Quantcast
Channel: Features
Viewing all 61683 articles
Browse latest View live

The 50 best business schools in the world

$
0
0

2x1best business schools in world

Earning an MBA can provide business-school graduates with an increased salary, a vast network of industry contacts, and new opportunities, but the extent of these career benefits can vary significantly depending on the school.

For our sixth annual ranking of the best business schools, we looked at 60 perennially top-rated institutions that offer MBA programs and evaluated them based on the most recent data available on five metrics: reputation (determined through our annual reader survey); average starting salary after graduation; job-placement rate (the percentage of graduates employed within three months of graduation); average GMAT score; and tuition and fees.

We considered reputation and starting salary as the most telling factors of a school's worth, and these categories were weighted more heavily than the other three. Read a breakdown of the methodology here.

The revamped methodology reshuffled this year's ranks with surprising results, with the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School topping the list for the first time. The highest-ranked international school on the list is the London Business School, earning the No. 12 spot.

Read on to see the full list of the 50 best business schools in the world.

Editing by Alex Morrell with additional research by Andy Kiersz.

SEE ALSO: The 50 best colleges in America

NOW READ: The 50 best companies to work for in America

50. Nanyang Technological University, Singapore — Nanyang Business School

Location: Singapore

Average starting salary: $80,300

Average GMAT score: 665

Nanyang's double MBA and master's degree programs allow students to earn a simultaneous degree from partner business schools, such as a second MBA from Waseda University in Tokyo or a master's in management from France's ESSEC Business School.

All students complete a weeklong Business Study Mission, locally or overseas, in which they attend seminars with industry leaders, meet with local business associations, and visit businesses. The study mission gives students an opportunity to build professional networks and apply what they learn in the classroom to real-world environments.



49. University of Toronto — Rotman School of Management

Location: Toronto, Canada

Average starting salary: $88,400

Average GMAT score: 663

The Rotman School of Management is the only Canadian MBA program on our list, offering students the best business reputation in the country. It draws recruiters from Toronto and beyond, including companies like the Royal Bank of Canada, Bain & Co., IBM, Microsoft, and Accenture, among others.

The school started its own venture incubator in 2012 called the Creative Destruction Lab, and Rotman MBA students are tasked with providing analysis and insight for the lab's startups. Its first cohort has generated more than $165 million in equity value.



48. University of Wisconsin — Wisconsin School of Business

Location: Madison, Wisconsin

Average starting salary: $100,700

Average GMAT score: 668

Recent graduates from the Wisconsin School of Business typically landed salaries greater than $100,000, and 90% secured employment within three months of graduation. The small program — WSB has fewer than 200 full-time MBA students — gives students individualized attention from the school's experts: professors, staff, guest speakers, and others.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

This is the fastest Bentley the luxury car maker has ever built

$
0
0

GT Speed Black Edition coupe

Bentley has announced their fastest and most powerful production car yet, eeking even more horsepower out of the Continental GT's now-legendary W12 engine.

The Continental GT "Black Edition" now enjoys 633 horsepower and a healthy reserve of torque, enough to pull the stately British grand tourer to an impressive 206 mph, according to Bentley.

It will reportedly also do the sprint to 60 mph in under 4 seconds.

The new Black Edition also allows for several new color choices, added to a long, long list of customizing options essential on any luxury vehicle of this caliber.

Here's the new Continental GT.

SEE ALSO: Tesla is about to face the biggest challenge in its history

The new Continental GT Speed Black.



A convertible version is also offered.



The Continental GT's (almost comically large) W12 engine now produces a healthy 633 horsepower and builds a mountain of torque.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

Thousands of people protest in Iceland after prime minister refuses to resign over Panama Papers disclosures

$
0
0

iceland protest

Thousands have taken to the streets of Reykjavik to call for Icelandic Prime Minister Sigmundur Gunnlaugsson to step down after leaked documents linked him to an offshore company that apparently posed a conflict of interest, according to The Associated Press.

The connection was revealed in the Panama Papers, a leak of 11.5 million documents from a Panamanian law firm, Mossack Fonseca, that appeared to show connections between world leaders, including Gunnlaugsson, and offshore shell companies.

The prime minister walked out of an interview on Sunday when he was asked about the relationship he and his wife had with the offshore company Wintris.

He was pressed specifically about reportedly selling a company in the British Virgin Islands to his wife for $1 — the day before a law passed in Iceland that would have required him to make public his holdings.

Now thousands of people in Iceland are furious, calling for Gunnlaugsson's resignation and a vote of no confidence from the country's parliament.

"I'm here to show the authorities my disrespect," one protester told Bloomberg. "It is unacceptable that the people that govern the country and enact laws can't seem to follow the rules of society they create themselves and want the public to follow."

The beginning of the protest featured a modest crowd outside of Alþingi, Iceland's parliament building.



Just two hours later, the square was packed with protesters.



Some of the protesters took to social media, tweeting and live-streaming throughout.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

Microsoft's incredible new app helps blind people see the world around them — take a look (MSFT)

$
0
0

microsoft seeing ai app

Artificial intelligence is helping people do extraordinary things. At Microsoft, it's helping blind people see the world around them like never before.

Last Thursday, Microsoft showed off its Seeing AI app for the first time. It's still under development, but it looks extremely promising.

Using a smartphone camera or a pair of camera-equipped smart glasses, the Seeing AI app can identify things in your environment — people, objects, and even emotions — to provide important context for what's going on around you.

Take a look.

SEE ALSO: Microsoft CEO: The secret to a harmonious life is to stop obsessing over your smartphone

Meet Saqib Shaikh.



Shaikh lost the use of his eyes when he was just seven years old.



Shortly after, Shaikh was introduced to talking computers at a school for the blind. This inspired him to become a programmer.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

After 20 years in corporate America, this 47-year-old ditched his suit for painting, building, and sailing around the world

$
0
0

dan givens 2

Two decades in the corporate world was enough for 47-year-old Dan Givens.

In April 2015, he quit his job as the head of financial planning and analysis for OpenTable, rented his house in San Francisco, and set off for the coast of southern Chile.

"I got tired of working so hard for corporate America and longed for work that was more impactful to others and more meaningful to me," he tells Business Insider. "I decided to take time off from the working world to explore the 'actual' world. I didn't have a formal plan, but I figured this was as good a time as any to do something radical. I was single and I had a few passions that I wanted to explore: sailing, travel, photography, and helping others."

Since trading in his home and career for a backpack, camera, and life on the road, he has spent time in Chile, Germany, and Thailand, volunteering for "host families" in exchange for room and board.

We spoke to Givens about his new lifestyle: what it looks like, the reality of living and working abroad, and how he's affording it.

SEE ALSO: One couple quit their jobs to build a new life traveling the US in a 98-square-foot tiny home

"The thought of building a career and lifestyle around travel has been percolating in the back of my mind for as long as I can remember," he says.

He pulled the trigger in April 2015, when he quit his job and spent the next couple of months preparing for a new life on the road. He packed up his home and made it "rental ready," set up his website, Dannyboy Travels, finished his sailing certifications, and looked up visa requirements in various countries.

Having worked full-time for the past 20 years while supporting only himself, Givens had a substantial savings built up, despite living in the pricey Bay Area. He was able to save about a year's worth of after-tax salary to spend on the road. He also built a financial plan before jet-setting, factoring in expenses, income, investment return, and tax rate.



His adventure officially began August 25, 2015, when he set off for Tenglo Island, off the coast of southern Chile, where he would do volunteer work for three families.

He finds his hosts through internet bulletin boards, such as Help-X, World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms (WWOOF), and Find a Crew. In exchange for labor, he gets a roof to sleep under and at least one meal a day.

The work is usually physical — in Chile, he pruned apple trees, painted houses, and cleaned sailboats — but he's also taught English and done some web and multimedia work. While his schedule varies depending on the type of work, his host, and the weather, he spends about four to five hours a day doing volunteer work, Monday through Friday.

"I like the variety of the work, the physical nature of the work, and the impact of the work," Givens says. "I like the fresh air, fresh faces, and fresh perspective on life."



The duration of his stays varies. There is no contract, so he can stay as long or as short as he wants.

After a month in Chile, he returned to San Francisco to regroup for a few days before heading to Germany to spend time with friends. In late October, he bought a one-way ticket to Thailand, where he would spend the next three months helping a family run a resort, which consisted of 15 bungalows and a restaurant.

"I helped install outdoor lighting and walkways, prepared the foundation for a beach bar, and painted the buildings," he explains. "I also built a spreadsheet for them to manage their bookings online, instead of using pen and paper. Lastly, I implemented a set of procedures for cleaning rooms and public areas."



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

How to sell yourself in 30 seconds and leave people wanting more

$
0
0

networking talking happy hour

How do you get people interested in you when you only have 30 seconds?

Whether you're in a job interview, networking at a cocktail party, or happen to run into Warren Buffett in the elevator, quickly persuading others to think you're the most interesting person they'll meet is no easy task.

"Most people can't present what they've done effectively," Paul McDonald, a senior executive director at staffing firm Robert Half, told Business Insider. "They're not used to giving sound bites of what they do."

Below, McDonald shares eight steps to crafting the perfect elevator pitch.

This is an update of an article originally written by Vivian Giang.

SEE ALSO: People size you up in just 3 seconds — here's how to make a brilliant first impression

1. Know exactly what you want to achieve.

Your elevator pitch should answer three questions: Who are you? What do you do? Where do you want to go, or what are you looking for? You need to know exactly what you want to achieve or no one can help you get there.

"Take your résumé and LinkedIn profile and go through it thoroughly," said McDonald. If you're unemployed, focus on where you want to go and what you want to do.



2. Bullet point it.

After studying your résumé and LinkedIn profile, write down four bullet points that explain why you're great, said McDonald.

Discuss your work history, background, skills, accomplishments, and goals. Leave out any irrelevant details that take away from your core message.



3. Tell a story.

People love stories, McDonald said, so tell them a story. It also makes it easier for others to remember you later on.

Self-improvement guru Dale Carnegie said in his book, "Public Speaking and Influencing Men in Business", that our minds are essentially "associate machines," which means we remember things better when there's a story or association attached to the subject. In other words, if you want people to remember you, tell them a story, and make sure it's good.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

RANKED: The 16 busiest airports in the world

$
0
0

London Heathrow Airport

The Airports Council International (ACI) released its list of the busiest airports in the world on Monday. Once again, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) took with the top spot, with more than 100 million passengers in 2015. According to the ACI, this represents an increase in traffic of over 5.5% over 2014. The trade group attributes Atlanta's success to its strategic location, where it is within a two-hour flight of 80% of the US population. In addition, the ACI credits the growth of ATL's largest tenant — Delta Air Lines — for the airport's continued expansion in the traffic. Globally, the number of people traveling by air grew at a rate of 6.1% in 2015.

"It's impressive to witness the dynamic character of the aviation industry and its evolution over time," ACI World Director General Angela Gittens said in a statement. "Even in the most mature markets such as the United States and parts of Western Europe, several of the major hubs experienced year-over-year growth rates in passenger traffic that were well above the historical growth levels for these regions."

The trade group compiled its list using passenger traffic data from 1,144 airports around the world. Here are the 16 busiest airports in the world based on total passenger traffic:

SEE ALSO: RANKED: The 10 best airports in North America

No. 16. Singapore Changi Airport (SIN): 55,449,000 passengers in 2015



No. 15. John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK): 56,827,154 passengers in 2015



No. 14. Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS): 58,284,864 passengers in 2015



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

The 4 best lessons my parents taught me about money

$
0
0

man introspective

One of the beauties of running Rockstar Finance is that I get to see a ton of cool ways to talk about money that doesn’t sound like the same thing over and over again, even though it is.

Unfortunately that also means I have to sift through hundreds of articles every day that DO actually sound the same (the point of Rockstar is to feature only the “gems” I come across), but it’s a small price to pay so my readers don’t have to – hah.

Anyways, this post was inspired by Jon who coincidentally had one of my same financial memories growing up too. Though he chose a different path in the end (you’ll have to click to see!).

Here are the four memories that impacted my finances the most:

SEE ALSO: 5 ways I save money without even realizing

'There's nothing wrong with used stuff!'

– Momma $

If my mother had a blog, it would be called Used Stuff is Sexy (though considering she still doesn't know what I do for a living, I doubt that would ever come to be). I've never met a person who loves getting a good deal so much, and she instilled in us children early on the power of being thrifty.

Mainly for the savings it brought (she raised us on a meager Military salary as a stay-at-home mom), but also for the "thrill of the hunt." So it's no surprise where I got my love of yard sales and thrift shops from. Or my hankering for antiques – which by nature MUST be old and used!

Here are all the areas we now save on immensely because of my mom:

• Clothes for myself

• Clothes for my kids

• Toys for my kids

• Furniture

• Books

• Music (think records – mmmm…)

• Cars (the most savings!)

Stuff we never bought used were food and underwear – I wonder why?



'You can buy anything you want … If you go out and earn it.'

– Momma $

This was another of my mother's favorite sayings, and one that taught me the best lesson of all: how to appreciate money. Nothing puts things in better perspective than having to go out and earn all those dollars yourself! Especially when your allowance is only $1.00/week – hah! But time and time again my mother continued repeating it until it finally sunk in and I quit pestering her.

This occurred when I wanted my very first Nintendo Game Boy. You can click the link for the full story, but in a nutshell I wanted a Game Boy bad – the old bulky tan ones before they got colored and shrunk – and of course my mother said I could have it as long as I saved up all the money ($90.00).

I was adamant that I just had to have it, so I saved and saved and saved, and finally – what seemed like an eternity later – I had amassed a whopping $80.00. It wasn't enough to pick up the golden toy, but it was at that point I realized that it wasn't worth trading my hard earned money for anymore. Something I'm sure my parents knew was gonna happen :)

(I did end up getting my hands on one a little later when I implemented the "used is good!" lesson from mom and found one for $30 + games at a yard sale – score!)

I still slip up every now and then and waste my money (*ahem* $40.00 Bling H20), but that game boy totally changed my perspective. And as you have witnessed with my Challenge Everything Savings Account, it's quite powerful to watch those pennies add up over time when you let it ride and never touch! I guarantee I'm going to appreciate whatever I end up doing with it more so than my "paycheck" money. I've been hustling for over six months on that bad boy – it better get me something GOOD!



'Don't ever put anything on a credit card you can't pay off at the end of the month.' 

– Poppa $

As I got older, my father started stepping in more and laying down the law on money (fun fact – my father does NOT like used things, except for cars/motorcycles. Which gets confusing when you him dropping $100+ on a pair of running shoes when you're only allowed to get a pair for $20 or less.)

And one of the first things he told me when I got to college – outside of "make sure to have fun, kid – you have to go into the real world after this!"– was to never put anything stupid on my (co-signed) credit card that I can't pay off in 30 days.

A) because my parents would have to do so,
but mainly B) So I didn't end up screwing myself for years and years to come.

Something I'm very much aware of now seeing all the emails and comments come in from some of y'all. Credit cards are no joke. And I'm beyond thankful I had parents who were on my ass about it! (Another fun fact – I once put a chocolate bar on it thinking I could slip it by my parents ‘cuz how would they see?? The next month when the statement came (oops) I got a firm talking to.)



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

25 fun, affordable places to retire around the world

$
0
0

Naples italy

Retirement means more than golf and gardening for an increasing number of Americans looking for fun outdoor activities, international adventures and cutting-edge cuisine later in life.

And while there are countries, cities and states that offer more affordability for retirees, the best place to retire really depends on what you're seeking.

With that said, check out this list of the 25 coolest places to retire.

SEE ALSO: The 21 best places to retire in the world

25. Bordeaux, France

Average Cost of Living: $870 per person per month

Bordeaux is home to a large English-speaking community and a significant number of university students from around the world. The city of about 240,000 is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its food, wine and mild climate that makes al fresco dining and other outdoor activities enjoyable almost any time of year.

Retirees planning a meal at home can grab a bottle of wine from the modern Max Bordeaux wine shop, which offers selections for as little as about $11 on the "online cellar" section of its website.



24. Managua, Nicaragua

Average Cost of Living (Country Average): $900 per couple

Nicaragua offers a generous benefits program that includes significant tax incentives for foreigners over 45 years old with a monthly income of at least $600, according to International Living Magazine. Moreover, a modest pension goes a long way in Managua, where dishes at some of the city's most popular restaurants start at $5, according to Lonely Planet.



23. Quito, Ecuador

Average Cost of Living: $51o per person per month

Ecuador offers a wide variety of natural charms, including everything from snow-capped peaks to dense Amazonian jungle, from sunny Pacific beaches to the famously diverse Galapagos Islands, according to International Living Magazine.

The country's capital also provides culture and fine dining at restaurants like Theatrum, which offers multi-course tasting menus filled with seafood-heavy house specialty dishes for $38 per person.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

8 simple ways to make your boss love you

$
0
0

boss workplaceWinning your boss' favor isn't so hard to do.

And it's not about kissing up by complimenting their new haircut or volunteering for every single new assignment.

Instead, it's about figuring out what they want from you and being strategic in making them feel good.

To help you ingratiate yourself with your manager, we consulted both scientific research and expert opinion. Read on for the eight most compelling insights we learned.

SEE ALSO: These 9 behaviors separate star employees from everyone else

1. Get to work early

Research from the Michael G. Foster School of Business at the University of Washington suggests that employees who get into the office early are generally perceived by their managers as more conscientious and receive higher performance ratings than employees who arrive later.

And it doesn't matter if those who get in later stay later, too.

If you feel that you'd be more productive working from, say, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. instead of 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., consider explaining the situation to your manager and confronting their potential "morning bias" head-on.



2. Ask for advice

You might be wary of asking your boss anything — whether it's how they got to this point in their career or which marketing strategy they think you should go with.

But research from Harvard Business School suggests that asking for advice doesn't make you look stupid — it can make you seem more competent, which is presumably how you want your boss to see you.

In one experiment, 170 university students worked on a series of computer tasks and were told they would be matched with a partner who would complete the same tasks. (The partner was really a computer simulation.) When they'd finished the tasks, the "partner" either said, "I hope it went well" or "I hope it went well. Do you have any advice?"

As it turns out, students who'd been asked for advice rated their "partner" more competent than those who hadn't been asked for advice.

The researchers explain that when you ask for advice, you're validating the person's intelligence and experience, so they feel good about you in turn.



3. Manage up

"Managing up" is a term for learning what your boss really cares about and making sure you deliver on that.

As Dave Kerpen, founder and CEO of software company Likable Local, told Business Insider, "It's about helping your manager look great to his or her manager. And ultimately by doing that you're going to position yourself better for success."

Kerpen expects his team at Likeable Local to manage up to him. For example, he doesn't care that his head of marketing shows up late almost every day — as long as she's on time Monday morning, delivering a great report at the company-wide meeting.

Kerpen recommends either asking your boss directly what's important to them or subtly trying to figure it out on your own.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

17 signs your coworkers secretly hate you

$
0
0

coworker

While some coworkers may have no qualms about letting you know they despise you, others will try to remain diplomatic and professional but will hide those hard feelings.

"Most coworkers won't overtly show their disdain for you so as not to cause trouble or jeopardize their own careers," says Lynn Taylor, a national workplace expert and the author of "Tame Your Terrible Office Tyrant: How to Manage Childish Boss Behavior and Thrive in Your Job.""They may make life difficult for you, but they'll probably try to stay under the radar. Still, there are subtle red flags that they're not out for your best interests."

You'll want to know those signs, says Taylor, so you can spot them when they're present and turn things around before it's too late.

"Of course, it's impossible to be liked by everyone in the office," she explains.

But you should always strive to be sensitive to the needs of your fellow coworkers, remain upbeat and friendly, communicate openly, and give colleagues the benefit of the doubt.

"Those who do this have a far brighter career future," she says. "Plus, when [we]  have strong, healthy workplace relationships, you will be more effective and accomplished in your job."

Michael Kerr, an international business speaker and author of "The Humor Advantage,"agrees.

"When your coworkers like you, everything becomes easier," he says. "People have your back when you need it the most, you can ask for and get favors more easily, people will volunteer to help in times of need, and you can get far better cooperation even across departments."

Being well-liked will boost your morale, which in turn will make you more productive, focused, creative, and successful in everything you do, he says.

Here are 17 subtle signs your coworkers secretly hate you. Keep in mind that you may just be misreading their body language or tone — the workplace is certainly not immune to human misunderstanding and no one's a mind reader.

But if you notice you're the only victim of these behaviors, it probably means they don't like you.

SEE ALSO: 21 signs your boss secretly hates you

1. Your gut tells you they don't like you.

If you feel like your coworkers don't like you, it could just be in your head, but it could also be true. If they treat you differently than everyone else, you're probably not their favorite person. Trust your gut and continue looking for other signs if you have a strong feeling about this.



2. They don't smile when you're around.

We're not talking about the occasional bad day or mood swing. If your coworkers make a conscious effort not to smile when you're in the room, something isn't right.



3. They can't maintain eye contact with you.

It's difficult to look someone straight in the eye when you don't like or respect them, says Taylor. If you notice your colleagues avoid eye contact while speaking with you, those are probably the reasons.

"They're afraid that you may be able to detect hostility, so the path of least resistance is for them to look away or avoid being around you wherever possible," Taylor suggests.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

I drove my first Tesla 6 years ago — after driving it again, I still believe it's the best thing the company has created (tsla)

$
0
0

Tesla Roadster Drive 2016

You never forget your first Tesla.

In 2010, right after the company had survived a near-death experience, I was offered the chance to sample what was then the carmaker's only vehicle: the original Roadster.

It's hard to overestimate the importance of this car, which sold for over $100,000, turned in blistering acceleration, and could top 200 miles on a single charge.

The Roadster changed our minds forever about what an electric car could be and launched Tesla on a road to its current $30 billion market cap and a portfolio of, by 2017, three vehicles: the Model S sedan, the Model X SUV, and the Model 3 car for the masses.

Last year, I reminisced about my first time with a Tesla to one of the company's staffers. This led to a question: Do we even have a Roadster around to check out anymore?

They found one, and I was reunited with my old friend in Los Angeles, on the eve of the Model 3 unveiling in late March.

Something poetic and romantic about that, I think. Read on to see what it was like.

We were so much younger then ... That's me in early 2010, after a spin in the Roadster Sport version 2.0.



I made a video about the fun.



Since then, I've driven every other Tesla, starting with the base Model S sedan.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

The 30 US colleges that offer the best value for your money

$
0
0

Harvard University

Before you shell out thousands of dollars for your undergraduate education, you'll want to make sure it's worth your time and money.

Kiplinger recently released its list of 300 best-value public and private schools, ranked based on quality — including test scores of incoming students, admission rates, academic support, and graduation rates — and cost measures, such as total cost, financial aid packages, and average debt at graduation.

Read Kiplinger's full methodology here.

Washington and Lee University, a small, Virginia-based liberal-arts college, stole the show this year, followed by No. 2-ranked Princeton and No. 3-ranked Harvard. Read on to see which schools cracked the top 30, along with total annual cost, average need-based aid, and average student debt upon graduation for each.

We also included the median earnings of students 10 years after starting their studies, from the US Department of Education's College Scorecard as highlighted in a report from the Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce:

SEE ALSO: The 17 US colleges where students earn over $75,000 a year a decade after attending

30. Carleton College

Total annual cost: $62,846

Average need-based aid: $34,050

Average debt upon graduation$18,302

Median earnings 10 years after enrolling: $46,100



29. Wellesley College

Total annual cost: $62,140

Average need-based aid: $39,988

Average debt upon graduation: $12,956

Median earnings 10 years after enrolling: $56,700



28. Bowdoin College

Total annual cost: $62,190

Average need-based aid: $38,978

Average debt upon graduation: $25,503

Median earnings 10 years after enrolling: $54,800 



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

There's a shocking difference between clothing advertised on Facebook and what furious consumers are getting

$
0
0

Knockoff Dress

Lots of women are saying that they're being scammed by absurdly cheap online apparel retailers, Sapna Maheshwari and Beimeng Fu of Buzzfeed have reported.

There's a host of these websites, Buzzfeed says, including  Zaful, Rosegal, SammyDress, RoseWe, TideBuy, Choies, and Dreslily. They promise extremely cheap apparel via ads on Facebook that target women.

But the photos that they're posting are often not even their own. The knockoffs look nothing like the original photos.

Buzzfeed says that at least eight of these troubling websites operate under a Chinese e-commerce company called ShenZhen Global Egrow E-Commerce Co., which made about $200 million in sales in 2014. It's extremely hard to reach customer services by phone, too, since the businesses are located in China.

Furious consumers have created multiple Facebook groups, like Knockoff Nightmares and Rosegal.com Is A Scam, to share "buyer, beware" stories and photos of the alleged dissonance between the advertised photos and what they received in the mail.

Here are some of the photos they've shared.

SEE ALSO: Furious customers are calling a hot lingerie startup a scam because of its sales model

 



 



 



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

The 17 equations that changed the world

$
0
0

In 2012, Mathematician Ian Stewart came out with an excellent and deeply researched book titled "In Pursuit of the Unknown: 17 Equations That Changed the World."

His book takes a look at the most pivotal equations of all time, and puts them in a human, rather than technical context.

"Equations definitely can be dull, and they can seem complicated, but that’s because they are often presented in a dull and complicated way," Stewart told Business Insider. "I have an advantage over school math teachers: I'm not trying to show you how to do the sums yourself."

He explained that anyone can "appreciate the beauty and importance of equations without knowing how to solve them ... The intention is to locate them in their cultural and human context, and pull back the veil on their hidden effects on history."

Stewart continued that "equations are a vital part of our culture. The stories behind them — the people who discovered or invented them and the periods in which they lived — are fascinating."

Here are 17 equations that have changed the world:

Max Nisen contributed to an earlier version of this post.

SEE ALSO: 33 business books every professional should read before turning 30

The Pythagorean Theorem

What does it mean? The square of the hypotenuse of a right triangle is equal to the sum of the squares of its legs.

History: Though attributed to Pythagoras, it is not certain that he was the first person to prove it. The first clear proof came from Euclid, and it is possible the concept was known 1,000 years before Pythoragas by the Babylonians.  

Importance: The equation is at the core of much of geometry, links it with algebra, and is the foundation of trigonometry. Without it, accurate surveying, mapmaking, and navigation would be impossible.

In terms of pure math, the Pythagorean Theorem defines normal, Euclidean plane geometry. For example, a right triangle drawn on the surface of a sphere like the Earth doesn't necessarily satisfy the theorem.

Modern use: Triangulation is used to this day to pinpoint relative location for GPS navigation. 

Source: In Pursuit of the Unknown: 17 Equations That Changed the World



The logarithm and its identities

What does it mean? You can multiply numbers by adding related numbers. 

History: The initial concept was discovered by the Scottish Laird John Napier of Merchiston in an effort to make the multiplication of large numbers, then incredibly tedious and time consuming, easier and faster. It was later refined by Henry Briggs to make reference tables easier to calculate and more useful. 

Importance: Logarithms were revolutionary, making calculation faster and more accurate for engineers and astronomers. That's less important with the advent of computers, but they're still an essential to scientists. 

Modern use: Logarithms, and the related exponential functions, are used to model everything from compound interest to biological growth to radioactive decay.

Source: In Pursuit of the Unknown: 17 Equations That Changed the World   



Calculus

What does it mean? Allows the calculation of an instantaneous rate of change. 

History: Calculus as we currently know it was described around the same time in the late 17th century by Isaac Newton and Gottfried Leibniz. There was a lengthy debate over plagiarism and priority which may never be resolved. We use the leaps of logic and parts of the notation of both men today.

Importance: According to Stewart, "More than any other mathematical technique, it has created the modern world." Calculus is essential in our understanding of how to measure solids, curves, and areas. It is the foundation of many natural laws, and the source of differential equations. 

Modern use: Any mathematical problem where an optimal solution is required. Essential to medicine, economics, physics, engineering, and computer science. 

Source: In Pursuit of the Unknown: 17 Equations That Changed the World



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

People do some truly crazy stuff when they encounter Google's driverless cars

$
0
0

When people see Google's driverless cars, things get weird.

Google released its monthly report for March on how its driverless cars are faring — and it highlighted how many truly strange scenarios self-driving cars face everyday. Like, preparing for a massive group of leap froggers:

Google driverless car

"We can try to come up with lots of wacky situations for our cars to handle, but the real world can defy even our wildest imaginations," Google wrote in the report.

The scenarios highlight how the robot cars must be smart enough to handle situations that are so weird programmers wouldn't think to address them in a hypothetical sense in advance.

Chris Urmson, director of Google's self-driving car project, put into perspective just how crazy things can get at the "South by Southwest" music festival in Austin, Texas. Here are some examples:

Here we see a woman in an electric wheelchair chasing a duck with a broom in the middle of the road. You read that correctly.

RAW Embed

As you can see, that ridiculous scenario actually happened. Urmson said there is a team at Google whose main purpose is to dream up crazy scenarios like this one and program how the car should respond. They missed dreaming up a duck-chasing lady, though.



But when there is a scenario the car can't handle, like a group of leap froggers, something called anomaly detection kicks in.

RAW Embed

This is when Google cars generalize what they have seen, and come up with their own solution to address the problem. That typically means slowing down, letting whatever weird thing is happening play out, and then going once it's over. 



That can be difficult when what it's seeing defies all logic, like three cars in a row going the wrong way on an intersection.

RAW Embed

 



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

10 major differences between rich and poor people, from someone who's been both

$
0
0

royal ascot wealthy rich men top hats

I've been rich and I've been poor. I know both sides very well.

Growing up poor, I knew that I wanted to be rich. At the age of 24, I earned my first million dollars. I came a long way and studied the subject all of my life. Over time, I have discovered that if you're not living in prosperity, you're living in poverty.

Wealth is a choice that we must all make. Bill Gates once said, "It's not your fault if you were born poor, but it's your fault if you die poor." There's no reason why you should live in poverty. Wealth is waiting for you, but you have to make up your mind if you want it in your life.

For a long time, I struggled to believe that I could eventually become rich. It wasn't until I observed the differences in thoughts and actions between the "haves" and the "have-nots."

Here are 10 major differences between rich and poor people:

SEE ALSO: 21 ways rich people think differently than the average person

1a. Poor people are skeptical.

I distinctly remember a former coworker of mine saying, "Those mechanics are a rip-off! They're always looking for the weak people. They'll charge you when you're not looking!!" He thought that everyone unjustly wanted his money and that everyone is out there to get him. 

1b. Rich people are trusting.

Surprisingly, a great deal of rich people leave their car and house doors open. Conversely, in areas of poverty, you'll find that this behavior is highly unlikely to happen. Rich people have the tendency to trust those they meet (within reason) and give others the opportunity to be themselves.



2a. Poor people find fault.

People who are poor are always looking for the problems instead of the solutions. They end up blaming their environment, circumstances, jobs, weather, government, and will make an extensive list of excuses as to why they cannot be successful. 

2b. Rich people find success.

Rich people understand that everything happens for a reason. Rather than letting life happen to them, they take direct action and make big things happen. They put aside all the excuses and eradicate their blame lists because they have to do what must be done. 

Related: 10 Phrases Every Millionaire Avoids



3a. Poor people make assumptions.

When it comes to knowing the truth, poor people often make assumptions. If they want to reach out to a celebrity, they might say, "They probably don't have time to talk to me." Instead of checking the facts or asking questions, they never make a true attempt when it comes to getting what they want.

3b. Rich people ask questions.

Many rich people ask the question, "What if?" For instance, "What if I wrote an email to the president and he or she answers?" If you begin to ask questions, you will save yourself a lot of hassle. The power is in the hands of those who ask the right questions. They don't answer your questions, question your answers.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

21 signs you're mentally stronger than average

$
0
0

boot camp

Mental strength takes a long time to develop. 

It is the daily practice of pushing yourself to grow stronger, maintaining realistic optimism, and setting healthy boundaries. Mentally strong people don't do things like waste time feeling sorry for themselves or give away their power.

How do you know where you fall on the spectrum? We asked psychotherapist Amy Morin, the author of "13 Things Mentally Strong People Don't Do."

Morin provided the following 21 signs you're mentally stronger than average, which we've shared here in her words.

This is an update of an article originally published by Steven Benna.

SEE ALSO: 13 things mentally strong people don't do

DON'T MISS: 13 science-backed signs you're smarter than average

1. You balance emotions with logic.

"Mentally strong people understand how their emotions can influence their thinking. In an effort to make the best decisions possible, they balance their emotions with logic." 



2. You choose productive behavior.

"While it may be tempting to make excuses, complain about other people, and avoid difficult circumstances, mentally strong people refuse to waste time on unproductive activities." 



3. You feel confident in your ability to adapt to change.

"Mentally strong people know that although change is uncomfortable, it's tolerable. They focus their energy on adapting to change, rather than resisting it."



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

The 5 most innovative car safety technologies

$
0
0

Today's car safety tech isn't just focusing on the vehicle's occupants, but also on avoiding impending collisions with pedestrians and animals, as well as keeping drivers paying attention and focused on the road ahead. 

Volvo XC90

These five safety features can make driving a little bit less of the dangerous free-for-all that it is.

SEE ALSO: We shouldn't be surprised that Apple may be hitting a roadblock with its car project

Some models from Land Rover are equipped with external airbags that help save pedestrians from severe injuries.

The Land Rover Discovery has a sensor tube in the front bumper which can detect if a pedestrian is struck by the car. If an impact is detected, an airbag is deployed from right in front of the windshield and is used to soften the pedestrian's impact.

Similar tech was also used on some of Volvo's cars.



Volvo City Safety can prevent drivers from hitting pedestrians and bicyclists at speeds up to about 30 MPH.

Volvo's City Safety tech helps drivers avoid collisions with oncoming cars when making turns, head-on collisions, and pedestrians bikes crossing the car's path.

If you're a lazy city driver who has a hard time staying attentive behind the wheel, you're going to want this tech in your next car.



Many high-end luxury cars can be equipped with a night-vision display.

BMW's 7 Series, Mercedes-Benz's S-Class, and Audi's A8 (among others) can be equipped with various night-vision displays which can be used to identify objects ahead in the road at night, which might otherwise be difficult to see even with headlights on.

Yes, it's pretty much novelty tech, but if you have a car where the system truly works and you're able to put it to use in the right conditions, it can be a lifesaver.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

The 20 best smartphones in the world

$
0
0

iphone 5se colors and dock

With so many amazing smartphones with stunning cameras, gorgeous looks, and useful features available in all different shapes and sizes, it's an exciting time to be in the market for a smartphone!

It also means you have more choice than ever, which could complicate your final decision.

Here's our ranking of the best phones you can buy. But keep in mind that we're expecting one more big hitter to come out in April, so you may want to hold off on buying anything this second.

Note: All prices below indicate how much the phones typically cost without a carrier contract. Prices may vary depending on the retailer.

#20 BlackBerry Passport

The BlackBerry Passport may look strange, but a lot of BlackBerry fans seem to love it. It has a really nice physical keyboard, but the key feature is its unique square design.

Price: $490



#19 BlackBerry Classic

If you were a BlackBerry fan back in the company's heyday, you're going to love the BlackBerry Classic. It looks similar to older BlackBerry models, but features a sharp touchscreen and an excellent physical keyboard.

Price: $329



#18 Microsoft Lumia 950

If you must have a Windows phone, there's only one device to consider: Microsoft's Lumia 950. Although reviews were pretty bad, this phone does hold some promise for people who need Microsoft apps to do everything. It also has a really nice camera and can connect to a keyboard, mouse, and monitor and let you run a lightweight version of Windows.

Price: $489



See the rest of the story at Business Insider
Viewing all 61683 articles
Browse latest View live




Latest Images