Friday, March 2
I guess I have never really realized how many people do play video games, especially across the world. I, myself, do not enjoy them very much, so I suppose that I never really have payed attention to them other than around Christmas time when people rush around searching for the new one that has just come into the market.
I stumbled upon an article in The Austalian, an Australian newspaper, about a man who moved back to his homeland of South Australia with no career plans, and decided to open a small store. He has been a real estate agent, and wanted change. In 2000, he opened a store selling second hand video games and kites. Once the Pokemon crave hit, he learned that this market could work for him. He became very popular, and now is an entreprenuer. Gametraders is the name of his store, and "has evolved into a 37-store entreprise that specializes in buying, selling, trading, and renting new and used video games. It sells both very recent video game merchandise, to as far back as the ancient sega.
This man won the Franchise Council of Australia's franchisor and franchisee awards in 2003 and 2004. Sales of his 10 stores hit $13.7 million, and are expected to jump to $25 million for the year 2007. This man has done very well for himself, with something he enjoys doing in the world of technology. I guess I should start paying more attention to video games and other electronics, for the market is growing and there are many opportunites available in the job market.
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,21201200-5010941,00.html
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
Wednesday, February 28- European Union
Wednesday, February 28
"Two independent studies suggest the EU is getting closer to its job and growth targets although productivity and spending on research remain problematic.." began an EU article entitled "EU Closer to Reaching Job Goals, Think-tanks say," on February 26. Economic goals are listed by leaders in Lisbon, and in 2000, these leaders listed goals such as growth, employment, research and development, as well as social and environmental protection.
So far, some countries are exceeding these goals, and some are not working hard enough. Denmark is among those that are exceeding these goals, with the highest employment rates, the most successful high-tech industries and the best social protection. The Netherlands is succeeding right beside Denmark, while France, Germany and Italy (the biggests of the EU member states) are average.
Some people say there is even a rise in labor productivity, due to improvement in education within the last few years.
The economy is looking up for the European Union, and they are going to do their best to keep it this way because a decline in the economy is predicted to occur between 2010 and 2020.
http://euobserver.com/19/23571
"Two independent studies suggest the EU is getting closer to its job and growth targets although productivity and spending on research remain problematic.." began an EU article entitled "EU Closer to Reaching Job Goals, Think-tanks say," on February 26. Economic goals are listed by leaders in Lisbon, and in 2000, these leaders listed goals such as growth, employment, research and development, as well as social and environmental protection.
So far, some countries are exceeding these goals, and some are not working hard enough. Denmark is among those that are exceeding these goals, with the highest employment rates, the most successful high-tech industries and the best social protection. The Netherlands is succeeding right beside Denmark, while France, Germany and Italy (the biggests of the EU member states) are average.
Some people say there is even a rise in labor productivity, due to improvement in education within the last few years.
The economy is looking up for the European Union, and they are going to do their best to keep it this way because a decline in the economy is predicted to occur between 2010 and 2020.
http://euobserver.com/19/23571
Thursday, February 22, 2007
Monday, February 26- Local/State/National Affairs
Monday, February 26
TJX, the corporate office of TJ Maxx, Homegoods, and Marshalls retail stores recently found out that their computer systems, holding customer information such as credit card numbers and drivers license numbers has been hacked into since July 2005, and used all over the world. They have discovered that the hackers have been using these credit card numbers to make fraud purchases, and people have been discovering that they are being charged for things they are not purchasing. This is bad news for TJX, as this makes them look irresponsible and uncaring. The company's economical value has not declined yet, which company executives were excited to announce. They better update their security devices within their computer systems. How does something like this go unnoticed for such a large amount of time? I feel it should have been detected earlier, which makes me question their system.
http://www.berkshireeagle.com/business/ci_5278791
TJX, the corporate office of TJ Maxx, Homegoods, and Marshalls retail stores recently found out that their computer systems, holding customer information such as credit card numbers and drivers license numbers has been hacked into since July 2005, and used all over the world. They have discovered that the hackers have been using these credit card numbers to make fraud purchases, and people have been discovering that they are being charged for things they are not purchasing. This is bad news for TJX, as this makes them look irresponsible and uncaring. The company's economical value has not declined yet, which company executives were excited to announce. They better update their security devices within their computer systems. How does something like this go unnoticed for such a large amount of time? I feel it should have been detected earlier, which makes me question their system.
http://www.berkshireeagle.com/business/ci_5278791
Tuesday, February 20, 2007
Friday, February 23- India (Other)
Friday, February 23
India coffee exporters are now concentrating on the specialty market for growth in sales. Italy serves as large competition for India's regular coffee sales, and India relies on the export of coffee for the economy, as they are ranked 7th globally, providing 4% of the world's coffee production. It is said that people are now recognizing the Japanese market, as they provide special quality coffee. India has changed their way of thinking, they will not sell regular products at a lesser price and sell more, they will concentrate on a less amount, but a specialty kind, and rise the price. This can be intelligent economically, the exporters just have to keep their eye on the economies of the countries that are buying from them, because they will only buy specialty coffee for a higher price if they have the money. This is a great example of how countries are effected by the economies of others. They have to adjust to the economy of the entire world as a whole, and base their products and prices off of that.
http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/006200702200314.htm
India coffee exporters are now concentrating on the specialty market for growth in sales. Italy serves as large competition for India's regular coffee sales, and India relies on the export of coffee for the economy, as they are ranked 7th globally, providing 4% of the world's coffee production. It is said that people are now recognizing the Japanese market, as they provide special quality coffee. India has changed their way of thinking, they will not sell regular products at a lesser price and sell more, they will concentrate on a less amount, but a specialty kind, and rise the price. This can be intelligent economically, the exporters just have to keep their eye on the economies of the countries that are buying from them, because they will only buy specialty coffee for a higher price if they have the money. This is a great example of how countries are effected by the economies of others. They have to adjust to the economy of the entire world as a whole, and base their products and prices off of that.
http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/006200702200314.htm
Wednesday, February 21- European Union
Wednesday, February 21
Statistics today show that France will overtake Germany as the most economically powerful EU State by 2035. This is due to the current babyboom that France is having, each woman averaging two children. This may be due to the government policies of childcare and the number of childcare facilities that exist, in comparison with those of Germany. It is hard for a woman to balance work and children, so it is often a choice between the two. In France, childcare facilities are cheaper and there are many of them. This makes it easier for the French women to have children, especially those who have full time jobs. This is a primary reason that France is on the rise of a babyboom. It is a great example of how helping the economy and making these changes now, really effects the future and boosts the economy for the children of this babyboom generation.
http://euobserver.com/19/23522
Statistics today show that France will overtake Germany as the most economically powerful EU State by 2035. This is due to the current babyboom that France is having, each woman averaging two children. This may be due to the government policies of childcare and the number of childcare facilities that exist, in comparison with those of Germany. It is hard for a woman to balance work and children, so it is often a choice between the two. In France, childcare facilities are cheaper and there are many of them. This makes it easier for the French women to have children, especially those who have full time jobs. This is a primary reason that France is on the rise of a babyboom. It is a great example of how helping the economy and making these changes now, really effects the future and boosts the economy for the children of this babyboom generation.
http://euobserver.com/19/23522
Thursday, February 15, 2007
Monday, February 19- Local/State/National Affairs
Monday, February 19
"'Younger and younger kids are becoming more comfortable with the Internet,'" stated a toy consultant in an article on Thursday, February 15. The Vice President of marketing at VTech Holdings Ltd. added to this statement, saying that children as young as three years old are using the computer.
Toy companies are, and intelligently if you ask me, beginning to target children who use the internet. They are inventing games to direct children to certain sites to play games rather than have them roam the internet themselves. This is a good marketing incentive, for it is true, people are learning the computer at younger and younger ages and technology is an exponentially growing economy. There are more job opportunities opening up for people with a superior knowledge of computer programs, and I'm sure there will be even more for these young children when they get older. These toys may help them to grow comfortable, or aquaint them to the technology available to them so they become to know and enjoy it. These children may grow up to have amazing careers, because they became so comfortable with using it at such a young age, in part with help from these games. I think, with parents by their side, these games are great for children, but sparingly.
http://www.berkshireeagle.com/business/ci_5231095
"'Younger and younger kids are becoming more comfortable with the Internet,'" stated a toy consultant in an article on Thursday, February 15. The Vice President of marketing at VTech Holdings Ltd. added to this statement, saying that children as young as three years old are using the computer.
Toy companies are, and intelligently if you ask me, beginning to target children who use the internet. They are inventing games to direct children to certain sites to play games rather than have them roam the internet themselves. This is a good marketing incentive, for it is true, people are learning the computer at younger and younger ages and technology is an exponentially growing economy. There are more job opportunities opening up for people with a superior knowledge of computer programs, and I'm sure there will be even more for these young children when they get older. These toys may help them to grow comfortable, or aquaint them to the technology available to them so they become to know and enjoy it. These children may grow up to have amazing careers, because they became so comfortable with using it at such a young age, in part with help from these games. I think, with parents by their side, these games are great for children, but sparingly.
http://www.berkshireeagle.com/business/ci_5231095
Tuesday, February 13, 2007
February 16, India (Other)
Friday, February 16
I found this article interesting, since I can now understand what all of these numbers actually mean since we discussed these topics and vocabulary in the last class.
In India, manucturing activity is rising, which is resulting in more industrial output. More products are being put on the market because more people are working at a time to produce more products. Many car companies in India raised there prices in 2007, yet there was still a 24% rise in car sales in January. Basically, people have more money to spend at the moment in India and companies are aware. It is a very good time for them to raise prices. However, Economists are very concerned with the hike in output, because this will eventually have a large effect on inflation and rising interest rates. It may sound great to the people of India at the moment, but the rising middle class income may have a negative overall effect on the economy if this spending continues.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/NEWS/India_Business/Rising_demand_propels_car_fuel_sales_industrial_growth/articleshow/1600915.cms
I found this article interesting, since I can now understand what all of these numbers actually mean since we discussed these topics and vocabulary in the last class.
In India, manucturing activity is rising, which is resulting in more industrial output. More products are being put on the market because more people are working at a time to produce more products. Many car companies in India raised there prices in 2007, yet there was still a 24% rise in car sales in January. Basically, people have more money to spend at the moment in India and companies are aware. It is a very good time for them to raise prices. However, Economists are very concerned with the hike in output, because this will eventually have a large effect on inflation and rising interest rates. It may sound great to the people of India at the moment, but the rising middle class income may have a negative overall effect on the economy if this spending continues.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/NEWS/India_Business/Rising_demand_propels_car_fuel_sales_industrial_growth/articleshow/1600915.cms
Wednesday, February 14- European Union
Wednesday, February 14
It is rather ironic that I came upon this article today, published by the European Observer, entitled "EU Sets World's Toughest CO2 Emissions Cap for Cars." In a class today, I also viewed Al Gore's "An Unconvenient Truth," which also mentioned that lawmakers are aiming towards vehicle production companies to set new goals for levels of CO2 emissions. American companies, like Ford, are against this law mainly due to the fact that they do not want to spend the money to arrive at solutions for the new technology that will allow cars to actually run while producing less CO2 Emissions. However, vehicle producers in other countries are not against this because their technology is a step ahead of ours so they can afford to make these changes and step up to the plate. This will absolutely effect the sales of American companies. Many people do follow global warming and its concerns, and are aware of what is going on between the governments and these companies. They will not tolerate the inefficency that such companies as Ford are putting forth, and the insensitivity they are revealing. Global warming and the changes being made to help stop it are absolutely bringing forth disagreements between the fields of industry and the environment, mainly due to profit concerns. In upcoming years, these issues will arise commonly and soon the people of the industry and the people of the environment will have to make some changes together. Cars are a good start. Now, where is America with these changes?
http://euobserver.com/19/23443
It is rather ironic that I came upon this article today, published by the European Observer, entitled "EU Sets World's Toughest CO2 Emissions Cap for Cars." In a class today, I also viewed Al Gore's "An Unconvenient Truth," which also mentioned that lawmakers are aiming towards vehicle production companies to set new goals for levels of CO2 emissions. American companies, like Ford, are against this law mainly due to the fact that they do not want to spend the money to arrive at solutions for the new technology that will allow cars to actually run while producing less CO2 Emissions. However, vehicle producers in other countries are not against this because their technology is a step ahead of ours so they can afford to make these changes and step up to the plate. This will absolutely effect the sales of American companies. Many people do follow global warming and its concerns, and are aware of what is going on between the governments and these companies. They will not tolerate the inefficency that such companies as Ford are putting forth, and the insensitivity they are revealing. Global warming and the changes being made to help stop it are absolutely bringing forth disagreements between the fields of industry and the environment, mainly due to profit concerns. In upcoming years, these issues will arise commonly and soon the people of the industry and the people of the environment will have to make some changes together. Cars are a good start. Now, where is America with these changes?
http://euobserver.com/19/23443
Sunday, February 11, 2007
Monday, February 12- Local/State/National Affairs
Monday, February 12
The Berkshire Eagle published an article entitled "American plans high-tech seating" on Sunday, February 11. American Airlines plans to install new luxury seating on plans between Boston and Paris and Boston and London this coming summer and fall. These seats are great investments, for I know that I would definitely pay a higher price for these seats. These new luxury seats feature video entertainment systems with "10 movies, 50 music albums, a 'privacy divider' between pairs of seats, and a two-part tray big enough for both a laptop and a drink or meal." This is not all, for these sets also include a feature which allows them to become flat, converting almost completely into a bed. These seats may initiate more people to fly red-eye flights. They are very convenient and definitely worth spending a bit more on flight tickets. This is a great example of the demand promoting the supply, for people have complained for years about the seating provided in airplanes. American Airlines is one of the first to recognize that perhaps it is worth the money to invest in new, multi-functional seating. I believe that these will be a big hit, and within the next few years, all seating in all airplanes will be these new multi-feature luxury seats.
http://www.boston.com/business/globe/articles/2007/02/11/american_plans_high_tech_seating/
The Berkshire Eagle published an article entitled "American plans high-tech seating" on Sunday, February 11. American Airlines plans to install new luxury seating on plans between Boston and Paris and Boston and London this coming summer and fall. These seats are great investments, for I know that I would definitely pay a higher price for these seats. These new luxury seats feature video entertainment systems with "10 movies, 50 music albums, a 'privacy divider' between pairs of seats, and a two-part tray big enough for both a laptop and a drink or meal." This is not all, for these sets also include a feature which allows them to become flat, converting almost completely into a bed. These seats may initiate more people to fly red-eye flights. They are very convenient and definitely worth spending a bit more on flight tickets. This is a great example of the demand promoting the supply, for people have complained for years about the seating provided in airplanes. American Airlines is one of the first to recognize that perhaps it is worth the money to invest in new, multi-functional seating. I believe that these will be a big hit, and within the next few years, all seating in all airplanes will be these new multi-feature luxury seats.
http://www.boston.com/business/globe/articles/2007/02/11/american_plans_high_tech_seating/
Tuesday, February 6, 2007
Friday, February 9- Japan (Other)
Friday, February 9
"Retail Beef Prices hit 3 1/2-Year High," reads an article posted in the Japanese Times on Tuesday. On Monday, the farm industry stated that "retail prices of domestically produced beef rose last week to their highest level since August 2003." This is an essential meat all over the world that people cook with, and could be a big issue if this price keeps rising. Why is there a shortage? Beef averaged 718 yen ($5.98) per 100 grams nationwide last week, which was up 4 yen from a week earlier. In Japan, the demand for this meat has risen due to sukiyaki and winter pot dishes. Otherwise, the price per 100 grams has remained steadily at 710 yen. I feel as though the price has not gone up a drastic amount, the market is taking advantage of the demand. However, it is unfair if it keeps rising because some people cannot afford to have the prices keep rising. This is a sensitive issue since it is a food issue, because it affects the poverty community, and everyone cooks with beef.
http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/nb20070206a4.html
"Retail Beef Prices hit 3 1/2-Year High," reads an article posted in the Japanese Times on Tuesday. On Monday, the farm industry stated that "retail prices of domestically produced beef rose last week to their highest level since August 2003." This is an essential meat all over the world that people cook with, and could be a big issue if this price keeps rising. Why is there a shortage? Beef averaged 718 yen ($5.98) per 100 grams nationwide last week, which was up 4 yen from a week earlier. In Japan, the demand for this meat has risen due to sukiyaki and winter pot dishes. Otherwise, the price per 100 grams has remained steadily at 710 yen. I feel as though the price has not gone up a drastic amount, the market is taking advantage of the demand. However, it is unfair if it keeps rising because some people cannot afford to have the prices keep rising. This is a sensitive issue since it is a food issue, because it affects the poverty community, and everyone cooks with beef.
http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/nb20070206a4.html
Wednesday, February 7- European Union
Wednesday, February 7
The Union's dependance on Russia for energy sources is becoming more and more obvious to the world as EU leaders desperately try to convince Russian leaders to sign an energy pact called the Energy Charter. The article is entitled "Russia Digs in Heels on Energy Charter," and states that this "key energy pact would open up competition and foreign access to its oil and gas fields." The leaders from both sides have a good argument, but if I were leaders from Russia I would not sign the pact myself. The article states that the only thing Russia would receive in return for sharing their oil and gas fields would be things relating to investments, and "would allow competition between foreign and domestic energy investors."
The Union currently receives their energy sources from Russia, and the pact is running out this year. The article also states that leaders from the Union are growing confident that the Russian leaders will sign, but I don't know if this will happen, it doesn't sound like they are offering enough to convince Russia to sign. If the EU is that desperate in their dependence on Russia for energy, they should offer something more in retun, especially if they want to keep living in the modern world with heat, cars, etc.
http://euobserver.com/9/23426
The Union's dependance on Russia for energy sources is becoming more and more obvious to the world as EU leaders desperately try to convince Russian leaders to sign an energy pact called the Energy Charter. The article is entitled "Russia Digs in Heels on Energy Charter," and states that this "key energy pact would open up competition and foreign access to its oil and gas fields." The leaders from both sides have a good argument, but if I were leaders from Russia I would not sign the pact myself. The article states that the only thing Russia would receive in return for sharing their oil and gas fields would be things relating to investments, and "would allow competition between foreign and domestic energy investors."
The Union currently receives their energy sources from Russia, and the pact is running out this year. The article also states that leaders from the Union are growing confident that the Russian leaders will sign, but I don't know if this will happen, it doesn't sound like they are offering enough to convince Russia to sign. If the EU is that desperate in their dependence on Russia for energy, they should offer something more in retun, especially if they want to keep living in the modern world with heat, cars, etc.
http://euobserver.com/9/23426
Wednesday, February 7- European Union
Wednesday, February 7
The Union's dependance on Russia for energy sources is becoming more and more obvious to the world as EU leaders desperately try to convince Russian leaders to sign an energy pact called the Energy Charter. The article is entitled "Russia Digs in Heels on Energy Charter," and states that this "key energy pact would open up competition and foreign access to its oil and gas fields." The leaders from both sides have a good argument, but if I were leaders from Russia I would not sign the pact myself. The article states that the only thing Russia would receive in return for sharing their oil and gas fields would be things relating to investments, and "would allow competition between foreign and domestic energy investors."
The Union currently receives their energy sources from Russia, and the pact is running out this year. The article also states that leaders from the Union are growing confident that the Russian leaders will sign, but I don't know if this will happen, it doesn't sound like they are offering enough to convince Russia to sign. If the EU is that desperate in their dependence on Russia for energy, they should offer something more in retun, especially if they want to keep living in the modern world with heat, cars, etc.
http://euobserver.com/9/23426
The Union's dependance on Russia for energy sources is becoming more and more obvious to the world as EU leaders desperately try to convince Russian leaders to sign an energy pact called the Energy Charter. The article is entitled "Russia Digs in Heels on Energy Charter," and states that this "key energy pact would open up competition and foreign access to its oil and gas fields." The leaders from both sides have a good argument, but if I were leaders from Russia I would not sign the pact myself. The article states that the only thing Russia would receive in return for sharing their oil and gas fields would be things relating to investments, and "would allow competition between foreign and domestic energy investors."
The Union currently receives their energy sources from Russia, and the pact is running out this year. The article also states that leaders from the Union are growing confident that the Russian leaders will sign, but I don't know if this will happen, it doesn't sound like they are offering enough to convince Russia to sign. If the EU is that desperate in their dependence on Russia for energy, they should offer something more in retun, especially if they want to keep living in the modern world with heat, cars, etc.
http://euobserver.com/9/23426
Sunday, February 4, 2007
Monday, February 5- Local/State/National Affairs
Monday, February 5
Beyond the fight between cable channels to televise the Super Bowl lies another market involving this annual football event. Sales of t-shirts and caps displaying the name of the team that wins the Super Bowl is huge for the t-shirt market. At the approach of 00:00 on the clock, manufacturers get ready to start their machines producing shirts and caps to be on the shelves the next morning in stores.
This all begins with the production of tshirts and hats for the players of the team that actually wins. A large sum of 288 tshirts and hats are produced for each team in advance of the Super Bowl, to give out to the players, coaches, staff, and families of the winning teams. The NFL has strict rules of where those products of the losers go, for "those items are never to appear on television of on eBay. They are never even to be seen on American soil."
The Monday morning after the football game ends, the tshirts and caps are sent to a warehouse near Pittsburgh, PA, where they fall into the hands of World Vision, "a relief organization that will package the clothing in wooden boxes and send it to a developing nation, usually in Africa."
The director of community ventures of the NFL worked in Ethiopia for a while in 1998, and spotted a village boy wearing a Super Bowl Champions t-shirt of 1998 starring the Green Bay Packers. She was the only person in the village to spot this as odd, as the Denver Broncos were the Champions of this Super Bowl.
The tshirts of the losers of the Super Bowl could sell for some money as they are rare on eBay, but the NFL chooses to give them away. This may be because they do not want them on American soil for their own reasoning, but it is nice that they donate so much to people that have no electricity or running water.
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/02/04/sports/football/04gear.html?_r=1&ref=todayspaper&oref=slogin
Beyond the fight between cable channels to televise the Super Bowl lies another market involving this annual football event. Sales of t-shirts and caps displaying the name of the team that wins the Super Bowl is huge for the t-shirt market. At the approach of 00:00 on the clock, manufacturers get ready to start their machines producing shirts and caps to be on the shelves the next morning in stores.
This all begins with the production of tshirts and hats for the players of the team that actually wins. A large sum of 288 tshirts and hats are produced for each team in advance of the Super Bowl, to give out to the players, coaches, staff, and families of the winning teams. The NFL has strict rules of where those products of the losers go, for "those items are never to appear on television of on eBay. They are never even to be seen on American soil."
The Monday morning after the football game ends, the tshirts and caps are sent to a warehouse near Pittsburgh, PA, where they fall into the hands of World Vision, "a relief organization that will package the clothing in wooden boxes and send it to a developing nation, usually in Africa."
The director of community ventures of the NFL worked in Ethiopia for a while in 1998, and spotted a village boy wearing a Super Bowl Champions t-shirt of 1998 starring the Green Bay Packers. She was the only person in the village to spot this as odd, as the Denver Broncos were the Champions of this Super Bowl.
The tshirts of the losers of the Super Bowl could sell for some money as they are rare on eBay, but the NFL chooses to give them away. This may be because they do not want them on American soil for their own reasoning, but it is nice that they donate so much to people that have no electricity or running water.
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/02/04/sports/football/04gear.html?_r=1&ref=todayspaper&oref=slogin
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