In summary: while alternative lenders can provide the means for growth and cash flow salvation to a growing venture, entrepreneurs should examine these lending products and partnerships with both eyes open, to stay both sharp and aware.

FORBES: 'Money, Money' -- How Alternative Lending Could Increase Your Company's Revenue in 2013

They have just finished several years of research on primary materials - what we'll call stuff - and put it in a book, Sustainable Materials With Both Eyes Open, free to download and fascinating for umpteen reasons.

BBC: Go Figure: Why does every person need 200kg of steel a year?

The technique was based on a gestural vocabulary that included drawing back, with both hands open and raised up, eyes wide open, and mouth agape, to indicate surprise, and that sort of thing.

FORBES: Why You Need to Change Your Public Speaking Style

His firm has long-term contracts with both Navteq and Tele Atlas, but he's keeping his eyes open.

FORBES: Nokia Redraws The Map

"We are going into this with our eyes wide open but I think there is a lot of political will on both sides of the Atlantic, " said Michael Froman, White House deputy national-security adviser for international economic affairs.

WSJ: Trans-Atlantic Trading Partners Barter Over Rules