It's ironic that retailers and restaurants live or die on customer service, yet their employees have some of the lowest pay and worst benefits of any industry. That's one reason so many retail experiences are mediocre for the public.

I do feel, in a sense, the rules of engagement for citizenship has changed, and we must encourage other people to speak up and to take action.

Americans reading the paper, listening to the news every single day, and all you hear is things are getting worse and worse. And that has a psychological effect on consumer confidence. That's what consumer confidence is.

Any business today that embraces the status quo as an operating principle is going to be on a death march.

Don't buy preground coffee.

Everyone starts strong. Success comes to those with unwavering commitment to be at the end.

We are witnessing a seismic change in consumer behavior. That change is being brought about by technology and the access people have to information.