Finally a stimulus plan that works

Finally a stimulus plan that will save America. Or at least that’s how the email reads. I’ve seen it too many times now, that I just have blog about it. Some genius’ plan goes like this:

Toyota Grades

I’ve spent years watching companies over time. You get to observe lots of neat things if you look closely. Companies almost appear as living, human entities (they’re not, Supreme Court!) For example, one can observe a formerly innovative and nimble company get “fat and happy” and lose their competitive lead. This can happen for all sorts of reasons, not the least of which is simply good, old fashioned arrogance. Corporate culture plays an important role too, particularly when a company’s work force doubles in a relatively short time. The newer employees change the culture or have trouble integrating or are simply less manageable due to the sheer size and speed of the expansion.

Investments that cost you money and why I don’t like them

A mouthful of a title for sure, but it says it all. I frequently find myself dealing with people who get into “investments” that cost them money. By “cost them money”, I’m not talking about an investment that went south and ended up at a loss. That happens all the time and is part and parcel of all investing. Rarely do investors find themselves without any losers. No, that’s not what I’m talking about.

When does the Chinese Credit Card Crisis Hit?

Koreans, as in Koreans who live in Korea, are not the best drivers. Korea has some of the highest car fatality rates in the developed world. The first time I set foot in Korea, it struck me how almost every car on the road had some kind of dent. Road rules seemed Darwinian. If you had the biggest vehicle, you had the right of way. Pedestrians were 10th class citizens, even on sidewalks.

International Intrigue, Swiss-German Style

An otherwise quiet government organization in Europe is attempting to buy secret cross-border bank account data. The unknown organization that has the data is asking $3.5 million for it. Authorities from two countries are trying to negotiate with the data hostage taker. Sound like a plot for a James Bond movie? Actually, this is exactly the dilemma faced by German and Swiss authorities right now! First, a brief background.