The average business owner is not flush with cash. If they still have their best customers, the orders are smaller, and he has to offer lower prices. Half their small customers have gone out of business and the business owner had to at their debt. The average business is hurting for income and profits.
If the owner has any cash, he is waiting for the next crazy idea to come from DC. Taxes will go up next year 4%. Cap and Trade (Tax) will export more manufacturing jobs overseas. Who knows how much health care will cost in a few years.
Look at states that have better economies. Texas, Oklahoma and North Dakota have lower unemployment and generated two thirds of all new jobs created over the last three years. Why? Business friendly regulations, stable taxes, governments within budget, limits on litigation awards, and respect for taxpayers.
Canada is doing well in this global recession. Why? Business friendly regulations, lower taxes, limited government spending, limits on litigation, and lots of legal immigrants. Same thing that built the USA. Canada also avoided the real estate bubble by not allowing very low down payments nor subprime lending. Smart regulations unlike Fannie and Freddie offerings.
If DC wants to improve the economy, the government has to be fans of business owners. Not vilify them. What business needs is stability. Cut government spending and borrowing, don’t add more regulations, and limit tax increases. Then businesses will start investing, expanding and hiring. Until then we are starting down the path of the Japanese lost decades.
Showing posts with label protecting business. Show all posts
Showing posts with label protecting business. Show all posts
September 6, 2010
January 1, 2010
Securing Our Airports
Our current airport security is inadequate. It is not possible with current technology to catch all weapons and explosive. There are too many ways to orient weapons to confuse human viewers. Also we humans often tire too quickly for 100% inspections. We need to make improvements in equipment and methods.
We need to admit to passengers there are risks, and to get their help spotting unusual behavior. It does not make us comfortable, but makes us alert and safer.
Explosives are the biggest threat now we have locked the door to the pilots. Between the Christmas Eve Detroit flight and the shoe bomber we have seen the possibility one terrorist makes.
The best method currently available is interviewing people before they board likeIsrael
Long term we must invest in putting bomb sniffers on computer chips. Some false alerts will cause passengers to change colognes or perfumes. When I had to pass a bomb sniffer in the early 80’s, everyone working there knew not to wear ‘Hi Karate’ cologne since it could cause false alerts. In fact I gave up wearing colognes then. Not sure I recommend that as I did not get married until my forties, but you get the idea I adjusted my behavior to avoid problems.
The advantage of putting sniffers on chips is we can put these bomb sniffing chips almost everywhere due to the low cost of operation. Every pinch point like entrances, check in lines, tunnels, parking garages, and baggage conveyors could have a network. In fact exhaust systems could be an ideal pre-alert warning. These would be networked to alert humans to investigate and intervene. These are area where the dogs would still be necessary.
Baggage and people scanners need artificial intelligence build in to spot potential weapons. Humans are too imperfect to spot them reliably. Research needs to be focused here. There are inspection technologies that are close to ready. The added benefit is this technology would speed up scanning.
Can we make it a priority to recruit National Guard members or retired military for the TSA? We need people with experience and who know what the risks are. Field soldiers are already experience looking for terrorist and bombs. Ideal people to recruit and hire.
In addition we need to profile young men in their 20’s to 50’s. It is not politically correct, but over 90 percent of terrorist are young Muslim men in their 20’s to 40’s. Being safe is more important than politically correct.
Steve
We need to admit to passengers there are risks, and to get their help spotting unusual behavior. It does not make us comfortable, but makes us alert and safer.
Explosives are the biggest threat now we have locked the door to the pilots. Between the Christmas Eve Detroit flight and the shoe bomber we have seen the possibility one terrorist makes.
The best method currently available is interviewing people before they board like
Long term we must invest in putting bomb sniffers on computer chips. Some false alerts will cause passengers to change colognes or perfumes. When I had to pass a bomb sniffer in the early 80’s, everyone working there knew not to wear ‘Hi Karate’ cologne since it could cause false alerts. In fact I gave up wearing colognes then. Not sure I recommend that as I did not get married until my forties, but you get the idea I adjusted my behavior to avoid problems.
The advantage of putting sniffers on chips is we can put these bomb sniffing chips almost everywhere due to the low cost of operation. Every pinch point like entrances, check in lines, tunnels, parking garages, and baggage conveyors could have a network. In fact exhaust systems could be an ideal pre-alert warning. These would be networked to alert humans to investigate and intervene. These are area where the dogs would still be necessary.
Baggage and people scanners need artificial intelligence build in to spot potential weapons. Humans are too imperfect to spot them reliably. Research needs to be focused here. There are inspection technologies that are close to ready. The added benefit is this technology would speed up scanning.
Can we make it a priority to recruit National Guard members or retired military for the TSA? We need people with experience and who know what the risks are. Field soldiers are already experience looking for terrorist and bombs. Ideal people to recruit and hire.
In addition we need to profile young men in their 20’s to 50’s. It is not politically correct, but over 90 percent of terrorist are young Muslim men in their 20’s to 40’s. Being safe is more important than politically correct.
Steve
October 27, 2009
Political Uncertainty Puts Freeze on Small Businesses
Very Good Wall Street Journal Article about why small businesses are not hiring or may be laying off. Think this is a common reason businesses are not taking advantage of the economy to expand market share. The uncertainty of the new health care costs, increasing taxes in 2010 when the Bush tax cuts expire, and political new taxes like Cap and Trade are causing businesses to hold on to cash. The recovery may be slow in the current situation until some direction is clearly coming from Washington.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB125659324579108943.html
The leaders who can see a way to expand their businesses will be rewarded when the recession ends. How can you affordability grow your business market share now? Your customers will thank you.
Steve Amos
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB125659324579108943.html
The leaders who can see a way to expand their businesses will be rewarded when the recession ends. How can you affordability grow your business market share now? Your customers will thank you.
Steve Amos
May 20, 2009
Game Changer Pocket-Sized Robot Could Change Urban Warfare
Here is a perfect example of a game changer innovation. A successful supplier to the US military, iRobot, develops a better product that will revolutionize warfare. This is the type of innovation needed to stay on top of your business.
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,520851,00.html
If link does not work, search Foxnews for “Pocket-Sized Robot”
How can you change your market today?
Steve
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,520851,00.html
If link does not work, search Foxnews for “Pocket-Sized Robot”
How can you change your market today?
Steve
October 24, 2007
Self Insuring Your Home or Neighborhood
Tonight I get to unpack the car and put the important papers back in my unit. The wind has died down and I am far enough away to be safe from my local Orange County CA fire. My apartment would have likely survived because of location and construction. We do not back up to a canyon nor have woods surrounding us. But the closeness of the disaster and my cousin evacuating in San Diego has me thinking about protecting your home or business. In the western US, we have fires every year ore so.
Your home or business is a big investment. Firemen can get overwhelmed during a big fire. They can’t be everywhere. You don’t want to be one of those heroic people trying to save their property against a 50 foot wall of flames with a garden. Your life is not worth the risk. Evacuate when you are told to!
It would be great buy the right house or pick the right business building. Get a fire proof roof if possible. Tile and metal roofs are best choices. If you have a shake roof, replace it! You can get modern tiles that look like a shake roof.
You want the walls to be Stucco, Cement or Brick. These materials will resist burning best, and should be good long term investments.
View homes have wonderful appeal, and living trees are great shade for summer comfort. I want a home like this too, but fires love to climb hills and travel through treetops. Location will affect your risk.
Most homes burn from the fire getting into the attic. The fire licks the side of the house, and the embers find their way through the vents or eves. Make sure you clear brush, woodpiles, and other fuel away from the house. At least 30 to 100 feet are recommended.
Some experts recommend sealing under the overhangs. I am not sure how to let air circulate and block the embers, but this is worth investigating. Would love to hear from someone how.
Have or install a sprinkler system. Make sure the attic is covered. Water will keep the fire from expanding although I would expect some water damage.
Above is wonderful advice if you are choosing a place, but what if you already own property? So what else can you do? Invest in a fireproof foam system. The fire is nearby and you have to start packing your important papers. Close the windows and doors. Park the car in the driveway with the engine running, get out your hose and ladder and start spraying under the eves, over the walls and windows. Spray trees too close to the house, the tank on the barbecue, and any car or truck to be left behind. Leave the sprayer tool soaking in a bucket of water. Then leave as soon as you can or you are told to.
The firemen will not have to risk their lives to save you home. If the fire comes too fast, your place is still safe.
Find out more by going to the following websites:
Barricade Gel www.barricadegel.com
No Char www.nochar.com
Thermo Gel www.thermogel.com
There is some downside to these products. Your outside walls will probably discolor and the foams can remove oxidized paint. So you may wind up repainting. If the fire isn’t right there, you have to water them to keep them moist and effective. The foams are very slippery, so you have a good chance to fall while applying the foam.
Kits start around $300 and neighborhood associations can protect ten to twelve houses for $2,000 to $3,000. The chemical does age and have to be replaced.
Note: I have no financial interest, nor am receiving no reimbursement for writing this. Just want you to be aware foams are available. I heard about Barricade Gel in Florida a few years ago when visiting family in the Daytona Beach area.
Consider investing in foam to insure yourself. Who wants to lose all those memories inside?
Your home or business is a big investment. Firemen can get overwhelmed during a big fire. They can’t be everywhere. You don’t want to be one of those heroic people trying to save their property against a 50 foot wall of flames with a garden. Your life is not worth the risk. Evacuate when you are told to!
It would be great buy the right house or pick the right business building. Get a fire proof roof if possible. Tile and metal roofs are best choices. If you have a shake roof, replace it! You can get modern tiles that look like a shake roof.
You want the walls to be Stucco, Cement or Brick. These materials will resist burning best, and should be good long term investments.
View homes have wonderful appeal, and living trees are great shade for summer comfort. I want a home like this too, but fires love to climb hills and travel through treetops. Location will affect your risk.
Most homes burn from the fire getting into the attic. The fire licks the side of the house, and the embers find their way through the vents or eves. Make sure you clear brush, woodpiles, and other fuel away from the house. At least 30 to 100 feet are recommended.
Some experts recommend sealing under the overhangs. I am not sure how to let air circulate and block the embers, but this is worth investigating. Would love to hear from someone how.
Have or install a sprinkler system. Make sure the attic is covered. Water will keep the fire from expanding although I would expect some water damage.
Above is wonderful advice if you are choosing a place, but what if you already own property? So what else can you do? Invest in a fireproof foam system. The fire is nearby and you have to start packing your important papers. Close the windows and doors. Park the car in the driveway with the engine running, get out your hose and ladder and start spraying under the eves, over the walls and windows. Spray trees too close to the house, the tank on the barbecue, and any car or truck to be left behind. Leave the sprayer tool soaking in a bucket of water. Then leave as soon as you can or you are told to.
The firemen will not have to risk their lives to save you home. If the fire comes too fast, your place is still safe.
Find out more by going to the following websites:
Barricade Gel www.barricadegel.com
No Char www.nochar.com
Thermo Gel www.thermogel.com
There is some downside to these products. Your outside walls will probably discolor and the foams can remove oxidized paint. So you may wind up repainting. If the fire isn’t right there, you have to water them to keep them moist and effective. The foams are very slippery, so you have a good chance to fall while applying the foam.
Kits start around $300 and neighborhood associations can protect ten to twelve houses for $2,000 to $3,000. The chemical does age and have to be replaced.
Note: I have no financial interest, nor am receiving no reimbursement for writing this. Just want you to be aware foams are available. I heard about Barricade Gel in Florida a few years ago when visiting family in the Daytona Beach area.
Consider investing in foam to insure yourself. Who wants to lose all those memories inside?
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