Facebook + Baidu = Dream Team?

There has been rumors of Facebook teaming up with China's #1 search engine, Baidu. Baidu came to prominence when it took over the search engine market after rivaling with Google and eventually became the top dog. What does it mean if Facebook teams up with Baidu? One way for Facebook to make money is to license its search algorithm or form strategic alliances to leverage its humongous information database.

Facebook issued the following statement: "Facebook is currently studying and learning about China, as part of evaluating any possible approaches that could benefit our users, developers and advertisers."

Shark Tan Feature: Kevin O'Leary-ISM

For those that haven't noticed, I love Shark Tank! These Sharks depict the real dog-eat-dog world that these business moguls have struggled and survived, and ultimately came out as the Top Dogs.

By far, my favorite quotes have been coming from Kevin O'Leary, a self-made entrepreneur who sold his business to Mattel for $3.7 billion.

1. Let me tell you something. If you were in one of my business school classes, I would spray you down with water and every time you say "I don't know." I'd hit you with an electric cattle prod. You gotta know this stuff!
2. I'm going to sneeze I'm allergic to bad ideas. 
3. My money has its own soul.
4. Can it make me money? That's all I care about. 
5. I just love my money too much. I'm out.

Someone should make a book from these memorable quotes!

Toyota, Nissan, and Honda resume production in Japan

The WSJ reports that Toyota, Nissan, and Honda will continue their manufacturing operations in Japan in late April. Unfortunately, the production will be at half of its original production volume, for an indefinite time length.  These 3 auto giants have discontinued their operations for three months due to the earthquake destruction. This has a ripple effect on its counterpart factories around the world -- Toyota, Nissan and Honda also have reduced production level at overseas plants.

This is good news for Japan. I'm glad to see companies are getting back on their feet. Hopefully Japan's economy will recover soon enough. Of course, this is great news for American auto makers. No longer will Japanese cars be the dominant force they once were. GM and others will finally gain the upper hand and win back the American consumer market.