In many business decisions, there are tradeoffs. Sacrifice is always needed to make a breakthrough or to undergo significant transformation. In 2013, Japan Airline ordered 31 long-haul jets Airbus, a European aircraft manufacturing company, after years of being Boeing’s exclusive customer. It was definitely not a easy decision to make. Because of the loss of loyalty, Japan Airlines will no longer receive any “preferential treatment” including discounts and creative packages from the Boeing Company. In addition, it was a costly decision. Switching planes cost JAL large amount of capitals for ongoing maintenance and trainings since the Airbus pilots and mechanics are also included in the “plane package”.

Even though this new plan took a toll on the company’s physical asset, the potential profit JAL may gain considerable. Undoubtedly, this switching action rebuilds customers’ trust and confidence in JAL. The electric system problems Boeing 787 has that caused several accidences blemished JAL’s reputation and aroused enormous safety concerns. Suspending Boeing 787 and finding an alternative is their best way to keep customers. Most importantly, the newly formed collaboration with Airbus gave JAL more buyer power, greater flexibility, and a more favorable position on negotiation tables.

In this case, JAL trade a considerable number of cash for a future potential growth and more buyer power. Because of the company’s intelligent weighing of gain and loss, it successfully survived from the trust crisis and vigorously moved to the next chapter.

http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2013-10-07/how-japan-air-lines-flexed-its-negotiating-muscles#r=most%20popular

Death seems to be a taboo topic in many cultures, especially the conservative Asian cultures. Since death is usually accompanied by fear, sadness and grief, people treat it with awe and cautiously pick the “right words” when confronting other’s death. However, with the sensitivity of this topic, many problems and mess occur after a family member’s death, including the common “property distribution issue” and the child raising responsibility. And it is also important for elders who expect the day to come soon to inform other family members with his last wishes and how he wants his belongings to be taken care of afterwards. All the above reasons suggest that there needs to be special occasion for families to gather and discuss these details.

To solve this problem, Michael Hebb and fellow faculty members at the University of Washington created a program called “Let’s Have Dinner and Talk About Death”. To many people who just heard about this program, it sounds like a ridiculous and bizarre idea. However, this program still has its targeting market. Nowadays there are open-minded families who want to sit down and settle things down together. Talking about preference of funeral with an elder may seem disrespectful, and yet it is out of love and respect to take care of things the way the “leaving people” want. And some great food at the table may help enlighten people and relieve the negative feeling around the depressing topic. It is a better occasion to have the conversation than doing it at home.

http://www.policymic.com/articles/66261/this-is-the-most-important-dinner-party-you-ll-ever-attend

For many businessmen, it is imperative to make an intelligent and thorough investment plan in order to earn a profitable career. Nowadays so as to have a high standard of living, average people are learning how to wisely invest in themselves. With the diminishing amount of pension people are guaranteed to receive, deferred fixed income annuity has gradually become a star financial product.

Some people argue that spending a considerable amount of cash for income you may never collect sounds like an imprudent decision. Who knows about what would happen in the future? Nevertheless, a study of Statistic Canada conducted from 2007 to 2009 shows that the life expectancy has extended to 80 years for males and 84 years for females in British Columbia. It shows a large difference from the study conducted 30 years ago, which indicates a life expectancy of 69 years for males and 76 years for females. Because of the advancement in medical technologies and a overall improvement in life standard, people are long-lived, therefore, may live a long period life without salaries. This is where the annuities show their values. Although with a relatively high fees and low rates of returns, the different kinds of annuities provide a steady flow of income for the rest of customers’’ lives, with which people are able to enjoy the most peaceful and meaningful period.

Uncertainty is a major characteristic of business as well as investment. Though the uncertainty brings us the sense of insecurity, it is always brilliant to take a chance for the best interest, especially when the bet is on you!

http://business.time.com/2013/09/21/retirees-are-living-longer-creating-a-new-star-financial-product/