Innovation and US jobs: two types of opportunity- of iPhones and frozen yogurt

Given the substantial interest in previous posts about how innovation creates jobs here are some more thoughts on exactly how these jobs can happen. But first about innovation which is at its most basic level is: doing something new. The newness can be huge like when the iPhone was introduced or can be just openingContinue reading “Innovation and US jobs: two types of opportunity- of iPhones and frozen yogurt”

Apple vs Samsung: the link between innovation,intellectual property and US jobs

Innovation is hard, it needs fanatical dedication and focused innovators like Steve Jobs to come up with blockbuster product ideas like the iPad and iPhone. And although there was one Steve Jobs, he inspired thousands if not millions to try their own stuff. Capturing value from your innovation efforts depends on protection of intellectual propertyContinue reading “Apple vs Samsung: the link between innovation,intellectual property and US jobs”

Paypal mobile payments for McDonald’s France can open up vast Indian retail opportunities

Paypal is testing mobile app payments for McDonald's in 30 restaurants in France. If it works, then there might be a roll-out to over 30,000 McDonald's worldwide. The number 30,000 sounded really small so here is a reality check. How many Starbucks are there in the world? Under 17,000 worldwide ,or just over half theContinue reading “Paypal mobile payments for McDonald’s France can open up vast Indian retail opportunities”

Outsourceability : an example from the US doctor’s office

Since the recession-outsourcing and outsourceability- a taboo topic is now being discussed much more openly in America. Most people agree that if your job can be outsourced to a cheaper location or to technology – it will be outsourced. Thus young people, mid and late career folks are all thinking again about outsourcing and itsContinue reading “Outsourceability : an example from the US doctor’s office”

Globalization & Technology is why 28% US workers may remain in low paying jobs in 2020

According to the Economic Policy Institute 28% US workers will remain in low paying jobs in 2020 which is the same as in 2010. Globalization & technology is the reason as some previous blog posts have indicated and this post gets into some more details. But first let's  understand the different levels of skills andContinue reading “Globalization & Technology is why 28% US workers may remain in low paying jobs in 2020”

US drought and Mississippi river transport cost : reduce 17 tons cargo for every inch decline

As the US drought gets worse, one  does not realize that barges transport  60 % of US crops of corn,soy and wheat  to Louisiana for worldwide distribution over the Mississippi. The river is declining so rapidly that the barges might get grounded. So the barge industry is reducing 17 tons of freight for every inchContinue reading “US drought and Mississippi river transport cost : reduce 17 tons cargo for every inch decline”

Outsourcing transfers the perishability risk to the provider

As outsourcing becomes an important issue in the US Presidential elections- it's interesting to look at the perishability risk of services and how the provider or vendor takes over managing that risk. But first about perishability in services. Services have been differentiated from goods in terms of service characteristics that include intangibility,perishability,inseparability and variability.  TheContinue reading “Outsourcing transfers the perishability risk to the provider”

Character not personality: why 7-Habits Steven Covey is followed across the globe

7-Habits author Steven Covey passed away yesterday and it was just the previous week when a friend and visiting Indian CEO mentioned that Steven Covey’s 7 Habits is a great inspiration for him. And this was before the news of Covey’s passing so it led to this post about why Steven Covey’s ideas resonate across countries and cultures.

US Textile Industry and the outsourcing of US Olympic team uniforms by Ralph Lauren

The outsourcing of US Olympic team uniforms by Ralph Lauren to China seems to cause a great deal of angst among US politicians as you can see in the Wall Street Journal video alongside. The reality is that if you checked out any clothing or home furnishing at the apparel section of Walmart, JCPenney orContinue reading “US Textile Industry and the outsourcing of US Olympic team uniforms by Ralph Lauren”

Creating American jobs with inevitable outsourcing should be the presidential election debate

Creating American jobs with inevitable outsourcing should be the presidential election debate from both parties. This given the recent speculation that GOP candidate Romney might have helped the global outsourcing boom while  at Bain Capital. Consider the following: Global outsourcing as a debate in academia has progressed from when to outsource to how to manageContinue reading “Creating American jobs with inevitable outsourcing should be the presidential election debate”