Francorp has worked with 112 of the most recent Franchise 500 companies. This is important from the perspective that Francorp as a consulting firm has done work with these franchise systems, many of which Francorp developed from the ground up. Francorp is renowned as the world leader in franchise development and new franchise launches. The firm continues to develop successful franchise systems today after 34 years of franchise consulting work. Look over the Francorp corporate site for more information on the firm and the clients Francorp has developed.
www.Francorp.com
Showing posts with label don boroian. Show all posts
Showing posts with label don boroian. Show all posts
Monday, July 6, 2009
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Should I Franchise?
Should I Franchise?
Whether you have a totally new concept or an established business in need of faster growth that is lacking the capital, time and people to expand the question is, “Should I franchise?”
Today more Businesses and greater variety of businesses are implementing franchising to distribute their products and services. Virtually any business can be expanded through franchising. Franchising a business is often the only viable source of capital available for expansion especially in today’s tight credit markets. In most instances, the cost of franchising is often a smaller investment that the cost of establishing just one new location.
After paying the initial cost of developing your franchise program, the remaining cost of expansion along with most of the business risk is assumed by the franchisees. Because the franchisee pays an upfront franchisee fee the franchisor is often able to recoup the total cost of franchise program development rather quickly while establishing a monthly revenue stream from royalties paid by the franchisees.
Franchising can provide the capital for rapid growth when your business doesn’t have the capital, the people, or even the time to establish a company owned growth program. Franchising solves the problems of slow growth, the problems of finding outside capital and the problems of finding the right employees associated with company owned units. Franchising a business is the solution for the problems of money, time and people.
Money
Franchising transfers almost the entire cost of expansion to the franchisees. Franchisees build the building or pay the rent, buy the inventory, pay the employees, do the marketing and provide the working capital until sales make the business profitable. In reality, the growth of a franchise system is limited only by the number of people willing to buy the franchise and the number of locations that can be sold.
Time
If you’re anxious to move quickly before the competition catches on with a hot new concept franchising provides solution. Franchising is the one growth system that allows businesses to expand exponentially. A franchise can grow rapidly simply by selling individual units. Some franchises can grow even faster by selling multiple units or territories to sub franchises. Either way, it is almost always faster to open franchises than company-owned units.
People
Franchisees make excellent employees and managers. They have a vested interested in making the business successful. They own it. A franchisor not only gets a dedicated manager they are relieved from the daily problems associated with hiring, firing and managing employees.
In summary, if you are looking to expand your business and lack capital, time or people, franchising is a viable solution to all three problems. If this scenario applies to you and your business the answer to the question, “Should I franchise?” is definitely yes.
Whether you have a totally new concept or an established business in need of faster growth that is lacking the capital, time and people to expand the question is, “Should I franchise?”
Today more Businesses and greater variety of businesses are implementing franchising to distribute their products and services. Virtually any business can be expanded through franchising. Franchising a business is often the only viable source of capital available for expansion especially in today’s tight credit markets. In most instances, the cost of franchising is often a smaller investment that the cost of establishing just one new location.
After paying the initial cost of developing your franchise program, the remaining cost of expansion along with most of the business risk is assumed by the franchisees. Because the franchisee pays an upfront franchisee fee the franchisor is often able to recoup the total cost of franchise program development rather quickly while establishing a monthly revenue stream from royalties paid by the franchisees.
Franchising can provide the capital for rapid growth when your business doesn’t have the capital, the people, or even the time to establish a company owned growth program. Franchising solves the problems of slow growth, the problems of finding outside capital and the problems of finding the right employees associated with company owned units. Franchising a business is the solution for the problems of money, time and people.
Money
Franchising transfers almost the entire cost of expansion to the franchisees. Franchisees build the building or pay the rent, buy the inventory, pay the employees, do the marketing and provide the working capital until sales make the business profitable. In reality, the growth of a franchise system is limited only by the number of people willing to buy the franchise and the number of locations that can be sold.
Time
If you’re anxious to move quickly before the competition catches on with a hot new concept franchising provides solution. Franchising is the one growth system that allows businesses to expand exponentially. A franchise can grow rapidly simply by selling individual units. Some franchises can grow even faster by selling multiple units or territories to sub franchises. Either way, it is almost always faster to open franchises than company-owned units.
People
Franchisees make excellent employees and managers. They have a vested interested in making the business successful. They own it. A franchisor not only gets a dedicated manager they are relieved from the daily problems associated with hiring, firing and managing employees.
In summary, if you are looking to expand your business and lack capital, time or people, franchising is a viable solution to all three problems. If this scenario applies to you and your business the answer to the question, “Should I franchise?” is definitely yes.
Friday, December 12, 2008
Sustainability Emerges as a Business Model
These two entrepreneurs have learned the cost savings and competitive advantages of going green. Learn how you can be a green entrepreneur in your industry.
When pondering the question "how many ex-environmentalists do you know?" Village Associates real estate agent Ben Olsen's answer is immediate. "The answer is none--once your customers get it, they get it forever." That's why he's incorporating green strategies into his business plan.
Continue to read at:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28196581/
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Going Green in Franchising
Going green
Sustainable building practices deliver savings
By Beth Mattson-TeigAs published in: Franchise Times - February 2007
What do waterless urinals, energy sensors and recycled carpet have in common? They are all elements commonly incorporated in green building.
The premise behind green or sustainable building is to minimize the environmental impact and reduce energy consumption. Green building also has proven to have a positive impact on lowering operating costs, and some studies even show that green buildings contribute to the health and productivity of its occupants.
Green building techniques have been in use since the 1980s, but practical applications are gaining momentum in large part due to rising energy and fuel costs, as well as mounting concerns about global warming. In fact, some industry observers believe that green building will become part of mainstream real estate construction within the next decade.
“We believe that sustainable business practices are the way of the future, and five to 10 years from now, sustainable business practices are going to be extremely important to be able to capture market share from the public,” says Phil Baugh, vice president of Chicago-based Baum Realty Group.
Just Fresh is among a growing number of national brands ranging from Target and Gap to Chipotle and Starbucks that are incorporating green building elements into its stores. Just Fresh began to utilize green building in 2004 with new restaurants such as its Just Fresh store in Mt. Pleasant, S.C.
The restaurant includes green building elements that range from waterless urinals and energy-efficient lighting to the use of natural products such as wheat board in its millwork. Just Fresh also purchased materials from local suppliers to save on fuel consumption in the transportation of those building supplies.
Just Fresh plans to continue to incorporate green building into future stores wherever possible in both ground-up construction and improvements to existing stores. “It ties into our overall business philosophy. Our concept is really focused on being clean and green,” says Dana Sinkler, CEO of Charlotte-based JF Restaurants. Yet Just Fresh also was motivated by the cost savings of features such as automated HVAC and lighting controls.
“It’s really a win-win, because we also save on energy costs going forward,” Sinkler adds.
Exploring green options
Traditionally, the push for green building has been backed by a desire to create a healthier environment and a better planet, notes Taryn Holowka, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Green Building Council. “Now we’re seeing more companies going green because it’s a smart business move for them,” Holowka says.
Green building techniques produce tangible results in using less electricity, which translate to lower utility bills and water bills. In addition, some studies have shown that green building environments also have a positive impact on worker productivity, which in theory translates to fewer sick days and lower employee turnover.
Companies interested in adding green building elements to existing or new stores have a larger selection than ever before. The laundry list of green building products is growing to include everything from less toxic paint and varnishes to recycled steel, tile or carpeting. The top two features for most businesses interested in green building are to reduce the amount of toxins in their environment and reduce energy costs.
One popular product is paint with low levels of volatile organic chemicals (VOC). The low-VOC paint doesn’t produce as much off-gassing or paint fumes, which leads to a cleaner environment. In addition, there are more cabinetry and finished wood products, such as furniture, that are not finished with toxic lacquers and adhesives. Businesses also can reduce energy use with products such as energy sensors, solar heat panels and more efficient light bulbs.
Although the cost of green building materials varies depending on the specific product, many sustainable products are comparable in cost to traditional materials. Recycled drywall, for example, costs about the same as standard drywall. Other items might carry a higher upfront cost, such as energy-efficient light bulbs, but the overall cost is less considering total savings in energy use and the longer life of the bulbs. “Oftentimes you will pay a little more to make it happen, but in the long run I think it will come back to you in energy savings and efficiency,” Sinkler says.
Growing momentum
Other companies that are embracing green building products and design techniques include Rapid Refill, which has taken its corporate recycling philosophy and applied it to its own retail space. For example, the store’s trademark countertops are made from sunflower seed husks that are glued together to create a wood top that also has a distinctive look.
“We like that because it plays into the whole proposition of recycle and reuse,” says Steve Hockett, president of Rapid Refill Ink in Chanhassen, Minn. Rapid Refill reconditions, remanufactures and refills used inkjet and laser toner cartridges for printers, copiers and fax machines.
Total Resource Group is another firm that promotes green building efforts. The company has offered sustainable building materials in the turnkey stores it provided for the last five years. But the company recently decided to go exclusively in that direction and hopes to offer an entirely sustainable store within the next six months. Total Resource Group provides a complete “store-in-a-box”—basically outsourcing everything a franchise needs to create a store from carpeting to furniture.
“We made a corporate decision over the last few months that wherever we can, we are going to encourage our clients to allow us to build out their retail environment as a green store or a sustainable store,” says Bruce Olans, a principal at Total Resource Group in Lincolnwood, Ill. The list of sustainable products runs the gamut from floor to ceiling with items such as sheetrock, carpeting, laminates, paint, lighting, windows and furniture, among others.
“More than anything, we decided to take this particular direction because we feel this is the way of the future,” Olans says.
Sustainable building practices deliver savings
By Beth Mattson-TeigAs published in: Franchise Times - February 2007
What do waterless urinals, energy sensors and recycled carpet have in common? They are all elements commonly incorporated in green building.
The premise behind green or sustainable building is to minimize the environmental impact and reduce energy consumption. Green building also has proven to have a positive impact on lowering operating costs, and some studies even show that green buildings contribute to the health and productivity of its occupants.
Green building techniques have been in use since the 1980s, but practical applications are gaining momentum in large part due to rising energy and fuel costs, as well as mounting concerns about global warming. In fact, some industry observers believe that green building will become part of mainstream real estate construction within the next decade.
“We believe that sustainable business practices are the way of the future, and five to 10 years from now, sustainable business practices are going to be extremely important to be able to capture market share from the public,” says Phil Baugh, vice president of Chicago-based Baum Realty Group.
Just Fresh is among a growing number of national brands ranging from Target and Gap to Chipotle and Starbucks that are incorporating green building elements into its stores. Just Fresh began to utilize green building in 2004 with new restaurants such as its Just Fresh store in Mt. Pleasant, S.C.
The restaurant includes green building elements that range from waterless urinals and energy-efficient lighting to the use of natural products such as wheat board in its millwork. Just Fresh also purchased materials from local suppliers to save on fuel consumption in the transportation of those building supplies.
Just Fresh plans to continue to incorporate green building into future stores wherever possible in both ground-up construction and improvements to existing stores. “It ties into our overall business philosophy. Our concept is really focused on being clean and green,” says Dana Sinkler, CEO of Charlotte-based JF Restaurants. Yet Just Fresh also was motivated by the cost savings of features such as automated HVAC and lighting controls.
“It’s really a win-win, because we also save on energy costs going forward,” Sinkler adds.
Exploring green options
Traditionally, the push for green building has been backed by a desire to create a healthier environment and a better planet, notes Taryn Holowka, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Green Building Council. “Now we’re seeing more companies going green because it’s a smart business move for them,” Holowka says.
Green building techniques produce tangible results in using less electricity, which translate to lower utility bills and water bills. In addition, some studies have shown that green building environments also have a positive impact on worker productivity, which in theory translates to fewer sick days and lower employee turnover.
Companies interested in adding green building elements to existing or new stores have a larger selection than ever before. The laundry list of green building products is growing to include everything from less toxic paint and varnishes to recycled steel, tile or carpeting. The top two features for most businesses interested in green building are to reduce the amount of toxins in their environment and reduce energy costs.
One popular product is paint with low levels of volatile organic chemicals (VOC). The low-VOC paint doesn’t produce as much off-gassing or paint fumes, which leads to a cleaner environment. In addition, there are more cabinetry and finished wood products, such as furniture, that are not finished with toxic lacquers and adhesives. Businesses also can reduce energy use with products such as energy sensors, solar heat panels and more efficient light bulbs.
Although the cost of green building materials varies depending on the specific product, many sustainable products are comparable in cost to traditional materials. Recycled drywall, for example, costs about the same as standard drywall. Other items might carry a higher upfront cost, such as energy-efficient light bulbs, but the overall cost is less considering total savings in energy use and the longer life of the bulbs. “Oftentimes you will pay a little more to make it happen, but in the long run I think it will come back to you in energy savings and efficiency,” Sinkler says.
Growing momentum
Other companies that are embracing green building products and design techniques include Rapid Refill, which has taken its corporate recycling philosophy and applied it to its own retail space. For example, the store’s trademark countertops are made from sunflower seed husks that are glued together to create a wood top that also has a distinctive look.
“We like that because it plays into the whole proposition of recycle and reuse,” says Steve Hockett, president of Rapid Refill Ink in Chanhassen, Minn. Rapid Refill reconditions, remanufactures and refills used inkjet and laser toner cartridges for printers, copiers and fax machines.
Total Resource Group is another firm that promotes green building efforts. The company has offered sustainable building materials in the turnkey stores it provided for the last five years. But the company recently decided to go exclusively in that direction and hopes to offer an entirely sustainable store within the next six months. Total Resource Group provides a complete “store-in-a-box”—basically outsourcing everything a franchise needs to create a store from carpeting to furniture.
“We made a corporate decision over the last few months that wherever we can, we are going to encourage our clients to allow us to build out their retail environment as a green store or a sustainable store,” says Bruce Olans, a principal at Total Resource Group in Lincolnwood, Ill. The list of sustainable products runs the gamut from floor to ceiling with items such as sheetrock, carpeting, laminates, paint, lighting, windows and furniture, among others.
“More than anything, we decided to take this particular direction because we feel this is the way of the future,” Olans says.
Monday, November 24, 2008
Francorp Expands Into India
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE FOR INFORMATION CONTACT:
Francorp
(800) 372-6244
Francorp Expanding Into India
(Olympia Fields, IL) – Francorp Chairman Don Boroian announced today that Francorp has awarded Franchise India Holdings Limited the Francorp India franchise.
The contract was signed between Don Boroian, Francorp India U.S.A. Representative Atul Bhatara, and President of Franchise India Holdings Limited Guarav Marya.
“Franchise India Holdings Limited has already paved the way with franchise expos, franchise and business publications, and franchise consulting in India,” shares Boroian. “We are honored to have them as part of our team.”
Franchise India Holdings Limited has been Asia’s leading integrated franchise consulting company since 1999, with an authority on franchising, licensing, retailing, real estate, and marketing. With its strategically formed divisions, Franchise India Holdings Limited has created its own niche as the pioneers of the franchise industry and a small business authority in India.
According to Marya, “Francorp India will help boost investor confidence by providing professionally managed franchise consulting and development support, all under a common one-step gateway to facilitate entry into India and vice-versa.”
India is home to over a billion people, with a flourishing class of urban consumers possessing considerable amount of disposable income. With the continued growth of the economy, India has strengthened its claim to be a viable and beneficial destination for a foreign franchisor.
Since its beginning in the early 90s, the franchise industry has grown in leaps and bounds in the Indian sub-continent, and there is still much to explore. Based on the successful growth of many franchise brands in India, the future of franchising in India is highly promising.[1]
This promising future of the Indian franchising industry is backed up by an equally powerful market report that shows statistics of this thriving sector.
According to reports, for the past five years the Indian franchise market has recorded a steady growth of 30 to 35% per annum. Also, the annual turnover of the Indian franchise industry soared to 3.3 billion USD and is projected to soar higher in the coming years.[2] “We are very excited about the opportunity to enter the Indian market at a time when the concept of franchising is experiencing tremendous growth and acceptance,” noted Boroian.
For over 30 years, Francorp has been the leader in the franchise consulting industry. They have assembled a team of experts whose talents are coordinated seamlessly to create customized materials that fit the specific needs of their clients. As an international company, Francorp has the global reach to help clients expand their business, with a local presence to adjust their business to fit each country’s unique culture and laws. Headquartered in Chicago, IL, Francorp has assisted more than 10,000 companies for expansion, and has developed more than 2,000 franchise programs throughout the U.S., Japan, South Africa, Middle East, Central America, Malaysia, Philippines, Argentina, Chile, and Mexico.
For more information, visit www.francorp.com or call (800) 372-6244.
# # #
[1] Franchiseek, Indian Franchise Statistics and Information. November 17, 2008, available at www.franchiseek.com.
[2] Franchiseek, Indian Franchise Statistics and Information. November 17, 2008, available at www.franchiseek.com.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE FOR INFORMATION CONTACT:
Francorp
(800) 372-6244
Francorp Expanding Into India
(Olympia Fields, IL) – Francorp Chairman Don Boroian announced today that Francorp has awarded Franchise India Holdings Limited the Francorp India franchise.
The contract was signed between Don Boroian, Francorp India U.S.A. Representative Atul Bhatara, and President of Franchise India Holdings Limited Guarav Marya.
“Franchise India Holdings Limited has already paved the way with franchise expos, franchise and business publications, and franchise consulting in India,” shares Boroian. “We are honored to have them as part of our team.”
Franchise India Holdings Limited has been Asia’s leading integrated franchise consulting company since 1999, with an authority on franchising, licensing, retailing, real estate, and marketing. With its strategically formed divisions, Franchise India Holdings Limited has created its own niche as the pioneers of the franchise industry and a small business authority in India.
According to Marya, “Francorp India will help boost investor confidence by providing professionally managed franchise consulting and development support, all under a common one-step gateway to facilitate entry into India and vice-versa.”
India is home to over a billion people, with a flourishing class of urban consumers possessing considerable amount of disposable income. With the continued growth of the economy, India has strengthened its claim to be a viable and beneficial destination for a foreign franchisor.
Since its beginning in the early 90s, the franchise industry has grown in leaps and bounds in the Indian sub-continent, and there is still much to explore. Based on the successful growth of many franchise brands in India, the future of franchising in India is highly promising.[1]
This promising future of the Indian franchising industry is backed up by an equally powerful market report that shows statistics of this thriving sector.
According to reports, for the past five years the Indian franchise market has recorded a steady growth of 30 to 35% per annum. Also, the annual turnover of the Indian franchise industry soared to 3.3 billion USD and is projected to soar higher in the coming years.[2] “We are very excited about the opportunity to enter the Indian market at a time when the concept of franchising is experiencing tremendous growth and acceptance,” noted Boroian.
For over 30 years, Francorp has been the leader in the franchise consulting industry. They have assembled a team of experts whose talents are coordinated seamlessly to create customized materials that fit the specific needs of their clients. As an international company, Francorp has the global reach to help clients expand their business, with a local presence to adjust their business to fit each country’s unique culture and laws. Headquartered in Chicago, IL, Francorp has assisted more than 10,000 companies for expansion, and has developed more than 2,000 franchise programs throughout the U.S., Japan, South Africa, Middle East, Central America, Malaysia, Philippines, Argentina, Chile, and Mexico.
For more information, visit www.francorp.com or call (800) 372-6244.
# # #
[1] Franchiseek, Indian Franchise Statistics and Information. November 17, 2008, available at www.franchiseek.com.
[2] Franchiseek, Indian Franchise Statistics and Information. November 17, 2008, available at www.franchiseek.com.
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
What Does it Take to be GREEN?
There are so many companies today who strive to be "green"....what exactly does this mean for a firm? At Francorp this means using less paper, carpooling, using resources longer within the office environment and overall conservation practices for Francorp employees at home.
It all starts at the top though, the leader Don Boroian has a vision to give back to our eco system and the environment which is ever important. The leader of any firm must have the goal and the purpose of truly being green. Trust me...people will follow and the company will profit.
www.francorp.com
It all starts at the top though, the leader Don Boroian has a vision to give back to our eco system and the environment which is ever important. The leader of any firm must have the goal and the purpose of truly being green. Trust me...people will follow and the company will profit.
www.francorp.com
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Francorp
Being a green company takes a large commitment from both the management and the people within the organization. Francorp takes pride in supporting our perpetual race for conservation and eco-friendly business. Francorp is the world leader in franchise consulting and franchise development.
www.francorp.com
www.francorp.com
Monday, October 6, 2008
Green Consulting Movement
As a consulting firm, the greatest impact that we could ever have on the environment is on the work that we do for our clients. I am happy to say that we have been assisting numerous companies with an environmentally responsible agenda.
As a consulting firm that specializes in franchise development, Francorp creates the foundation for companies to expand throughout the US and even worldwide. Through our 13 international offices, we are working with numerous companies that are developing concepts that meet the environmental challenges that we have ahead of ourselves worldwide.
Some of these GREEN concepts in the US are Fisher Recycling - http://www.fisherrecycling.com/ , SynLawn - http://www.synlawn.com/ and a number solar companies that choose to be kept underwraps until they officially launch.
In addition to having the pleasure of working with socially responsible companies through our franchise development work, we also have been operating in a more environmentally friendly way oursleves. Many of our staff members now carpool to the office, work at home, some even take public transportation from the city out to our suburban location, and others have even purchased fuel efficient cars in order to be operating conservationists. We have also recently switched to recycled paper cups for office usage when a glass cannot be used. Furthermore, we discourage usage of bottled water and encourage filtered water provided to our staff. In addition, we purchased renewable bamboo tables for our lobby and refinished our Eames office chairs throughout our office instead of purchasing new chairs which prevented the filling of a land fill. We also used paint free of VOC's and replaced our light fixtures with high efficiency fixtures, which should save a great deal of energy. Our next addition will be new HVAC units that will further increase effeciency.
The beauty of these new GREEN initiatives is that they also offer a financial incentive now adays. Why not go green like Francorp? The price is right!
As a consulting firm that specializes in franchise development, Francorp creates the foundation for companies to expand throughout the US and even worldwide. Through our 13 international offices, we are working with numerous companies that are developing concepts that meet the environmental challenges that we have ahead of ourselves worldwide.
Some of these GREEN concepts in the US are Fisher Recycling - http://www.fisherrecycling.com/ , SynLawn - http://www.synlawn.com/ and a number solar companies that choose to be kept underwraps until they officially launch.
In addition to having the pleasure of working with socially responsible companies through our franchise development work, we also have been operating in a more environmentally friendly way oursleves. Many of our staff members now carpool to the office, work at home, some even take public transportation from the city out to our suburban location, and others have even purchased fuel efficient cars in order to be operating conservationists. We have also recently switched to recycled paper cups for office usage when a glass cannot be used. Furthermore, we discourage usage of bottled water and encourage filtered water provided to our staff. In addition, we purchased renewable bamboo tables for our lobby and refinished our Eames office chairs throughout our office instead of purchasing new chairs which prevented the filling of a land fill. We also used paint free of VOC's and replaced our light fixtures with high efficiency fixtures, which should save a great deal of energy. Our next addition will be new HVAC units that will further increase effeciency.
The beauty of these new GREEN initiatives is that they also offer a financial incentive now adays. Why not go green like Francorp? The price is right!
Saturday, October 4, 2008
Francorp - Wild Things
Wild Things: Life as We Know It
Great white sharks, endangered frogs and more
By T.A. Frail, Megan Gambino, Anika Gupta, Laura Helmuth and Jesse Rhodes
Smithsonian magazine, October 2008
It's not Easy Being Green (or Orange) Of 6,300 known amphibian species, one-third are vulnerable, endangered or critically endangered, say scientists in California. Tropical countries have the most amphibians and the most threatened species. The culprits? Habitat loss, global warming and the fungal disease chytridiomycosis.
A Change in StrategyMilkweed plants defend themselves against caterpillars and other predators with toxins, spiky leaves and sticky latex. But a Cornell and Portland State University study of 38 milkweed species shows that the newest ones rely more on a different survival strategy: they regrow quickly after being damaged. Apparently resistance to predators is (relatively) futile.
The Baddest Bite Australian-led researchers have found that a great white shark clamps down with a force of 2 tons. The most powerful bite known of any animal alive, that's 3 times the force of a lion and 23 times that of a person—though just a nip compared with the 12- to 20-ton bite of the extinct megalodon shark.
Long-Tailed Tipplers Pen-tailed tree shrews and at least six other small mammals in Malaysia imbibe naturally fermented bertam palm flower nectar, which is up to 3.8 percent alcohol, like beer. The animals are the only ones (aside from humans) known to drink regularly, say the researchers, from Germany and elsewhere, who saw no "motor incoordination or other behavioral signs of inebriation." The animals appear to have a high alcohol tolerance.
ObservedName: The Atlantic molly, Poecilia mexicana In Private: Males prefer to mate with large females. They also often pursue females that they have seen other males pursue.In Public: When rival males are present, a male disguises his choice of mate by feigning interest in a different female.In the Lab: Males went so far as to feign interest in a female of a different species, according to a new study by researchers from the University of Potsdam, Germany, and the University of Oklahoma. This bait-and-switch routine, the scientists say, may represent an attempt to direct rivals' attention away from the choicest female and avoid competing with other males.
Additional Sources
"Are we in the midst of the sixth mass extinction? A view from the world of amphibians," David B. Wake and Vance T. Vredenburg, PNAS, August 12, 2008
"Phylogenetic escalation and decline of plant defense strategies," Anurag A. Agrawal and Mark Fishbein, PNAS, July 22, 2008
"Male Fish Deceive Competitors about Mating Preferences," Martin Plath et al., Current Biology, August 5, 2008
"Three-dimensional computer analysis of white shark jaw mechanics: how hard can a great white bite?" S. Wroe et al., Journal of Zoology, August 12, 2008
"Chronic intake of fermented floral nectar by wild treeshrews," Frank Wiens et al., PNAS, July 29, 2008
www.francorp.com
www.francorp1.com
Great white sharks, endangered frogs and more
By T.A. Frail, Megan Gambino, Anika Gupta, Laura Helmuth and Jesse Rhodes
Smithsonian magazine, October 2008
It's not Easy Being Green (or Orange) Of 6,300 known amphibian species, one-third are vulnerable, endangered or critically endangered, say scientists in California. Tropical countries have the most amphibians and the most threatened species. The culprits? Habitat loss, global warming and the fungal disease chytridiomycosis.
A Change in StrategyMilkweed plants defend themselves against caterpillars and other predators with toxins, spiky leaves and sticky latex. But a Cornell and Portland State University study of 38 milkweed species shows that the newest ones rely more on a different survival strategy: they regrow quickly after being damaged. Apparently resistance to predators is (relatively) futile.
The Baddest Bite Australian-led researchers have found that a great white shark clamps down with a force of 2 tons. The most powerful bite known of any animal alive, that's 3 times the force of a lion and 23 times that of a person—though just a nip compared with the 12- to 20-ton bite of the extinct megalodon shark.
Long-Tailed Tipplers Pen-tailed tree shrews and at least six other small mammals in Malaysia imbibe naturally fermented bertam palm flower nectar, which is up to 3.8 percent alcohol, like beer. The animals are the only ones (aside from humans) known to drink regularly, say the researchers, from Germany and elsewhere, who saw no "motor incoordination or other behavioral signs of inebriation." The animals appear to have a high alcohol tolerance.
ObservedName: The Atlantic molly, Poecilia mexicana In Private: Males prefer to mate with large females. They also often pursue females that they have seen other males pursue.In Public: When rival males are present, a male disguises his choice of mate by feigning interest in a different female.In the Lab: Males went so far as to feign interest in a female of a different species, according to a new study by researchers from the University of Potsdam, Germany, and the University of Oklahoma. This bait-and-switch routine, the scientists say, may represent an attempt to direct rivals' attention away from the choicest female and avoid competing with other males.
Additional Sources
"Are we in the midst of the sixth mass extinction? A view from the world of amphibians," David B. Wake and Vance T. Vredenburg, PNAS, August 12, 2008
"Phylogenetic escalation and decline of plant defense strategies," Anurag A. Agrawal and Mark Fishbein, PNAS, July 22, 2008
"Male Fish Deceive Competitors about Mating Preferences," Martin Plath et al., Current Biology, August 5, 2008
"Three-dimensional computer analysis of white shark jaw mechanics: how hard can a great white bite?" S. Wroe et al., Journal of Zoology, August 12, 2008
"Chronic intake of fermented floral nectar by wild treeshrews," Frank Wiens et al., PNAS, July 29, 2008
www.francorp.com
www.francorp1.com
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