Posts by Kevin Yu:
Nov
19
In Seth Godin’s blog about the digital freedom in modern era, he talks about how so many problems could be fixed if we were to incorporate different marketing strategy and blatantly invade each other’s privacy. For instance, he describes about how we now have the technology and capabilities to sequence each and every DNA of every residents, or install numerous cameras within the city so that “every corner is under surveillance”. He talks about how useful it would be if we were to install an automatic speed measure device so that when you go over the speed limit, you are automatically charged with a ticket. He imagines a world in which every bullet fired can be traced back to its origin. Every car has an installed Breathalyzer device which allows cars to start only if the driver passes the alcohol test.
Seth’s imagination is crucial towards knowing the boundary between what is efficient for the society, and what is the invasion of private rights of people. With B.C. hydro’s smart meter deadline approaching very quickly, it is fundamentally important for people to realize what they are getting themselves involved into. Every movement and decisions that you make being recorded, processed, and analyzed by the marketers, financiers, and politicians. It is a microscopic era of the Big Brothers in 1984. Now, we don’t want that to happen, do we?
Sources Cited
Godin, Seth. “Seth’s Blog.” Seth’s Blog. N.p., 17 Nov. 2012. Web. 19 Nov. 2012. <http://sethgodin.typepad.com/>.
Nov
19
Who is this man. The first time that I was introduced of the name, Leo Wanta was mere 5 days ago, on Nov 14th, 2012. It is to no surprise that you, the reader, are not familiar with who he is, and what he has done. Many conspiracies arise when I was researching about who exactly Leo Wanta is, and how he has influenced the current economic state of the world.
In short, Leo Wanta is commonly known as the person who was responsible for the segregation, or for lack of a better word, collapse, of the Soviet Union. Greg Szymanski, in his article, depicts Leo Wanta’s ingenious tactics and plans, as he was working as a spy for U.S., chiefly supported by the past president Ronald Reagan, which had robbed Soviet Union of 27.5 trillion dollars worth of U.S. currencies.
Despite his success, Leo Wanta has been sentenced 22 years of prison for tax evasion from Wisconsin; few call this event accidental. In fact, many people are convinced that since Leo holds the key to 27.5 trillion dollars, which remains at limbo in international banks, powerful political officials and other hawkish businessman approached him frequently to discuss about the money; and because he was reluctant to use it for nothing other than for American people, they have secretly plotted to punish him for his nationalism.
Just so one knows how much 27.5 trillion dollar really is, such sum can support the current U.S. economy for the next 8 straight years without any GDP and instantly eliminate all of United States’ debt.
Sources Cited
Fulford, Ben. “Tag Archives: Leo Wanta.” 2012 Whats the Real Truth. N.p., 01 Oct. 2012. Web. 19 Nov. 2012. <http://jhaines6.wordpress.com/tag/leo-wanta/>.
Szymanski, Greg. “The Story Of Leo Wanta ‘The 27.5 Trillion Dollar Man'” The Story Of Leo Wanta ‘The 27.5 Trillion Dollar Man’ N.p., 26 Mar. 2006. Web. 19 Nov. 2012. <http://rense.com/general70/leo.htm>.
Video Credits
Joseph, Joe. “Conspiracy Chronicles: The Case of Leo Wanta and the Missing $27.5 Trillion.”YouTube. YouTube, 13 Feb. 2012. Web. 19 Nov. 2012. <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3rVXZHJr7o>.
Nov
18
After Barack Obama regained his position as the President of United States of America for four more years , one major concern remains in its citizen’s mind: Fiscal Cliff, or as many say “Taxmageddon”. Everyone says “Fiscal Cliff, Fiscal Cliff”, but do they really know what it means and how it will affect the economy? Because US dollar is commonly used as the world’s mainly tradable currency, the effect of Fiscal cliff on United States will disperse throughout the world like wild fire. Consequently, it is crucial to know what really fiscal cliff is, and how it will affect each and every one of us.
Fiscal Cliff is the action that will be enforced by U.S. government on its people at the end of 2012 or beginning of 2013, regarding the Budget Control Act of 2011. In short, fiscal cliff means that the tax would accumulate, specifically more in wealthy sector, and government spending would significantly decrease. This act was introduced to diminish the ever-growing debt of U.S., which currently stands at approximately 16.2 trillion dollars.
The decrease in government spending would slow down U.S’s economy, which further decreases the economic activity of the world. The bond prices are expected to decline, as interest rates for 10-year treasury bonds decrease. It would be interesting to see if comprise would occur, which would affect the volatility of the outcome.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7NtFgqzNWzg&feature=fvst
Sources Cited
Hall, Ed. “U.S. National Debt Clock.” U.S. National Debt Clock. N.p., 15 Nov. 2012. Web. 18 Nov. 2012. <http://www.brillig.com/debt_clock/>.
Kenny, Thomas. “What Is the Fiscal Cliff?” About.com Bonds. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Nov. 2012. <http://bonds.about.com/od/Issues-in-the-News/a/What-Is-The-Fiscal-Cliff.htm>
Zukoski, John M. “Will President Obama Save Dublin, CA From the Impending Fiscal Cliff?”Articles on ‘Fiscal Cliff’. Around Dublin, 6 Nov. 2012. Web. 18 Nov. 2012. <http://www.arounddublinblog.com/tag/fiscal-cliff/>.
Video Credits
WikiPlays. “United States Fiscal Cliff – Wiki Article.” YouTube. YouTube, 10 Sept. 2012. Web. 18 Nov. 2012. <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7NtFgqzNWzg>.
Nov
5
Since its peak in 2008, the share price of RIM(Research in Motion) has tumbled down to 5% of its original value. Many analyst concur on the fact that the reason RIM’s stock price diminished so dramatically reflected its inability to adapt quickly to the rapidly-changing smart phone market, which in current days, is dominated by Google & Apple Software. Its share in the mobile phone industry has also declined; as Alexei notes it, “Research In Motion Ltd.’s BlackBerry operating system had 7.7 per cent share in the third quarter, compared with 9.5 per cent a year earlier.” This percentages could be directly contrasted with Android’s share of the market, which rose “from 57.5 per cent in the year-ago period” to 75% current and Apple’s share of the market, which “increased to 14.9 per cent during the third quarter, from 13.8 per cent a year earlier.” Nevertheless, the time has finally arrived for RIM to regain its position in the market as major competitor as they recently announced having “entered lab testing with 50 wireless carriers around the world” for the 2013 launch of BlackBerry 10.
This news had gained many optimistic reviews by the analyst and onto RIM’s shareholders, as depicted by a “The stock [price] ending the day at $8.68 in Toronto, up 80 cents – its highest closing level in more than four months.” The announcement significantly decreased the level of anxiety of BlackBerry users who remained pessimistic for several months due to the consistent delay. As Richard Tse denotes, “they have a shot – something I couldn’t have said six months ago.” Many positive outlook on RIM’s future may serve to gradually increase the company’s share prices until the first quarter of 2013, when BlackBerry 10 is released; consequently, it would be interesting to follow RIM’s business progress for the next several months
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mmND2-fkUD0&feature=plcp
Source Cited
Marlow, Iain. “The Globe and Mail.” The Globe and Mail. N.p., 1 Nov. 2012. Web. 05 Nov. 2012. <http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-investor/rim-shares-rise-as-new-phones-enter-testing/article4843753/>.
ORESKOVIC, ALEXEI. “The Globe and Mail.” The Globe and Mail. N.p., 2 Nov. 2012. Web. 05 Nov. 2012. <http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/international-business/us-business/googles-android-software-in-3-out-of-4-smartphones/article4892360/>.
Photo Credit
“RIMì ëìë ì¶ë½.” ë´ì¤. N.p., 29 June 2012. Web. 05 Nov. 2012. <http://dizin.co.kr/201248>.
Video Credit
Blackberry. “Official BlackBerry Channel.” YouTube. YouTube, 25 Sept. 2012. Web. 05 Nov. 2012. <https://www.youtube.com/user/blackberry?v=mmND2-fkUD0>.
Nov
5
With the current presidential poll standing at 49% for Obama and 48% for Mitt Romney, No one can determine with exact prediction who will be the president of United States for 2013 to 2017 period; however general consensus is leaning more towards Obama’s victory. In order to hypothesize how S&P 500 will be affected for the upcoming year, it is important to realize the difference of policies enforced by each candidates.
Obama’s Policies (Shaped by 2008 Financial Crisis)
1. Monetary policy over fiscal policy(printing out more money) → Inflation → Consumer
purchasing power down → less investment on S&P 500 → Stock price decline
2. Energy + info-tech support: As can be seen from the pie diagram below, Energy and info-tech
sector take approximately 31.8% of S&P 500 index. These two sectors are likely going to benefit
from Obama’s victory, as they have done in the past 4 years.
3.Tax cut to middle-income family & stricter regulation towards high-income families
4. Proposes new tax credit for Small Business(cap at $500,000) → negative impact for S&P 500
which is composed of big-marketcap companies:
“a company would get credit against income taxes worth up to 10 percent of the increase in
total wages in 2012, which could come either in the form of salaries for new hires or raises. A
company that increased its payroll by $4 million would see a $400,000 income tax credit.”
5. Info tech and Telecom stocks lead the market if Obama wins.
Mitt Romney Policies
1. Increase government spending on National Defense/utility related stocks
2. Not reappoint Bernanke when his term ends in 2014. Bernanke, the head of Federal Reserve,
contributed to a major increase (73.2%) in S&P 500 index since Obama’s inauguration in 2009.
Replacing him would have a significant impact on the index.
3. Support Consumer Staples, Financials, and Health-care based companies that lie on S&P
500 index.
4. Create more JOBS ← to do this support Big companies that mainly occupies S&P 500, by
reducing corporate income tax down to 25%
Sources Sited
Durden, Tyler. “If Obama Wins, Buy IT, Telecom, Sell Materials, Healthcare; If Romey: Buy Staples, Healthcare, Fins, Sell Materials.” ZeroHedge. N.p., 27 Oct. 2012. Web. 05 Nov. 2012. <http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2012-10-27/if-obama-wins-buy-it-telecom-sell-materials-healthcare-if-romey-buy-staples-healthca>.
Picture Credit
“Why Black People Should (or Should Not) Vote for Obama In 2012.” Breaking News for Black America. NewsOne Staff, 13 Mar. 2012. Web. 05 Nov. 2012. <http://newsone.com/1935105/why-black-people-should-or-should-not-vote-for-obama-in-2012/>.
Mcadams, David. “The Oligarch Kings.” The Oligarch Kings. N.p., 18 July 2010. Web. 05 Nov. 2012. <http://theoligarchkings.wordpress.com/2010/07/18/mitt-romney-for-2012/>.
Oct
29
The big news this week regarded environmental disasters. Starting from an earthquake with a magnitude of 7.7 which occurred on B.C. coast on 27th October, 2012, the next big thing is coming towards NYC: Hurricane Sandy. Although the tsunami which hit Haida Gwaii and Port Edward had a negligible effect on the population, Hurricane Sandy is a different story.
The magnitude of the storm is clearly identified in the article written in bloomberg post; as it depicts Hurricane Sandy as a storm that threatens the NYC with “70-mile-per-hour winds andt… an 11-foot sea surge.”
In caution to the storm, “The U.S. securities industry canceled equity trading on all markets” on Sunday, October 28th, 2012 and expects this shutdown to “extend through Oct. 30”. This temporary arrest on NYSE and Nasdaq stock market will inevitably have an impact on the economy, whether it is in a micro or macro scale. Hurricane Sandy, as Bloomberg puts it, will directly affect approximately 60 million people occupying southern New Jersey, but the temporary closure of NYSE and Nasdaq stock exchange will indirectly affect the world economy, considering they are one of the biggest stock markets with the largest market capitalization. It would be interesting to see the effect that Sandy has on the stock prices of S&P500 and many other share prices of major companies.
Sources Cited
News, CBC. “Tsunami Heads for Hawaii after Huge B.C. Quake – British Columbia – CBC News.” CBCnews. CBC/Radio Canada, 28 Oct. 2012. Web. 29 Oct. 2012. <http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/story/2012/10/27/bc-quake-reported.html>.
Mehta, Nina, and Nikolaj Gammeltoft. “U.S. Stock Trading Canceled as New York Girds for Storm.” Bloomberg. N.p., 28 Oct. 2012. Web. 29 Oct. 2012. <http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-10-28/nymex-to-close-floor-for-sandy-as-nyse-nasdaq-see-normal-open.html>.
Photo Credits
Foley, Peter. “U.S. Stock Trading Canceled as New York Girds for Storm.” Bloomberg. N.p., 28 Oct. 2012. Web. 29 Oct. 2012. <http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-10-28/nymex-to-close-floor-for-sandy-as-nyse-nasdaq-see-normal-open.html>.
Oct
8
Can Celikyilmaz’ Blog in How BP failed on contingency planning has provided me with an insight of how important the reputation of the company really is. John R. Kimberly of CNN defines the negativity on the reputation of BP(British Petrol) as “damage that threatens its very existence.” No matter how good the quality of the oil is, reputation of the company, supported by its leadership and the ability to handle an unexpected situation, occupies a significant portion of determining the consumer’s choice and their loyalty. This statement can be further extrapolated from the information provided in the financial market; BP stock price plummeted from $641.10(Lon:BP) to $417.80 as it approached the end of June in 2010, following the very incident of the oil spill.
Its failure to efficiently coordinate employees in solving the problem and its naivete in treating the incident insignificantly has resulted in a disastrous outcome. As Can states, “BP isn’t suffering just from the leak of oil in the gulf” but also from the spread of oil into the surrounding areas which causes environmental degradation and a rise in epidemic disease. This “snowballing” effect of the oil spill has additionally contributed to the decline in BP’s reputation.
The following parody depicts the essence of BP’s failing reputation as the leader of oil production:
It is important to recognize the importance of reputation within each companies because such information can be used effectively in predicting the future of the organization.
Sources Cited
Celikyilmaz,Can. “How BP failed on contingency planning“. (2012): n.pag. Web . 08 Oct.2012.<https://blogs.ubc.ca/cancelikyilmaz/2012/10/01/how-bp-failed-on-contingency-planning/>
Kimberly, John R. “How BP Blew Crisis Management 101.” CNN. N.p., 21 June 2010. Web. 08 Oct. 2012. <http://articles.cnn.com/2010-06-21/opinion/kimberly.bp.management.crisis_1_bp-crisis-senior-management?_s=PM:OPINION>.
“BP Plc: LON:BP Quotes & News – Google Finance.” BP Plc: LON:BP Quotes & News – Google Finance. N.p., n.d. Web. 08 Oct. 2012. <http://www.google.ca/finance?q=LON:BP>.
Photo Credit
Macalister, Terry. “BP Shuts Alternative Energy HQ.” The Guardian. Guardian News and Media, 28 June 2009. Web. 08 Oct. 2012. <http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2009/jun/28/bp-alternative-energy>
Video Credit
UCBComedy. “BP Spills Coffee.” YouTube. YouTube, 09 June 2010. Web. 08 Oct. 2012. <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2AAa0gd7ClM>.
Oct
7
Sally Chen’s blog of explaining how Tim Horton’s had come to become an iconic symbol of Canada has prompted me to dive deeply into the business structure of “Timmy Ho’s” . Consequently, through analysis and examinations of Tim Horton’s structure, values, and its products, I have come to realize the enormous obstacle that Tim Horton’s has to overcome in order to expand its fast-food chains globally: Canada.
The three words that mainly come up when Tim Hortons is mentioned are : Donuts, Hocket, and …. CANADA. Sure, Tim Hortons has great tasting food and positive atmosphere in its stores; however, what differentiates it from all the other restaurants, as Sally puts it, is its ” tradition, history, and hockey roots [that] provide their customers with a sense of national identity and pride.” Ironically, this unique trait of Timmy Ho’s is the main reason that it faces difficulties in expanding its chains overseas.
This is a commercial that Tim Horton’s released in the beginning of 2012:
As can be seen from the video, Tim Horton’s continual support and value towards its national heritage and maintaining its main target as Canadians would prove to be difficult for it to expand globally like its main competitors, Mcdonalds and Burger King. Figuring out effective ways to increase its current 4000+ stores without losing loyal customers while gaining interests from new ones should be Tim Horton’s new future prospect if it plans to expand its chains internationally.
Source Cited:
Chen, Sally. Tim Hortons:” A Canadian Icon” n. pag. Web. 7 Oct. 2012. https://blogs.ubc.ca/sallychen/.
“Tim Hortons.” Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 10 Aug. 2012. Web. 08 Oct. 2012. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tim_Hortons>.
Photo Credits
“GpsPasSion Forums.” GpsPasSion Forums. N.p., n.d. Web. 08 Oct. 2012. <http://www.gpspassion.com/forumsen/pop_printer_friendly.asp?TOPIC_ID=66445>.
Video Credits
Hypergirl74. “Tim Hortons 2012 Commercial – Feat. Sidney Crosby.” YouTube. YouTube, 25 Jan. 2012. Web. 08 Oct. 2012. <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a7fKuOMo2r4>.
Sep
30
Since its strong public market launch in November 2011, Groupon, the pioneer of online dealing service companies, has been losing its users, as its IPO(Initial Public Offering) of $26.11(NASDAQ) declined to its present value of $4.76. Whether Groupon is desperate in the state that it currently occupies, or from its starting interest in a different market, the company has taken a new approach towards its value positioning in consumer’s minds.
Groupon has recently initiated a credit card payment business on Wednesday, September 19th, 2012. The company elaborates its new sector as a service that “lets restaurants, salons and spas, retailers and other local businesses accept credit card payments at a lower rate than other providers.” For instance, while stores that have deals with Groupon will accept “.8 per cent for MasterCard, Visa and Discover cards, on top of a 15-cent fee per swipe” as their payments, stores without the contract with Groupon will charge “a higher rate of 2.2 per cent”. It is interesting to note that Groupon’s goal in incorporating this concept into their business is not to make an enormous profit, although plenty of opportunities can be foreseen; it plans to obtain “more data on how many customers bought deals, when they came into stores and how much they spent.””. If this plan results in success, it may be the only option that Groupon have in establishing its position in Internet-based Dealing enterprise.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oZ4BIO-gtAs
Source Cited
BARR, ALISTAIR. “The Globe and Mail.” The Globe and Mail. N.p., 19 Sept. 2012. Web. 01 Oct. 2012. <http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/international-business/groupon-launches-credit-card-service/article4554437/>.
Photo Credits
Cohn, Emily. “Groupon Payments To Challenge Square, PayPal (PHOTO).” The Huffington Post. TheHuffingtonPost.com, 19 Sept. 2012. Web. 08 Oct. 2012. <http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/09/19/groupon-payments-square-paypal_n_1897233.html>.
Video Credits
“Trading at Noon: Groupon Gets Its Groove Back.” YouTube. YouTube, 19 Sept. 2012. Web. 08 Oct. 2012. <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oZ4BIO-gtAs>.
Sep
11
Apple products have become prevalent electronic products during the first decade of the 21st century. Aside from their utility and fashion, apple products have a tragic story behind its illuminating cover. Foxconn is a Taiwan-based company that is responsible for most of the manufacturing of apple products. Many of their factories are based in mainland China, where the economy is thriving and the concept of minimum wage is obscure. Blinded by its pursue of maximizing the profit, Foxconn has neglected the working conditions of its employee in many of the factories in China. The degradation of the working conditions of factory workers has gotten to a point where in 2010, more than ten workers have jumped to his death. Critics have identified this astounding behavior as the extreme case of work-stress by the Chinese workers. “Over ten hour shifts, they are required to assemble 4000 computers”(http://chinalaborwatch.org/pro/proshow-98.html), changing tasks every 7 seconds.Foxconn’s unethical actions of treating its employees as faceless entities who serve for the benefit of the company have frowned many people promoting labor right justice and led the public to view it as the iconic symbol of a “sweatshop” in the 21st century.
You can watch the video of this tragedy here:
Source Cited
“Foxconn – Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.” Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Wikipedia, n.d. Web. 11 Sept. 2012. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foxconn>.
Chen, Michelle. “Foxconn Deaths Illuminate Deeper Tragedies in China’s Workforce.”Foxconn Deaths Illuminate Deeper Tragedies in Chinaâs Workforce –. N.p., 2 June 2010. Web. 11 Sept. 2012. <http://www.inthesetimes.com/working/entry/6051/foxconn_deaths_illuminate_deeper_tragedies_in_chinas_workforce/>.
Photo Credits
“Foxconn Employees Say Underage Workers Were Hidden Before FLA Inspection | Cult of Mac.” Foxconn Employees Say Underage Workers Were Hidden Before FLA Inspection | Cult of Mac. N.p., n.d. Web. 08 Oct. 2012. <http://www.cultofmac.com/147878/foxconn-employees-say-underage-workers-were-hidden-before-fla-inspection/>.
Video Credits
Sacom2005. “The Truth of the Apple IPad Behind Foxconn’s Lies.” YouTube. YouTube, 06 June 2011. Web. 08 Oct. 2012. <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V3YFGixp9Jw>.