In a conversation at the 92nd Street Y in New York last week, the Starbucks CEO chatted about coffee, Groupon, mobile phone sales, Spanish fashion chains, and role models.

Two veteran observers of the global economy, former U.S. Treasury Secretary Robert Rubin and hedge fund manager John Paulson, offer mixed forecasts on immediate and long-term economic prospects.

Gift-buying trends revealed at the New York International Gift Fair showed that consumers are still focused on value, but less leery of spending. Signs of the brighter mood were everywhere, from the color palettes to the growth in personal pampering products.

To retain and attract top employees, U.S. companies are turning to perks such as subsidized training and flexible work conditions rather than raises. These incentives are finding a welcome among employees, too, especially educational benefits.

Cathay Pacific CEO Tony Tyler says when airlines last raised fares in 2008, most travelers kept on flying. But as Mideast upheavals send oil prices skyward and airlines hike fares again, the impact on the bottom line could be quite different.

New technology is leading to changes in business relationships between airlines and online ticketing sites. It'll take a while for the new landscape to settle down, but the near-term result could be potential windfalls for some carriers -- and confusion for air travelers.

The VIP Air Fair, which starts this Saturday, will feature 7,500 pieces of art by more than 2,000 artists, from nearly 140 galleries in 30 different countries -- and it will be held entirely online. Could online viewing change the selection -- and potentially the value -- of art?

Nearly 60 million foreigners visited the U.S. in 2010. Where did they go? The most popular destinations included New York, Orlando, Las Vegas, San Francisco, Los Angeles and Chicago. The Big Apple is particularly appealing, drawing a record 48.7 million big-spending foreign travelers.

Americans are returning to indulging in specialty foods the way they did before the recession, and they'll likely make big purchases of these affordable luxuries during the holidays. A recent survey showed 63% of American consumers purchased specialty food this year, up from 46% in 2009.

Howard Warren Buffett, grandson of renowned investor Warren Buffett, is a chip off the old philanthropic block. At the recent Social Good Summit in New York, he spoke about the challenges in this age of technology of preserving human connections with those who are suffering.