Family Business Trivia Question 4

According to Family Business Magazine's August 2008 list of the world's oldest family companies, which country has the most of the oldest family owned businesses?

a. France
b. Italy
c. United States
d. Germany

The answer is D, Germany!

Germany is home to 17 of the world's oldest family owned companies. It's oldest is #6 Hotel Pilgrim Haus in Soest, founded in 1304 by of Anderhach family. The United States is a close second with 16 companies, with Zildjian Cymbal Co. ranking # 32; Italy has 13, including a business tied for second as the oldest in the world, Pontificia Fonderia Marinelli est. 1000; and France is home to 11 of the companies, including the other second place company, Château de Goulaine, est. 1000.
Check out the entire list of the world's oldest companies here: http://www.familybusinessmagazine.com/worldsoldest.html

Stay curious,

Team ARC

Family Business Trivia Question 3

According to another list by Family Business Magazine, Wal-Mart Stores Inc. and Ford Motor Co. are the top one and two largest family businesses in the United States. Florida is home to 4 of the top 30 companies on this list; which Florida company below is NOT of America's largest family businesses?

a. Jabil Circuit Inc.
b. Cheeburger Cheeburger Inc.
c. Publix Super Markets Inc.
d. JM Family Enterprises Inc.

The answer is B, Cheeburger Cheeburger!

In fact, Cheeburger Cheeburger isn't even a family business. Carnival Corp. is the fourth Florida based family business that made Family Business Magazine's list. Here are their rankings as America's largest family businesses: Publix Super Markets Inc. #13; Carnival Corp. #24; Jabil Circuit Inc. #26; JM Family Enterprises Inc. #27. See the complete list, and some information on the companies here: http://www.familybusinessmagazine.com/largest_u.s.html

Stay curious,

Team ARC

Family Business Trivia Question 2

According to a list compiled by Family Business Magazine, what is America's oldest family business?

a. The Seaside Inn and Cottages
b. Saunderskill Farms
c. Zildjian Cymbal Co.
d. Shirley Plantation

The answer is C, Zildjian Cymbal Co.

Exisiting since 1623, the company was founded 14 generations ago in Constantinople by an alchemist named Avedis I, who discovered an extremely musical metal alloy to create powerful, durable cymbals. The sultan named him “Zildjian,” Armenian for “cymbalsmith.” The family arrived in the U.S. in 1929, in time for Avedis Zildjian III to establish ties with hot, rising jazz drummers. His son Armand (1921-2002) created the company’s modern factory. Today his daughters Craigie (CEO) and Debbie (VP-human resources) are Zildjian’s first women leaders in its long history. The other three business are also among the oldest: The Seaside Inn and Cottages founded in 1667; Saunderskill Farms in 1680; and Shirley Plantation in 1638. You can check out the whole list here: http://www.familybusinessmagazine.com/oldestcos.html

Stay curious,

Team ARC

Another Mid-Semester Tip

Ask yourself, “Would I pay myself for what I’m doing right now?”

If your job was to be a full-time student, which for many of you it is, would you be earning your weekly paycheck? Whether we admit it or not, many of us receive some type of funding to be here: we get scholarships, grants, loans, etc. Thereby it is your job to be here; well scratch that, it isn’t just your job to be here, it is your job to do well here. Are you fulfilling the terms of that contract? If you were an employer would you pay someone for the job that you are doing? Food for thought.

Stay curious,

Team ARC

Family Business Trivia Question 1

True or False: Family businesses must be owned by family members

The answer is False!

Family businesses may have owners who are not family members. Family businesses may also be managed by individuals who are not members of the family. However, family members are often involved in the operations of their family business in some capacity and, in smaller companies, usually one or more family members are the senior officers and managers.

Stay curious,

Team ARC

Theatre Trivia Question 5

If you want to feature an actor in the place the audience will look first--in the United States--where should you direct the actor to stand?

a. Center stage
b. Downstage right
c. Upstage
d. Downstage left

The answer is B, Downstage right!

Downstage right puts the actor on the front of the stage, a place sure to bring attention, and at the audience's left. Since Americans read left to right, they are inclined to look to the left first.

Stay curious,

Team ARC

Theatre Trivia Question 4

The practice of performing in public places for tips and gratuities is known as what?

a. Begging
b. Sponging
c. Busking
d. All of the above

The answer is C, Busking!

People engaging in this practice are called buskers. Buskers may also be known as street performers, street musicians, minstrels or troubadours. Busking performances can be just about anything that people find entertaining: acrobatics, animal tricks, balloon twisting, card tricks, clowning, comedy, contortions & escapes, dance, fire eating, fire breathing, fortune-telling, juggling, magic, mime and a mime variation where the artist performs as a living statue, musical performance, puppeteering, snake charming, storytelling or recite poetry or prose as a bard, street art (sketching and painting, etc.), street theatre, sword swallowing, and even putting on a flea circus. In the USA, busking is protected under the freedom of speech, and about the only reasons that can be used to regulate or ban busking behavior are public safety issues and noise issues. It's not considered begging because these performers are providing a service to those who offer tips.

Stay curious,

Team ARC