen Square handpicked to hear his keynote speech.

Source: TG Daily – Xi Jinping: If other countries come after China, they will ‘crack their heads and spill blood’

Robinhood will pay roughly $70 million in penalties for its systemwide outages and misleading communication and trading practices.

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority said it fined Robinhood $57 million and ordered the stock trading app to pay nearly $13 million in restitution to thousands of clients.

The settlement regards the technical failures Robinhood experienced in March of 2020, Robinhood’s lack of due diligence before approving customers to place options trades and purveying misleading information to customers about aspects like trading on margin.

Robinhood is expected to go public in the coming months with a valuation north of $30 billion.

The popular online brokerage also faced criticism over the death of a 20-year old trader who killed himself after believing he racked up huge losses on Robinhood. The suicide was mentioned in the FINRA press release in the statement.

Source: TG Daily – Robinhood trading app to pay million penalties for causing significant harm to consumers

A new study has found the genetic foundations for the cloning adaptation of the South African Cape honeybee.

Researchers say that bypassing the DNA recycling process is unlike anything they have ever seen.

Unlike most animals and even their Queen, the female workers don’t reshuffle the DNA of eggs they lay, meaning the bees have managed to lay eggs without that process.

The Cape honey bee can sneak into the hive of the lowland honeybee rivals and produce copy after copy of themselves with no need for a queen.

The researchers say that while the process is incredible, it’s also extremely dysfunctional and it’s not quite clear why the bees are cloned themselves.

The bees have a genetic mutation enabling them to lay eggs parthenogenetically with all the genetic material from the eggs. They don’t throw out any of the chromosomes that are needed to make them produce offspring in their own nest to create perfect copies of themselves. 

Source: TG Daily – A bee cloned herself and now her army of millions threaten other species

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken met in Rome with representatives of the 83-member coalition against the Islamic State (IS).

US officials have largely carried over the approach developed during the Trump administration, namely leaving US troops to indefinitely occupy oil-rich northeast Syria while economically isolating the regime of President Bashar al-Assad.

The policy remains in limbo amid indirect negotiations with Iranian officials in Vienna.

A new UN vote in the Security Council is set to renew the UN mandate to deliver cross-border aid into Syria from Turkey. Russia has sought to block such aid, insisting that the Damascus government only deliver.

Source: TG Daily – US Secretary of State: Syrian humanitarian situation untenable

The 14th brigade of the Popular Mobilization Forces said four of its militiamen were killed in US attacks. The group said it reserved the right to respond and to hold the perpetrators of the attack accountable.

The mobilization forces said in a statement that those killed were working to prevent the infiltration of ISIS from Syria into Iraq and were not involved in any activity against foreign forces in Iraq.

The group also denied the presence of weapons warehouses in the area of the country, saying it was working to stop ISIS from entering the country from entering Iraq and that it did not want to engage in any activities against the foreign forces.

A spokesperson for the commander-in-chief of the Iraqi armed forces also condemned the airstrike describing it as “a blatant and unacceptable” violation of Iraqi sovereignty.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the airstrikes aimed to disrupt and deter attacks by Iran-backed groups on U.S. interests in Iraq. “We took necessary appropriate deliberate action that is designed to limit the risk of escalation, but also to send a clear and unambiguous deterrent message,”

Col. Wayne Marotto, a spokesman for the U.S. military mission based in Baghdad, wrote on Twitter Monday that at 7:44 p.m. local time “U.S. forces in Syria were attacked by multiple rockets.” He said there were no injuries and that damage was being assessed.

The Colonel later tweeted that while under rocket attack, U.S. forces in Syria responded in self-defense with artillery fire at the rocket-launching positions.

Source: TG Daily – U.S. forces attacked after airstrikes on militias in Syria and Iraq

Binance Markets Limited, the U.K. division of Binance, has been banned from operating in Britain. The move is the latest sign of a growing crackdown on the crypto market.

Binance is the world’s largest crypto exchange by trading volumes. It was one of several crypto firms that withdrew applications to register with the FCA due to not meeting anti-money laundering requirements.

The FCA said the scope of the ban was limited; non-registered firms can still interact with Brits via its website.

A Binance spokesperson said the ban has no direct impact on the services provided on Binance.com.

Japan’s Financial Services Agency warned last week that Binance was operating in the country without its permission.

China has stepped up efforts to stamp out crypto speculation.

Bitcoin had a solid start to the year, rallying to an all-time high of almost $65,000 in April, trading at $34,783 as of Monday morning. 

Source: TG Daily – Cryptocurrency exchange Binance gets banned by UK regulator

Poland’s Catholic Church lists 292 clergymen who are alleged to have abused over 300 boys and girls from 1958 through 2020. The cases were reported to church authorities from mid-2018 until the end of 2020.

At an online conference in Warsaw, the head of Poland’s Catholic Church, Archbishop Wojciech Polak, apologized to the victims and asked their forgiveness.

The report comes as the Vatican investigates signals of abuse and of a lack of reaction by church leaders in Poland, a predominantly Catholic nation where the clergy enjoy special esteem.

The church has long enjoyed special respect in the nation due to its historic role in preserving Poland’s national identity during periods of foreign occupation and rule, and during the decades of communist rule that ended in 1989.

However, the church has recently seen some young Poles turn away from it due to anger over the view that the Church has done too little to fight clerical abuse, including a recent tightening of a restrictive law on abortion laws and support for the right-wing government and its policies, including tightening of restrictive laws on abortion and the right-wing of the church.

The Holy See is also investigating reports of negligence by retired Krakow archbishop, Cardinal Stanislaw Dziwisz.

Source: TG Daily – Over 300 Children Allegedly Sexually Abused by Clergymen, Polish Church Reports

The skull was originally found in 1933 by Chinese laborers building a bridge in Harbin, a northern Chinese city, during the Japanese occupation. To prevent the skull from falling into Japanese hands, it was wrapped and hidden in an abandoned well. It was only rediscovered in 2018 when the old man who originally hid it told his grandson, shortly before his death.

The skull also has a cranial capacity of approximately 1,420 milliliters or 48 fluid ounces, but the skull also possesses many primitive features that make it a unique link between modern humans and Neanderthals.

The new species was named Homo longi – or “Dragon Man” – referring to the valley it was found in.

Given the location where the skull was found and its large size, the team believes that the ‘Homo longi’ may have adapted well to harsh environments scattering all over Asia.

Source: TG Daily – Dragon Man skull has nothing to do with dragons

Culture lies at the heart of every company. Crafting a strong sense of community matters now more than ever, both to narrow the digital distance between remote workers and to foster an environment where both the business and employee stand to benefit.

In business, often the spotlight is focused on products or customers, but the truth is that the people who make up a company are those who breathe life into it. Their impact can lower or elevate the trajectory of the entire organization, and how they feel about their workplace deserves just as much time and attention as accounting or marketing.

Positive workplace culture is no longer just an issue for HR, it is now a cornerstone upon which companies must build in order to ensure success as they grow. 

It’s not enough to construct a workplace environment people find bearable. The new goal is to create an authentic culture, one that naturally spreads throughout and supports the entire company.

This kind of positive and infectious culture takes some intentionality and effort, but the payoff is without a doubt worth the time.  Any workplace culture can become a positive one that lifts the spirits of all involved, it’s just a matter of understanding the methods and means.

1. Unite With Understanding

Whether your business is already thriving or just starting out, it’s easy for an individual to get lost in the shuffle and feel isolated occasionally. If left unchecked over time, these feelings can fester, and drop overall levels of motivation along with performance.

The solution is to foster a sense of unity in the workplace, which begins with each employee feeling understood and valued within the context of their role. 

In a recent email exchange with Alexy Goldstein, founder of New U Life, he illustrated the process, “Creating a positive workplace culture is an art in itself, and one that cannot be overlooked at any stage of a business’ development. Take the time to talk with both new and current employees so they truly understand their role and then reciprocate by listening to what their goals are as well.”

When people understand and feel understood, this creates an emotional bond. When spread across an entire company, a sense of unity larger than any one individual begins, and it provides the bedrock for a positive company culture.

“If everyone is on the same page in a workplace, and truly understands and believes in their mission, an electric sense of passion emerges,” continues Goldstein. “And if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that you can’t fake passion, nor can you overestimate the power of having passionate people all working together under one roof. You can unite people through mutual understanding, and then excite and enthuse them through a shared sense of purpose.”

2. Shared Purpose Begets Positivity

In order to promote a positive workplace culture, it’s essential that employees share a sense of purpose, that their combined efforts lead to some end goal or mission in which they believe.

No man is an island, nor should any employee feel like their work starts and ends with themselves. By having a shared purpose, everyone from the CEO down to the intern, it makes all the work more meaningful in that it aims at something larger than the efforts of any sole individual.

Make your company mission clearly known to all, and progress made towards it regularly tracked and celebrated. This kind of cohesive mindset makes teamwork and warm relations occur naturally, and when employees view coworkers as people in the same boat as them, an overall net of positive feelings naturally follows. 

Healthy disagreements and different approaches still have their place, but an underlying sense of solidarity bonds everyone together for the better.

Humans are social creatures by nature, they just need the right circumstances to cooperate and flourish. Feed into this by giving everyone a shared overarching goal, and at a certain point, the culture becomes self-sustaining and positively infectious in its striving towards it.

3. Adapt and Empathize

Once you have the framework set for a positive workplace culture, the biggest issues to avoid are stagnation and inflexibility. There is no finish line, and just as goals need to be updated as a company meets and grows beyond them, so too does a company culture need tweaks in order to continue to hum along. Don’t be afraid to try out new things, or pivot your strategy based on new circumstances both external and internal to the company. The key is to be able to bend in any number of directions in order to avoid breaking outright at any point.

This can be accomplished by gathering feedback from both those who helped build the culture and fresh faces alike. By making gradual tweaks based upon the concerns of both, the system better reflects and serves the current culture of the company rather than an outdated one.

Adaptability is a word familiar in business circles, but empathy perhaps less so. By embedding both though, an authentic workplace culture of positivity can be created and upheld. Just as a rising tide lifts all ships, a positive workplace culture can elevate and motivate all involved.

Written by Lara Harper

Source: TG Daily – How to Create a Positive (and Infectious) Culture In the Workplace

‘Crackonosh’ is hidden in free versions of games like NBA 2K19, Grand Theft Auto V, Far Cry 5, The Sims 4, and Jurassic World Evolution.

The malware has been used to generate $2 million worth of a cryptocurrency known as Moreno since at least June 2018.

Some 220,000 users have been infected worldwide and 800 devices are being infected every day, according to Avast. Brazil, India, and the Philippines are among the worst affected countries, while the U.S. has also seen many cases. 

Avast discovered the malware after customers reported the firm’s antivirus was missing from their systems, citing one example of a user posting on Reddit. 

The malware takes steps to prevent it from infecting users from installing Windows Updates or installing it. 

Source: TG Daily – Hackers generate million worth of crypto by infecting gamers PC’s with malware

Pentagon report finds no evidence that alien life is responsible for the dozens of reports of unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP).

These UAP incidents fall into five possible categories – “airborne clutter, natural atmospheric phenomena, USG or US industry developmental programs, foreign adversary systems, and a catchall “other’ bin” – and that UAP “may pose a challenge to US national security.”

The report, released Friday, found that while intelligence officials do not believe aliens are responsible for UAP, they cannot fully explain what is. It does not rule out the possibility that the objects are linked to another country such as Russia or China – but it did not rule the possibility.

Source: TG Daily – The Pentagon’s report on unexplained flying objects is troubling to US security experts

PERSONAL GROWTH is a lifelong, never-ending process requiring constant effort. This means that there is no one way to make this happen. What works for one person may not work for another, and if your plan doesn’t work, do not be discouraged. It just means you need to try something else. That’s what personal growth is about: experimentation and practice until you find what works for you.

1. Write a novel

There are so many different ways to get published these days that the process has become a lot less daunting. You no longer have to go through a major book publisher in order to see your work in print. As well as self-publishing, there are also small publishing houses who only publish a few books a year. 

Writing a novel is no easy task, and it is not something to be undertaken lightly. So think about this option very carefully before taking the plunge.

2. Start your own business

The best way to fund your dreams is to start your own business. There are so many options to choose from, it really depends on what you are good at doing, and how much effort you are willing to put in.

One thing to remember is that you should never start a new business on the advice of someone else. Do it because you have a strong feeling that is what you want, and not because your friends or family think it is a good idea. It may be hard for others to understand.

You may not have much money but if you really want the idea, a little investment can go a long way in terms of building your network and strengthening your reputation as an entrepreneur. Many businesses take out loans from certain banks and financial institutions. Make sure you check what your options are before considering them. A small business loan can be a very good investment.

Before setting up your business, you need to decide on the direction you want to take. Consider what kind of service or product you want to offer, what your unique selling point is, and who your target market is. Look into any potential problems and how you are going to solve them. Take time to make sure the business idea is viable before wasting time and money.

3. Learn a new skill

Personal growth is about progress, and with that comes learning new things all the time. There are many different ways to learn a new skill, from taking courses to follow professional training to mentoring from someone with experience. Whatever way you choose, just make sure it is something that interests you and that will make a difference in your life.

It is important to educate ourselves and others about our skills. We all need a little help from time to time. 

4. Travel the world

One of the best ways to develop your personal growth is to travel – it is a great way to see new things, meet new people and discover your own independence. You will learn so much in the process, not just about yourself but also about others you have come into contact with whilst traveling. It is important to enjoy what you are doing and do it properly.

Many people dream of seeing the world, but many do not have the money to do it. But that doesn’t mean you can’t still travel. Many people are now taking advantage of new affordable travel, with trips being further explained and offered in greater detail through the internet than ever before.

 5. Save up

To be able to fund your travels and your personal development you need to save up. Saving can be done by cancelling your TV license and Netflix account; having only a coffee and skipping lunch on a Monday or Tuesday; and buying the things you need that are cheap. You can do this by not buying things that don’t matter to you. The important thing is to avoid getting into debt so that you are able to find a way out of it later, should you need it.

Having a savings account will enable you to save up to be able to get on the road. If you are saving for a holiday, have an emergency fund. If you’re saving for a house, then have a monthly or quarterly savings plan.

6. Invest in yourself

Investing in yourself is to spend money on growth. If you’re starting out, learn everything you can about cars, maintenance, gears, and things that affect driving. Invest in a good mechanic and purchase expensive parts with ease. Starting out can be a scary thing, but the quicker you learn and get more experience the better.

Once you begin to invest in yourself, there is no limit to what you can achieve. The only limit is the amount of time you want to put into it. Most people do not put the time in that is required to succeed, so they give up without achieving their dreams.

“You will never know what you are capable of unless you are willing to take risks and invest in yourself.”

Find your courage. Become comfortable with the idea of tearing down the walls that hold you back from personal growth. Yes, it may be hard at first, and yes, there is always the risk of failure. But when was anything worth doing ever guaranteed to take a predictable path?

Written by Lara Harper

Source: TG Daily – 6 Secrets for Personal Growth: How to Fund your Dreams

El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele said in a national address on Thursday that a recently passed law making bitcoin legal tender will take effect on Sept. 7.

Earlier in the day, Athena Bitcoin said it plans to invest over $1 million to install some 1,500 cryptocurrency ATMs in El Salvador, especially where residents receive remittances from abroad.

El Salvador relies heavily on money sent back from workers abroad, one of the highest ratios in the world.

The high costs of commissions associated with sending money home would be eliminated by using the cryptocurrency, said Bukeel. He also mentioned that the law will be optional.

In the future, crypto is expected to account for a larger slice of more than $500 billion in global cross-border remittance, a fintech analyst at Autonomous Research said.

Source: TG Daily – El Salvador: Bitcoin Becomes Legal Tender on Sept 7

Finally your website is up and running. The web design is top notch but you are not getting the kind of traffic you expected. Could it be that your web design is missing the following elements? Check them out and incorporate any that is missing.

Reliable Website Navigation

Have you ever encountered a site where you couldn’t access their information?  Now put your potential client in the same situation. They would easily leave your site for another where they can get the information fast. This calls for your navigation bar to be easily accessible and from there the client can quickly get directions to what they need.

Have the top web designers in New Jersey enhance your site to be user friendly and simple. Broaden your headlines and enclose several subtopics for the users to smoothly find the information they are searching for.

Responsive Web Design

Effective web designs are responsive to various devices including PCS, tablets, and smartphones. Hence, your leads will be able to access your site from any device they are using. This accessibility should not only be enhanced to ensure your website fits accurately to the various mobile gadgets but your clients have a productive experience. This will keep them engaged for longer durations on your site.

Engaging Website Photography 

Clients certainly interact with videos more than texts and it’s the reason why businesses add images to break the monotony of texts. However, if you add too many pictures and videos, your site will look cluttered and your clients may feel overwhelmed while trying to get the information they need.

Have a balance between the visuals and texts you incorporate in your web design. For example, after posting a video, have a text below that clearly explains other services. This also keeps your leads engaged.

Effective Landing Pages

When potential clients visit your site, they are looking for information. The more reason your copy should be good and updated.  Use engaging words and have all the necessary information about your business. Poorly worded content illustrates the quality of your services.

Choose a copy that aligns perfectly with the style of your site as it enhances consistency.

Call To Action 

You have an engaging web design and the traffic is growing steadily, what’s next? Conversion. Have a conspicuous call to action button that leads your clients to the next step of action. For example, if your design has black, green and pink, use the pink color for the CTA button. This color will immediately capture the attention of your clients and convert to excellent results.

Webpage Load Speed

The test of patience while waiting for a page to load is unnecessary. As much as your website has important information and web design is excellent, it’s all of no use, if the page can’t load quickly. Eventually you lose your potential clients to your competitor.

Use tools on Google to check speed range and make adjustments promptly. On the other hand, hire the services of a digital company. Which gives you the benefit of having more time for your business while enjoying the benefits of a faster loading page.

The Best Web Designs  

These flaw identification techniques are a good start, but the best website designs also include well written copy, receptive images and texts, fast loading speed, and have an engaging site that will automatically convert to positive results in the long run.

Source: TG Daily – Website Design Flaws That Can be Identified With the Help of Top Web Designers

There is no doubt that windows complement a room. They make the overall impression of your home and that’s why it’s important to make an informed choice. The following tips will help while choosing replacement windows.

Window Styles and Choices 

Now that you have the opportunity to replace your windows, get creative. You have a wide variety of designs at your disposal. Choose what will complement and fit your taste. The window you finally decide on should offer the kind of ventilation and lighting that you want. For example, tinted and small windows will allow a limited amount of lighting and ventilation. On the other hand, for more light and ventilation, large windows are appropriate.

Understanding Your Home’s Style and Window Requirements?

Why are you replacing your windows? Is it because the windows cracked or they seem not to be in alignment? If so, then the foundation of your home needs to be checked before installing new windows.

Choosing Your Replacement Windows

Though your design will largely depend on your taste and the overall architecture of your home, you have no shortage of the choices you have. Some of the styles and types of replacement windows that Orange County’s Replacement Window Company  offer include: 

Bay design

A bay window is the most appealing window design and it’s also a favorite. Apart from them creating an added space in a room, they offer amazing views. Picture having cushions laid out next to a bay window and sitting comfortably on them while watching the sun set with a cup of your favorite drink.

Casement Design

You may want a window up high on the wall and it may not be easy to reach, a casement window will certainly be perfect for such a place. It’s similar to how doors open and best for adequate ventilation. Most people prefer installing them in kitchens.

Single Hung & Double Hung Windows

Picture Windows 

Sliders

Bow Windows

Patio Doors 

Garden Windows 

Window Frame

Finally you have the design you prefer and now it’s time to choose a suitable frame. Different frames have varying qualities. For example wood is appealing but is taxing on the upkeep. If looking for frames that last for a maximum of fifteen years, aluminum is a good choice. The frame that has the least upkeep and has a higher lifespan is vinyl.

Window Glass

While choosing the glass for your windows, remember the higher the quality, the higher the energy efficiency. These high-quality glasses have a dual and triple variety. The spaces between these panes are filled with gases such as krypton which are effective in thermal output.

Best Window Replacement Brands 

Finally, you have your foundation checked, the right style and design, kind of glass and frame to be used, now look for a brand that will give you quality within your budget. Check out the companies’ reviews online and call them too if you have any queries not answered on their website. Then look for a window replacement company and find out if they offer the services you are looking for. Also find out if they offer any warranties.

Finding the right replacement windows will enhance the aesthetic value of your home as well as increase its monetary value.

Source: TG Daily – Homeowners Guide To Replacement Windows

Whether you are building a new home or remodeling your house, the painting job should complement the structural work. Here are some of the best traits painters should have in order to have outstanding results.  

House Painting Contractor Schedule 

The house painter should arrive on the agreed time and if running late, then, it’s courteous to call and inform the client. The time lost for the lateness will have an effect on the duration the paint job was supposed to end, so the painter should work fast but efficiently to cover this time.

Meticulous Attention to Detail

It’s not easy to cover up for a painting job gone horribly wrong. The painter makes sure they have painted enough layers, to bring out the rich color of the paint. Ensure the paint lines are straight and focus on the details such as door frames and wardrobe side walls. Being meticulous calls for patience and consistency. The painter should be satisfied for a job well done.

Painter Reputation

New Jersey’s house painters have excellent reviews which you can easily get from their previous customers. These reviews can easily be accessed through the company’s website. Ask for references and call them. Get as much information of the painter’s past works, if you can get the photos, the better.

Resourceful

At times, painters can encounter challenges on the job. They can call their supervisor for any help needed or be able to provide a way forward. The growth in the painting industry calls for painters to regularly update themselves with the new equipment and paint, hence be able to lay out the various options but leave the final decision to the client.

Plan Your Painting Project 

Though well skilled in the job, a painter should have a listening ear for the client. Furthermore, it’s their premises being painted so they have the final word.

Guidance 

Not all painters have the technique and capability to do well on every job. The painter should be sincere enough to inform the client whether they have the technique and equipment to do the job. If not, they can guide the client where to get a professional painter capable of taking on the job.

Trustworthy

Having somebody into your home gives them access to your property and family. Get a painter that can be trusted and has no past criminal records. The references should be able to tell what kind of person you are hiring.

Reliable

Challenges may arise and the painting schedule is disrupted. The painter is required to inform the client of any issues they have encountered, how they have or are going to solve and if there is more paint or equipment needed. If the painting will take longer than the schedule, the painting company should inform the client if the extra time will result in added expenses.

Perform a Final Review with the House Painters 

If the paint lines are crooked, there are uneven patches, the painter should accept and make the necessary changes. A painter can check out the various techniques of his colleagues who are better than him and enhance his skills.

Hire a house painting contractor who can deliver on time, is resourceful, a good listener, trustworthy, and has a commendable reputation. You will certainly enjoy their services.

Source: TG Daily – Tips for Hiring a Top-Notch House Painter

This week was BlackBerry’s General Stockholder Meeting and John Chen, the firm’s CEO, took us through how the company was doing.  From a financial standpoint, while it did take a 16% revenue hit in revenue due to the pandemic, the firm was able to cut costs enough to show incredible growth (38%) in Earnings Per Share and decent growth (12%) in Earnings Before Income Taxes Depreciation and Amortization particularly in a Pandemic Fiscal Year.  It is currently enjoying being well represented in the automotive market (195M cars running QNX), with IVY named a leader in both Automotive and Smart City segments by independent analysts, and their security solutions have penetrated 18 of the G20 countries (I’m guessing China and Russia are the two not using the solution).  

The company’s stock has been volatile because, and this is not BlackBerry’s fault, it has become a meme stock like GameStop and bouncing between the mid-teens to the high $20s in share price, which is probably not making the investors happy, particularly the Hedge Funds which tend to lose out when this happens.   

But there was an interesting question during the event on whether BlackBerry should return its name to Research In Motion, and I think the firm should consider that move.  

Naming

I have a saying that when it comes to naming, “the only thing everyone agrees on is that the person that came up with the final name is an idiot.” But, in this case, Research In Motion was the original name for BlackBerry. Before Chen took over, a prior leader made the colossal mistake of naming the company after its primary product at the time.  This move would be like Apple renaming itself iPod, which would have ended badly once Apple shifted to the iPhone.  

A typical rule of thumb is you never name a company after a product, even if it’s the only product, because products have a life cycle, and companies are supposed to be immortal. Now, no longer really in the Smartphone business, but selling solutions for cars, cities, manufacturing plants, governments, and power stations, the name BlackBerry still reminds potential buyers of the failed phone lines. It doesn’t work at all to position the company well in the markets it is now attacking.  

Now, I expect the renaming of Research In Motion as part of an even bigger mistake that this prior administration made to chase Apple.  BlackBerry is another fruit, and, were you to create another Apple, this might be a logical way to start.  But Apple wasn’t an ideal name for a Consumer Product company that had nothing to do with fruit. It was created when the company built the hoppiest computers and wanted a cheap name that no one could own.  Even so, Apple Records was not amused, forcing them to promise to never go into music (which would have been a problem had not Apple Records exited the Music Industry).  

In addition, many of the markets BlackBerry is attempting to penetrate once were heavy BlackBerry phone users and still recall the pain of having to switch to something less secure when BlackBerry largely exited the market.  This memory creates the impression you can’t trust BlackBerry to sustain a market, making it seem riskier to trust the company.  If the firm exited a product that the firm was named after, how likely will it exit a product and market not tied to its name?  

I still get comments when referring to BlackBerry that implies many potential buyers think BlackBerry went under years ago because the phones are gone.  A surprisingly large number of top executives that had to abandon their secure BlackBerry phones for something else are still pissed about that, and the name must remind them that they were abandoned before.  

As a result, I think the name is a far more significant impediment to sales than the firm realizes, while Research In Motion doesn’t have the negative stigma of BlackBerry closer to what BlackBerry does today than the name BlackBerry is without the phones.  Another viable option would be to rename the company Cylance, the less known (than BlackBerry) security company BlackBerry acquired.  Cylance could also better encompass what the firm does without the BlackBerry baggage.

Wrapping Up:  

BlackBerry is doing well, likely because the demand for advanced AI solutions to malware increases dramatically, as is the need for a secure platform for intelligent implementations.  But one of the significant impediments is the firm’s history of abandoning its earlier primary offering and leaving many people in the lurch as a result.  The BlackBerry name reminds people of their abandonment and causes them to recall the company as it was, not as it is.  To change that problem would require a massive image marketing program, which BlackBerry seems unwilling to fund, or an extended time measured in decades so that people forget what the firm used to do and only associate its current offerings with the brand.  Even so, being named after the fruit hasn’t helped Apple with enterprise accounts and certainly isn’t doing wonders for BlackBerry either.  Even with Apple’s massive marketing budget, their one truly enterprise product, the Apple Server, failed catastrophically in the market.  

As a result, for BlackBerry to reach its full potential, the promise of which was showcased in these decent financial results, it may need to go back to being named Research In Motion, its last name, ironically, to get away from its past.  Or use Cylance with the same result.  

Source: TG Daily – BlackBerry Positioned For The Future Held Back By A Name

Antivirus software tycoon John McAfee apparently hanged himself in a Spanish jail cell on Wednesday.

The 75-year-old eccentric tech entrepreneur was arrested in October and was awaiting extradition in the Barcelona jail when he was found dead by hanging, police sources told El Pais.

The Spanish High Court had agreed to extradite McAfee, who had been charged with a number of federal financial crimes in two districts in the United States.

McAfee was hit with a 10-count indictment in the Western District of Tennessee in October for allegedly evading taxes on millions of dollars in income. 

Source: TG Daily – John McAfee found dead after hanging himself in jail

Lego makes about 3,500 different bricks and shapes but faces the challenge of coming up with a sustainable product that can last years – decades – even decades.

The goal is to find a product good enough that people don’t notice the difference, said Lego’s Tim Brooks.

The next stage will be to add colors to the prototype bricks and test them with children and adult fans.

Lego said it would initially get soft drinks bottles from the US to make its new plastic toy parts. It said plastic recovered from the oceans would not be suitable as it is typically too degraded to be used in the toy parts, as it’s typically too hard to use in the world of soft drinks and other recycled material. 

Source: TG Daily – Lego aims to sell bricks from recycled bottles