David Wyld

Shoplifting is often referred to euphemistically as "the five finger discount." According to the Urban Dictionary, the term represents "stealing" from a company. More specifically, the noun means:

Confusion is definitely not the desired end result of any marketing effort! So imagine the plight facing the upper administration of one particular college in California. Consider the case of Long Beach State—or rather as this school of well over 30,000 students is officially known, California State University, Long Beach. It's the third largest school in the CSU system, and a sizable university that would outrank many much more well known university "brands" by enrollment.

We have witnessed many rebranding efforts in the annals of marketing history. Some have been spectacular successes, while others, well, not so good!

One thing we know for sure today is that the rules, the norms, the expectations—in short, everything—is changing regarding interactions of men and women!

This past June, when the last Toys "R" Us stores closed, retail analysts—along with many, many "regular" people across the country—lamented what was the end of an era. There was a general consensus that this was not just another corporate bankruptcy. It was the death of American retail icon, one that had changed the toy industry and had been the "go-to" place for toys (until it wasn't)—more than any other major retail chain that had closed in recent years.

We may all sometimes have a fantasy—a dream—about how we will one day leave our jobs. Some picture having a big, catered party with their coworkers, ending in a crescendo of toasts/speeches that go on way too long and hopefully, a lovely parting gift from the company. Others, well, they hope to simply walk out into the night, hoping for no cake, no balloons, no fanfare. These dreams of leaving voluntarily—whether a few months from now, in a year or two, or in a few decades, ending in retirement and a gold watch (well, maybe a fake gold, good knock-off watch from TJ Maxx these days)—are generally of the pleasant variety.