One article that really affected me during Thursday's discussion about New York legalizing gay marriage. It wasn't unethical for them to pass the law just because they will make money from it. I think that's a ridiculous statement. First of all, I don't think gays or lesbians would care if it was ethical or not, because they are just happy to finally have a chance for equality. Second, I think New York legalized same-sex marriages because it's just one more step New York could take to prove their leadership in business innovations in the country. THEN they were like, "Oh, this new market will make us money." The fact that they're doing it to make an extra couple hundred million is absurd. That amount is pocket change! Personally, I am all for same-sex marriages in any state of our country. I have a gay cousin who is over 30 but is so successful in his job and has the best of everything. I'm proud to support them. Maybe this is why my views and ideas are so strong on this topic.
As for Herman Cain's 9-9-9 tax-- I wasn't sure what this was when we had discussed it a few weeks ago. I enjoyed the Businessweek article about it, but I don't support it. I think they're asking for too much in American's tax-dollars, especially the poor. A lower-income family would be most affected and I'm a firm believer that we should target the wealthy. If they're so successful, they can stop buying $250,000 cars for their 16-year old kids and put their money back into the economy.. because in most cases, consumers are why they are successful in the first place!!
Friday, October 28, 2011
Students Lead the Way
Jim Beam boasts that even though times have changed, their Bourbon Whiskey has remained the same over the past 215 years (www.jimbeam.com). Their Kentucky Straight Whiskey may have stayed the same, but they've recently decided to target a new market: women. This topic affects me indirectly, because I am a woman, but I do not drink expensive bourbon. I don't really care that they bought out Skinny Girl Margaritas and that I don't associate that brand with Jim Beam. Honestly, I think Jim Beam is losing their legacy as a higher-end Straight Bourbon Whiskey. Some brands just have to target only men. I think Jim Beam is bored with their current marketing and products; they feel like they need to step up their game as society advances. I don't think this is a BAD decision, but if they start targeting women, I believe they will change their COMPLETE brand image that they've carried for over 200 years.
After discussing solar panels, I believe they will become more popular as the photovoltaic and solar thermal technologies advance. I actually know some consumers that have thought about making a solar investment in their homes. I think this is a great idea, and I hope to save energy by investing someday myself. But right now, I think people are scared to try it because there hasn't been a breakthrough in solar heating and electricity. It's a great invention, but some company has to provide the resources and investments to step up and provide "the best" so that consumers know they will get their money's worth. For instance, electric wind-mills have definitely advanced and proved their worth; they were strategically engineered to withstand any weather or condition... you don't see them falling down the mountainsides.
After presenting the article about coal-miners needing workers, my points of view changed. At first I was thinking, no way will anyone in this class say "yes, I would be a coal-miner" but some people took me by surprise. So I decided I would do it, too! $70,000 starting salary is a lot and if I can't get a job my first year out of college, I could use that to pay back my loans and start fresh! I know it poses health risks, but I think just one year underground wouldn't affect me too much. I think I'm just money hungry!
After discussing solar panels, I believe they will become more popular as the photovoltaic and solar thermal technologies advance. I actually know some consumers that have thought about making a solar investment in their homes. I think this is a great idea, and I hope to save energy by investing someday myself. But right now, I think people are scared to try it because there hasn't been a breakthrough in solar heating and electricity. It's a great invention, but some company has to provide the resources and investments to step up and provide "the best" so that consumers know they will get their money's worth. For instance, electric wind-mills have definitely advanced and proved their worth; they were strategically engineered to withstand any weather or condition... you don't see them falling down the mountainsides.
After presenting the article about coal-miners needing workers, my points of view changed. At first I was thinking, no way will anyone in this class say "yes, I would be a coal-miner" but some people took me by surprise. So I decided I would do it, too! $70,000 starting salary is a lot and if I can't get a job my first year out of college, I could use that to pay back my loans and start fresh! I know it poses health risks, but I think just one year underground wouldn't affect me too much. I think I'm just money hungry!
Friday, October 21, 2011
Dr. Kachurick returns!
We started class discussion with the Black Swan article and learned how a Black Swan got its name. I described a Black Swan as something that isn't likely to happen, but it catches people off guard when it does happen. I guess I can see how this applies to the rising prices in our agricultural sector, because we don't want something else in our country to go wrong. Just like we said in class, I feel like our country is falling apart piece by piece. You would think that the agriculture would stay the same because the generations of family farms stay the same. AND when it comes to FOOD as a physiological need for people, I don't believe it's a sector that should be messed with. Let the banks fail because they keep making mistakes, but don't fail on the farmers! They're the true hard workers in this country.
As for our discussion on Lobbyists, I think our government needs a little work. Maybe I'm not fully prepared to discuss my thoughts on our government, but I don't understand why we vote, but then electoral votes actually decide the president, for instance. To me, politics are very unethical. People lie to get ahead and it's all about networking. We need to vote someone into office that has struggled, or someone of middle-class status for different points of view. Anything!
And this may be a little off topic, but I don't understand-- if our country is in debt, why are we still deploying troops overseas to fight the same war after 10 years? Why can't we bring the troops home and focus on our own country??
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Terrorism will never go away.
When asked what our definition of terrorism would be, 9/11 came to my mind immediately. It's hard to imagine that terrorism could affect any other country in the world when we experienced the most catastrophic terrorist attack our country has seen. I almost stereotype terrorism with America's fear of Iraq and Afghanistan.
Mr. Sweetz read aloud the actual definition of "terrorism"-is the unlawful use of force or violence against persons or property to intimidate or coerce a government, the civilian population, or any segment thereof, in furtherance of political or social objectives. I was so surprised when he said "to intimidate" because those two words hit the nail on the head. And that is what 9/11 did.
The economic effects of those attacks are still prevalent 10 years later. Airport security is the most noticable and I've flown a couple times in the past 10 years. Those random security checks when they put you in the box and make you take off your shoes and such is definitely scary, because it's happened to me, but it also gives you a sense of comfort. Our cheerleading squad travels to Orlando, FL every year for Nationals so it's funny how long it takes 30 young women to get through security nowadays.
I learned a lot from our talk with Mr. Sweetz, like the stock market experienced the biggest crash on 9/11 since the Great Depression and it took 8 years for the economy to recover. Also, he pointed out to us that after the attacks, every bridge/overpass in the country had an army vehicle in park. I had no idea!!! It really shows how much Americans care to protect each other after such an awful event. And these fears still exist, we call this terrorism.
It's obvious the economic impacts of terrorism include loss of jobs, greater money expenditure on rebuilding and heightened safety, and tourism. I was surprised to hear that Disney spends an extra $120,000/week on extra security! Terrorism can also effect us psychologically as well. My younger brother recently enlisted in the United States Army so my fear of his deployment to Iraq will never go away.
I believe terrorist attacks could happen to us again, but I know America is more prepared than ever.
Mr. Sweetz read aloud the actual definition of "terrorism"-is the unlawful use of force or violence against persons or property to intimidate or coerce a government, the civilian population, or any segment thereof, in furtherance of political or social objectives. I was so surprised when he said "to intimidate" because those two words hit the nail on the head. And that is what 9/11 did.
The economic effects of those attacks are still prevalent 10 years later. Airport security is the most noticable and I've flown a couple times in the past 10 years. Those random security checks when they put you in the box and make you take off your shoes and such is definitely scary, because it's happened to me, but it also gives you a sense of comfort. Our cheerleading squad travels to Orlando, FL every year for Nationals so it's funny how long it takes 30 young women to get through security nowadays.
I learned a lot from our talk with Mr. Sweetz, like the stock market experienced the biggest crash on 9/11 since the Great Depression and it took 8 years for the economy to recover. Also, he pointed out to us that after the attacks, every bridge/overpass in the country had an army vehicle in park. I had no idea!!! It really shows how much Americans care to protect each other after such an awful event. And these fears still exist, we call this terrorism.
It's obvious the economic impacts of terrorism include loss of jobs, greater money expenditure on rebuilding and heightened safety, and tourism. I was surprised to hear that Disney spends an extra $120,000/week on extra security! Terrorism can also effect us psychologically as well. My younger brother recently enlisted in the United States Army so my fear of his deployment to Iraq will never go away.
I believe terrorist attacks could happen to us again, but I know America is more prepared than ever.
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Rest in Peace Steve Jobs... www.nowwhat.com?
The death of Apple CEO Steve Jobs caused a tidal wave of mourning across the world. A magnificent man who co-founded Apple at age 21 and "nurtured it into the most valuable corporation in the world" says it all. Personally, I am astonished and the only word to come to mind is remarkable. Jobs was truly remarkable.
I think it's funny that Jobs started his first job at Atari, the video-game maker. From the beginning, he loved technology and even joked that he could turn the HP 45 into a stopwatch. I wonder if his managers saw something in him from the start. I wonder if they knew back then, when employees would avoid him, that he would die a legend.
I'm not surprised that Steve left Apple for the first time to start NeXT computer. He seemed like the type that wouldn't settle for any less than the top. He wanted to be the creator, designer, everything all in one. "Staffers at NeXT put up with Jobs's volatility and insults because 'we really thought we had the chance to change the world.'"
Jobs' returned to Apple in 1997 as "interim CEO" because he was still very busy with Pixar. Apple was just a few months away from bankruptcy with annual losses exceeding $1 billion! Three CEOs had come and gone within the decade, but I think Steve Jobs return truly saved Apple from crashing. In 15 years, Jobs had turned Apple into one of the most influential and valuable corporations in the world!! Remarkable.
One of my favorite parts of the article says "What's next? The seeds of the next big thing from Apple are already germinating-- and they have Steve Jobs's DNA at their core." That really displays the unimaginable commitment and determination that Jobs put into this company. In my eyes, he is truly a legend.
"Business leaders are sometimes admired and occasionally revered. Jobs was beloved. The memorials outside Apple stores around the world are a testament to his ability to affect people and expand their sense of the possible." --Bloomberg BusinessWeek
I think it's funny that Jobs started his first job at Atari, the video-game maker. From the beginning, he loved technology and even joked that he could turn the HP 45 into a stopwatch. I wonder if his managers saw something in him from the start. I wonder if they knew back then, when employees would avoid him, that he would die a legend.
I'm not surprised that Steve left Apple for the first time to start NeXT computer. He seemed like the type that wouldn't settle for any less than the top. He wanted to be the creator, designer, everything all in one. "Staffers at NeXT put up with Jobs's volatility and insults because 'we really thought we had the chance to change the world.'"
Jobs' returned to Apple in 1997 as "interim CEO" because he was still very busy with Pixar. Apple was just a few months away from bankruptcy with annual losses exceeding $1 billion! Three CEOs had come and gone within the decade, but I think Steve Jobs return truly saved Apple from crashing. In 15 years, Jobs had turned Apple into one of the most influential and valuable corporations in the world!! Remarkable.
One of my favorite parts of the article says "What's next? The seeds of the next big thing from Apple are already germinating-- and they have Steve Jobs's DNA at their core." That really displays the unimaginable commitment and determination that Jobs put into this company. In my eyes, he is truly a legend.
"Business leaders are sometimes admired and occasionally revered. Jobs was beloved. The memorials outside Apple stores around the world are a testament to his ability to affect people and expand their sense of the possible." --Bloomberg BusinessWeek
Friday, October 7, 2011
Class on 10/06/11
Is the Kindle Fire a good business strategy for Amazon or will Apple continue to clutch the world’s innovative consumers?
Although I would not buy a Kindle Fire because I’m loyal to Apple, Inc., I think Amazon’s business strategy of releasing a new tablet is a long-term investment on the company’s behalf. First, I think since they already have brand recognition with their first Kindle, people will not be reluctant to buy this “Kindle on Steroids.” Second, it sells at a cheap price because they plan to return profit by the software packages, etc. that users could purchase. I don’t think this is a good idea because they are stepping into financial risk by not even earning profit off the product itself! Even if I got an Amazon account for free, I wouldn’t use it to shop. And from my experience, I don’t know anyone that owns a Kindle.
**Research may contradict my personal views. Current research shows Amazon controls 62% (some say up to 80%) of the entire ebook market and iPad controls 16% of the ereader market (Maselli). I was surprised to discover that this many people actually own a Kindle and consistently buy from Kindle’s 700,000 titles! This information enlightened my point of view and experience with Kindle to the point where I may actually consider buying one! After reading recent statistics, I believe, more than ever, Bezos is taking Amazon in the right direction by joining the "tablet race."
Maselli, Christopher. "Ebooks, Amazon Kindle, and Apple iPad Statistics." Christopher Maselli. N.p., 2011. Web. 7 Oct 2011. <http://www.christopherpnmaselli.com/2010/10/ebooks-amazon-kindle-and-apple-ipad-statistics/>.
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Class on 9/29/11
Netflix has recently split into two separate companies for DVD and streaming movies online. This doesn't really affect me because I do not have a Netflix account, but I can see where Dr. Kachurick is coming from when he says it's not as convenient to access as before. This means that account holders have to go to two different sites and have two different billing statements through the same company! I would definitely be more annoyed!! I think they've decided to do this so they can drop the DVDs and save on postage and warehouses. I believe, in the long-run, they are going to drop DVD services and stick to their main revenue from streaming. We should bring back Blockbuster!!
I'm torn with our next topic of oil drilling in Alaska. I feel terrible that oil companies are barging in on people's lives, but at the same time we need these resources! If they know there are 15 billion gallons of oil under this little town, it makes sense to buy them off and, like Ryan said, have them move their village 20 miles over. But at the same time, it's the way they've been living for generations! I live in a small town and I get mad when I see a new house being built, let alone thousands of oil drillers stomping in with their big boots and machines. But like I said, I'm so torn!!
I'm torn with our next topic of oil drilling in Alaska. I feel terrible that oil companies are barging in on people's lives, but at the same time we need these resources! If they know there are 15 billion gallons of oil under this little town, it makes sense to buy them off and, like Ryan said, have them move their village 20 miles over. But at the same time, it's the way they've been living for generations! I live in a small town and I get mad when I see a new house being built, let alone thousands of oil drillers stomping in with their big boots and machines. But like I said, I'm so torn!!
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