The Skinny

SAS a ‘fatted cow’? New York Times takes an in-depth look

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 12:41:52 -0500

The Skinny: In “At a Software Powerhouse, the Good Life Is Under Siege,” the Times documents at length the qualities that make SAS a target for larger rivals, such as IBM. One analyst calls SAS a “fatted cow.” But Chief Executive Officer Jim Goodnight is ready to fight. “No one can match our toolbox,” he says.

Lenovo squares off with SquareTrade in laptop reliability study battle

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 10:40:46 -0500

Top PR spokesperson at world’s No. 4 PC maker questions reliability of study conducted by firm that sells after-market warranties. The company fires back in defense.

Looking for a job? Many venture-backed startups are hiring

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 07:37:33 -0500

Note: The Skinny blog is written by Rick Smith, editor and co-founder of Local Tech Wire and business editor of WRAL.com.

It’s Entrepreneurship Week – Matthew Szulik, Ping Fu, Vivek Wadhwa speak out

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 08:14:12 -0500

The Skinny: One shudders to think what the United States would be like today without entrepreneurs who weren’t afraid to risk all. Well, come to think of it, our country as we know it wouldn’t exist at all.

Key to investor-startup relationship? 'Absolute proactive candor'

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 07:56:26 -0500

The Skinny: Veteran venture capitalist Kip Frey has been on both sides of the startup financing challenges. As he leaves Intersouth to become CEO at startup Zemph, he shares insight into how investors and entrepreneurs can improve their relationships – and wearing socks to board meetings.

Dirty secret of war on terror? Low-tech can defeat high-tech, author warns

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 05:09:30 -0500

Fanatics will use latest tech as a weapon, even if they use low-tech to stay hidden, says Christopher Andrew, author of British secret service's authorized history. "Human nature has not changed in 20,000 years," he stresses. "To believe that fanatics won’t use the latest technology for an attack – I can’t get my head around that one."

Interested in business of spies? Author of British MI5 history is coming to Raleigh

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 07:55:57 -0500

Christopher Andrew, one of the world’s premier historians of espionage in the Cold War and history professor at Cambridge, will be appearing at Quail Ridge Books to discuss and sign copies of his critically praised “Defend the Realm – The Authorized History of MI5.”

Durham-Chapel Hill metro tops Raleigh-Cary in ‘Best Performing’ list

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 08:14:08 -0500

The Skinny: In Milken Institute’s annual report, Durham-Chapel Hill vaults 15 spots while Raleigh-Cary tumbles to 10th from second. One-year job performance causes the flip. Fayetteville, meanwhile, climbs. Charlotte and Atlanta fall.

Long-term vision for Intersouth-backed Alimera Sciences could be cloudy

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 08:11:17 -0500

Georgia-based developer of ophthalmic drugs pins its financial future on a re-filed IPO and a drug candidate in late clinical trials as cash runs low.

Off the grid – The Skinny is taking a break

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 07:22:12 -0500

Note: The Skinny blog is written by Rick Smith, editor and co-founder of Local Tech Wire and business editor of WRAL.com.