 | Fun, Funner, Funnest
Issue: Vol. 52, No. 3, March 2012
As Vending Times' humble music and games editor, my mind keeps returning to the subject of fun. Specifically, the importance of fun; the value of fun... by Marcus Webb
Author: Marcus Webb
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| Talking Tough To China? It's No Time For Cowboy Diplomacy
Issue: Vol. 52, No. 3, March 2012
Politicians can always find common ground as long as they can identify a common threat. Right now, for instance, Republicans and Democrats are uniting for some China bashing... by Hank Schlesinger
Author: Hank Schlesinger
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| Going Social
Issue: Vol. 52, No. 2, February 2012
There's a fast and simple way for operators to appear more relevant and likable in their communities. It's called "going social" -- but it's not about Facebook. We're talking about community activism and image... by Marcus Webb
Author: Marcus Webb
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| Publications Outline Current Transformation Of Business Practices
Issue: Vol. 52, No. 2, February 2012
In the bulk vending and coin-op businesses, there are important lessons to be learned from some odd goings on in contemporary business literature... by Hank Schlesinger
Author: Hank Schlesinger
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| Jumping Off A Cliff
Issue: Vol. 52, No. 1, January 2012
There comes a time in the life of every person, and every business, when the safest thing to do is take what appears to be an enormous risk -- and when the most "reasonable" thing to do is jump off a cliff... by Marcus Webb
Author: Marcus Webb
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| The Sturdy And Enduring Optimism Of The Small Businessperson
Issue: Vol. 52, No. 1, January 2012
Small businesspeople can be much more optimistic than their corporate counterparts. And being on the frontline in bulk vending means coins-in-the-cashbox capitalism... by Hank Schlesinger
Author: Hank Schlesinger
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| Why Not Make Business Resolutions?
Issue: Vol. 51, No. 12, December 2011
There's something hopeful to be said for the traditional list whose sole purpose is self-improvement. It is one of the rare traditions that implore us to take stock of ourselves... by Hank Schlesinger
Author: Hank Schlesinger
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| Working 'On' Your Business
Issue: Vol. 51, No. 12, December 2011
Successful businesspeople often talk about the importance of working "on" your business, not working "in" your business. Others stress "becoming a real entrepreneur. Sounds interesting, but what does it mean? by Marcus Webb
Author: Marcus Webb
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| 'Tis The Season To Think About Holiday Bulk Vending Strategies
Issue: Vol. 51, No. 11, November 2011
The holidays have always been a busy time for bulk vending and cranes, but few operators make plans to capitalize on this fact. Here are some of the strategies of those bulk vending and amusement operators who do... by Hank Schlesinger
Author: Hank Schlesinger
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| Go Loud
Issue: Vol. 51, No. 11, November 2011
Many music and games operators take a quiet pride in keeping quiet. Years ago, they may have taken modest ads in the Yellow Pages. Today it might be basic websites. How do these quiet guys survive? by Marcus Webb
Author: Marcus Webb
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| A Prescription For AMOA
Issue: Vol. 51, No. 10, October 2011
The 63-year-old Amusement and Music Operators Association conducts an in-depth member survey for the first time since the 1990s, getting some constructive feedback from its operator members... by Marcus Webb
Author: Marcus Webb
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| Patent Reform May Clear Path For Renewed Vending Innovation
Issue: Vol. 51, No. 10, October 2011
The America Invents Act, a new law that overhauls how we encourage and protect innovation, was passed and signed unnoticed. But it's a very big deal... by Hank Schlesinger
Author: Hank Schlesinger
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| Is It Time To Push The Envelope In Bulk Vending?
Issue: Vol. 51, No. 9, September 2011
Pushing the envelope is a well-known aviation expression. It refers to testing the limitations of aircraft and flight. Who could blame businesspeople for adopting the phrase? There are even bulk vendors pushing the envelope... by Hank Schlesinger
Author: Hank Schlesinger
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| Lemons And Lemonade
Issue: Vol. 51, No. 9, September 2011
Discretionary spending accounts for 70% of America's economy -- and 100% of music and amusements. So when economists analyze consumer spending, their findings are extremely pertinent to the amusement trade... by Marcus Webb
Author: Marcus Webb
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| Supreme Triumph, Times Two
Issue: Vol. 51, No. 8, August 2011
Operators are breathing more easily after U.S. Supreme Court rules against videogame censorship, Illinois Supreme Court upholds operator-run VLTs... by Marcus Webb
Author: Marcus Webb
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| The Collocated Show Is The Right Show At The Right Time
Issue: Vol. 51, No. 8, August 2011
This year's National Bulk Vendors Association show planners again are collocating the event with Amusement Expo, seeking to surpass last year's triumph... by Hank Schlesinger
Author: Hank Schlesinger
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| The 21st Century Tinkerers Who May Shape The Future
Issue: Vol. 51, No. 6, June 2011
Bulk vending is perhaps one of the few industries in which a vital piece of equipment is kept in "over" service, with pride. But is that a good strategy? by Hank Schlesinger
Author: Hank Schlesinger
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| What Business Are You In?
Issue: Vol. 51, No. 6, June 2011
The amusement and music operating profession is more than a century old but its members still can't seem to agree on exactly what it is they do. In fact... by Marcus Webb
Author: Marcus Webb
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| Atlas Is Shrugging
Issue: Vol. 51, No. 5, May 2011
This spring's movie hit based on Ayn Rand's classic novel speaks to American operators, most of whom are feeling the pinch of taxation and regulations... by Marcus Webb
Author: Marcus Webb
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| Transforming Bulk Vending, One Operator And One Location At A Time
Issue: Vol. 51, No. 5, May 2011
There are some operators in this bad economy who are doing just fine. And as the economy continues to sputter, they have managed to increase machine revenues and locations... by Hank Schlesinger
Author: Hank Schlesinger
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| A Tale Of Two Operators
Issue: Vol. 51, No. 4, April 2011
The best time to be in the coin-op business is always "right now" -- if you're the right kind of operator... by Marcus Webb
Author: Marcus Webb
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| A Brave New World For Bulk Vending
Issue: Vol. 51, No. 4, April 2011
The collocated Amusement Expo and NBVA convention settled the point about the current state of bulk vending once and for all: It's very much an industry in transition... by Hank Schlesinger
Author: Hank Schlesinger
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| How To Find New Opportunities
Issue: Vol. 51, No. 3, March 2011
Leading industry members constantly wonder: Where is the "next big thing" coming from in the amusement and music industry? Where can we get new blood? How can we generate fresh thinking? And above all, where do great new ideas and opportunities come from? by Marcus Webb
Author: Marcus Webb
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| The Fuel And The Fire Of Business Technology
Issue: Vol. 51, No. 3, March 2011
My high school auto shop teacher's favorite expression was "fuel or fire?" He simply meant that 90% of the time when a car won't start, the problem could be traced to the fuel delivery or electrical systems. I can see a similar concept when it comes to technology in bulk vending... by Hank Schlesinger
Author: Hank Schlesinger
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| Hard Work, Luck And The Simplicity Of Smart
Issue: Vol. 51, No. 2, February 2011
"The harder I work, the luckier I get," said Samuel Goldwyn of MGM, though the quote is also attributed to at least a half dozen others, including Thomas Jefferson. Still, it remains one of the best business quotes I can imagine... Hank Schlesinger
Author: Hank Schlesinger
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