There is something changing in our world. The oil price has been on the rise without end. A barrel costing nearly $120, a new record. This has been especially costly for US airlines, several went into bankruptcy, others are reconsidering their strategy. Northwest Airlines and Delta Airlines announcing a merger, United, American Airlines en US [...]
Unfortunately there are people around who think they are in control of a moving world. Their pride has taken them beyond human proportions, a fate they are unable to carry. I cannot believe they are sincerely trying to make others better off. I think they like being in control too much. This is why messing with the economy is one of their priorities.
Our climate is hot. The issue of climate change is the new toy for those seeking to restrict producers of prosperity. This month a UN conference, which deals with the extension of climate policy beyond Kyoto 2012, will start. There, a majority will argue in favour of tougher and concrete restrictions on the emission of CO2. I agree with those who push for protection of the earth. I despise them for their double standards.
Deficits, banking crisis, rising prices, falling U.S. Dollar, recession. These are the main events that have shaped the world economy in 2007. Deficits: U.S. consumers have spent their money instead of saving it. It has been spent on low cost goods from China and fuel from the Middle East.
Imagine a company that acts as an intermediary. It pushes products from suppliers to customers, and puts a margin on top of the purchase price as a means of compensation for provided services and risks. In one market we might find several companies selling the same product (i.e. from the same supplier) in different ways and at different prices. What is the right margin?
I have organised my thoughts on 21st century business. Below you will find some ‘suggestions’ on how to refocus on and to reinvent that what makes us prosper.
Earlier this year a problem related to sub prime mortgage lending came to the surface in the U.S. It turned out that loans had been made to those who were unable to repay them. Borrowers were not thoroughly examined on their creditworthiness and were in cases not even asked for instalments in advance. When the numbers of defaults increased, mortgage lenders drifted into trouble.
This week the leaders of the G8 will convene in Heiligendamm, Northern Germany. The G8 (originally G7) is the annual chatting event of the eight wealthiest nations on this planet. The club is made up by the U.S., Canada, U.K., Italy, Germany, France, Russia and Japan. Russia was added after the USSR collapsed and the [...]
I remember that I found this concept rather illogical when I first heard about it at high school. According to this stakeholder thing companies are responsible to their shareholders, but also to environmental groups, consumers groups, labour unions, other groups, more groups, politicians, the astronauts in the ISS space station, and God…?
On Thursday the EU has finally taken a first step in liberalising the transatlantic aviation market. US and EU airlines are allowed to fly from the US / EU to any other city across the Atlantic. The deal replaces national agreements between countries. Dutch carrier KLM, for example, can launch services from Milan to Chicago [...]