Illegal Immigrants

Where do I start? Illegal immigration is unfair on so many levels.
I don't have a problem with people because they are from other countries trying to live a better life in my country- no, not at all. I have a problem with people from other countries sneaking over the border to work for cheap wages and send the money back to their homelands. I have a problem with the immigrants who don't take the initiative to learn the English language and get on that waiting list for a visa. What's happening is people are sneaking across the border, working for cheap wages (below minimum wage even!) resulting in a tremendous unemployment rate for Americans who have lived in this country their whole life! How is that fair? An immigrant who hasn't made their contribution to American society can just come in, get a job that pays $5/hour that an American could have had for $12/hour, and send all that money back to their hometown- contributing to our economy's demise. And apparently, this is OK! Well, I for one don't agree. Because that money is lost, the government is going to find a way to replace that money- A.K.A. my taxes!
I'm curious. We live in America. Our primary language is English. Now, a lot of jobs are requiring that employees speak Spanish. Can we make it any easier for these illegal immigrants?
When illegal immigrants have children in America, their kids are considered Americans. Now my taxes are going towards healthcare and education for that child when their parent(s) were very wrong for illegally coming into the country in the first places. It's just not fair. That money could be going towards a legal resident who really needs that aid!
This is yet another reason why our economy is at an all time low!

Stocks Plummet After Bailout Bill Fails

In a vote that shook the government, Wall Street and markets around the world, the House on Monday defeated a $700 billion emergency rescue for the nation's financial system. This left both parties' lawmakers and the Bush administration dismayed. Apparently this was the last resort to fix our economy, so what happens now?

House to Vote on Massive Bailout Deal

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi announced Sunday that lawmakers and members of the Bush administration reached an agreement of approving the bailout package for Wall Street. The Bush administration and other members of the government believe the bailout is the most efficient way to fix our economy. The bailout also gives the Bush administrators more of an advantage to spend out tax dollars on other financial industrial issues which is a concern for me.

"Obamanomics"

"http://www.ontheissues.org/celeb/Barack_Obama_Budget_+_Economy.htm"
A different economic approach vs. McCain's 4 more years

Q: The GOP is arguing already that you want to increase capital gains taxes on investments and stocks: A lot of middle-class people have those kinds of accounts.
A: If they have a 401(k), then they are going to see those taxes deferred, and they're going to pay ordinary income when they finally cash out. So, that's a phony argument. You know, as I travel around the country, what I'm absolutely convinced of is that people recognize that if only 1% of the population is doing well, when we've got wage and incomes for the average worker actually going down during a period of economic expansion, much less economic recession, that something's being mismanaged. And they want a different approach. And that's what we're going to be offering them. John McCain is essentially offering four more years of the same policies that got us into this rut that we're in now.
Source: CNN Late Edition: 2008 presidential series with Wolf Blitzer May 11, 2008

I completely agree with what Obama is saying here. In simple terms, Obama is saying he has a plan that will better the economic state of the nation, while McCain wishes to continue to America's economic policies that put us in this financial crisis in the first place.

Can't do anything at home with $12 billion a month on Iraq

The fact that we're spending $12 billion every month in Iraq means that we can't engage in the kind of infrastructure improvements that are going to make us more competitive, we can't deliver on the kinds of health care reforms that Clinton and I are looking for. McCain is willing to have these troops over there for 100 years. The notion that we would sustain that kind of effort and neglect not only making us more secure here at home, more competitive here at home, allow our economy to sink.
Source: 2008 Democratic debate at University of Texas in Austin Feb 21, 2008

Yes! Yes, yes, yes! Go, Obama! What is there to argue about? This makes so much sense. Why spend $12 billion a month on a war that we're not even quite winning. Hold on, let's do the math; thats $144 billion a year. The war started in 2003, that's almost six years. Now, if we were never involved in this war to begin with, that's $864 billion dollars we could have had for ourselves. If we had that money, then there would have been no reason for the government to be dipping into our social security!

McCain Shows Up for Tonight's Debate

"Reverses His Pledge to Postpone"

I liked John McCain's proposal to pause the presidential campaign until a stable plan was devised for the nation's failing economy. On the contrary, I most certainly did not appreciate John McCain's decision to attend tonight's debate. This incident proves him to be indecisive- or, a liar, in more simple terms if you catch my drift. This does not convey a good message to the public. We all know that politicians are liars, but let's face it- when we have evidence to verify such a statement, it only makes matters worse for the presidential hopeful. Bush has proved himself to be a "fabricator," and McCain himself is actually very good friends with Bush. So, how does that make McCain look? This occurance could result in a major hit for McCain. I guess that's why I'm an Obama fan! Woooooo!

Price Increases Hurt Entrepreneurs

The cost of gas and inflation not only affects us consumers but businesses as well. "From fuel to shipping costs to ingredients and raw materials, businesses costs are steadily rising, but so are the expenses that their customers are facing." If these businesses raise their prices too much --or too often-- then customers shop elsewhere. If they keep their prices low to suite their customers then they may run out of business. It's a loose-loose situation. There must be other alternatives or more inexpensive ways to get gas. This is outrageous! I'm a consumer and the inflation rates are ridiculous, something must be done!

http://smallbusiness.aol.com/article/_a/price-increases-hurt-entrepreneurs/20080917155809990001

Sales of Small Businesses on the Rise

Due to current economic state sales of businesses have sky-rocketed. The prices paid to buy out a small business are also rising, "from a median price of $186,000 at this time last year to $200,000." I think this can have a bad and good effect on our economy.
http://smallbusiness.aol.com/article/_a/sales-of-small-businesses-on-the-rise/20080922163109990001

Henry Paulson- Does he have what it takes?

Henry Paulson is currently the United States Treasury Secretary. He is also a member of the International Monetary Fund Board of Governors. He was also the previous Chairman and Chief Executive Officier of Goldman Sachs. Paulson was also Staff Assistant to the Assistant Secretary of Defense at the Pentagon from 1970 to 1972. He also worked for the Administration of U.S. President Richard Nixon.
As Treasury Secretary Paulson has "has quickly distinguished himself from his two predecessors in the Bush administration by formally identifying the wide gap between the richest and poorest Americans as an issue on his list of the country's four major long-term economic issues to be addressed, highlighting the issue in one of his first public appearances as Secretary of Treasury."
Based on this information, I believe Paulson is a qualified candidate to manage the "bailout" operations. He has served many years working with and for the government holding elite positions.

Information gathered from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_Paulson#Career_highlights

McCain Halts Campaign Due to Economy

John McCain challenged Obama on Wednesday to pause their campaign, postpone Friday's debate and work together to deal with the nation's financial troubles. Obama's response wasn't immediate. In my opinion this was a very responsible move on McCains part, however I still stand behind Obama 100%.

Coke Is No. 1 Global Brand

Despite a slumping economy, many companies refuse to let up when it comes to investing in long-term branding. And for the eighth straight year, Coca-Cola earns the top stop on BusinessWeek's annual list of the world's top brands.
I think this a good example of "Global company". Coca-Cola sets a good example of it.

Last Big Investment Banks Change Status

The Federal Reserve announces that it will allow Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley to change their status to bank holding companies, giving the embattled companies the ability to create commercial banks to take deposits, bolstering the resources of both institutions.
I think Goldman Sachs is a liable company in my opinion but I'm not to sure about the decision entirely. I think the "bailout" is a terrible idea. Goldman and Morgan Stanley will be able to set up commercial bank subsidiaries to take deposits, and also have the same access as other commercial banks to the Fed's emergency loan program. Let's also not forget to think that they may not charge ordinary account holders with ridiculous late fees and interest rates for loans......

Isuzu Potential Business Client for GM

On September 19, Bloomberg.com released information stating that "General Motor may sell its truck operations" to the well-known Japanese automobile company, Isuzu Motor Ltd. Should this occur, I would support GM's and Isuzu's negotiation because Isuzu happens to produce great-quality vehicles that are sturdy and long-lasting. Partnering with Isuzu could be very promising for GM. Because of Isuzu's strong reputation for making quality vehicles, this could boost GM's reputation and put GM's business back on track where it needs to be. On the contrary, this means that because GM is selling half its business to Japan, that is less money going into our economy, which only contributes to the further decline of our economy.

Interesting business terms that I happen to like

1. What is international management?
(Me) Multinational management objectives based from home.

2. International management is pursuing organizational objectives in international and cross-cultural settings


3. What is global company?
(Me) Companies in different parts of the globe function under home-based objectives.

4. Global company is a multinational venture centrally managed from a specific.

5. What is transnational company?
(Me) Companies operating globally independently with no particular origin.

6. What is cultural Intelligence?
(Me) Intelligence used to socialize and live in a foreign country as a foreigner similarly to the natives living there.

7. What is ethnocentric attitude?
(Me) Attitudes based on home-orientated.

8. What is polycentric attitude?
Attitudes based on host countries in replace of the home-based country.

9. What is geocentric attitude?
World-orientated attitude. Believe to be the most productive attitudes.

10. What is culture?
Behavior patterns viewed as reasons as to why people do certain things.

11. What are high-context cultures?
Cultures in which nonverbal language and situational language is used.

12. What are low-context cultures?
Cultures in which spoken language is prominent.

13. What are collectivist cultures?
Cultures that capture different cultures globally to produce a better culture.

14. What is monochronic time?

15. What is polychronic time?

16. What is culture shock?
Culture shock is when

17. What is cross-cultural training?
Training that involves workers working abroad to develop the most challenging crisis' of working abroad.

Today's Class Discussion: 9/11/2008

Globalization, in plain language, is any service provided or product produced in one country for sale in another country. Examples include but are not limited to children's toys made in China, customer service operators in India, and tomatoes from Mexico. It's nearly impossible to run away from globalization when your morning coffee is imported from Columbia, your car was manufactured in Japan, and your shoes were made in Italy.

The evolution of product quality places strong emphasis on continuous improvement.More specifically, the evolution of product quality is associated with four different approaches; the fix-it approach to quality, the inspect-it-in approach to quality, the build-it-in approach to quality, and the design-it-in approach to quality. The fix-it approach requires inspectors to refurbish defective products. The inspect-it-in approach calls for inspectors to "sample work in a process and prescribe machine adjustments to avoid standard output," according to Kreitner. The build-it-in approach gives responsibility to every person who touches the product to detect and correct defects, and to "identify and eliminate causes of quality problems." Lastly, the design-it-in approach mandates customers as well as employees to participate in the entire design-production cycle. The build-it-in and design-it-in approaches are popularly labeled total quality management, or TQM.

General Motors: International Management and Cross-Cultural Competence

International management is pursuing organizational objectives in international and cross-cultural settings. In simplified terms, large companies attempt to establish an organized and well developed business in foreign countries. A perfect example of this is General Motors (GM.) GM is a U.S. based business, however, the company has established relations in several countries, including China, employing approximately 284,000 people around the world and manufacturing cars and trucks in 35 different countries.

According to "Management" by Kreitner, cross-cultural competence is a combination of cultural intelligence- "the ability of an outsider to read individual behavior, group dynamics, and situations in a foreign culture as well as the locals do"- and a geocentric attitude, which is a world oriented view that draws o the best talent from around the world.

GM demonstrates great cross-cultural competence by hiring 284,000 employees around the world who help run a company that produces motor vehicles in 35 different countries around the world that are exclusive to each region's needs and desires, therefore making the company quite successful.

How much do I know about Chapter 1 (Continued)

1. What are some/an example of management?
Any leader of an organization delegating responsibility or receiting objectives and making sure they get done in efficient manners.

2. What are some examples of effectiveness?
Ordering supplies for your company on -time!

3. What are some examples of efficiency?
Using as little resources as possibly and ordering from the cheapest producers.

4. What is an example of offshoring?
Dell utilizing factories overseas employing foreigners.

5. What is an example of E-business?
Ebay

6. What is an example of managerial skills?
What President George Bush lacks as the manager of the US.

7. What is an example of managerial functions?
Objectives all managers should do.

8. What is an example of small business?
PetCo
9. What is an example of entreprenuership?
JayZ taking to risk to make music and his current status now.

Who invented the transistor?

The Bipolar Junction Transistor was invented by two scientists, William Sahkely, John Bardeen and Walter Brattain, in 1948. The two of them both worked at Bell Labs, and were trying to find something to replace the bulky and heat wasting vacuum tubes. They had been trying to make a Field Effect Transistor using copper oxide when they discovered a different amplifying effect produced by closely-spaced metal contacts touching Germanium semiconductor. They won the Nobel Prize in Physics for their work in 1956, along with William Shockley, who improved upon their design.
When the Bell Labs scientists continued to investigate a possible FET transistor, they discovered that one of these had already been patented by Physicist J. Edgar Lilienfeld. Lilienfeld's insulated-gate FET (or MOSFET) was based on thin film semiconductor deposited on glass, and was invented over 25 years before the BJT, in the early 1920s (http://www.physlink.com/education/AskExperts/ae414.cfm)

GM demands 50 billion from the government

GM believes that the government should grant them $50 billion in loans. Representatives from GM believe that US automakers need to build more fuel-efficient vehicals. They will only contribute their part to that if congress grants them this loan by September. This is also a matter of National emergency because auto retailers were more concerned with getting consumers to purchase non-fuel-efficient vehicals and trucks. I believe GM has a valid point but don't neccesarily agree with their way of being heard.

More business terms.

1. What is management?
(Me) Management is skills and organization used to regulate responsibility and how and when things get done in a business.

Management is the process of working with and through others to achieve organizational objectives in a changing environment.

2. What is effectiveness?
(Me) Effectiveness is making sure something gets done.

Effectiveness entails promptly achieving a stated objective.

3. What is efficiency?
(Me) Efficiency is how well something gets done.

Efficiency is a central element in the process of management that balances the amount of resources used to achieve an objective against what was actually accomplished.

4. What is offshoring?
(Me) Off shoring is the controlling of a business overseas.

Offshoring is a controversial practice of sending jobs to low-wage countries.

5. What is the internet?
(Me) The internet is global information available on the World Wide Web through the use of anything providing internet service ex. computers, pda...

A global network of servers and personal and organizational computers.

6. What is E-business?
(Me) E-business is business done on the net.

E-business is a business using the internet for greater efficiency in its operations.

7. What are managerial functions?
(Me) Managerial functions are different responsibilities for management.

Managerial functions are general administrative duties that need to be carried out in virtually all productive organizations to achieve desired outcomes.

8. What are managerial skills?
(Me) Managerial skills are different qualities managers should execute efficiently.

Managerial skills are specific, observable behaviors that effective managers exhibit.

9. What is small business?
(Me) Small business are businesses whose population size are less than 100 people.

Small business is an independently owned and managed profit seeking enterprise with fewer than 100 employees.

10. What is entrepreneurship?
(Me) Entrepreneurship who someone who takes risk and is eager to starting their own business.

Entrepreneurship is the process of pursuing opportunity without regard to resources currently under ones control.