The Focus Group

Who knew that uptight and Islamic Pakistan has a thriving dildo and butt plug business. Don’t get caught or talking about it, but if you know how to get around the law, you can live well off the sale…

Shop Talk looks at LGBTQ discrimination stats in the workplace and society in general. McDonalds and Hyundai announce they will start or increase their spending on diverse marketing initiatives. As w…

A Wyoming Senator seeking to unseat Rep. Liz Cheney admits to impregnating a 14-year-old when he was 18. He says it was a Romeo and Juliet story and that bringing it up is dirty politics. Can you say…

Shop Talk dispels the myth that extroverts make better leaders than introverts. We think charisma and a bit of acting also are traits that make for a good leader. But first, our Business Birthday cel…

Mattel is launching a new program called Playback, that will aim to put the company on track to use 100% recycled or bio-based plastics in all their products by 2030. We wonder why there is no incent…

Shop Talk visits with Ben Franklin and some 300-year-old advice on how to not be unlikable that’s still relevant today. Microsoft Office is in search of new default font and John has a favorite of th…

Wall Street Big Wig and JPMorgan Chase CEO is tired of the ZOOM call and thinks business is suffering by too much isolation…and he has anecdotal proof. Chasten Buttigieg is owning his weight gain dur…

Shop Talk discusses President Biden’s plans for modernizing Amtrak. Amtrak Joe, as he has been known for years, has advocated for improvements to America’s passenger railway and we could not agree mo…

A Tennessee CEO is fired after harassing a young man for wearing a dress to his prom. Sam Johnson, former CEO of VisuWell, said the young man looked like an idiot and things escalated from there. Ano…

Shop Talk looks at 19 things rich people rarely do—thanks Readers Digest. But first, our Business Birthday celebrates Italian Industrialist Ferruccio Lamborghini. Caught My Eye from John looks at a t…

Mark Cuban continues to employ one lesson he learned from his mentor decades ago. The first thing he does after he sits down for a meeting is write the word “listen,” on the top of the page. It has d…

Shop Talk shares a riff from Ellen about gay cartoon characters that is spot on. We also look at the cost and waiting lists for backyard pools. But first, our Business Birthday is Ivan Combe of Clear…

A New Jersey high school principal and wrestling coach is listed as the head of a company whose stock is trading at levels that give it a valuation of more than $100 million—and all it owns is a sing…

Shop Talk asks 12 questions regarding social security benefits and only 3% of people quizzed were able to get all 12 correct. But first, our Business Birthday wishes Volvo Cars a happy 94th today. Ca…

Russian President Putin bans same-sex marriage and assures himself power until 2035. Poland’s “free of LGBT” towns have second thoughts as other member states of the EU pull financial support and cul…

Shop Talk looks at corporations that believe we will be back in the office sooner than we think. Also, a new book of lessons learned from Mom and NASA. Hint: It's all about respect. But first, LEGO i…

VW tried to play along with an early April Fool's Joke that revealed that the brand would now be known as Voltswagen. The Wall Street Journal, CNBC, and Auto News did not find the joke funny. Fire Is…

Shop Talk covers 11 common grammar mistakes we all should avoid, and we reveal what Apple says is their product of most value. But first, Designer and first woman to lead a Fortune 500 company, Liz C…

Utah Gov. Spencer Cox signs a divisive measure that would require cell phones and tablets sold in the state to block all pornography, deemed a public health crisis. Five other states must enact simil…

Shop Talk comes from The Ladders this week and helps us avoid overused phrases and jargon that recruiters despise. But first, Joseph Roland Barbera, of Hanna-Barbera fame, is our Business Birthday. A…