Salesmen knew that deep discounts could cement relationships with big customers or close a deal before the crucial end of the quarter.

ECONOMIST: Web sales

Marks, Managing Partner at High Rock Partners, he told me we are heading into a period, where there will be a big push for transactions to close before the end of the year especially since deal activity was muted during the first two quarters of 2010.

FORBES: M&A Activity Up; Private Equity Still Cautious

So it was a big deal when Michael Nutter, the city's mayor, decided in November to close 11 of them in an effort to cope with the city's fiscal woes.

ECONOMIST: Unhappiness is growing at the scale of cuts needed

In Beijing, government officials not to mention thousands of businessmen hoping to close the next big deal swear they absolutely have to treat their guests to shark fin soup as a show of respect and honor.

FORBES: California Goes Soup Nazi: No Shark Fin Soup for You!

Beijing government officials not to mention thousands of businessmen hoping to close the next big deal swear they absolutely have to treat their guests to shark fin soup as a show of respect and honor.

FORBES: Hawaii Turns Up The Heat On Chinese Delicacy: Bans Shark Fin