The debt crisis in Europe was mentioned in class a while ago, and throughout this time, actions have been taken to ease the situation. Recently, Eurozone private banks agreed to write off 50% of Greece’s debts, which is expected to cut the nation’s debt load to 120% of its GDP in 2020. As well, the bailout fund, also known as the European Financial Stability Facility (EFSF), has been boosted from 440 billion euros to 1 trillion euros.

Klaus Regling, chief of the EFSF, hopes to leverage the fund by offering insurance to purchasers of eurozone members’ debt and setting up a special investment vehicle to which countries such as China, Japan, India, and Brazil could contribute.

However, many are skeptical about Europe taking on more debt in its attempt to solve the crisis. Though Japan has announced that it will continue to purchase more EFSF bonds, China is reluctant to commit until it sees more details of the plan. Europe’s move in asking help from China has been criticized by many, but nonetheless, it is a step in trying to clean up the mess. We’ll just have to wait and see how things play out.

Word Count: 188

Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-15472679

Floods during the monsoon and cyclone season are common in Thailand, but the one that recently hit the country had profound effects on its citizens, economy, and global supply chains. Having discussed in about class supply chain operations, it’s interesting to note the effects of the flood, keeping in mind that 70% of Thailand’s GDP comes from the manufacture and export of computer parts, cars, and textiles.

Thailand’s largest vehicle manufacturer, Toyota, experienced lost output of 37,500 vehicles and closed assembly plants in parts of the US due to problems in getting parts from factories in flooded areas. Honda, Nissan and Ford are also experiencing similar types of disruptions. And in the industry of computer hard disc drives, companies such as Western Digital and Nidec have shut down factories in Thailand. As a result, component prices are expected to rise.

As Yuen Pau Woo, president of the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada, stated: “When you have a unforeseen disaster like this, the ripple effects are very, very profound.” Faced with unpredictable disasters, more companies find themselves forced to move away from just-in-time production and attempt to set up multiple locations for parts and assembly.

Word Count: 192

Sources: Flash, A. (2011, October 28) Folio: Flooding in Thailand. The Globe and Mail, A9

Photos: http://aibob.blogspot.com/2011/10/thailand-2011-great-flood.html

The above picture from Angelina Chapin’s blog on the Canadian Business website caught my eye and steered me on to read about Greenpeace’s campaign against Barbie. Mattel, the producers of Barbie dolls, had been purchasing paper and packing products from companies that harm the rainforest in order to reduce packaging costs. In its campaign, Greenpeace released this video in June:

In response, Mattel announced recently that it will stop purchasing its packaging materials from such companies, and will commit to use more recycled paper and products approved by the Forest Stewardship Council. And with that, Barbie and Ken are reunited.

I find Greenpeace’s creative and effective marketing tactics very impressive. Greenpeace’s campaign against Nestle to stop the use of palm oil from destroyed forests and orangutan habitats is yet another great example of its successful marketing. It’s no wonder that these organizations are getting the message and taking action.

Word Count: 154

Source:

http://www.canadianbusiness.com/blog/consumer_insight/48879–greenpeace-wins-battle-with-mattel

http://www.greenpeace.org/international/ReSizes/ImageGalleryLarge/Global/international/planet-2/image/2010/3/activists-dressed-as-orangutan.jpg

After reading Olivia Julia Lanni’s blog about Kevin O’Leary’s and his appearance on Dragon’s Den, I couldn’t help but make a few comments.

Dragon’s Den and Shark Tank have long been some of the most watched shows in my house.  As I watch Dragon’s Den with my father, Kevin’s aggressive character stands out clearly. With all due respect to Kevin, for he is a very successful businessman, and based on his experiences, his takes toward the entrepreneurs coming onto the show are probably right; however, the way that he expresses his views, and his obnoxious attitude towards the entrepreneur and sometimes even towards his fellow “dragons”, have upset many.

Arlene Dickinson, a fellow “dragon”, had commented on Kevin’s behavior during one of the episodes: “You can give good advice, but you don’t have to be mean about it.”

I can’t agree more. One may be the richest person in the world, or famous and well acknowledged, but even then, respect towards others is still very necessary.

Word Count: 167

Source: http://www.cbc.ca/dragonsden/dragons.html

If you’re complaining about paying the highest gas prices in the nation right now, you better brace yourself for this. That’s right, gas taxes are about to rise again, from 15 cents per litre, to 17 cents per litre.

Why the increase? Metro Vancouver’s mayors claimed that they were desperate; transit improvement, as they said, is badly need. The funds raised through this would go toward building the Evergreen Line and creating more efficient truck routes.

However, considering the billions of dollars from tax payers’ pockets that’s already spent on Transit projects such as the Canada Line, Gateway Project, and adding high tech budgets to SkyTrain, Mcmartin raises the question: Why has transit improvement suddenly become so urgent now? With such a fragile economy, it really isn’t a good idea to raise taxes now.

After reading some of the stats that Mcmartin gave, I was surprised to see Vancouver worse off than other major cities in Canada. The cost of living is high, not to mention the housing prices, and it certainly doesn’t help that we have the lowest minimum wage in Canada; well, at least that will be going up soon.

Word Count: 191

Sources: http://www.evergreenline.gov.bc.ca/documents/Maps_Graphics/alignment_map.jpg

http://www.vancouversun.com/business/Transit+lifeblood+this+city+axpayers+please+open+your+veins/5510544/story.html#ixzz1a4mVod2D

Steve Jobs passed away today at the age of 56.

I don’t have to describe how great of a man he was, or list his accomplishments as CEO of Apple and Co-founder of Pixar. As Fortune Magazine states, “The past decade in business belongs to Jobs.”

However, the legacy he leaves behind is much more than the familiar brand names that were associated with him. I would like to share with you this inspirational speech that Steve Jobs had made a year after he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.

Steve Job’s speech left me with these thoughts. Life is unexpected. Explore. Incorporate. Connect the dots. In the video, Steve Jobs shared his family background and college experiences, of his journey as he started Apple from his basement, of how he established Pixar, of his return to Apple, of his fight with cancer, and inspirational words to the youths and future leaders.

Having been told in 2004 that he only had 3-6 months to live, Steve Jobs fought the battle all the way until today. Through everything, his clear goal in life, passion, determination, and positive outlook makes him, even more, a man to be admired.

Word Count: 195

Sources:http://www.ted.com/speakers/steve_jobs.

html http://www.ted.com/talks/steve_jobs_how_to_live_before_you_die.html

News of the anti-wall street protests and the recent arrest of 700 people for occupying the Brooklyn Bridge during the weekend has been circulating. The protest, also known as Occupy Wall Street, had originally started with around ten college students in a plaza near New York’s financial center. However, after the mass arrest Saturday, hundreds more of protesters as well as groups in other cities are joining in to speak against corporate greed, social inequality, global climate change and other concerns during these rallies.

Across the US in 21 other cities such as Los Angeles, Chicago, and Boston, similar demonstrations are staged in front of  the Federal Reserve buildings of those cities; here at home in Canada, plans for similar “Wall Street” rallies are in place for major cities like Toronto and Vancouver later this month.

In my view, the will and determination of these protesters are admirable. Many of them are youths, and by coming together, they’re able to take a firm stance and point out to corporations the changes that need to occur. However, I don’t think that drastic changes would take place immediately after these demonstrations, but they are beginning steps towards this much needed change.

Word count: 199

Article: http://online.wsj.com/article/APa5da8a0250814cebaf437ad8842d69c7.html

Photo: Reuters / Jessica Rinaldi;  http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/223260/20111001/occupy-wall-street-protest-march-brooklyn-bridge-nypd-arrests.htm