What Buffett Might Buy
The sage of Omaha most likely wants a large, well-run company to add to Berkshire's eclectic mix. Some good candidates include Caterpillar, IKEA, Valero Energy, Lehman Brothers and Lowe's.
What Buffett Might Buy - BusinessWeek
Also: Voices From Berkshire's Annual Meeting
Also: Buffett Gives Not to Index Funds Over ETFs


How Companies Fake Authenticity
In an increasingly shiny, fabricated world of spun messages and concocted experiences--where nearly everything we encounter is created for consumption--elevating a brand above the fray requires an uncommon mix of creativity and discipline. And nowhere do you see the challenge more starkly illustrated than in the quest for authenticity. To evoke authenticity, companies use many tactics. Here's how five pairs of industry rivals tackle the challenge. See how companies like Abercrombie & Fitch, BMW, Starbucks, Levi Strauss, Haagen Dazs, Samuel Adams and more fake it for profits.
Will the Real Juan Valdez Please Stand Up? - Branding - Authenticity - FastCompany
Also: What Does It Take To Become Authentic and Stay Authentic
Also: Authenticity Timeline: Starting With Disneyland's Main Street USA in 1955 to Today


Let the Phone Pick Up the Tab
Imagine having your very own mobile ATM -- otherwise known as your cell phone -- in the palm of your hand. Banking with your cellphones is in its infancy, but in the coming months it is expected to gain traction as established companies including banking powerhouse Citigroup and wireless behemoth AT&T kick off ad campaigns extolling the low cost and high convenience of paying over a mobile phone.
Let the Phone Pick Up the Tab - BusinessWeek


CEOs Who Get Paid Millions to Fail
Dell, Eli Lilly and Ford are among the 12 worst offenders of so-called "pay for failure" for their chief executives according to a new study. CEOs at these companies have all received total pay of more than $15 million over the last two fiscal years. At the same time, the report said, the companies' total shareholder returns have fallen over the last five years and performance against peers slumped over the same period.
CEOs of Dell, Eli Lilly and Ford paid well to fail - CNNmoney


Best & Worst Diet Plans and Books
What is the best diet plan today? According to Consumer Reports it is The Volumetrics Eating Plan. Weight Watchers came in second, with Jenny Craig a very close third. In its annual report Consumer reports rates eight diet plans, eight new books and offers 8 strategies that work and 3 doubtful tactics. The best diet book is the Oprah Winfrey-endorsed Bob Greene book The Best Life Diet followed closely by Eat, Drink & Weigh Less.
New Diet Winners - Consumer Reports 8 Diet Books Rated 8 Diet Plans Rated
Plus: Three Doubtful Diet Tactics


Best Grower-Direct Flowers
Sending flowers Mom on Mother's Day won't earn you points for creativity, but a beautiful bouquet is usually appreciated. And ordering online makes the whole process a snap. SmartMoney puts five grower direct sites to the test. 1-800-Flowers came in second place. See who topped the most recognizable name in flowers.
Can Grower-Direct Flowers Beat Your Florist's? - SmartMoney.com


You're a Nobody Unless Your Name Googles Well
In the age of Google, being special increasingly requires standing out from the crowd online. As more people flood the Web, that's becoming an especially tall order for those with common names like John Smith.
You're a Nobody Unless Your Name Googles Well - WSJ.com