Today's number: 127 - Citing weak market conditions, Charles Schwab Corp. said it will close its brokerage businesses in Australia, cutting 87 jobs, and Japan, cutting 40, by the end of next month

        Today's Mover: Steve Bove has joined NAI Eagle, the brokerage services and commercial property management division of Eagle Realty Group, as senior sales associate. Mr. Bove will focus on industrial properties, providing leasing, sales and tenant representation services. He was sales vice president at Cincinnati Commercial Realtors and brings more than 20 years of experience to NAI Eagle. He also was chairman of the advisory board of the real estate program at Cincinnati State Technical & Community College, where he taught full time for five years.

        Today's Career Advice: Phil Knight, founder of the Nike shoe company, told the Harvard Business Review in 1992 why being first to market is key. “History shows that the first brand into the market, on average, gets twice the long-term market share of the No. 2 brand and twice again as much as the No. 3 brand.”

        Today's Money Tip: When figuring how much you'll need to save for your retirement, don't forget to take taxes and inflation into account. Forget these, and you might not save enough to live on after you quit working.

        Today's Company: Mobile Office Enterprise

        TURNING CARS INTO OFFICES: When Doug Mayer was a sales representative for Reynolds Aluminum, he worked out of his car a great deal and discovered how difficult it was to operate his laptop computer from his vehicle. That frustration resulted in the invention of the Mobile Desk, the product that spurred formation of Mobile Office Enterprise in 1998.

        FOCUSING ON GROWTH AREA: Originally, the West Chester Township company also offered Web hosting and networking services, but demand for its desk grew so rapidly that those services were phased out. Growth has exceeded 100 percent in the last two years.

        MIGHTY MOUNTS: In 2002, Mobile Office Enterprise will unveil the Xtreme Desk, designed for use by employees of police and fire departments, utilities, construction crews, airport security and others who need rugged computer mounts.

        Send tips and questions to Bill Ferguson at bferguson@enquirer.com

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