Daily Investment Tips

The business world was turned today by the news of Googles $12.5 billion purchase of Motorola. The big question is why is Google buying a dying business like Motorola? Maybe for its patent portfolio?

Remember AOL-Time Warner? And few people today probably recall that Exxon entered the computer harware business in the 80s. Another flop. This will be so too. Google has just committed the error of a mature company: thinking they can run any business. They are moving further away from their core expertise. There will not only be a huge culture clash between the companies but different skill sets needed for success. Jobs isn’t worried about this, but cheering. It confirms his business model and Apple, unlike Google, does understand manufacturing, supply chain management and consumer product marketing.

written by Constantine Njeru \\ tags: 80s, Aol Time Warner, Apple, Business Model, Business World, Computer Harware, Core Expertise, Culture Clash, Exxon, Google, Jobs, Manufacturing Supply, Mature Company, Motorola, Patent Portfolio, Product Marketing, Supply Chain Management, Time Warner

In January 2011 Groupon raised near $1 Billion from investors. In the same month dealbooks NYtimes reported Groupon was discussing with bankers about a possible IPO.

Groupon IPO Date.

The New York times reported Groupon may go public as early as this spring. (end of 2011). Making the young internet company one of the Tech IPOs of 2011.

Groupon IPO Price

The article further claim, bankers value the three-year-old online coupon distribution site at  $15 billion. This figure is no too ambitious if you keep in mind Groupon, was profitable after just eight months of operations.

The major risk about Groupon is that many people believe their business model of making money can easily be copied. Group is minimising this by going for scale, it has bought copy cats all around the world.

written by Constantine Njeru \\ tags: 1 Billion, Business Model, Copy Cats, Coupon Distribution, Eight Months, Internet Company, Investor, Investors, Ipo Price, Ipos, Making Money, New York Times, Nytimes, Risk

A green investing idea have come across is investing in a rooftop farm or garden. I first heard about rooftop farms in New York in a BBC program. At first i thought this was something new but after researching on the subject I discovered it is an idea that has been around for some time.

Rooftop farming is urban agriculture

Rooftop farms are cropping up on top of storied building in New York and across America. The farm owners are not just hobbiest, they are serious farmers trying to make a buck.

A good example is a group farm in New York called Brooklyn Grange. They were profiled in New York times. The group grow peppers, tomatoes and green vegetables. The vegetables are sold to local restaurants.

Making money in a rooftop farm

According to the team leader of the group, for such a venture to turn a profit you need a large space.

I noticed the members of Brooklyn Grange have to work as volunteers to cut cost. At the moment rooftop farming is still in its infancy, trying to find a business model that is profitable. The members of the partnership draw much satisfaction from doing something noble.

If you are interested in rooftop farming you may consider joining a  farm group partnership around your city. You may also start one but first make sure to know whether its legal in the first place. You don’t want to be breaking the law.

written by Constantine Njeru \\ tags: Bbc, Bbc Program, Breaking The Law, Brooklyn, Business Model, Farm Group, Farmers, Farming, Grange, Green Vegetables, Infancy, Local Restaurants, Making Money, New York Times, Partnership, Satisfaction, Team Leader, Tomatoes, Urban Agriculture, Volunteers