Author: scott.hodges

Girl Scout Cookies: Empowering Young Entrepreneurs

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The Girl Scout Cookie Program, generating approximately $800 million annually, stands as one of America’s most successful youth entrepreneurship initiatives. As the 2025 cookie season continues, both businesses and consumers should understand what makes this program significant beyond satisfying sweet cravings.

The program teaches Girl Scouts five essential business skills through hands-on experience. Participants set and work toward sales goals, make strategic marketing decisions, manage financial transactions and budgets, develop customer service abilities through direct sales, and learn to operate with honesty and accountability. These experiences provide practical education that many successful businesswomen credit as foundational to their careers.

The economic impact remains predominantly local. Unlike many fundraisers, cookie sale proceeds stay within communities, with troops determining how to allocate their earnings. Funds support educational experiences like STEM programs, outdoor adventures, and leadership development workshops. Troops also invest significantly in community service projects like food drives or park cleanups. Additionally, proceeds help purchase necessary supplies, uniforms, and badges, while maintaining Girl Scout facilities – creating a cycle of community reinvestment.

For 2025, the cookie lineup includes top sellers like Thin Mints, Caramel deLites/Samoas, and Peanut Butter Patties/Tagalongs alongside newer options like Adventurefuls and Lemon-Ups. Specialty options such as gluten-free Toffee-tastic and Caramel Chocolate Chip continue to address dietary preferences. However, Girl Scout S’mores and Toast-Yay! are being retired after this season. Contact your local Girl Scout council to find out which Girl Scout Cookies are available in your area.

The national cookie season typically runs January through April, with specific timing varying by local council. Distribution channels have evolved beyond traditional storefront booths to include the Digital Cookie platform for online ordering and a Cookie Finder tool that helps consumers locate nearby sales. Corporate bulk orders represent a growing sales channel for businesses looking to support the program while stocking office break rooms.

This youth entrepreneurship program continues to demonstrate how combining business education with community investment creates lasting economic and social value—one cookie box at a time.

The Business World’s Most Unexpected Sport

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In a twist that illustrates our data-driven era, the Microsoft Excel World Championship has transformed spreadsheet mastery from a quiet office skill into a competitive spectator sport. In December 2024, professionals gathered at the HyperX Arena in Las Vegas to compete in advanced spreadsheet challenges that decided this year’s champion.

Toronto-based financial modeling director Michael Jarman secured the 2024 championship title, succeeding previous three-time champion Andrew “The Annihilator” Ngai. The competition awards a $5,000 prize and WWE-style championship belt. This year’s finale drew 400 spectators, with more watching an ESPN3 livestream.

The competition currently reaches most viewers through ESPN’s annual obscure sports showcase, sharing airtime with events like speed chess and the World Dog Surfing Championships. Despite this unconventional placement, the competition has developed from a niche contest into a structured competitive event.

The championship operates through a structured elimination format, beginning with monthly qualification rounds from January to October. These rounds lead to online playoffs, ultimately narrowing the field to just twelve finalists for the Las Vegas event. During the finals, competitors face 30-minute challenges with the lowest-scoring participant facing elimination every five minutes.

Rather than traditional financial modeling, the challenges test advanced Excel capabilities through varied scenarios that highlight the software’s analytical capabilities beyond conventional business applications. In the final round this year, participants had to build complex spreadsheets tracking statistics for a simulated World of Warcraft game, complete with an eight-page instruction manual. Previous challenges have included everything from wine selection analytics to asteroid mining data analysis, all with the 30-minute time pressure.

Looking ahead, organizers plan to expand the event with larger prize pools and increased corporate involvement. However, for the business world, this competition isn’t just entertainment. While the competitive format may differ from typical office applications, the core skills demonstrated align with those required for complex business analysis and data management. The champions’ arsenal includes sophisticated techniques like XLOOKUP functions, Power Query capabilities, and multi-criteria analysis – skills that translate directly to real-world business applications.

New Strategy: User-Generated Content at the Super Bowl

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The Super Bowl has long been a prime stage for innovative advertising. This year, Doritos has revived its popular “Crash the Super Bowl” contest. The winning commercial, “Abduction,” will air during the first quarter of Super Bowl LIX, marking the competition’s return after an eight-year hiatus.

The winning entry, a collaboration between director Dylan Bradshaw and digital creator Nate Norvell, humorously depicts a standoff between an alien tractor beam and a determined snacker vying for a bag of Doritos. Chosen from over 25 semifinalists, the 30-second spot earned its creators a million-dollar prize and Super Bowl tickets.

The contest invited aspiring advertisers to submit original commercial concepts through an online platform. Entries underwent multiple evaluation rounds, considering creativity, brand alignment, and production feasibility. Public voting then played a key role in selecting the final winner in order to generate engagement and ensure the ad resonated with Doritos’ audience.

The contest’s revival aligns with a broader marketing trend that integrates traditional advertising with user-generated content (UGC). Brands like Poppi and Bud Light have also leveraged UGC to create authentic audience connections at a lower cost. Studies suggest that audience-created ads often achieve higher memorability rates than professional productions.

PepsiCo has incorporated the contest into a comprehensive Super Bowl strategy. The timing of “Abduction” in the first quarter positions it to reach maximum viewership, while coordinated social media teasers and behind-the-scenes content maintain audience engagement beyond game day. The campaign also supports the launch of Doritos’ new Golden Sriracha flavor.

While Super Bowl ad slots command premium rates of $7-8 million per 30 seconds, the return on investment can be substantial. Research from Kantar indicates that 2021 Super Bowl ads delivered an average ROI of $4.60 per dollar spent, with some brands achieving even greater returns. Success depends on creative execution and strategic placement.

By integrating fan creativity with strategic oversight, Doritos has developed a campaign that blends traditional advertising with digital engagement. This approach highlights the power of consumer participation in modern marketing, and offers an innovative model for engagement. It also demonstrates how brands can create impactful, memorable content that extends beyond a single broadcast moment.

Microsoft Plans $80 Billion AI Infrastructure Investment in 2025

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Microsoft will invest $80 billion in AI infrastructure during fiscal year 2025, focusing on data centers designed to process AI workloads. The company plans to allocate more than half of these funds to U.S.-based operations, supporting its aim to maintain American leadership in AI development. This investment follows the widespread adoption of AI tools after OpenAI’s release of ChatGPT in late 2022.

Microsoft’s investment extends beyond its existing $13 billion partnership with OpenAI. The company has already integrated AI capabilities across its products, including Windows, Teams, and Azure. In the first quarter of fiscal 2025, the company’s revenue from Azure and other cloud services increased 33% compared to the previous year, with AI services contributing significantly to this performance. CFO Amy Hood has signaled that capital expenditures will continue to rise in the fiscal second quarter.

The $80 billion investment aligns with broader U.S. goals to establish American AI technology as the preferred choice globally. The planned data centers will not only support AI model training and deployment but also strengthen the country’s ability to export AI technologies to international partners. This infrastructure expansion comes at a crucial time as the U.S. seeks to maintain its technological edge through international regulatory cooperation and strategic partnerships.

The United States currently holds a leading position in global AI development, with U.S. companies responsible for 73% of large language model development, compared to China’s 15%. In private investment as well, the U.S. attracts $67.2 billion in AI-related capital in 2023, outpacing China’s $7.8 billion. American companies like OpenAI, Anthropic, Google, and Microsoft drive technological innovation in both civilian and military applications, while also emphasizing ethical AI development and cybersecurity. The U.S. maintains its advantage through a strong talent pool, with 57% of elite AI researchers working in the country, though competition for this talent remains intense.

Brad Smith, Microsoft’s Vice Chair and President, emphasizes that private capital and innovation are essential to maintaining the U.S.’s leadership position in the global AI landscape. Against the backdrop of China’s expanding influence in AI development, Smith has called on the incoming U.S. administration to enhance AI education and promote American AI technologies internationally. This push for educational investment and global outreach, supported by Microsoft’s infrastructure expansion, is part of a comprehensive approach to achieving U.S. goals in the rapidly evolving field of artificial intelligence.

Former Giants QB Eli Manning Eyes Potential Ownership Role

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Two-time Super Bowl champion Eli Manning has expressed interest in acquiring a minority ownership stake in the New York Giants, the team where he spent his entire 16-year NFL career. In a recent CNBC Sport interview, Manning confirmed that the Giants would be “the only team” he would consider pursuing as an owner.

Manning’s interest comes at a pivotal time as the NFL adapts to modern sports economics by allowing private equity investment of up to 10% in franchises, opening new opportunities for minority ownership across the league. The move reflects the NFL’s broader strategy to keep pace with rising team valuations while ensuring long-term financial stability. It enables teams to access additional capital while maintaining traditional ownership structures, as demonstrated by recent transactions across the league. The Giants, owned by the Mara family since their 1925 founding, have not commented on Manning’s interest. However, similar transactions have recently occurred across the NFL, including Tom Brady’s acquisition of a stake in the Las Vegas Raiders.

While exploring potential ownership opportunities, Manning continues to diversify his business portfolio. Beyond his current role as a minority stake holder in NJ/NY Gotham FC soccer team and partner at Brand Velocity Group, he will serve as a Verizon FanFest ambassador for upcoming stadium events featuring celebrity meet-and-greets with former NFL stars.

“I think my quest post-football is trying to find that passion and find something similar that I can work towards,” Manning reflected on his post-NFL journey. He remains connected to his former team, recently supporting the Giants’ decision to retain head coach Brian Daboll and general manager Joe Schoen. “You’ve got to create some sort of continuity and keep things the same, build that culture, and that just takes time,” he noted, demonstrating his continued investment in the team’s success even as he explores new business ventures in his post-playing career.

Automatic Relief Coming: IRS to Distribute $2.4B in Unclaimed Tax Credits

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The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is preparing to distribute a wave of special payments to nearly one million American taxpayers who missed claiming their 2021 Recovery Rebate Credit, popularly known as stimulus checks, that was a part of the CARES Act. The distribution, totaling approximately $2.4 billion, will commence this month and continue through January 2025, with eligible individuals receiving up to $1,400 each.

These payments target taxpayers who filed their 2021 tax returns but overlooked claiming the Recovery Rebate Credit, either by leaving the field blank or entering zero. In a move to streamline the process, the IRS will automatically issue these payments without requiring amended returns from eligible recipients.

Distribution methods will vary based on taxpayers’ current banking information. Those with valid bank accounts on file with the IRS will receive their payments through direct deposit, while others will receive paper checks at their registered mailing addresses. This dual approach ensures efficient delivery to all eligible recipients.

For taxpayers who haven’t yet filed their 2021 returns, there’s still time to act. The IRS has set a deadline of April 15, 2025, for claiming the credit and any other outstanding refunds. Importantly, receiving this credit won’t impact eligibility for federal benefit programs such as SSI, SNAP, TANF, or WIC.

Taxpayers can verify their eligibility by reviewing Line 30 of Form 1040 or Line 15 of Form 1040-SR on their 2021 tax return. Those who need to update their banking information for direct deposit can do so through their tax software before filing, or contact the IRS directly for alternative arrangements. The IRS encourages taxpayers to visit their website for complete details about eligibility requirements and payment amounts.

From Ireland to Dubai: Michael James Burke’s Perspective on Life and Business in the UAE

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The United Arab Emirates has long been known as a global hub for business and innovation, but recent statistics reveal some trends in immigration and economic growth that may be surprising to those who are unfamiliar with this growing corner of the Middle East.

One of the most striking facts about the UAE is the sheer scale of the expatriate population. As of 2024, an astounding 88% of the country’s total population were foreign born. This means that of the roughly 10 million residents of the UAE, nearly 9 million were born elsewhere. This demographic has transformed the UAE into a uniquely diverse tapestry of over 200 nationalities.

On the business front, Dubai has issued 45,653 new business licenses in just the first half of 2023, a surprising 33% increase compared to the previous year. This surge in entrepreneurship and corporate expansion reflects the UAE’s growing reputation as a startup haven and business-friendly environment. The country boasts a tax-free environment, with no income tax, and 9% corporate tax rate in many sectors and free zones, which adds to its allure.

Among the expats living in the UAE is businessman and philanthropist Michael James Burke. Born in Ireland, Burke has been living in the UAE since 2004. Having fallen in love with Dubai as a child on vacation, he got involved in UAE real estate and ultimately decided to make the UAE his full-time home.

Like many entrepreneurs, Burke benefits from the UAE’s business-oriented and tax-free approach. But there are other perks of living and doing business in the UAE that are less well known.

“The UAE is the safest place in the world,” he said. “There is just no crime here – you don’t have to worry about locking your car or leaving your purse somewhere. No one steals here. No one litters – the streets are clean, and you feel safe wherever you go.”

In fact, the UAE’s safety index score of 84.43 makes it the second safest country in the world, surpassed only by Iceland.

When asked if he misses Ireland, Burke talks about the vibrant Irish community located in the heart of Dubai. “People are surprised to learn that there are so many Irish expats here. But the Irish have been here for decades. Irish workers planned the beautiful, wide roads in this country. They built the horse racing industry in the UAE. We have our own sports leagues and community activities. It’s a little taste of home right here in the Middle East.”

As the UAE continues to evolve on the global stage, it presents a unique blend of opportunities for both individuals and businesses. The country’s commitment to safety, diversity, and economic growth has created an environment that attracts people from all corners of the world. From its tax-free incentives to its multicultural communities, the UAE offers a haven for those seeking new horizons. For businessmen like Michael James Burke, the UAE has become more than just a temporary destination—it has become a home.

The Reality of Mega Millions: Jackpots, Odds, and Insights

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What would the holidays look like this year if you won $670 million? Tomorrow’s Mega Millions lottery drawing presents an estimated jackpot of $670 million, with a cash option of $317.8 million. This latest jackpot is part of a remarkable series of significant payouts that have characterized the lottery this year.

The game’s recent history is particularly notable, with several substantial jackpots making headlines. In September of this year, a lucky ticket holder in Texas claimed an $810 million prize. In June, a player in Illinois won $552 million, and an even more remarkable $1.128 billion jackpot was won in New Jersey in March, which remains unclaimed.

Mega Millions operates across a broad landscape, available in 45 states, Washington, D.C., and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Participation is straightforward: players can purchase a $2 ticket and select five numbers from 1 to 70 and one Mega Ball number from 1 to 25, or opt for a Quick Pick random selection. The game also offers a Megaplier option for an additional $1, which can multiply non-jackpot prizes. Drawings occur twice weekly on Tuesdays and Fridays at 11:00 PM ET/8:00 PM PT.

The statistical odds provide a sobering perspective on the lottery’s challenges. Winning the jackpot stands at 1 in 302,575,350, while the chances of winning any prize are more encouraging at 1 in 24. Historically, the Mega Millions lottery has seen jackpots exceeding $600 million approximately once every 2.2 years.

Players have multiple options when it comes to potential winnings. Winners can choose between an annuity payment spread over time or a lower lump sum cash payment. It’s important for participants to understand the key details of participation. Winning tickets must be cashed in the state or jurisdiction where they were purchased, and careful financial planning is essential for anyone fortunate enough to win.

While the odds remain nearly impossible, it’s difficult not to think about the question: what would you do if you won a few hundred million dollars?

Popular Choice: Wicked Defies Gravity with Record-Breaking Opening

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Universal’s Wicked has claimed a new record for Broadway film adaptations with a $114 million domestic opening weekend. Combined with international earnings of $50.2 million, the film has amassed a global total of $164.2 million. This performance substantially surpasses the previous record holder, Into the Woods, which opened with $31 million domestically in 2014.

The success of Wicked carries broader significance for Hollywood’s post-pandemic recovery, securing its position as 2024’s third-highest domestic debut, behind only Deadpool & Wolverine and Inside Out 2. This achievement points to a potential revival of movie musicals, a genre that has faced challenges in recent years.

The film’s release coincides with a transformative period in the film industry. Major theater chains are investing heavily in modernizing the moviegoing experience, with the National Association of Theatre Owners (NATO) reporting a $2.2 billion commitment to upgrade facilities with advanced technologies like laser projection and immersive sound systems. Theaters are also increasingly incorporating experiential elements such as themed environments and interactive displays to cater to younger audiences who value unique, shareable experiences.

For the release of Wicked, theaters have created themed merchandise and concessions, creating an immersive experience that differentiates theatrical viewing from home entertainment. This includes concessions like collectible popcorn tins in Elphaba green and Glinda pink and themed beverages, as well as places for photo opportunities and plans for events like sing-along screenings.

As theaters continue to evolve their business models, the success of movies like Wicked provides insights into audience preferences that may influence future decisions regarding theatrical adaptations of stage productions. It also points to a positive trend in box office revenues, suggesting continued recovery for theatrical releases.

Kentucky: The New Battery Capital of the United States

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Kentucky is rapidly emerging as a leader in the battery manufacturing industry, with a recent announcement of a $712 million project by Canadian Solar Inc. set to solidify this position. The Shelbyville Battery Manufacturing plant, expected to begin production in late 2025, will create 1,572 jobs and produce industrial-sized batteries for energy storage and distribution.

This investment is part of a larger trend in Kentucky, with battery-related projects totaling nearly $12 billion in investments and creating over 10,280 full-time jobs. Governor Andy Beshear emphasized the state’s ambition to become “the battery capital of the United States.”

The Shelbyville plant will focus on utility-scale energy storage systems, producing batteries that are crucial for a green energy future and a secure power grid. These large batteries, measuring about 20 feet long, can be paired with renewable energy sources like solar and wind, ensuring a steady flow of power even when these sources are not actively generating electricity. For example, when nighttime usage drops as people are sleeping, wind energy can be stored in batteries to be use during times of higher demand.

This shift towards sustainable energy storage marks a significant transition for Kentucky, traditionally known for its coal industry. The state is now positioning itself at the forefront of energy security and grid reliability for the entire country.

The project, the largest in Shelby County’s history, also includes a research and development lab to advance battery technology. This investment not only creates job opportunities but also contributes to Kentucky’s economic momentum and technological advancement in the energy sector.